One Music’s first boy group iZ burst into the scene in February this year with their upbeat debut single เหลวเป๋ว (MELTED).
The track, which has gone very viral for its catchy chorus and iconic dance challenge, showcased the group’s effervescent and relatable personalities.
iZ comprises eight members: Kahn, Kao, Marc, Nord, Photo, Pie, Team and Toon, all of whom were former trainees under One Music. The group tells ChaPop that its unique name ‘iZ’ is actually short for ‘I am your safe Zone’.
It also has a second, more personal, meaning: the ‘Z’ represents the Gen Z era all of the members belong to. Indeed, the group leans heavily into the Gen Z energy in their music.
iZ now has two singles – the second being the endearing Story Together – with a third one in the works. On 2 June, the group put out a series of teasers for what appears to be a new single
In this exclusive interview, ChaPop speaks to iZ to find out about their musical journey, and what plans they have for the future. (Editor’s note: This interview was done in May)
Congratulations on your debut! How do you feel about your debut?
KAO: We are your safe zone, Sawadee krub! We are iZ. Thank you so much for the congratulations! Honestly, it still feels like a dream! We spent so much time over a year, sweating, practicing, and wondering when we’d finally get to meet everyone. To finally stand on that stage after all the sweat and tears was just incredible!
How was your journey to debut like?
MARC: If we had to describe our journey, it was all about non-stop passion and a lot of laughter in the practice room. We put so much passion into every dance move and every note of Melted because we wanted everything to be perfect for our fans.
NORD: The best part was how we grew together as eight brothers, it felt like we were building our own safe zone everywhere we went. Even during the longest rehearsals, we were always lifting each other up, sharing high-fives, and keeping the energy super positive. That bond is what made the journey so special.
What is the idea and meaning behind the group’s name iZ?
TEAM: Our name iZ stands for “I am your safe Zone.” It’s a promise we make to our fans, we want our music and our performances to be a place where you can feel happy, protected, and completely yourself.
KAO: The “Z” also has a special meaning because all eight of us were born in the Gen Z era! We wanted a name that represents our generation’s energy, our creativity, and our way of connecting with the world.
What is your favourite part about making music?
KAO: Our favourite part is definitely the collaboration! We are involved in our music from day one.
PIE: We sit down together and really dive deep into what kind of story we want to tell. We love being able to put our own ideas, our own words, and our own Gen Z styles into every track. Being part of the creative process makes the music feel so much more personal.
There are many T-Pop boy groups around. What do you think makes iZ different from the others?
KAHN: What makes iZ truly different is how we embrace having eight totally different personalities and vibes. We know we are still rookies. As rookies, we have this raw, fresh energy because we’re so excited to be part of the T-Pop world!
What’s next for iZ? Are you working on new music?
MARC: We are so hyped to announce that our second single, Story Together is officially here! But that’s not all! We have so many things planned for this year, more content, more stages, and hopefully more chances to meet everyone in person.
What is your message for your inter fans?
NORD: Sawadee krub! To anyone discovering us from around the world, we’d love for you to join our Safe Zone. Make sure to follow our official socials so you don’t miss a thing! Love you guys na krub, let’s go!
Any thing else to add?
TOON: We love seeing you guys in our comment sections on our socials. It’s so dope seeing all your edits, fan arts, and TikToks, so please keep them coming. Let’s make a Story Together. RAK TUK KON NA KRUB Love you all!
You can follow iZ on their social media channels: Instagram, TikTok, X and Youtube.
