KPOPWORLD

By Hasan Beyaz

ITZY means business on TUNNEL VISION, their 11th mini album. Almost literally. When they greet me over a late-night video call in Seoul, they’re seated across desks like a team mid-strategy session – pens in hand, papers neatly spread out. They jot things down attentively between questions. The setting feels more like we’re having an executive boardroom meeting than the glossy visual setups you would usually see idols framed in. But the energy is anything but stiff. They’re relaxed, warm, slipping into pockets of laughter that bounce across the room. The atmosphere gives “all-nighter with your closest friends”: wired, still finding reasons to tease each other. When YEJI makes a comment that food is her biggest method for dealing with stress, they break into immediate giggles.

It makes sense that the mood feels light. 2025 has been one of ITZY’s strongest years in recent memory. Their 10th mini album, Girls Will Be Girls, marked a well-received musical step forward, earning widespread praise for its sharpness. Their recent Japanese album, Collector, landed commercially. Most importantly, all five members renewed their contracts – no small moment in K-pop, and one they singled out in our interview as their proudest achievement of 2025. They describe this year as busy and strangely energising, a foundation for whatever comes next. You can see that confidence in the way they speak: settled, confident, relaxed.

TUNNEL VISION and its six tracks carries that sense of momentum. Another high-value, art-driven trailer. More impeccable music that leans into depth. And underneath it all, an unspoken certainty that they’re steering a phase shaped less by reinvention and more by sharpening the intricacies of their signature stylings.

LIA lays the groundwork early when I ask about the new trailer, which dropped a few days before we spoke. “What we focused on was our focus and concentration,” she explains. They wanted something disciplined and charismatic, something that marked where their heads are right now. Filmed in the Czech Republic, the visuals take on an entirely different tone from their past eras. The production isn’t built to mirror Girls Will Be Girls, which fans famously called one of the best K-pop trailers ever (they’re not wrong); instead, it sidesteps any temptation to repeat its emotional appeal. “We couldn’t do the same story because this song’s message was really different,” RYUJIN says. So they leaned into new textures, brought in a teacher to guide gestures and posture, and pushed the work toward a more cinematic register.

Yet the members remember the filming location just as clearly as the scenes they shot. YUNA talks about how “the beauty of the whole area’s vibe” seeped into the trailer. CHAERYEONG recalls lying on the ground and staring into a sky that felt unreal. The contrast between the visual intensity of the trailer and the peacefulness they describe reinforces something subtle: ITZY’s evolution this year hasn’t been about turning louder, but about thinking differently and playing to their strengths.

That becomes even clearer when we move to the title track. The message of “TUNNEL VISION” links back to the group’s core identity – self-direction, clarity, choosing what matters – but the decision to anchor the comeback with this song wasn’t rooted in messaging at first. “One of the reasons why we thought this should be our next album was because of the music, like even before the lyrics,” LIA says. They could already imagine how the charismatic sound effects and structure would play out on stage. The track wasn’t chosen to signal change; it was chosen because it felt right.

This sense of intentionality runs through every song we discuss. YUNA wants MIDZY “to think and feel that being a MIDZY is the best choice of their life”. LIA talks about bringing out “a different and new me compared to the last album”. RYUJIN calls “DYT” one of her favourites because of its fuller, more mature coolness. “Flicker” – a slick dance-pop number – becomes the album’s lighter moment, refreshing the mood after the sleek weight of the title track. “Nocturne” pulls the group into quieter emotional territory, with YEJI describing her grounding rituals – food, games, music – while the others laugh and nod along. And then there’s “8-BIT HEART,” the experimental standout that closes the album. YEJI describes moments of near-acting while recording; CHAERYEONG says they’d been “waiting for a song like this”. Ending the project with something “fresh and funny”, RYUJIN adds, felt like the perfect contrast to the album’s deeper opening.

What’s striking, across the whole conversation, is how clear the group seems about where they’re standing right now. 2025 was busy but stabilising. It gave them a fresh baseline. It proved that they could stretch into new concepts without losing the spark that has always made them recognisable. As YEJI puts it, this year “gave a powerful energy to start a new 2026”. They’re preparing for a new tour. They want more chances to meet fans. They want a year that’s just as full, but one they can take in properly. LIA says it best: they want to have fun, and they want the time to actually feel what’s happening.

For a group often framed through punchiness and precision, there’s something compelling about this version of confidence. ITZY aren’t reinventing themselves. Their continued commercial strength makes the case clearly enough. They’re well past the point of proving who they are. What’s happening now is calibration. TUNNEL VISION arrives steady and unfazed, already knowing where it belongs – which is exactly why it works.

Read on for our full interview with ITZY about their new music, their 2025 reflections, and their goals for the upcoming year.

1. Firstly, I wanted to talk about the trailer that was released a few days ago. How do you feel it reflects ITZY’s growth and the new side of your artistry in this album compared to previous releases?

LIA What we focused on was our focus and concentration, and we wanted to show that part in the trailer the most. Also, we wanted to visually show a disciplined, charismatic mood. I think that part was really well reflected in the trailer, so I think it's a very good start.

2. You filmed it in the Czech Republic – was it fun to be there?

YEJI Yes, the weather was so amazing.

RYUJIN And also the architecture was really very timeless. So I really enjoyed walking around the hotel, and I enjoyed my free time there.

3. During the trailer filming in the Czech Republic, what moment stood out most?

CHAERYEONG I laid down on the ground while I was shooting and found myself just staring at the sky. It was so beautiful. That really stands out in my memory.

YUNA I think that the beauty of the whole area’s vibe is fused really well into this trailer. It shows a very different vibe from ITZY's other charms.

4. When we last met, we previously discussed that your Girls Will Be Girls trailer was being described by fans as the best K-pop trailer of all-time. Did that response shape how you approached the energy or storytelling for this new album?

LIA I think one of the reasons why lots of people enjoyed our Girls Will Be Girls trailer was because it was very different and new compared to our previous ones. So, we wanted this one to be also very different, and we used lots of actions and lots of artwork and other things. I think this one was as good as the one before, but in a different way. We were satisfied.

RYUJIN I think one more reason that the fans really loved our Girls Will Be Girls trailer is because it was talking about our bonds and our relationship at the time. This time, we thought that we couldn't do the same story because this song’s message was really different from the start. So we tried a new vibe; we had a teacher who taught all of us poses, like gestures and stuff for every scene. I think that a little bit of a cinematic vibe had come out from that trailer. We were really satisfied about it because it's really different from the previous one.

5. I’m glad you mentioned the song’s message, because I wanted to talk about the title track “TUNNEL VISION,” which has a strong theme of choosing your own path of immersion. What made this track feel like the right choice for ITZY after “Girls Will Be Girls”?

LIA Besides the message, actually one of the reasons why we thought this should be our next album was because of the music, like even before the lyrics. It had lots of sound effects and other elements that we imagined would make the stage look really charismatic and powerful, and make the audience kind of focus on us. I think the quality of the song was really great, which is why we chose it. And message-wise, it always kind of relates to our original message – like choosing our own path, focusing on ourselves, not caring about what happens. So the message isn't really that different, but we tried to articulate it in different ways, in a different concept.

6. What would each member of ITZY say they ‘want’ from this era?

YUNA I want to make MIDZY think and feel that being a MIDZY is the best choice of their life through watching our stages. I want to make MIDZY proud, as we are.

LIA I agree. And I think they will be, because our performance this time is really, really charismatic and very full. And like, for me, to match the song’s vibe, I tried to bring out the bad side of me, a different and new me compared to the last album. I hope people can focus!

7. “DYT” takes a confident approach to love. How does this song show a different or deeper side of ITZY compared to previous releases?

RYUJIN Actually, “DYT” is one of my favorite songs on this album. I really like that sound, but I actually didn't think it was a typical love song, as such. When I think about the vibe of the song, if it's related to love, I think those lyrics would be a really cool girl who is very charismatic and gets what she wants. I think it's a little bit more mature and fuller than the previous love songs that we sang about.

LIA Also, I think the character suits like a very independent girl that doesn’t rely on love, because it's an abbreviation of Do Your Thing.

8. Moving on to “Flicker” – if you were to perform this song on stage, how would you imagine it reflecting ITZY’s energy or style?

YUNA I also really like the light vibe and fun energy of the “Flicker” and think it can show a different charm of ITZY compared to our title track. I hope we can perform this song on the stage.

CHAERYEONG “TUNNEL VISION,” the title track, is kind of a sleek, deeper vibe. So, maybe we can have “Flicker” as a lighter version, to show the other charm of this album. Compared to the beginning of the album, the song kind of refreshes the whole vibe, showing the contrast between the title track.

9. “Nocturne” – since it tends to deal with a meaningful message of overcoming chaotic emotions, do ITZY have any rituals to personally overcome these types of emotions?

YEJI This is one of my favorite songs. When I feel confused and have lots going on in my mind, I try to think more easily and eat delicious food. That’s how I rest. I also play games and listen to music – songs like this.

RYUJIN Very many things. [laughs] Yes, I think doing other things is the best way to forget about it. So I really, like, 100% agree about that.

10. I wanted to move on to the last song on the album, “8-BIT HEART.” It has a very unusual kind of sound. Can you talk about that experimental production style?

YEJI I think that it has very fun beats because it's based on game sounds – like the 8-bit itself – which shows a game-like theme. I think it was very fun. Also, there are some points where it felt a bit like acting while I was recording and singing this song, so I think that it's very fun and also shows a new side of the ITZY sound.

CHAERYEONG Yes, the game-like sound and unique melody line stand out from that song, and because of that, we had so much fun recording it. We constantly try to show something new for every album, like “8-BIT HEART,” so I feel like we were waiting for a song like this. Thus, we cannot wait to see how this song is going to turn out on the stage, if we get a chance to perform it.

RYUJIN I think because the start of our album and the title of our album is really deep and is a little bit serious, we really wanted to end it in a really fresh and funny way so that whoever listens to the album from top to the bottom can finish it really freshly.

11. After we spoke last time, “KISS N TELL” became a fan-favorite from your last mini album. Which of the new B-sides do you feel MIDZY might pick as their favorite this time?

YUNA I dare to say “8-BIT HEART”! It was really hard to choose because all of our B-side tracks are good. But I chose this song specifically as a song that our fans would like the most because it highlights ITZY's strength and has a unique charm.

LIA I think “8-BIT HEART.” I think there are lots of good songs in the album, but I think that song has a very special and different concept for the music itself. It has a very clear vibe that it wants to give. Also, this is kind of connected to the previous question you asked, but after listening to “8-BIT HEART,” it gives feelings that last, because there's a lot going on in those three minutes after it ends; it gives you that moment. So, I think it suits well at the end of the track list, considering the whole flow of the track list.

RYUJIN Personally for me, all of the B-sides are really my favorite, because I think – especially this album – the B-sides are really stunning. But, if I have to choose one that’s really just in my taste, my favorite is “DYT.” I love the energy that song carries. So although my favorite is “DYT,” I don't know how MIDZY will feel.

12. Across all your releases this year, what do you think listeners can learn about who ITZY is?

YEJI I think that people will think ITZY is a very refreshing group. As you can see, songs like “ROCK & ROLL” are very energetic and have a very full vibe. Through those songs, I think people and listeners can feel and see the synergy between ITZY ourselves. I think that's the part which people can catch through 2025’s ITZY.

CHAERYEONG We tried various concepts this year, but in every performance, we tried to show our energy. Alongside that energy, I want people to think of us as a group that can definitely present the intended concept or message.

13. Overall, 2025 has felt like an important year for ITZY, especially because all five members renewed. What do you feel has been ITZY’s biggest or proudest achievement this year?

RYUJIN Renewing the contract, for sure.

YEJI Individually this year, ITZY ourselves had many experiences. We did lots of new things and attempted lots of concepts and things like that. I especially also did my solo album this year – so maybe if we get any chances in the future, other members can also try a solo album. Overall, I feel that this year gave a powerful energy to start a new 2026.

14. Looking ahead to 2026, what would the members say is their biggest goal for ITZY in 2026?

LIA Having fun! [laughs] This year actually went by really fast because there obviously was a lot happening this year. Our music and also contract-wise and individual schedules and other stuff. I hope next year is also very busy so we can meet our fans a lot and get more chances. But also at the same time I hope we have the time to kind of embrace what's happening. This year is kind of like a new start for us. So I'm really excited for what's to happen next year.

YUNA It’s been quite a long time since the last tour ended, so I am really excited to meet MIDZYs, our fans, through the world tour. So my biggest goal for next year is to make lots of happy memories with our global fans! Other than the world tour, we are preparing lots of things for 2026, so please look forward to that as well!

‘TUNNEL VISION’: Certainty Looks Good on ITZY