Meet The Artist: WHIB ROCKS The Nation Again with Relentless Drive and New Energy

WHIB—the strong 7-member K-Pop group (KIM JUNMIN, HASEUNG, JINBEOM, UGEON, LEEJEONG, JAEHA, WONJUN)—comes back bigger with their first mini-album ROCK THE NATION, out January 29, 2026. After their 2023 debut Cut-Out, hits like ETERNAL YOUTH: KICK IT, Rush of Joy, and BANG OUT, plus the AnD: New Chapter Asia fan concert tour, they mix tough style with bright energy. K Fuse talks again with all seven members—following our April 2025 interview where you shared your 500-day story, BANG OUT choreography challenges, and world tour dreams—about ROCK THE NATION, your future, and top questions from fans.

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SoundLovers loved our last talk about your 500 days and BANG OUT. Now you have seven members. How does this make your teamwork better on stage and in music?

HASEUNG: I think it's much better now because the way the members deliberate together and truly enjoy being and making music is becoming more visible

WONJUN: I feel like we create this album with one heart, discussing every single detail from start to finish.

From AnD: New Chapter concerts in Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Osaka, Taipei—and your AAA Focus Award win—what is the biggest way you grew since we talked last?

JINBEOM: I feel we have grown in every aspect through out performances, but I especially feel a major point of growth in how we communicate with AnD from all over the world.

UGEON: I believe the members' overall skills have improved significantly through experiencing many different stages. While preparing for this album--whether recording or synchronizing our choreography--I felt that we have grown tremendously in terms of our capabilities.

Tell fans about ROCK THE NATION. What is the simple story in the gray city teaser? How does it show WHIB in your third year?

KIM JUNMIN: To introduce it in one word: a turning point. With this opportunity, we will show you the diverse

sides of WHIB, having firmly found our own unique color.

JAEHA: It’s a new beginning. We will keep our eyes on the future and head toward it.

The title song has strong "WE ROCK THE NATION" power. Which member's words, or idea made its heart?

HASEUNG: I think I did some additional recording for parts where I wanted the overall "color" to be a bit more

intense, and as a group, we focused on the specific mood of the track while recording.

LEEJEONG: After listening to the demo, I tried my best to follow and capture its original mood.

From BANG OUT—which you called your hardest choreography ever—to this album, how did ROCK THE NATION make your music new?

LEEJEONG: I feel like we finally have a signature track that represents the team's identity.

WONJUN: I believe this album is the best showcase of our musicality.

Help SoundLovers pick songs. Choose one b-side. What is its feel? Why does it show WHIB's true heart?

KIM JUNMIN: It's "ELEVATE." It's my favorite B-side track, and its unique sound is really exciting and fun.

JAEHA: Mine is "Who’s the Next" It’s a song that makes you feel excited and energized whenever you hear it.

You had a career high in week one. What does this big win feel like after your hard work?

KIM JUNMIN: Thank you so much for helping us achieve such great results! We will continue to be a WHIB

that always strives for the best.

HASEUNG: Many people, including our members, put a lot of thought and effort into this album from various

angles, so I’m incredibly happy that it led to such a positive outcome.

JINBEOM: I was genuinely surprised when I heard the results, as they were beyond anything I had imagined. I

believe our hard work and our sincerity toward AnD truly reached people.

LEEJEONG: To be honest, it still hasn't fully sunk in yet, but just knowing that there are people out there

who support us makes me feel a deep sense of responsibility.

UGEON: I believe we’ve taken another step forward through this album, and I will always continue to work

even harder.

WONJUN: First of all, it was such a joyful moment, and it made me feel motivated to create even better work

in the future.

You dreamed of world tours last time we spoke. After ROCK THE NATION, what is your next music goal?

JINBEOM: With the ROCK THE NATION album as our starting point, I want to tell the stories that WHIB can

unfold through our music. WHIB is still hungry, and we are nowhere near exhausted.

UGEON: Next time, I want to perform even more diverse music in front of an even larger audience of fans than

we have now.

In five years, picture the big festival or dome where WHIB is top. What do you see?

HASEUNG: I always believe we will make it, and I imagine us feeling proud of finally having achieved our

goals.

WONJUN: I think we will have gained much more confidence by then. And because of that, I believe we will be working even harder.

One word: What is each member's job in WHIB now? (Like leader, happy maker.)

KIM JUNMIN: All-rounder

HASEUNG: The Center

JINBEOM: Visual (Overall performance and visual presentation)

LEEJEONG: Performance Leader

UGEON: Rap, Dance, and Team Balance member

JAEHA: From Vocal to Rapper

WONJUN: Vocals, Dance, and Composition

SoundLovers Take Over!

Favorite line from ROCK THE NATION? What is its story?

KIM JUNMIN: "Shouting that shines and echoes." I hope that the shouts we cry out reach everyone

everywhere with our true sincerity.

JINBEOM: My favorite lyric is in the chorus: "My voice reaches that planet over there, I’m an Alien." As I

mentioned before, it's because I want to continue our activities until WHIB’s sincerity reaches even other

planets.

Any plans for a world tour?

LEEJEONG: We are planning this year so that we can meet AnD in even more places than we did last year.

UGEON: There isn’t much I can share right now, but I think it’s definitely something worth looking forward to.

Hidden skill?

JAEHA: A sense of humor.

WONJUN: It's not exactly hidden, but as I’ve shown before, I have several talents like riding a unicycle and

juggling.

What word or phrase best expresses ROCK THE NATION?

HASEUNG: Passion drenched in blood and sweat.

UGEON: WOW.

One word for WHIB stage power 2026?

JINBEOM : Dopamine

LEEJEONG: Exhaustion (Passion that leaves you completely spent in a positive way)

WHIB, thank you for talking to K Fuse again! Last words to AnD and new fans before your next big step?

KIM JUNMIN: I will always repay your support with the coolest and most exciting music and performances.

Please continue to cheer us on!

HASEUNG: We will become a group that performs music and stages filled with sincerity. Let’s spend time

together enjoying our music and creating memories through performances that everyone can relate to!

JINBEOM: As I always say, I want to show you the best possible stage while staying humble. I would be

grateful if you could recognize the sincerity we put into our work.

LEEJEONG: For the moments we meet on stage, let's leave all the stress behind and just enjoy

ourselves together!

UGEON: As much as you love us, we will continue to grow and show you many great performances!

JAEHA: I will make sure everyone watching us has a great time.

WONJUN: I will do my absolute best in everything we do for this promotion

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WHIB open this new chapter with unmistakable drive, stepping into their era as seven with ROCK THE NATION. From the precision of BANG OUT to the raw ambition of their latest release, their growth feels purposeful—bold yet grounded in shared focus. KIM JUNMIN, HASEUNG, JINBEOM, UGEON, LEEJEONG, JAEHA, and WONJUN stand at the edge of what’s next, carrying the momentum of their sound and story forward. As their new era unfolds, fans can look forward to more stages, stories, and updates from WHIB by following their journey across official channels.