TFN Discusses Their Name Change, Thoughts About Their New Album, And More
TFN, formerly known as T1419, a nine-member group under MLD Entertainment, debuted in the K-Pop scene on January 11, 2021, with their single album, Before Sunrise Part 1.
The boy group consists of 5 Korean and 4 Japanese members: Noa, Sian, Kevin, Gunwoo, Leo, On, Zero, Kairi, and Kio. At the time of their debut, the members were between the ages of 14 and 19, resulting in the name T1419. On October 17, 2022, MLD Entertainment announced a rebranding of the rookie group, changing the name to TFN, which stands for Teenager Fourteen Nineteen, and adding a new meaning, “Try for New.”
In the last year, TFN has made strides in the Latin American market. They made history last October as the first K-Pop group to perform at the Monitor Latino Music Award Show. This July, they released their first Spanish single, When the Sun Goes Down. TFN, along with Momoland from the same company, were the first K-Pop groups to attend Premios Juventud 2022.
Last month was busy as they performed at KAMP Los Angeles and released their latest album, Before Sunrise Part 4. Following their album release on October 26, K-What Official sat down for an exclusive interview with TFN. Eight members showed off their language skills by answering in English, Japanese and Korean. Sian was not present as he is on temporary hiatus to focus on his health. We hope he is resting well.
The interview below features Japanese translations from our team and Korean translations thanks to their translator. (Note: * indicates translation from Japanese and ** indicates translation from Korean.)
Hello TFN! Congratulations on your newest mini-album Before Sunrise Part 4! Please introduce yourself to our K-What Official followers.
TFN: Hello! Nice to meet you!
This is the first release under TFN. Along with the name change, what other changes do you want to highlight in this album regarding your music?
Kairi*: With the name change from T1419 to TFN, “Try for New” we’d like to express with joy several things to our fan base Edelweiss including our messages of love, cheer, and appreciation for their continued support. We hope they will join us on this journey as we try for the new and evolve to the next (higher) level.
Zero*: As Kairi said, we are so grateful for the support we’ve received. We want to show our music and musicality that we couldn’t show during our time as T1419. T1419 has evolved into TFN, and we are excited about this change.
Please introduce the title track AMAZON.
Gunwoo**: In our title song, AMAZON, we tell the story of the wild jungle of the Amazon where the strong rule over the weak. It symbolizes our reality as people living in modern society. The powerful beat of the mamba rhythm highlights this feeling, as this is a fascinating song.
K-What Official saw you perform at KAMP in Los Angeles; you were terrific. I am learning more about each member because I saw your US debut.
Photo by Fiona Jane F Orolfo: TFN at KAMP Los Angeles
TFN: Thank you so much!
As I learn about the members, I see that Noa, Kio, and On are credited with writing, composing, and arranging songs on this album - Noa for BLOOM, Kio for SLATE, and On for Deep dive.
TFN: Triple Threat!
Do you focus on the melody or lyrics first as part of your creative process?
Noa*: For me, both, all of it. First, I focus on the melody and compose the song. Then I write the lyrics.
Kio*: All of it.
On: Both. It varies each time.*
Do you think of each member when you write the melody or the lyrics?
On: Of course!
That must be so difficult.
Noa: Yes, it is so difficult.
What is each member’s favorite track, and why on this new mini-album?
Gunwoo**: There are four songs: AMAZON, Deep dive, BLOOM, and SLATE. I like Deep dive the most because I like to dance. Deep dive is where we can show our ability to dance, and I love dancing to it.
Kairi*: When it first came out, I thought the title song, AMAZON was a great song. However, I like the three songs we wrote – Deep dive, BLOOM, and SLATE. I think it is kind of challenging to choose only one piece. After all, each member has a unique color and charm. Actually, my very own mother likes Deep dive, and she likes Noa’s BLOOM. My friends say that they like SLATE, the song that Kio wrote. You see, all three pieces are different. Each is a new color and side of TFN, so I hope you will listen to each of our songs with all your heart.
Zero*: It would naturally be Deep dive. This song will give us a solid performance and dance (choreography). Then there’s also SLATE that I like. The song Noa wrote, BLOOM, is great and unlike any others. It’s one of my favorites because it is really warm and spring-like. I think this song naturally fits (the new image) for TFN.
Noa**: For me, the title song, AMAZON. Our members make many good songs, but the best music is AMAZON!
On*: I still think Deep dive is number one. So yes (it is the best).
Kio*: I also think SLATE is number one.
Leo*: Like Noa, I agree with AMAZON.
Kevin*: I also like BLOOM.
Noa: How about you?
I like them all for different reasons.
Noa: You can pick only one!
If I had to pick only one, that would be hard. It could be AMAZON because I have seen the music video. Speaking of the music video, are there any interesting stories about the making of the music video? What was the most challenging part of filming it?
Kevin: The newest part of the filming is the first time to film in another country outside of Korea. There are many difficulties, including language and communication with the staff. But we felt we could get a good result. When we finally saw the music video yesterday, I felt really satisfied. I hope that everyone loves our new music video, AMAZON.
Congratulations on the different languages and filming in the United States. That is amazing because you are Japanese and Korean who came to another country and did well. How has breaking into the Latin American market impacted your performance style? Have you been learning any of the Latin American dance styles? If so, which ones? If not, which ones would you like to try? Salsa, Bachata, Tango, Cha Cha, Rumba, or something else?
Noa**: We got the chance to try when we were there as many media asked us to dance the Tango and other kinds of dance styles of Latin America. I want to learn more professionally the dance styles of Latin America.
Being a Korean-Japanese group that has broken into international audiences, would your charm points change for each region? How is it different for Korea and Japan versus Latin America, Europe, and the United States?
Zero*: One of the most significant differences between our activities from Japan and Korea is when we go to Latin America. Our fans in Latin America greeted us the moment we arrived at the airport. They amazed us with their great enthusiasm and energy. We've only performed once for our Latin American fans in Mexico, but we felt their sincerity through their cheers, love, and support. Our Latin American fans' energy and power are something else.
Where has each member felt they have grown the most since debuting?
Kevin**: Each time we release a new album, we feel like we are growing.
Kio**: I feel that I have grown a lot when I see the videos that I took in Youtube before.
On**: I learn a lot from our members when they try to cheer up our team. Even when we have a tight schedule and a lot to do, our members try to raise the team's tension. I have grown a lot.
Gunwoo**: We grow a lot when we talk with our members. Our experience increases as time passes by. Each time we speak to each other, I can see how each member has progressed toward a new level of perfection. When I talk to them, I feel that we grow.
Leo*: When I debuted, I would get extremely nervous before going on stage. I would always be in the care of others. Now when I stand on the stage, I don't need to ask for that help. I feel that this is where I've personally grown.
Kairi*: I think I have grown with each step I've taken since I debuted. Edelweiss gives me the strength and passion for improving my skills each time I sing for them. After each engagement, such as fan signs, I want to convey my feelings towards Edelweiss even more. At the end of each stage, I want to show an even cooler side of me than the last performance. With each passing moment, with every performance, all I want to do is improve.
Zero*: It has been about a year and a half since my debut. When I look back at my previous self to compare to who I am today, I was really, really bad at dancing. For example, my facial expressions needed work. When I look at all the preparations we made for this album; I worked hard at monitoring my performance. Compared to when I debuted, I would say that my performance is where I have grown a lot.
Your dance has grown from your dance covers to your last performance at KAMP. As a team and individually, you guys have leveled up your dance.
TFN: Thank you!
Lastly, what would you like to say to Edelweiss?
Noa**: Thank you so much for all the love you shared with us from the beginning. It has been a while since we've had a comeback. Please keep watching our activities and promotions. Please look forward to our performance and activities in the future.
Thank you TFN for taking the time for this interview and talking with Team K-What. We hope for your continued success with your latest album!
