POWER Talks: Unwrapping POW’s Most Tender Era Yet

POW is back — and this time, they’re inviting us into their softest, most heartfelt era yet. With their third EP Being Tender, the rising K-pop group reintroduces themselves not only as performers, but as artists learning to embrace vulnerability, maturity, and emotional warmth. K Fuse caught up with Yorch, Hyunbin, Jungbin, Dongyeon, and Hong for the third time since their debut — and it's clear that POW is evolving fast. From self-produced tracks and summer nostalgia to quiet strength and messages for their international fans, Being Tender is more than a seasonal comeback; it’s a statement of growth.

---

K Fuse: POW, welcome back! We’re so happy to talk with you again — this is our third time chatting, and now you’re on your third comeback. Congratulations! How are you feeling about this new era?

[Yorch] Hello, I’m Yorch from POW! It was really exciting to prepare for this album. I looked forward to meeting our fans again every single day, and I kept thinking, “I can’t wait to show them this performance.” Also, because I personally participated in the album production, I feel even more attached to it. I think it was a time when I learned a lot and grew a lot too.

[Hyunbin] We pre-debuted in summer with our song “Favorite,” so I think fans are expecting a lot for POW’s summer vibe this year. To live up to that, we filled this EP with songs that show off our different charms. They’re refreshing tracks that will help beat the summer heat, so let’s spend a cool summer together!

[Jungbin] Actually, we’ve been preparing this EP Being Tender since last year. It’s been in the works for quite some time, so I really wanted to share it with our fans and the public. I’m so excited and happy that we finally get to release it this summer.

[Dongyeon] We’re showing POW’s European youth culture again for our fans, but this time with an even more mature side, so I’m really looking forward to it.

[Hong] I couldn’t wait to let our POWER fans and listeners hear the four tracks on our EP. I’m thrilled thinking our songs might make this hot summer feel a bit cooler!

K Fuse: You’ve been teasing your comeback for weeks now. Can you tell us what Being Tender is all about?

[Yorch] Being Tender is an album that shows what “tenderness” means to us as POW, and how we want to share that feeling. Just as each member thinks about tenderness a bit differently, each song has its own mood and message, so you can enjoy a lot of variety. I wanted to express the warmth between people and the caring attitude we can have for each other through music. I hope our fans can feel a little warmer while listening to this album.

[Dongyeon] I think “being tender” means finding the right temperature for how you treat someone. In our busy, breathless modern lives, people get more sensitive and put up their sharp thorns. I hope this EP Being Tender feels like a cool morning breeze in summer and helps people find the right temperature for themselves.

K Fuse: Can you tell us a bit about how the concept of this comeback differs from your past releases?

[Hyunbin] This time, we released our album with a European youth culture concept for summer. Since we teased the concept from the start, I think a lot of people expected a vibe like our pre-debut song “Favorite.” Back then, we showed the pure energy of teenagers; this time, we’re showing a calmer, more delicate energy in our twenties. The fact that we’ve started thinking about “tenderness” shows how we’ve matured.

[Jungbin] Our EP Being Tender captures POW’s debut European youth culture concept well and our slogan, “Creating Culture Everyday” which is about making everyday life special. There’s a track that talks about that slogan and others that tell stories of memories with our fans. Overall, it’s more focused on stories about our team and members.

K Fuse: Yorch and Jungbin, you helped lead the production on this one, right? What was that creative process like?

[Yorch] For the title track “Being Tender,” I suggested adding a group chant at the end. The members and I kept wondering how to add more energy to the song, so we recorded it ourselves and shared demos with the company. We went through multiple revisions, and the final version you hear now is the result. That whole process was so fun and rewarding.

[Jungbin] Early on, when we got demos, we just prepared them the way we’d practiced. But with more experience, I feel like I’ve learned what makes fans enjoy and connect with songs more. I focused on highlighting that point as much as possible in the arrangements this time. I added parts that we can really enjoy together with fans on stage.

K Fuse: Can you give us a sneak peek into a track you’re particularly excited about?

[Hyunbin] For me, I’m really excited about our final track “Fingerprint.” From the first listen, I thought it would be amazing to sing it with fans as a concert ending song. The lyrics talk about leaving memories behind like a fingerprint, which also means we’ll leave our memories with POWERs like a fingerprint. I’m looking forward to singing it together and creating happy memories.

[Hong] Personally, I’m excited about the track “Reason.” It’s close to a fan song — it says, “Because of you, I can sing; you’re my muse.” So I hope our POWER fans can feel our hearts through this song and feel closer to us.

K Fuse: You’ve definitely created something fans will connect with. When you first heard the tracklist, was there a song you thought POWERs would fall in love with?

[Jungbin] I thought fans would love “Fingerprint.” It’s about leaving memories like fingerprints, and it reflects our experiences performing since our debut. It suits the summer season and is a song everyone can enjoy together.

[Dongyeon] I personally like “Celebrate,” but I think POWERs will love “Reason” and “Fingerprint.” “Reason” tells fans that they’re why we sing and expresses our excitement for all the memories we’ll make together.

K Fuse: Can you share a TMI or behind-the-scenes story from filming the music video?

[Jungbin] On the second day of the shoot, the weather was amazing. Yorch kept falling asleep in the hammock prop during breaks. He’s older than me, but it was so cute.

[Dongyeon] I believe that to get closer to someone, you need to understand them, and to understand them, you need similar experiences. So I tried eating the cat food on set to understand the cat there — it tasted terrible! I realized if I ever get a pet, I should give them tuna or meat instead.

K Fuse: What message do you hope fans take away from Being Tender?

[Yorch] I hope this album makes fans think about “tenderness” again. Even a small word, a look, or a caring heart can warm someone’s day — I want to share that. The world is so busy and exhausting, but I hope our music can be a little comfort and make people feel, “I want to be tender to someone, too.” If they feel the warmth we felt, that’s enough for me.

[Hyunbin] While preparing this album, all the members thought a lot about “tenderness.” We realized it’s not just something you give to others — it can be something you give yourself, too. Looking back on that made my heart warmer, so I hope our fans can feel that too.

K Fuse: How do you all stay grounded during busy periods like this?

[Yorch] Honestly, it’s not easy to stay balanced perfectly. But I always try not to forget my “first feelings.” Remembering the moment I first dreamed, met our fans, or stood on stage gives me strength again. The members being with me is also a huge support — we cheer each other up and joke around, so we rely on each other even more when it’s busy. And the messages and support from fans are a huge help too. Because of that, I think we can keep moving forward.

[Dongyeon] Each member has different strengths and characteristics. So when one of us leans too much to one side, the others naturally fill in the gaps. We trust each other with what needs to be done and make sure to do our parts well — that’s how we stay balanced.

K Fuse: Let’s talk favorite songs. From the new album and your full discography — what are your personal picks?

[Hyunbin] Aside from the title track, my favorite is “Fingerprint.” The meaning of leaving memories like fingerprints really resonates with the experiences we’ve built since debuting.

[Hong] My personal favorite is “Reason.” I love its simple, rhythmic piano line, POW’s clear vocals, and the bouncy bass. Of course, the title track is great, but I recommend listening to “Reason” and the other songs too!

K Fuse: With Dongyeon learning bass and Yorch playing electric guitar, are there any plans to experiment with new genres or concepts — like band sounds?

[Yorch] I’ve always wanted to try. We often joke, “Should we try playing in a band?” Nothing’s decided yet, but you never know — our slogan is “Creating Culture Every Day,” after all!

[Dongyeon] If we get the chance, I want to try lots of different things, and bass is one of them. I’m still self-teaching the basics, but if I get good enough, I’d love to perform for fans one day.

K Fuse:  If you were not an artist, what career would you be pursuing?

[Yorch] I was always interested in soccer when I was young, so I’d probably be a soccer player.

[Hyunbin] I didn’t have a big dream, but I was interested in acting, so I think I would have pursued that.

[Jungbin] I wanted to do so many things — I think I’d be teaching something, whether it was music or sports.

[Dongyeon] I wanted to be an astronaut because I’ve always loved the mystery of space.

[Hong] Even if I weren’t an idol, I think I’d still be doing something in the arts. I’ve loved piano and composing since high school, so I’d probably still be in music.

K Fuse:  Who would be your bias in the group?

[Yorch] Probably Hyunbin — his personality is like a mischievous cat, so I think it’d be fun to hang out with him. Plus, he has so many cool sides!

[Hyunbin] I’d choose Jungbin. He’s talkative and the complete opposite of me, which I find really attractive.

[Jungbin] I’d pick Yorch. I’m not great with focus or detail, but he’s so meticulous and dedicated when he’s into something — I think there’s a lot I could learn from him.

[Dongyeon] I’d go with Yorch too. Every time he shows a new side, it’s like discovering something new — it’s fun.

[Hong] I’d probably fangirl over Yorch too. He’s shy but also so gentlemanly, cute, and cool. I think he’d be the one I’d stan!

K Fuse:  When you’re feeling anxious, or having a tough time during activities, how do you overcome them?

[Yorch] I sleep or work on music. When I can’t express my feelings to anyone, I put them into lyrics instead.

[Hyunbin] I just hold it in. Talking it out or crying doesn’t help me much, so I hold on and hope time fixes it.

[Jungbin] I try to shake it off quickly. If I want to cry, I cry. If I’m struggling, I acknowledge it and give myself space. That way, I can bounce back faster.

[Dongyeon] I face it by telling myself it was bound to happen eventually — it just came now.

[Hong] I believe mindset is everything, so I refresh by taking walks and listening to music. It feels like my tangled thoughts unravel one by one.

K Fuse:  What are your current hobbies?

[Yorch] I love watching movies and dramas. Recently, I started watching anime that the members recommended.

[Hyunbin] Since we’ve been so busy preparing for the comeback, I don’t have time to go out much, so I watch anime in the dorm when I have time.

[Jungbin] I’ve been watching a lot of movies too. While preparing for “Being Tender,” I watched romance movies to learn about tenderness. The last one I watched was The 100th Love with You, a Japanese film.

[Dongyeon] I’ve been enjoying baseball! Mostly KBO, but now my algorithm keeps showing me MLB clips too.

[Hong] My current hobby is online window-shopping. I love clothes, so I enjoy matching outfits and imagining how they’d look.

K Fuse:  How do you feel you have grown since your debut, both as individuals, and as a group?

[Yorch] Since debut, I feel like we’ve all grown so much. We were so nervous and made lots of mistakes at first, but now we know our own colors and strengths better and how to express them.

[Hyunbin] Before, our values clashed and we argued a lot, but over time, we’ve gotten so in sync that now, we tend to think the same way — our teamwork has really improved.

[Jungbin] I think now each member puts their own stories into our music. At first, we just did what we practiced, but now we try to show our true selves through our music and performances.

[Dongyeon] I think we’ve become more relaxed. Before, I took everything really seriously and felt a lot of pressure — I thought showing my real self was like showing weakness. But thanks to our fans’ love, I’ve realized it’s not a bad thing. Performing together has helped us learn about and respect each other more too.

[Hong] I’ve spent my teens and twenties as an idol — in my teens, I was fearless and excited; now in my twenties, I try to listen more and be more careful. As a team, we’re taking steady steps forward in every way.

K Fuse:  Dongyeon, you have a fan that has asked – Dolphin or wolf? Haha

[Dongyeon] Haha, I think I’m more of a canine type — I’ll go with wolf!

K Fuse:  Can you give any spoilers to any other projects you are currently working on, or may have planned for the future?

[Yorch] In spring, we showed a new side of POW through the web drama Always There. After Being Tender, we’re preparing more new content to share with you, so please look forward to it.

[Hyunbin] This summer, we’ll greet you with lots of fun content. Please look forward to our Powerful Youth tour starting in September too!

K Fuse: What’s one word that describes POW in 2025?

[Yorch] Growth.

[Hyunbin] POWER — thanks to POWER, we’ve been able to stay strong, and we’ll end this year strong with you too.

[Jungbin] Butterfly effect — I believe all our efforts with the members, staff, and fans will cause a butterfly effect someday.

[Dongyeon and Hong] Youth. (H) I believe any happy memory means you’re living youth, so I want to keep creating youthful memories with POWER in 2025 too.

K Fuse: Now let’s dream a bit. If POW could collaborate with any artist — Korean or international — who would it be?

[Yorch] Justin Bieber and Tyler, the Creator. They’re my role models right now, so working with them would feel like a dream.

[Dongyeon] DAY6 — I love band music and their refreshing songs. I have good memories of singing their songs with the members on the way to pre-debut shoots!

K Fuse: Any last words for your POWERs?

[Yorch] Thank you so much for always supporting and waiting for us. Thanks to you, we can overcome tough times and work harder every time we’re on stage. We put all our hearts into this album, so please listen to it a lot and look forward to our performances too. We’ll keep working hard to show you an even better side. We love you!

[Hyunbin] Thank you so much to everyone who sends us messages of support. We’re still lacking in many ways, but we feel like we’re growing little by little thanks to you. We’ll keep working hard to make you proud.

[Jungbin] Thank you for sharing our youth with us. We have so many stories left to tell together, so please keep being with us as we write them.

[Dongyeon] Please give our new EP Being Tender lots of love and attention. To the POWERs who’ve watched POW grow from our awkward beginnings — I want to say we’re able to take another step forward because of you. We’ll always try to share the best with you. Thank you.

[Hong] To our fans who always support us, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. Please look forward to and love our new EP Being Tender. We’ll always be artists who can give you strength wherever and whenever. Thank you!

---

As Being Tender unfolds with every track, POW reminds us that growth isn’t always loud — sometimes, it’s found in quiet reflection, soft lyrics, and the courage to be vulnerable. From Yorch’s heartfelt production insights and Hyunbin’s thoughtful reflections, to Jungbin’s storytelling, Dongyeon’s honesty, and Hong’s warmth, each member brings their own shade of tenderness to this new chapter. With big dreams on the horizon and POWERs by their side, POW continues to prove that their journey is one of connection, creativity, and sincerity — and the best is still to come.

Follow POW on SNS for Up-To-Date News on Future Releases and Activities!

b.stage | Instagram | X (Twitter) | TikTok | YouTube | Weibo