Boy band Catch The Young debuted back in 2023 with their first mini album, Catch The Young: Fragments of Youth, and have continued to evolve through various methods. Currently, their new album, reflecting the growth through the name, EVOLVE, is a lively reflection of their musical journey.
As experienced artists, the EVOLVE album is a nod to their growth over time and how the support of fans created this evolution in their music and popularity. Like a gift that keeps on giving, the album is filled with ear-catching ditties that evoke feel-good vibes, trendy sounds and offers multiple upbeat tracks that make for an easy listen and uplifting experience. No single lyric sounds the same, but the uniformity of each cheerful song made the album feel complete.
Despite their busy schedule, members Sani, Kihoon, Namhyun, Jungmo, and Junyong met with ZAPZEE in this exclusive interview to open the doors to their minds and disclose not only fun experiences shared within the group but also personal thoughts on their musicality and future plans. Check out their exclusive greeting video for fans and the full interview now.
Q. Tell us about your 1st full album, EVOLVE. How long has the group been working on this album?
Sani: We worked on EVOLVE for a very long time, as it also includes a song that we started working on in 2021. Rather than each song taking a long time to create, it was more like we took enough time to form music and to create the story of the album.
Kihoon: There are songs we wrote a long time ago. We’ve been working on this album for more than two years.
Namhyun: It’s hard to define when the writing process for this album started. There is a song that never existed before the end of 2025. I think EVOLVE depicts the beginning of Catch The Young and our story so far very well.
Jungmo: We included our determination to amplify our music in the world. As it took a long time to work on this album, I believe we were able to make it a satisfying final result.
Q. There are 14 songs in total! Which song was the easiest to complete or most fun to create?
Sani: “Stay In The Dream” was the easiest and most enjoyable track for me. It started from a guitar riff we created while jamming together, and the melody was built on top of that, so there wasn’t much need to add extra ideas during the arrangement.
Kihoon: I wouldn’t say any track was truly easy, but the songs we had been working on
since before our debut felt more familiar, so they were a bit easier to work on. Personally, I had the most fun working on “Hurricane.” It was memorable to try various attempts at creating riffs and sounds with the members. The whole process was very enjoyable.
Namhyun: The easiest track to complete was “Stay In The Dream.” The riff and overall mood came together during a jam session with the members, and Sani and I built the melody from there. Because of that, it required relatively less of the complex demo-making process.
Jungmo: Honestly, there wasn’t any track that felt particularly easy. For every song, we went through countless trials and errors to refine the sound, groove, and emotional expression, so all of them were the result of a challenging process.
Junyong: I don’t think there was an easy track to work on. Every track was something we poured our blood, sweat, and tears into, so none of them came easily.
Q. Which song would the members recommend new fans listen to on the album? Which one has an authentic Catch The Young sound?
Sani: I’d recommend “Amplify.” It reflects our ambition to amplify Catch The Young’s music worldwide, and I think it best showcases our signature synth rock sound.
Kihoon: Lately, I’ve been wanting to explore heavier and more powerful sounds, so I’d recommend “Alive” or “Hurricane.”
Namhyun: I recommend “Alive.” It’s a track that feels quite new for us, almost like our first time trying this style, with a dynamic structure.
Jungmo: For me, it’s “Hurricane.” We wanted to convey the message that nothing standing in your way can ultimately stop you.
Junyong: I’d recommend “Better Days.” It carries the hopeful message we want to share, and it also features a rich and full band sound.
Q. Catch The Young released a new video for the MV “Sail” from the EVOLVE album in April. Why was this song chosen in particular to promote?
Sani: It was a double title track of our full-length album, and we wanted to convey the emotions of “Sail” as accurately as possible. By creating a music video, it feels like we were able to complete it as an even more beautiful piece.
Q. In Korea, they believe if you see a ghost in a studio while recording an album, you’ll be successful! Do you believe in this superstition? Did you see any ghosts?
Sani: I’ve never seen a ghost myself. It’s such a well-known belief, so it’s actually one of the questions we get asked a lot.
Kihoon: I’m not sure if it was actually a ghost, but there was a time when music suddenly started playing from another room even though no one was there, and I felt like someone had passed by. At that time, I was alone at the studio… Honestly, I’m not sure if that means things are going well yet, but hopefully they will be from now on.
Namhyun: We were all startled, but at the same time, we joked, “There must be a ghost, and it must mean we’ll do well!”
Q. It has been three years since Catch The Young debuted. What have you learned or how have you changed since your debut?
Sani: I think my attitude toward music and performing has changed a lot. I’ve come to see the stage not as something we create alone, but as something built together by the artist and the audience.
Kihoon: If I had to name the biggest change, it would be that my desire to perform better has grown stronger.
Namhyun: I’ve learned how to love myself much more. I used to not like myself very much, but through consistent training such as working out, practicing singing intensely, developing my skills, and pushing through vocal limits I once struggled with, I gained the confidence that I can do anything. I believe that this effort and the confidence that comes from self- love will naturally be conveyed to our audience and listeners.
Jungmo: I think the biggest change lies in my mindset. In the past, I would easily feel discouraged when facing negative situations, but now I try to ask myself, “What can I learn from this?” I’ve come to value the experiences gained from that process more, and that positive mindset has naturally carried over into my practice and performance, helping me grow significantly in my skills.
Junyong: I think I’ve become mentally stronger. There have been many challenging and difficult moments, but by constantly reminding myself of my goals and pushing through, I’ve been able to continue making music until now.
Q. Catch The Young’s song “YOUTH!!!” is the most popular on YouTube so far – why do you think that is? Do you think another song would be more popular than this song?
Sani: Actually, we don’t focus too much on view counts. I think if we create music that people genuinely enjoy and connect with, the numbers will naturally follow. As for the views on “YOUTH!!!,” it’s probably because it represents Catch The Young, and for many people, it’s the first song they would hear from us.
Kihoon: When people think of Catch The Young, I think the keyword “YOUTH!!!” comes to mind first, and it’s a big part of our identity. That’s why I believe we’ll be able to share even better songs moving forward.
Junyong: I think many people showed interest in that song because it conveys our message most directly. Going forward, I’m confident we’ll be able to present even better music and songs that can be loved by more people.
Q. Catch The Young will be performing at the 2026 AWESOME Music festival. How does it feel to perform on larger stages compared to the smaller venues the group performed at in 2024?
Kihoon: Regardless of the size of the stage, I think the most important thing is to show Catch The Young’s unique energy in every performance. Our goal is to deliver good influence and great performances to as many people as possible. Before stepping onto even bigger stages in the future, I want to approach every stage with the mindset of appreciating and reflecting on this very moment.
Q. Are there any K-Dramas the members are watching lately?
Kihoon: I recently watched Bloodhounds 2 on Netflix.
Namhyun: Until recently, I was watching Bloodhounds. I got into it because I’ve recently become interested in boxing.
Jungmo: Bloodhounds 2 is based on the webtoon I really liked, and it’s so much fun!
>> ‘Bloodhounds’ Season 2 Dominates Netflix Charts, Delivers Even Bigger Punch in Week 2
In the end, Catch The Young didn’t hold back in giving detailed responses and sharing the smallest details with fans. Before signing off, each member wanted to share a heartfelt message with Catchers, their new fans, and ZAPZEE readers. See the heartwarming notes.
Sani: First of all, I want to say that I miss all of our Catchers. We’re always thinking of you, so please wait for us until the day we can meet in person!!
Kihoon: Hello, this is Kihoon, guitarist of Catch The Young. I hope we can establish ourselves as a global band as soon as possible and share my guitar sound with you in person. See you soon, and I love you!
Namhyun: Hello, Catchers! This is Namhyun! Thank you for reading through our interview. I’ll continue working hard to grow into an artist who can bring you even more relatable and meaningful stories through interviews like this. Thank you!
Jungmo: Please continue to show lots of love and support for Catch The Young! We’ll keep working hard without stopping. Thank you.
Junyong: Thank you so much for always showing us interest and love! We’ll make sure to come back with great performances!
What did you think of the group’s heart-warming interview– did it catch your heart? Catch the Young are a wonderful group and one of many bands bringing in a wave of new music to Korea. If you’re interested in more of the group’s sound, don’t forget to follow them on Instagram and also follow ZAPZEE for more exclusive interviews and content. You can also watch more of your favorite Korean content for free on Amasian TV.
