Rising boy group ‘NCHIVE,’ celebrating its first anniversary, proclaims, “Our dream is a miracle.”
Competition in the domestic K-pop market is increasingly fierce, and small and medium-sized agencies are forced to fight for their survival against larger companies. Six members of NCHIVE, who debuted on April 9th, were interviewed exclusively, proclaiming “big entertainment” and “our dreams are miracles” beyond the confines of small and medium-sized businesses.
NCHIVE (Ha.L, E.aN, Kang San, Yu Chan, Ju Young, and N) held a live stream on Weibo and YouTube to celebrate its first anniversary on April 9th and released a special single, “NEVER GIVE UP,” at noon KST. After making a strong impression with their debut single “DRIVE” on April 9th, they returned with unwavering determination. As the title suggests, the special single “NEVER GIVE UP: 꺾이지 않는 마음” is a work that captures the feeling of never giving up, no matter how difficult the situation is.
Q1. How do you feel about your first debut anniversary?
E.AN: We faced so many difficulties that I almost gave up, but I want to congratulate all the members of NCHIVE who have grown to this day by working harder, with gratitude and desperation, to overcome it and continue their activities.
HA.L: I’m so happy that it’s our first anniversary, and I think we’ve overcome the difficult times so far. Thank you so much to SAVEs for being with us this year. We’ll work hard to give you great performances, so keep an eye out for us.
KANG SAN: I’m so happy that so many fans supported us for a year, and I feel good because I think I have fond memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
YU CHAN: A year has passed in the blink of an eye, and it was such a happy time, like a dream. I’d like to thank the SAVEs for their support throughout the past year, the CEO and the company, and everyone who has supported me tirelessly.
JU YOUNG: A year has flown by, and I think we’ve had so many experiences and memories. Thank you so much for the memories.
N: I can’t believe it’s already been a year! I’m so happy that we’ve made so many great memories with the SAVEs and the members over the past year! I hope to continue to be happier!
Q2. What was your most memorable activity or moment?
E.AN: When I participated in my first music show, our anniversary, and our post-debut comeback, I remember the reactions vividly.
HA.L: Among the many moments, I think the most memorable were the debut and music show promotions! I was very nervous, but happy to be on stage for rehearsals and on the main stage, because I dreamed about it while watching the concerts! We also performed in many countries, including Korea, Japan, the United States, Taiwan, and Russia, and I’ll never forget the looks on the faces of the SAVEs watching us during the performance! Their eyes were warm, and I felt that feeling for the first time. I was happy.
KANG SAN: The day of the debut showcase! That’s the most memorable!
YU CHAN: I think the first signing session was the most memorable moment for me. I remember clasping my hands and stuttering.
JU YOUNG: I think the debut showcase was the most memorable moment. I was so happy to realize my dream of debuting.
N: I think the debut showcase was the most memorable moment for me! It was a moment I was really looking forward to, so I shed a lot of tears, but it was an incredibly happy day rather than a sad one!
Q3. What dreams or goals does NCHIVE want to achieve this year?
E.AN: I’m looking forward to releasing our second and third albums this year to introduce you to the many facets of NCHIVE.
HA.L: This year, I hope we’ll have a variety of songs that will allow us to be discovered and that many people will discover the group NCHIVE! I hope we’ll broaden our musical spectrum with various challenges and grow to a higher position than we are today.
KANG SAN: I want to make more accomplished music and make a comeback with our second or third albums, with an even stronger story for NCHIVE, and meet more fans.
YU CHAN: I want to work harder and form a group that NCHIVE fans can be proud of, and I want to show them a lot of music, always better and better.
JU YOUNG: This year, we want to promote NCHIVE and release more of our songs through more comebacks.
N: We’re going to be making a lot of comebacks this year, so we want to meet more people through more activities! That’s why I want to receive an award at a year-end ceremony!
Q4. If you had one word to say to the members who have been with you for a year, what would it be?
E.AN: This is just the beginning, so let’s keep working hard! Bro! ♥
HA.L: There were many difficulties even before our debut, but thank you so much for overcoming and enduring them! I’m not a good leader, but thank you so much for following me so brilliantly! I hope you can enjoy the moment and laugh together when you’re happy like you are now! When we go through difficult times, let’s rely on each other and overcome them! You’ve worked so hard. Let’s stay together for a long time. I’ll be by your side until I die. ^^
KANG SAN: We went through many difficult times, but we were together and we managed to overcome them, and we count on your continued cooperation!
YU CHAN: First of all, a lot happened this year, but we were able to endure it thanks to our unity. Thank you so much! Keep taking care of us!
JU YOUNG: We’ve worked so hard, and I’ve been grateful for so many days! Let’s keep going!
N: A lot has happened this year! We’ve worked so hard, let’s keep being happy together! I love you!
Q5. Finally, a word to the SAVEs, who always give you love and support.
E.AN: SAVEs! Thank you for always waiting for us, no matter what we do or wherever we are. I will always be proud of you.
HA.L: My SAVEs! We’ve worked hard for a year! I just wanted to give you happiness! I’m so sad I didn’t make you happy for longer! But we have more days to spend together than ever before. We will! We will make you even happier! As much as the SAVEs have given us strength, NCHIVE will give you strength as well. I can’t wait for it, anytime. I can carry anything on my shoulders ♥
KANG SAN: Thank you so much for being with us this year. We will work harder and show you many beautiful things, so please show us lots of interest.
YU CHAN: Our SAVEs, who have given us so much love that a year seems short! I hope we can always be together, and I love you so much. Thank you always, and I hope you’ll collaborate with us.
JU YOUNG: Thank you so much for being with us! We will always show you better performances. I hope you never lose your laughter and zest for life.
N: SAVEs! Thank you so much! I love you so much! Let’s continue to be happy! Let’s stay together forever! I promise!
This album traces NCHIVE’s journey, developing unwavering confidence in difficult times and restoring courage and hope to listeners. Even listening to their interviews, they convey a powerful message and determination that heralds a new leap forward in autobiographical content: that of rising from hardship, adversity, and frustration.
During its debut showcase last year, NCHIVE said,
“They’re not a big agency, but they have a big heart,”
adding, “The rehearsal space is still small. However, I think we’ll be working in a big building in a year or two.”
Their earnestness and sincerity remind them of BTS, who started with a small company called Big Hit Music over ten years ago and wrote a new page in K-pop history. Like the song title, I hope you never give up and move forward step by step towards your dream. The sweat and tears a person sheds won’t betray you, so let’s all see how much they’ve grown when we interview NCHIVE again this time next year.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Aube Moon Studio
