Welcome back to Fan Chant, our weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. This week’s edition features a chat with NCT sub-group WayV. P.S. — if you haven’t already, don’t forget to subscribe to my companion newsletter!
Having a strong team dynamic isn’t just a bonus for WayV, the China-based sub-group of NCT — it’s their basis for all their work. According to members KUN, TEN, WINWIN, XIAOJUN, HENDERY, and YANGYANG, though, they’ve taken things a step further when it comes to teamwork in recent months.
“Sometimes now the members can even understand each other without talking,” shares YANGYANG, chatting with Consequence over Zoom. “That’s new,” confirms TEN.
WayV are back with their second LP, On My Youth, their latest full-length effort as a team since 2020’s Awaken the World. For this project, which is now available today, November 1st, the members were ready to step into a new direction, moving away from the sultriness of breakout single “Love Talk” by leading with a more introspective, emotional single. This is balanced with brighter B-sides, like the nostalgic “Poppin’ Love” and bass-powered “RODEO.”
The members have such clear chemistry it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if telepathic abilities had, in fact, become an option. They’re also genuinely curious about how people are going to react to the themes in the latest project. “Do you think your friends would like it?” XIAOJUN asks earnestly when we discuss the album’s focus track.
In a new interview with all six members, WayV reflect on their first KCON LA appearance, how they’ve been relying on each other in recent months, and goals for the remainder of the year. Watch the music video for “On My Youth” and read the conversation below.
