Idol...One or Eight Japanese Essence Influences K-Pop (Roundup)

Mar 26, 2025

One or Eight. Members Leia, Mizuki, Yuga, Souma, Tsubasa, Ryota, Takeru, Neo (from left). Photo courtesy =Beliance

Is it J-pop or K-pop. The Japanese group ONE OR EIGHT will be active in Korea in earnest.

Group One or Eight held a showcase in Korea at Ilji Art Hall in Gangnam, Seoul on the 26th and expressed their feelings ahead of their activities in Korea.

One or Eight is an eight-member boy group produced by Avex, Japan, in August 2024. The debut song 'Don't Tell Me Novodi' and 'Kawasaki' released last year made the Billboard Japan chart and iTunes six countries chart.

Through this new song 'DSTM', he will be active in Korea, including his official debut and music broadcasting activities. It attracts attention because it is unusual that a local group consisting of all Japanese will be active in Korea in earnest.

First, the members expressed their nervousness ahead of their activities in Korea. Leia said "I'm grateful that we were able to stand as viewers" and Yuga said "I'll let you convey the emotion you felt on stage."

He also mentioned that he had been preparing for Korean activities in mind. Leia "I have been preparing to work in Korea. Not only in Korea, but all over the world, "Shouma is pushing for a challenge with eight people, and I want to show her enjoying the challenge. I hope that the appearance will be conveyed through the activities."

Photo provided =Beliance

Leia, who showed off her proficient Korean skills on this day, also recalled her past career as an idol trainee in Korea. Leia had a late-month evaluation, and what I felt then was that I learned how to practice while running my dream as an artist. It was very helpful when the team was created in Japan. Although Korea and Japan have different systems, their practices and activities were similar, which helped them."

He also mentioned a role model among K-pop idols. Takeru "I was fascinated by Taemin's performance. Taemin is a role model", and Souma said "I want to collaborate with the two TVXQs. I want to collaborate someday" he hoped.

Yuga likes Jungkook from BTS. The stage expression was sexy. I want to sing together someday and be on stage together. Until then, we will work hard on the stage as well," said Ryota, who likes ENHYPEN. I was originally a dancer before I joined. I practiced a lot because dancers and artists have different expressions. I learned a lot from watching ENHYPEN's videos"He expressed respect for BTS, en-hyphenes, etc.

Photo provided =Beliance

The new song 'DSTM' is a sampling of world-renowned diva Rihanna's 'Don't Stop the Music'. It boasts a catchy rap, melody, and feel-good hip-hop beat.

Leia is an official sampling of songs by Rihanna. It means that as long as the music flows, our challenges don't stop. We took advantage of the original song and reinterpreted it with our own powerful energy", and introduced 'DSTM".

The difference between the original and the new song is Mizuki "I think the lyrics mixed with Japanese are good. It was produced with a rap that was not in the original song. It was also burdensome to be able to sample. It was also a big burden to put elements that were not in the original song, but I enjoyed working on it.

The choreography point is "With respect for Michael Jackson, there is a Michael Jackson homage." It is also characterized by Thackeru's backflip."

One or eight is 'DSTM'Future Mnet'M Countdown', MBC'Show! It will interact with fans in major domestic music broadcast programs such as Music Core' and SBS'Inkigayo'. Mizuki said "I've watched a lot of Korean music programs since I was a kid, and I'm glad to be on the show. I'm looking forward to actually performing in music broadcasts, and I'm also looking forward to various contents such as relay dance."

Shouma hopes to see us and challenge people around the world with pride as the ultimate goal of One or Eight's activities. I want to become an artist who can go around the world tour" he wished.

One or Eight. Members Neo, Mizuki, Souma, Tsubasa, Ryota, Yuga, Takeru, Leia (from left). Photo courtesy =Beliance

Finally, there was also a question about whether it was 'J-pop' or 'K-pop' over the one-or-eight haebo. Leia "It's a Japanese group and Japanese, so I think it's more like J-pop. The choreography features seem to be different depending on the concept, and Neo said "Of course, all songs contain Japanese essence. But rather than saying it's J-pop or K-pop, I think it's one-or-eight music. Still, it is a group that has been heavily influenced by K-pop. I'd appreciate it if you could see us dancing and singing together," he replied.

rightlight@sportschosun.com