The five-member group Splayit – YOON CHAN, EUN BIN, KYUNG UK, AYDN and EUN CHAN – introduced themselves in August with SPLAY : CHAPTER 01, a three-track debut single album that places the excitement and uncertainty of youth at the centre of their musical world.

Featuring “Last bus”, “Domino” and “Celebration”, the release explores different expressions of that experience. Its central ideas are new beginnings, fleeting moments and the memories that stay with us long after they have passed. Bright, refreshing band arrangements provide the foundation, but SPLAY : CHAPTER 01 is about more than making an energetic first impression. It captures the feeling of standing at the beginning of something, with all the possibilities that come with it.

For Splayit, however, this first chapter is just that: a starting point. The members are already looking beyond their debut, keen to show audiences more of what they can do rather than be defined by a single sound or image.

Part of that ambition comes from leaving their school band identity behind. KYUNG UK speaks about wanting to present a more mature side of the group, while EUN CHAN is keen to explore music that reaches into deeper emotional territory. The possibilities he describes are deliberately broad: powerful and raw one moment, delicate and lyrical the next. It is an appealing prospect for a band still working out the full extent of its musical personality.

That discovery also happens away from the music itself. EUN BIN reflects on how performing together has changed the members' understanding of what being a band requires. Technical ability and a good live show are only part of the equation; communication, trust and an awareness of each other's strengths matter just as much. It is a lesson that becomes particularly important when the ambition is to play bigger stages, where KYUNG UK admits he still wants to become more comfortable letting go while performing difficult instrumental parts.

There is something refreshing about a group that can acknowledge how much it still has to learn. Splayit aren't presenting their debut as a definitive statement of intent. Instead, they seem to view it as the beginning of a longer process, one shaped by new experiences, a growing relationship with their audience and the freedom to explore beyond their first musical impression.

Ultimately, they want people to hear the name Splayit and think of a band worth seeing live. That is a worthwhile ambition, but earning that reputation takes more than enthusiasm. It takes a sound people recognise as their own.

Speaking to KPOPWORLD, Splayit discuss the lessons of their debut, the identity they are building together and the musical ground they hope to cover next.

Looking back on your debut, what has been the biggest surprise about becoming an idol group?

YOON CHAN Before our debut, I thought singing onstage was the most important thing. But once we began promoting our album, what surprised me most was how many different ways there were to communicate and connect with our fans.

What did you learn about yourselves and each other during the preparation for your debut?

YOON CHAN We realised that bringing our different personalities together creates something none of us could achieve alone.

Now that you have experienced your first promotions, is there anything about performing or working as a group that you understand differently?

EUN BIN Once we started performing and working together as a band, we realised there was so much more to it than putting on a good show. Communicating and trusting each other offstage is just as important. Spending time together also taught us how to play to each other’s strengths and naturally make up for what someone else might lack. I think those experiences brought us closer as a team.

What is one moment from your debut era that you think you will remember for a long time?

EUN BIN I think I’ll always remember our debut performance. All the time we’d spent preparing for that moment flashed through my mind, and hearing our fans cheer in person made our debut feel real. That moment reminded us why we wanted to be a band in the first place. It’s a memory I really treasure, and I look forward to making more memories together with our fans.

Every group has to find its own identity in a crowded industry. What do you think makes Splayit different from other groups debuting around the same time?

AYDN I think what sets Splayit apart is how we each bring different personalities and charms, but create something new when we come together. Those differences give us our own vibe and an energy onstage that’s unique to us. We still have so much to show, and we want to make our identity even clearer through everything we do next.

Has your understanding of Splayit’s identity changed since debuting? If so, what has become clearer to you?

AYDN Before debuting, we spent a lot of time wondering what we could show people and how to express our own style. Since then, performing and trying different things have helped us gradually discover who we are as a band. Preparing for shows together and meeting fans have especially shown us how much stronger we are when we bring our individual personalities together. I don’t think Splayit’s identity is already set. It’s something we’ll keep shaping through new experiences and everything we do.

What is something you wanted to show through your debut that you hope fans recognised?

KYUNG UK We hoped fans would see our confidence in moving beyond our School Band image and showing a more mature side through our music and performances. We want to keep surprising them with different kinds of music.

As you prepare for your next chapter, what is one skill or aspect of your performance that you are determined to improve?

KYUNG UK When we play big stages like festivals, I feel like I can’t fully let loose and have fun while playing my instrument just yet. I’m determined to practise more until I can feel relaxed even when playing difficult parts.

Is there something you were unable to show during your debut that you are hoping to explore in future music or performances?

EUN CHAN Our debut album focused on our bright, fresh energy. Going forward, we’d like to try music that explores deeper, more diverse emotions. Sometimes that might mean a powerful, raw sound, and other times something more delicate and lyrical. We still have so many sides to show, so we’re excited to hear what our music will sound like in the future, too.

When you look ahead to the next year, what would you like Splayit to be known for that you are not yet known for today?

EUN CHAN We want people to hear the name Splayit and get excited to see us live. We also want to be known as a band that gives it their all onstage. Beyond sharing good music, we’d be really happy if our songs could become part of someone’s memories of their youth. A year from now, we hope more people will recognise our own musical style.