The group Izna has returned to their fans just four months after their debut. With their debut song "Izna," they conveyed their bold charm and aspirations to surprise the world, and they have become even more lovable with their first digital single "SIGN."
Izna, selected through Mnet's "I-LAND 2," is showcasing an unusual trajectory right from their debut, filled with confidence and assurance that they can do anything, anywhere, at any time, based on their infinite musical potential. Since releasing their debut album "N/a" last November, they have received love from fans worldwide, entering the top 10 of the iTunes Top Album charts in 14 countries and ranking first in the Japanese Apple Music K-pop album rankings and Rakuten Music rankings, demonstrating Izna's global strength.
As spring arrives, Izna is set to captivate fans once again by singing about "love." Their new release "SIGN" is a love song that conveys courage and certainty in delivering a clear signal of love, showcasing the members' wide emotional range and their growth.
It's been four months since you returned to your fans. This is your first comeback after debuting, so I'm curious about your thoughts on it.
Bang Ji-min: The debut song "Izna" and the song "SIGN" have completely different charms. Because they are different, I think we can show another color and charm of Izna, so I'm looking forward to it. While promoting "Izna," we monitored a lot and exchanged feedback, so I feel like we've grown a lot, and I'm looking forward to this activity as well.
Jeong Se-bi: The four months preparing for the comeback were such happy times that I can't even remember how they passed. I hope you look forward to the much-changed appearance of Izna this time.
Choi Jeong-eun: If the debut song "Izna" showed Izna's identity, I think "SIGN" is a song that can show more of Izna's charm. Personally, I think "SIGN" might surpass "Izna." (laughs)
Yu Sa-rang: Since this is my first comeback, I'm both nervous and excited. As soon as I received the song "SIGN," I felt excited. The preparation process was really happy. I think we can show our "Izna color" well, so I'm looking forward to it.
Mai: I want to show a more grown-up version of Izna during the "SIGN" activities, so I'm working hard to prepare. Please look forward to the grown-up Izna.
Koko: Since this is our first comeback, there were many thrilling and exciting moments. As this song can show many different charms compared to our debut, I hope our fans, Nayah (Izna's fandom name), will look forward to it a lot. I want to show the stage of "SIGN" to our fans as soon as possible.
Every "first" is special. Since this is your "first comeback," I imagine your determination is different.
Mai: Through our debut, I now have fans that I didn't have before. I want to show a good side to the fans who love and support us, and I have a strong desire to repay the love we've received.
Jeong Se-bi: Since our debut, every moment has been so precious that I can't forget even a single one. I'm looking forward to our future activities, and the more I look forward to them, the more I want to grow.
Member Yoon Ji-yoon is unable to participate in this activity due to health issues. I imagine there will be some disappointment about not being able to perform together.
Bang Ji-min: It was a decision made with the priority of the members' conditions, including Ji-yoon. Of course, we feel a lot of regret about not being able to participate in this activity, but I think what we can do now is to practice so that Ji-yoon's absence is not felt too much by the fans or the public. We talked about supporting each other from our respective positions and waiting. Ji-yoon is also working hard to recover her health as soon as possible. She has a strong desire to return and participate in activities as soon as possible.
You mentioned that you can show Izna's color with "SIGN." What do you think is "Izna's color"?
Bang Ji-min: If the debut song showed a confident, chic, and hip stage, "SIGN" gives a feeling that is both nostalgic and refreshing from the melody. I think the result that comes from the chicness unique to Izna combined with the emotional lyrics is close to "Izna's color."
Jeong Se-bi: If I had to express Izna in one word, I would say it's a rainbow. The synergy that comes from the seven different charms combined is "Izna's color." I think that is our weapon.
What did you feel when you first heard "SIGN"?
Yu Sa-rang: "SIGN" is a song that feels exciting, and I thought for a long time about how to express the feeling of love. All the Izna members love the stage so much. I thought the feelings we have when we think about our dreams might be in this song. While recording, I acted as if I were performing, and that feeling was really good. When the master audio came out and it was recorded with our voices, each of our tones was attractive, so I am looking forward to it. "SIGN" definitely has a different feeling from "Izna," so I'm excited to show a different side, and I'm looking forward to the activities that will start. Above all, I think we will be able to show our voice tones.
Mai: Since "SIGN" is a song that showcases each member's vocal charm well, I think it's a pleasant song to listen to. I have a strong desire to show our tones to the fans.
The keyword "growth" also comes up in this "SIGN." I'm curious about what you focused on while practicing to show this growth.
Yu Sa-rang: We are a group that debuted through a survival show. Fans have been watching us from our trainee days through the debut process. They know better than anyone how much we have grown and each of our growth stories. Therefore, all the members are thinking about "how can we show Izna's grown-up side." To do that, I think the members need to be in sync and have the same mindset, so we increased our communication time more than before. Thanks to that, I think we were able to enhance our completeness much more than during "Izna."
Bang Ji-min: We didn't all train together. We were trainees at different companies and met for the first time during the survival show. Since we had a long time of not knowing each other, it took time to get close. From debut to comeback, while preparing for activities, we shared a lot of personal stories and what kind of trainee lives we went through, which brought us closer than before. I think that growth came from that.
Koko: During our debut, I was standing on stage without knowing anything, so there were exciting parts, but I was also so nervous that I couldn't show all my skills during practice, which was a regretful moment. This time, everyone has a strong desire to do better. To do that, all the Izna members prepared a lot together, so I hope you look forward to it.
Mai: During our debut, I was nervous and felt awkward, so I have regrets about not doing better. I will still be nervous, but as time goes by, I am trying to enjoy the stage and become someone who conveys love to the fans.
Koko: Oh, and when I compare my Korean skills from "I-LAND 2" to now, I have improved a lot. When I was filming "I-LAND 2," my Korean was lacking, and I couldn't speak at all, but now, thanks to the members, I've improved a lot.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
