Composed of performers and creatives Jewon (leader and vocalist), Winnie (rapper), Eden (vocalist), Vahn (rapper, vocalist, and music producer), Vari (vocalist), Seowon (vocalist and main dancer), Taehun (dancer and performance leader), Joohyoung (vocalist), Jiho (maknae and rapper), and Minjun (vocalist), NINE.i is made up of 10 members under the management umbrella of the artist agency FirstOne Entertainment.

Initially introduced through a prologue film project titled “The Birth of a New Algorithm,” the rookie K-Pop boy band debuted on March 30, 2022 along with the launch of their mini album New World. With their diverse talents as a backbone, the tensome group is emerging in the global music scene as they continue to soar alongside Korea’s promising K-Pop artists.

“Our debut mini album New World has an overall concept of a journey to find our true selves through the parallel universe,” Vahn, project co-producer, tells us. “Not only that, the album portrays the group’s eagerness to move forward and pursue a certain color through various tracks in the album.” Released in March 2022 with “Parallel Universe” as its title track, New World gives a glimpse of the team’s transitioning emotions in the new era.

“To add, since the name New World also represents the new era, NINE.i proposes a new point of view to move forward,” emphasizes Jewon. “The album relates to us because NINE.i has faced a new era after the debut, so we have also put our thoughts of how to move forward through various points of views within the album,” the leader expounds.

True enough, the mini album makes sense as NINE.i’s name stems from a similar theme, too—the spirit of true selves, togetherness, connectedness, transformation, and continuity. According to Jewon, “[The] group name NINE.i comes from the worldview concept that the group had even before the debut. It represents nine members with an internal energy connected through a medium, which is our member Vari [the connector].”

The appeal of the ensemble and their tracks lies in how they manufacture their line-up, which is partly self-produced. Now that they have recently released their second mini album I (Part.1) featuring the track “Young Boy,” Nine.i’s music and discography keeps getting discovered. “We have prepared a lot and we have six tracks this time,” Eden teases, keen on giving more quality masterpieces.

Grooming for greatness

Since they are being groomed to be an idol group back then, some serious skill set is needed for the band to fly. “At first, it was very hard for me with all the cultural differences, and Korean people work really hard. It took me some time to get used to it, but I think that the training system is really good,” shares Thai rapper Winnie, who relocated to South Korea shortly after his high school graduation. He also honed his Hangul skills from the get-go to gel well with the country’s culture.

“They provide us with vocal training, dance training, acting, rap training, language class, personal training, exercise—a lot of stuff! I think all of us became like a jack-of-all-trades—we know how to do everything now.” Fortunately, the boys, with nothing short of raw talent, have risen to even greater heights with holistic training as their gateway to entertainment.

Drawing inspiration from existing idols and boy bands in the K-Pop scene, NINE.i members Vahn, Jiho, and Vari declare their admiration for BIGBANG and BTS. “One day, I saw a group named BIGBANG,” Vahn remembers, alluding to BIGBANG leader G-Dragon in the process.

“At the time, ‘Heartbreaker’ was trending. When I heard the song, my brain popped out. I had to do a single like this, so I dreamed about [it],” Vahn looks back. Jiho and Vari were once huge fans, too, before they were founded. “I wanted to become an idol watching BTS,” Jiho imparts. “I was so impressed by their music video for the song ‘Not Today.’ I started by copying their choreography on my own, and that was the start of my career.”

Vari, at the same instant, looks up to BTS and lauds them as well, for when he was in middle school, he made it to a BTS show that sparked his passion for performing. “At the time, I’m so inspired by their stage, so I think I wanted to be a singer, too, like BTS,” he has sworn to himself, after being able to see the concert with his clique.

One for all, all for one

With their eagerness to deliver great music and measure up to the standards of the K-Pop scene in Korea, NINE.i’s group dynamics has eventually grown for the greater good. “After the debut, the overall atmosphere of the group during our practices consists of more responsibility as well as passion, since we all have experienced the beauty of performing onstage,” Jewon sets off.

“During the trainee days, we had no idea which one of us was going to debut, so all of the members were very independent in terms of training for success,” Seowon adds, supporting Jewon’s claim. “But now,” Seowon continues, “we consult each other on how to make a great performance and such, and we picture ourselves as being together more often.”

Joohyoung also acknowledges the fact that they are more focused on themselves prior to teaming up, but have enormously outgrown the me-myself-and-i outlook. “Our mindset was more about proving 'myself' during [our] trainee days, [but] over the two years, we are more eager to prove 'ourselves' to the public.”

“We also communicate with each other very often for subjects such as dividing the parts of the songs or finding the best parts for each of the members in order to maximize the strengths of the group and come up with the best result,” he explains. “When we were training, there was a little bit [of] competition, but now, as NINE.i, we cooperate together,” Vari concludes.

By far, a tour to the Philippines has yet to be announced, but fans are teeming with anticipation, and NINE.i cannot wait to catch up as well. “I have been to the Philippines when I was very young, and I still remember the taste of the mango that I had on a boat ride because it was so tasty,” Seowon tells Metro.Style. “I also remember the sky blue ocean and the sunny beach vibes that I felt. It was a very memorable visit.”

While the others from the team have not previously visited the Philippines, some of them, such as Jewon, are eyeing to visit its exquisite waters someday. “Although I have never been to the Philippines, I am aware of the hospitality and kindness of the people there, through various YouTube travel videos that I enjoy watching,” he states. “So, if I get a chance, I would like to visit the Philippines and meet with the i.ENINs and go on a cute date with all of them.”

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“To all the Filipino fans who have waited for our comeback, we have prepared very hard on this album, so if you wait just a little bit more, we will come to you in the best shape and show you the best performance!” Joohyoung said during the interview we did prior to their comeback.

Eden fondly expresses his gratitude, too. “Thank you for your love and support and we will do our best to do a lot of new things.” Jewon cannot contain his emotions as well: “We can’t wait to perform in front of our Filipino i.ENIN fans!” he closes.

Get to know the group members more and check out what careers they would've pursued in a 'parallel universe:'

Vahn - 'I would work as a producer.' | Nationality: Korean | Position: rapper, vocalist, producer@nine.i_official

Eden - 'If I had a chance to go to the parallel universe, I would’ve become i.ENIN myself and spend time with other NINE.i [members]!'@nine.i_official

Jiho - 'I personally love soccer, so I would have been a soccer player.'@nine.i_official

Jewon - 'I would’ve had my own dessert cafe!'@nine.i_official

Minjun - 'I haven’t thought of other careers for me, so I think I would still be a celebrity.'@nine.i_official

Joohyoung - 'Maybe, I’ll be a fashion designer.'@nine.i_official

Seowon - 'I’m very passionate about beauty and cosmetics, so I would’ve been a beauty YouTuber!'@nine.i_official

Taehun - 'I would’ve been a dentist, which was my childhood dream.'@nine.i_official

Vari - 'In a parallel universe, I will be a cook or a teacher or Idol, too, because I’m good at cooking.'@nine.i_official

Winnie - 'I love talking with a lot of people, so back in the day, I wanted to become a psychologist.'@nine.i_official

Watch our exclusive Metro Talks interview below:

Video courtesy of FirstOne Entertainment

Coordination: Anastasia Kuvaldina and Grace Libero-Cruz

Interviewer: Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso

Video editing: CJ Reyes

Lead photos from @nine.i_official