Unite the Youth: How YOUNITE Continues to Grow, Dream, and Move Forward

YOUNITE’s journey has always been about more than just stages and spotlights—it's about youth, growth, and the quiet determination to keep moving forward together. Debuting on April 20, 2022 under Brand New Music as a nine-member powerhouse led by former X1's Eunsang—alongside Eunho, Steve, Hyunseung, Hyungseok, Woono, DEY, Kyungmun, and Sion—they burst onto the scene with their first mini-album YOUNI-BIRTH, a cosmic "universe-themed" storyline across six tracks spotlighting the pre-release single "Everybody" to introduce their fresh synergy. Now thriving as their current seven-member lineup of Eunho, Steve, Hyungseok, Woono, DEY, Kyungmun, and Sion, they continue to evolve with unbreakable chemistry. Ahead of their 2026 K-TOUR in CANADA (hitting Toronto's Lyric Theatre on March 15th, Montreal's Rialto Theatre on March 17th, and Vancouver on March 19th), we caught up with the group to reflect on their evolution since debut, Road to Kingdom triumphs, and hype for first-time Canadian YOUNIZ. With each answer, their charisma and gratitude shine, bridging the gap to fans everywhere.

Thank you for taking the time to talk with us here at K Fuse, and entrusting us to share your story with our readers and fellow YOUNIZ. For readers discovering YOUNITE for the first time, could you please take a moment to introduce yourselves as a group and individuals?

Eunho: Hello, I'm Eunho, the leader of YOUNITE who loves music

Steve: Hi, I'm Steve from YOUNITE

Hyungseok: Hello, I'm Hyungseok from YOUNITE, and I'm 25 years old this year

Woono: I'm Woono from YOUNITE, born in 2003

DEY: My name is DEY, and I'm the hottest hot boy in the world

Kyungmun: Hi! I used to look like an alpaca when we debuted, but now I'm becoming a cool man -- I'm Kyungmun.

Sion: I'm Sion, who wants to become a stylish man.

How would you describe your group’s identity in one sentence — and how has that definition changed since debut?

Eunho: I think our identity is "diversity." From our debut up until now, we've never settled for just one image -- we continuously try new things to show different sides of ourselves.

DEY: Our goal is to show a variety of colors, like a rainbow. We're in the process of proving each of the many colors we have, one by one.

What values or beliefs hold YOUNITE together beyond music and performance?

Kyungmun:  I think the times we spend enjoying fun things together, sharing delicious food, and finding little moments of happiness are what brings us together as one.

Steve: It's the belief that "we should be someone's strength." I hope our very existence can be a source of comfort and energy to someone.

When you look back at your debut era, what is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome as a team?

Sion: I think the hardest part of overcoming the fear when we first started. Still, I tried to face it head-on and push through the courage.

Woono: It was tough when a member got sick or when circumstances forced us to suddenly change our choreography formations. But through the experiences, we learned how to fill in for one another and work as a team.

Your discography shows clear evolution. How do you fell you personally have grown — in terms of skill, confidence, or mindset?

Eunho: I think each of us is growing little by little through the continuous process of reflecting and working hard to show better versions of ourselves.

Kyungmun: I think the various stage experiences we've had so far have helped us a lot. thanks to those experiences, I feel that we've been able to express ourselves much more naturally on stage lately.

What is one lesson you learned early in your career that continues to shape how you work today?

Hungseok: I try not to take things too sensitively and to stay calm no matter what happens. That way, I can handle any situation more flexibly.

DEY: Don't mess around on stage. When it's time to work, focus on work -- let's show a professional side.

How has your teamwork changed as you’ve spent more time recording, touring, and standing on stage together?

Sion: I think each member is now able to fully showcase their own performance abilities, and we've come to completely trust one another.

Steve: After spending so much time together, or teamwork has naturally grown stronger.

Is there a moment in your journey where you truly felt yourselves leveling up as artists?

Woono: I think I learned a lot through the long and challenging journey of 'Road to Kingdom.' I definitely gained a better understanding of how to manage my condition and quickly synchronize choreography.

DEY: When we held our first concert, I really felt that I had grown a lot as an artist.

With your most recent releases, what stories or emotions were most important for you to communicate?

Eunho: My unit song, "Twilight Rush," carries the message, "Let's just relax and spend time together." I hope our fans feel comforted and happy when they're with us.

Kyungmun: Through the song "Who's Next" from our recently released album, we tried to express our ambitions and showcase our fresh and powerful potential.

K Fuse Favorite :)

Is there a song or performance from your current era that best represents YOUNITE today? Why?

Hyungseok: I would say "Chili Pop." It's the song that best capture our energy.

Sion: I think "TASTE" represents YOUNITE the best, since it's also one of our favorite songs.

What part of the creative process excites you the most right now -- recording, choreography, concept planning, or performing live?

Eunho: I find recording and live performances the most exciting. I still genuinely love making music, and performing in front of fans makes me truly happy.

DEY: Every part of the process is interesting and something to look forward to, but since I consider the song itself the most important, that's the part I'm most excited about.

How do you balance each member's individuality while maintaining a unified YOUNITE sound?

Steve: I'm always studying different genres of music and sound.

Sion: By distributing the parts appropriately within a song, I think it helps each member's individuality stand out in a more balanced and harmonious way.

You are about to embark on your first Canadian tour. Performing for international audiences introduces new energy every night. What was you first thought when you heard the news?

Steve: I was really thrilled when I heard we'd be performing in Canada. I've wanted to visit for a long time, and I can't wait to see the local scenery in person.

Kyunmun: We'd been missing performing so much, so this news made us really happy. Since it'll be our first time there, I'm very excited to experience the culture and make meaningful new memories.

Hyungseok: We've always worked hard, but since this is our first time visiting Canada, I want to give it my all and create wonderful, happy memories for our Canadian fans.

Do you have an pre-performance rituals?

Eunho: I do a lot of mind control -- I try to keep myself mentally centered.

Woono: I often take a moment to just space out. When I let my mind go blank for a bit, I Feel like I can find a sense of calm again.

Is there anything you are looking forward to while on tour?

DEY: since it's our first time in North America, I'm really looking forward to seeing the scenery and experiencing the atmosphere there.

Woono: It'll be my first time visiting Canada, so I'm curious about the energy of our fans there, and I'm also very excited to see the beautiful landscapes.

Can you give us any spoilers on the set list or special stages for the upcoming Canadian tour?

Hyungseok: A special cover song -- along with outfits that match it perfectly.

DEY: Because none of this is a coincidence.

What musical genres or concepts are you hoping to explore next?

Eunho: I'd like to try making music in the house or techno genre sometime.

Sion: I want to challenge myself with a concept that has a more gentle and sophisticated vibe

Are there personal goals you have as individuals that you believe will ultimately strengthen YOUNITE as a group?

Steve: I want to share the kind of music that I truly want to make with everyone.

DEY: Each member represents YOUNITE itself. That's why I believe that when an individual grows, it makes the team stronger and more solid as a whole.

When you imagine YOUNITE five years from now, what do you have has changed -- and what do you hope stays the same?

Woono: I hope we can become even more successful than we are now, and most of all, I wish for our fans who are with us today to continue staying by our side just as they do now.

Kyungmun: I hope by then we'll have become a world-famous group, an that YOUNIZ -- along with the precious people around us -- will still be by our side, just like they are now.

What kind of legacy do you want YOUNITE to leave in the industry?

Eunho: I want to leave behind an album that anyone would recognize as a masterpiece

Hungseok: I want us to become the kind of team that makes everyone applaud just by hearing the name "YOUNITE."

If YOUNITE were characters in a move or drama, what genre would it be an who would play which role?

Sion: Hyungseok and Kyungmun -- I think a comedy genre, like the move "Twenty," would suit them well.

Kyungmun: I'd like to try a role in an action or thriller genre where I could perform dynamic action scenes. And I think Sion would be perfect for the male lead in a coming-of-age romance.

Who takes practice the most seriously, and who is most likely to lighten the mood?

DEY: Everyone practices with a sincere and positive attitude.

Woono: The member who practices the most seriously in Steve-hyung, and the one who has the most fun during practicing in DEY.

What is a small habit one member has that everyone else secretly finds funny?

Eunho: DEY never stops singing.

Sion: Eunho-hyung -- every moment, he's just really cute (full of playful energy!)

If you had to switch positions for one performance, who would struggle the most and why?

Woono: Kyungmun -- I think it would be tough to trade with him because he often has parts that requires singing such high notes.

Hyungseok: Woono an DEY -- if those two switched parts, it might be difficult for them since their styles are completely different.

What is the funniest or most unexpected moment you've experienced while touring?

Steve: I remember traveling long distances on the tour bus during our Brazil tour. It was my first time riding a bus for that long. Fortunately, we were able to lie down, so it was more comfortable than I expected.

DEY: The most memorable and fun moment for me was when we splashed in the water during the performance and just had a great time on stage.

When you think of YOUNIZ, what is the first emotion that comes to mind?

Eunho: They're "friends" who remind me of the word "youth."

Kyungmun: If feels like "a feeling that makes you smile like a fool." That's how close we are -- whenever we're together, it's always fun and enjoyable.

Is there something fans have taught you without even realizing it?

Sion: I think I've learned how to express myself more kindly and beautifully, and how to better understand others. Thanks to the warm hearts of our fans have shared with us, I've grown a lot as well.

Steve: I've realized just how much strength we gain from our fans' love and support. No matter how tired I am during a performance, the moment I hear their cheers, it's amazing how my energy instantly returns.

How do you want fans to feel when they listen to YOUNITE's music year from now?

Hyungseok: I hope people can feel as if they're returning to those memories again.

DEY: We draw our energy from our fans, so their reactions directly become our confidence.

If you could describe YOUNITE's current chapter in one word, what would it be -- and why?

Eunho: The calm before the storm. Just like the quiet that comes before a storm, I think now is the time for YOUNITE to truly show everything we've got.

DEY: Vivid colors. Because each of us has our own distinct personality.

Sion: A roly-poly toy. Because I have the determination not to fall, no matter what.

Steve: An unfinished painting. I believe there are still many sides of us left to show.

Hyungseok: Before dawn. I think it's time for us to light up the world brightly.

Woono: A tree. I believe I'm steadily growing a little more each day, without wavering from my place.

Kyungmun: Ready to go. Based on all the experience and skills we've built up, I think now is the time to soar higher and bring happiness to many people.

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with our SoundLovers. Before we wrap this up, is there a message you would like to leave for our readers and fellow YOUNIZ?

Eunho: Thank you sincerely for always supporting us and staying by our side. We'll keep working hard to show you more diverse and amazing sides of ourselves, so please continue to give us your love and attention.

Sion: Thank you YOUNIZ for believing in us an standing by us all the time. YOUNIZ has been the biggest reason YOUNITE has been able to keep going. Please continue to watch over us and cheer for everything we'll show you in the future!

As our time with YOUNITE wraps, their dreams feel limitless but YOUNIZ love grounds every step. From debut fears to Canadian stages, they've grown together—and that bond radiates. Catch them live this March and see YOUNITE light up the North—we'll be front row with you!