EXCLUSIVE [INTERVIEW] TUNEXX discusses their debut EP 'SET BY US ONLY' and 'Rookie of the Year' aspirations
by Sofia-Sayson · allkpopThe K-pop industry has welcomed another idol group brimming with ambition: TUNEXX. Formed under IST Entertainment, the group consists of seven members—Donggyu, Inhu, Taira, Sungjun, Zeon, Sihwan, and Arctic—all ready to pursue their dreams in unison through their shared passion for music.
The septet debuted on March 3, 2026, with the mini-album 'SET BY US ONLY.' The project features the funk-inspired "100&," the electronic hip-hop track "I’m Alive," the R&B-infused "Obsessed," and the band-driven "Twenty Something," all of which reflect the members' determination to forge ahead.
This release marks the chapter where they begin to mold their unique sound and identity. "'SET BY US ONLY' reflects our intention to start with our own standards and direction," Inhu told allkpop.
Following their debut, allkpop chatted with the boys to discuss finally hitting the stage, why 'SET BY US ONLY' serves as the perfect introduction to the group, the inspirations that pushed them toward this path, and more.
Read on our exclusive interview with TUNEXX below!
allkpop: First of all, congratulations on your debut! To start, please introduce yourselves and tell us a bit about your individual roles. Is there a fun TMI you can share with us, and what unique strength do you think you bring to the table?
Donggyu: Hello, I’m Donggyu, the leader of TUNEXX. As a little TMI, I’ve been taking cold showers every morning lately, and I sometimes end up screaming without realizing it. (laughs) My role is to keep the team grounded, and I think that’s one of my strengths.
Taira: Hi, I’m Taira, the main dancer of TUNEXX. Nice to meet you! A little TMI about me is that I am pretty mindful about bloating. So before a schedule, I try to eat potassium-rich fruits and keep my sodium intake in check. I think my strength is my contrast on stage. I may look calm, but once the beat drops, I can fill the stage with my groove and confident energy.
Sungjun: Hello, I’m Sungjun, a lead vocalist of TUNEXX. A little fun fact about me is that I’m a bit of a picky eater. I think my strength is adding color to the team with my soft vocal tone.
Arctic: Hello, I’m Arctic, maknae (the youngest) of TUNEXX. I always try to stay positive, and I want to share that energy with our fans. Recently, I’ve been really into playing games, and there was even a time I fell asleep while playing. (laughs) My biggest strength is my bright and lively energy.
Inhu: Hello, I’m Inhu, a lead vocalist of TUNEXX. I’m the “cute one” in the team. I’m rather shy, so these days I’ve been practicing aegyo (acting cute) in the shower to overcome that. I’d say my cute side is one of my strengths.
Sihwan: Hello, I’m Sihwan, in charge of both vocals and rap with a distinctive tone in TUNEXX. My strength is my unique voice tone, and these days I’ve been really into chicken.
Zeon: Hello, I’m Zeon, the main rapper of TUNEXX. I think my strength is staying confident and composed on stage. Every time I perform, I feel something new and exciting. Fun fact—my fashion style has changed a bit lately, so I’ve been buying a lot of new clothes.
allkpop: Describe what 2026 has been like for you so far. How does it feel to finally, officially call yourselves “idols” in this industry?
Donggyu: 2026 has been a time of the most growth for me. Rather than just thinking things through on my own, I got to face things head-on and learn a lot in the process. I’m truly happy to be able to introduce myself as part of TUNEXX, and I want to keep growing as an artist.
Taira: 2026 is a year when my dream became reality. It’s been four years since I came to Korea from Japan, and finally getting to debut feels almost unreal. Now that I’m officially introducing myself as part of TUNEXX, there are still moments when it doesn’t feel real, especially when I hear fans calling my name on stage. I want to grow into an artist who doesn’t just follow others, but clearly shows TUNEXX’s unique color.
allkpop: Why do you feel ‘SET BY US ONLY’ is the perfect mini-album to introduce TUNEXX to the world?
Zeon: Our first mini-album 'SET BY US ONLY' carries the message of putting aside the standards defined and demanded by the world and expressing ourselves in our own way. I think the phrase “our own way” best represents TUNEXX.
Inhu: As the debut album introducing TUNEXX, 'SET BY US ONLY' reflects our intention to start with our own standards and direction. I think it most clearly shows our identity as a team that moves forward with a unique voice.
allkpop: As this is your debut project, could you walk us through the preparation process for ‘SET BY US ONLY’? What were the most enjoyable and challenging parts of bringing this album to life?
Sihwan: The most fun part was filming the music video. Acting for the first time and experiencing the entire filming process felt new and exciting. The most challenging part was writing lyrics, and I did my best to take bold approaches to create something better.
Sungjun: While recording the tracks, including “I’m Alive,” handling the songs’ difficulty was already challenging, but expressing my own color was even harder. Still, overcoming those challenges one by one was the most enjoyable and rewarding part.
allkpop: Debuting in an industry with so many established groups, do you feel any pressure to stand out? How do you approach carving out your own space?
Zeon: I think our biggest strength is that each member has a distinct personality. Since six out of the seven of us are the same age, our genuine “best friend” chemistry naturally shows both on and off stage. We want to show TUNEXX’s unique identity through that chemistry and the positive energy it creates.
allkpop: Are there any specific concepts or musical genres you think suit TUNEXX so well that you’d love to experiment with them for your first comeback?
Donggyu: Personally, I’d love to try a strong concept like classic hip-hop, but I also think it would be great to challenge ourselves with completely different genres. Since we spent our trainee years together experiencing and learning a variety of styles, we want to show as many different sides of ourselves as possible.
Arctic: I’d love to try a variety of concepts, but I especially want to try a refreshing one with the members.
allkpop: Four members (Donggyu, Inhu, Sihwan, and Arctic) previously competed in ‘Boys II Planet.’ What lessons from that survival program have you carried with you into your debut? Are there any specific insights you’ve shared that helped the members?
Donggyu: I learned that “attitude shapes your skills.” It’s also my life motto. I got to meet many people and learn a lot through 'Boys II Planet,' and the experiences really stayed with me. Even now, I often share those lessons with the members.
Arctic: I learned so much through Boys II Planet. Specifically, learning how to find and work with the camera on stage has been really helpful even after debut.
Inhu: I learned that mindset and teamwork are just as important as skills. Because of that experience, I tried to stay grounded while preparing for our debut. We were also able to share tips with each other on handling pre-stage nerves.
Sihwan: Having prior experience performing in front of cameras through 'Boys II Planet' helped me feel more at ease on stage.
allkpop: Who or what inspired you — either inside or outside of the K-pop world — to take on the challenge of becoming an artist?
Inhu: I grew up watching BTS and naturally came to dream of becoming an artist. Performing at school talent shows also brought me so much joy, and that’s what shaped who I am today.
allkpop: What is one thing you’d like to tell yourselves right now that you’ll want to look back on five years from today?
Donggyu: Don’t lose sight of your original mindset and keep working hard!
Taira: To myself five years from now, I hope you’re still staying true to the mindset you had when you first started and enjoying music sincerely.
Sungjun: You’re a bright, cheerful, and adventurous person. Don’t be afraid and keep moving forward!
Arctic: I hope I don’t lose the mindset I started with and keep improving, showing a better version of myself every single day.
Inhu: Are you enjoying everything with a grateful heart?
Sihwan: You’re doing well, right? Don’t lose sight of your first mindset, stay humble, and stay focused.
Zeon: Don’t forget where you started and stay healthy.
allkpop: Lastly, please share your short- and long-term goals as TUNEXX, along with a final message for allkpop readers!
TUNEXX: In the short term, our goal is to win a 'Rookie of the Year' award, and in the long term, we want more people to enjoy TUNEXX’s music. To all allkpop readers, please look forward to our journey and continue to support us. Thank you!
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