Tomorrow X Together Are K-pop Rookies With Big Personalities, Bigger Dreams

"Destroy the stage." That's the advice RM, the composed leader one of the best pop acts in the world — BTS, certainly —  gave to their young, wide-eyed labelmates ahead of their first U.S. Showcase tour a number of months back. "It's all about your attitude towards the efficiency dancer and rapper J-Hope added. "Because fans know if you're putting your heart into it."


Watching the five members of Tomorrow X Together confidently take the stage at the PlayStation Theater in May, in the heart of New York City's Times Square, it was clear that they were listening closely to their seniors. They performed their entire discography — all five songs — and communicated entirely in English language in front of a sold-out crowd of over 2,000 fans. Not bad for a crowd that's only several months old. Though, Tomorrow X With each other, pronounced "Tomorrow by With each other aren't your average rookies.


For an emerging Korean order, a U.S. Tour is a milestone years in the making, although the steady demand for K-pop abroad has reached a fever pitch in recent years, making the Western market more available than ever. However for Tomorrow X With each other, whose March debut EP The Dream Chapter: Star landed on the Billboard 200 and topped the World Albums chart, selling out their first U.S. Showcase wasn't just a testament to the international fanbase they've accumulated in such a short period of time; it was a chance to prove themselves as artists and performers — as more than BTS's "little brothers."


certainly, the pressure was on, although they didn't let it show.


"We learned that we can perform in front of a lot of fans," youngest member Huening Kai told MTV News of their first showcase in New York. "At at first we were so nervous, however right now I think it was really fun."


However did they destroy the stage? "Of course!" Mentioned Taehyun, the group's most quietly self-assured member despite his age. Leader Soobin takes a more practical, measured approached: "I think we did our best," he mentioned. "We are so thankful for BTS's advice."


From left to right: Taehyun, Beomgyu, Huening Kai, Yeonjun, and Soobin


Standing in front of the five members — Soobin (18), Yeonjun (19), Beomgyu (18), Taehyun (17), and Huening Kai (16) — in an executive suite of a Manhattan hotel in July, it's easy to be able to see how this sort of teens has captured the hearts of Korean and international fans alike. They are attentive and jovial, even immediately after a 14-hour flight from Seoul. "I watched Iron Man and Iron Man 2 on the plane," Beomgyu mentioned excitedly in English language. He's currently in the midst of a Iron Man phase, and in case you're wondering: No, he hasn't seen Avengers: Endgame; yes, he is aware what occurs to Iron Man. "I didn't watch Endgame either, however they spoiled it," oldest member Yeonjun added, pointing to Taehyun, Huening Kai, and Soobin, who are all sporting knowing grins. "They spoil everything."


Spoilers, like disagreements, are unavoidable once five individuals spend most of them of their waking hours with each other, training and rehearsing. Like BTS before them, TXT (as they're commonly referred to) even share one bedroom; the older members on the bottom bunk beds, the younger three on the best. "Hanging out with them is routinely fun," Taehyun mentioned with a wide smile. "We get very noisy," Yeonjun added softly.


Nevertheless he's also quick to point out that it isn't all fun and games and Marvel movies; they "talk about hard stuff" also. "We have different traits, and I think that makes us more special," he mentioned. Each person has different personalities and [ways of] thinking, although once there's a problem we solve it as one team, five to one. We understand each other."


As such, weekly team meetings and alone time pursuing individual passions are a must. For Taehyun and Beomgyu, that insinuates long walks at night, separately and with each other. "I feel most creative While I walk alone at night," Beomgyu mentioned. "I think about lyrics and my efficiency Ever the perfectionist, the dancer and singer is now learning music production in the hopes of contributing to future albums — not unlike his idols, BTS.


"I feel a lot of emotions at night," added Taehyun. "It's so busy throughout the day It's throughout these quieter moments that he listens to music and concentrates on his own efficiency. "I'm routinely singing," he mentioned, adding that he's been listening to a lot of Kehlani's music lately.


Soobin, also, finds comfort in the reassuring voices of his idols: Beyoncé, Adele, and, obviously, his undisputed preference, Bebe Rexha. "These days I'm interested in singing, so While I listen to music I sing along," he mentioned. Surprisingly, his most recent interest has nothing to do with music — or Rexha — at all: "These days I drink sparkling water each day Yet he's quick to add, "No flavors."


For Yeonjun, the group's main dancer and anointed rapper, his creative outlet is through movement. "I'm most creative If I dance because I can do whichever I want," he mentioned. "I can express my feelings and emotions through dance." And he'll, without consideration of place or time. "I will dance once there really is beneficial music." (His members enthusiastically agree.) That need to constantly keep moving also extends to his free time away from the fluorescent lights of the practice room.


"Do you know wakeboarding?" He asked. "I began wakeboarding, and I really got obsessed. I love the speed."


And then there's Huening Kai, a multi-instrumentalist singer whose talent keeps it up and continues to surprise fans and his members. "He's a good painter," Taehyun mentioned of the group's tall maknae (youngest member). "I like to draw beautiful animals or characters, like Pokémon — as well as our members," Huening Kai mentioned sweetly. (His preference Pokémon are Eevee and Pikachu, confirming his affinity for beautiful things.)


Tomorrow X Together's youthful demeanor permeates while in their music as well. Their debut single "Crown" noticed the pop quintet pondering the pangs of adolescence over an energetic synth-pop beat; the crowns they sprout are symbolic of the physical, emotional, and mental changes that all young people endure as they grow up. "Wanna run away," they sing. "Wanna vanish / Far away / Who am I / I don't know who I am."


Like their music suggests, they find strength in every other and their shared coming-of-age experiences — like how to appreciate the things that once felt like burdens. As soon as I began singing, I thought my voice was awful," Taehyun, who was a Big Hit Entertainment trainee for three years, mentioned. Although right now it's OK," he added, modestly.


"I used to be more of an introvert, yet I think it became my strength," Huening Kai added, explaining how being with his members helped him come out of his own shell. "I'm not like that as much before."


whenever they opened the opening night of KCON New York, the annual two-day Korean pop culture convention and concert, at the well known Madison Square Garden on July 6, there wasn't a trace of insecurity or doubt. They showed boundless energy and poise, looking even more polished than they did two months back. And once thousands of attendees began barking at them — the unofficial fan chant of their second single, "Cat & Dog" — they didn't look surprised; they looked exhilarated, like five stars who felt truly at residence on the stage.


Tomorrow X Together make their KCON debut indoor New York City's Madison Square Garden


With a successful U.S. Showcase and an electrifying efficiency at their first KCON under their belts, Tomorrow X With each other are already looking ahead to their future. "I think we all share the same objective Beomgyu mentioned, his soft tone becoming slightly more decided. "Our objective is to get nominated for a Best New Artist award by becoming a super rookie." He ends with a common Korean phrase of encouragement: "Hwaiting!" His members join the cheer, raising their fists with purpose.


Meanwhile, Yeonjun has a temporary, albeit less attainable, objective in mind first. "I hope to watch the new Spider-Man, however we don't have much time Such is the life of Korea's most buzzed-about rookies.


Besides, it's only a matter of time before his members spoil it for him anyway.