SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Known for its bright, youthful sound, K-pop boy group Tws now finds itself navigating the intensity and uncertainty of youth.
Despite its rapid rise, the group's members continue to grapple with hesitation and self-doubt, prompting Tws to turn inward for its second single album "To Us," set for release at 6 p.m. Monday. The album offers an honest reflection on those struggles and a message of solidarity to peers who fear taking on new challenges.
"While our previous releases conveyed a sense of uncontrollable excitement and the message that it's OK to be clumsy, this time, we wanted to convey that it's OK for youth to be a time of both courage and trial and error," member Jihoon said during a group media interview held at a Seoul cafe Wednesday.
Boy group Tws is seen in this photo provided by Pledis Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Preparing the release sparked deep conversations among the six members about their current mindset and what truly defines Tws today.
"We talked a lot about what makes Tws who we are and what we do best," Jihoon recalled. "We still think we have a lot of shortcomings and nervous moments, but we're able to give it our all onstage because 42 is there to trust and cheer us on," he said, using the name of the group's fandom.
That driving force illuminates the album's three tracks: "We Up," which channels the band's ambition to leap higher using behind-the-scenes effort as a stepping stone; "Heavy," which tenderly embraces those exhausted by the weight of the world; and the lead single, "Call My Name."
A "boyhood pop" track, "Call My Name" blends a racing drum-and-bass rhythm with sweeping strings and an emotional piano performance by jazz pianist Yun Seok-cheol.
Departing from the refreshing and rough image of its previous release, Tws aimed to evoke an overwhelming surge of emotion. The piano adds a wistful depth that builds toward the climax, matched by choreography incorporating turns and jumps.
With lyrics like "Won't you call my name?/ So I don't wander" and "Risking my all on the stage, on the stage/ Fearlessly throwing myself," the song pledges to leap onto the stage following the voices of 42 whenever the group feels lost.
Members Youngjae, Shinyu and Dohoon participated in writing the lyrics to showcase a more mature, sincere side of the group.
"I tried to capture my thoughts, true to the intention of the album, titled 'To Us'," said Shinyu, who contributed to the group's songwriting for the first time. "I just wrote down exactly what was on my mind at the time without trying to dress up my words, and they were adopted thankfully."
Youngjae described the track as an answer song to the fans who always call out the group's name.
Boy group Tws is seen in this photo provided by Pledis Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
While the song is a tribute to the fandom, the band said, its message of faith and comfort extends to the members themselves as well as anyone navigating a turbulent season of life.
"I hope this song can also comfort anyone who is doubting what they do or going through trial and error," Jihoon said.
The group's empathy for those wrestling with self-doubt comes from personal experience. Before kicking off its latest Asian tour, which expanded significantly in scale from last year's, Dohoon admitted to feeling shaken by doubts about whether he could meet the expectations of larger crowds.
"But by the time we reached the final city, I had gained confidence in myself," he said. "I grew a lot when I realized that only when I enjoy the moment as much as possible can the audience also become immersed."
Performing live throughout the demanding tour also revealed how much the six members have grown together.
Jihoon marveled at how the youngest member Kyungmin had improved in terms of breath control, stamina and effort as the tour progressed. "I worked out with him because I couldn't let myself be outdone by him as an older member."
Kyungmin said, "I think the team's ability to support one another when someone felt down had improved significantly by the end of the tour."
Offstage, Tws maintains that chemistry through conversation sessions called "bonfires," where members share their thoughts to prevent serious conflicts.
Hanjin, the Chinese member, noted that his limited Korean occasionally led to misunderstandings early in the group's career, but the other members' understanding helped resolve them. "We don't have any friction now," he said.
With the new album, Tws is hoping to secure another win on a televised music show.
"If we win, we pledge to turn around and strike a favorite pose or one requested by fans for the camera as the audience calls out each member's name," Shinyu said.
Closing out the interview, the members expressed hope their personal confessions would resonate with listeners and become "our" song.
"We hope it becomes the warmest album of the cold season and that our sincere stage performances are remembered fondly," Youngjae said.

