For VAYONN, debuting is one thing. Defining what youth means to them is another.

The six-member group – SEN, MASATO, AYANG, JINYU, TERU, and MANO – introduced their first EP, Youth Today, earlier this summer, opening a new chapter with a release built around the energy and possibilities of being young. Its main title track, “MUAH!”, puts VAYONN’s identity front and centre, while pre-release single “WATTA DAY” offered an earlier introduction to the group ahead of the EP’s arrival. Together, the releases give listeners an initial sense of the world VAYONN are beginning to build, with Youth Today providing the starting point for a story that will develop alongside its six members.

But the transition from practising for a stage to performing on one has brought its own lessons, particularly for MASATO. Even when choreography feels perfect in the practice room, positions can shift during a live performance, requiring members to make adjustments without disrupting the flow. Maintaining their expressions while correcting their movements is a skill that develops with experience. Synchronisation, then, is about more than learning the same steps; it means responding to one another in real time, often without the audience noticing what has changed.

Their identity is taking shape offstage, too. AYANG describes how the members have grown more comfortable with one another since debuting, gaining confidence and finding better ways to express their individual personalities within the group. SEN recalls the small habits and improvised routines that emerged during rehearsals, while JINYU has found himself repeating “Joeunde-yo” (“That’s nice!”) in everyday life after hearing the phrase so often during their music video shoot.

VENA, their fandom, have given those early performances a personal dimension. Hearing fans cheer after their debut stage made the reality of debuting sink in for AYANG, while JINYU remembers an audience illuminated by phone flashlights as VAYONN performed “Where My Youth Lives” at a music festival in Hokkaido. For MANO, seeing VENA raise their light sticks during a music show is a memory he expects to carry for decades.

With Youth Today, VAYONN are introducing themselves while learning what it means to grow together in public. TERU already has a destination in mind: a huge stadium filled with VENA singing along. When that day comes, he wants to turn to his members and tell them how far they have come. For now, that future is taking shape through the songs, rehearsals, adjustments, and first memories of a group only beginning to find its rhythm.

TERU The moment that stands out to me the most was when I saw a fan holding up a sign with my name on it. My heart was literally racing! I was so happy and touched to see someone cheering for me like that.

Your fandom is called VENA. What's a moment with VENA that has stayed with you since debut?

AYANG The moment I remember most was hearing our fans cheering for us after our debut performance. That was when it really hit me that, “We actually made our debut.” I felt so happy and grateful in that moment.

MANO I think every moment we’re experiencing right now is incredibly precious to me. These are memories that I’ll treasure forever and never forget.

JINYU One moment that really stands out to me was when we performed “Where My Youth Lives” at a music festival in Hokkaido. All the VENA in the audience turned on their phone flashlights and held them up while we were performing. In that moment, I could really feel how connected we were to each other. It was such a beautiful and unforgettable experience.

Which part of the "MUAH!" choreography took the longest to get in sync?

AYANG I think the most challenging part was getting all six members perfectly in sync. We practiced a lot to make sure our movements were precise and coordinated. But when all six of us finally moved perfectly together, it felt really rewarding and gave me such a strong sense of accomplishment.

MASATO There are actually a lot more position changes and small details in the choreography than you might expect. In a way, you could say it’s almost the entire choreography, but I especially remember practicing the first 20 seconds or so over and over again, starting from the part where we’re seated. There’s also a part where we start a turn with our eyes closed, so getting the timing exactly right was a little challenging.

MANO I’d love to just relax on a sunbed under a beach umbrella, listening to the sound of the waves and enjoying some peaceful downtime!

TERU I love summer because I can go to the beach, swim in the ocean, and enjoy lots of delicious food! Spending the day having fun and laughing with the members would make it a perfect summer day. I especially love swimming in the summer!

SEN While preparing for our activities and practicing together, we came up with some funny little habits and practice routines. Those moments when we all laughed together are some of the most fun and memorable memories we’ve made.

What is something you have noticed changing in each other since debut?

AYANG I think we’ve all become much more comfortable and natural with each other compared to when we first started. I also feel like we’ve gained more confidence on stage and are getting better at showing our individual charms. It feels like we’re all growing together, little by little.

MASATO I think we’ve all developed a much stronger sense of responsibility. We’re becoming more and more aware of the responsibility we have when it comes to our performances and being on stage. I’m also really happy to see that we’re all making an effort to understand each other’s personalities better.

TERU Our very first music show performance is the moment I remember the most! I was really nervous before going on stage, but seeing VENA cheering for us gave me so much strength and confidence. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the mix of nerves and excitement I felt that day.

Now that you've officially debuted, what is the biggest difference between practising for a stage and performing on one?

MASATO Even when I feel like I’ve practiced the choreography perfectly and everything looks right in the mirror, there are times when our positions can shift slightly on an actual stage. When that happens, we have to adjust our positions naturally while continuing to perform, and sometimes that can affect the overall quality of the performance.

That’s something I’ve been paying particular attention to lately. I try to correct my position as naturally and subtly as possible without letting it show, because I believe every second can make a difference in the quality of a performance. Having to adjust our positions while also maintaining our facial expressions and staying in character is something you can really only learn through performing on stage. That’s what makes the stage such a deep and fascinating experience for me.