Plus Magazine

A fierce competition to complete the last piece! Through ＜Queendom Puzzle＞, the top members have finally come together. EL7Z UP members, each with their unique personality, unveil their first EP titled [7+UP] to the world. The album includes ‘CHEEKY,’ which captures the confident demeanor of EL7Z UP, and features a total of 5 songs. From the behind-the-scenes story of their debut to the members' determination for their upcoming performances, check it out in the M Countdown Magazine.

You all have started your first activities that many people have been looking forward to. Please say hello to the readers of M Countdown Magazine!

Kei: Hello, readers of M Countdown Magazine, this is Kei from ‘EL7Z UP’! I'm trying to approach the stage with my initial passion and mindset once again!

YEOREUM: Hello, I'm the leader YEOREUM of EL7Z UP ~~

YEEUN: Hello, I'm YEEUN from EL7Z UP!!

YEONHEE: Hello!! I'm YEONHEE from EL7Z UP!

NANA: Hello. I'm NANA from EL7Z UP. Nice to meet you💙

YUKI: Hello!! I'm YUKI from EL7Z UP!!

HWISEO (H1-KEY): Hello!! I'm the youngest member HWISEO from EL7Z UP!!

The name of your group almost sounds like a code. What does ‘EL7Z UP’ mean?

YEOREUM: Our group name is an anagram of PUZZLE, and it signifies the best seven members chosen directly by our fans.

The title of your first mini-album [7+UP] is also concise yet unique. It seems to hold special content. Could you briefly introduce your album?

HWISEO (H1-KEY): [7+UP] signifies an album of high quality brought about by the synergy of the best 7 members coming together!!

This album boasts a total of 5 songs. Which one is the favorite among the members of EL7Z UP?

YEONHEE: I like the song ‘Cloud 9’! While I love all of them, the bright and fluffy atmosphere of ‘Cloud 9’ blends well with everyone's vocals, making it a lovely track.

YEEUN: My favorite is the first track, ‘Die for you,’ where each member's unique voice stands out. It has a sentimental mood, contrasting with our title song ‘CHEEKY’.

YUKI: 💗YUKI loves ‘Hideaway’.

HWISEO (H1-KEY): My favorite song is ‘Hideaway’!

NANA: My favorite is ‘Die for you’. The interpretation may vary for everyone, but personally, I feel this song expresses our deep love for our fans, EL7Z U, which makes me cherish it even more.

Composer Ryan S. Jhun, who collaborated with you on ‘I Do’ during the ＜Queendom Puzzle＞ semi-finals, participated in this album again. For NANA and YEONHEE, who had previously been involved in that song, was the experience of syncing up multiple times helpful?

YEONHEE: Since we've already harmonized with composer Ryan Jeon, he understands us better, which I think made the recording process smoother and easier! I was happy to work with him again!

NANA: I first worked with composer Ryan Jeon through ＜Queendom Puzzle＞. Through that experience, he analyzed our character and made the recording process much smoother and enjoyable!

Could you introduce your title song ‘CHEEKY,’ which is an English word meaning ‘impudent’ or ‘presumptuous’?

Kei: Our title track ‘CHEEKY’ embodies the idea of surprising the world with the unique feel of EL7Z UP, distinct from others. Regardless of what others say, it's a song characterized by the confidence of the MZ generation who march to the beat of their own drum!

It seems like you've made thorough preparations to leave a strong impression since this is your first activity. Do you have a killing part or a point choreography you'd like to introduce?

YEEUN:  I believe the hook where the word ‘CHEEKY’ is repeated in our title track is the killing part. The hand gestures and expressions we all do together during this part are the highlight choreography! When you watch our music video, you'll instantly recognize this section! We'll be showing a lot of this choreography as a challenge, so please follow along with us :)

The provocative title seems to tell the story of EL7Z UP's formation. Is there something where you think ‘I'm more confident in this than anyone else!’?

YUKI: It's our unexpected charm! We believe that we exude coolness on stage, but off-stage, we have a slightly cute appeal.

Since you all formed a team through a competition, the relationships between members seem unique. During the preparations for this comeback, which member was the most supportive or helpful?

HWISEO (H1-KEY): I think it was YUKI, who's the same age as me!! It was the first time I had a friend of the same age in the team, and since our personalities clicked well, I think we were able to practice more enjoyably!

Among the members of EL7Z UP, only ‘YUKI’ has the experience of harmonizing with every member during broadcasts. As the only foreign member of the team, did that experience help?

YUKI: I just realized that!! I believe having had the chance to perform with all EL7Z UP members through ＜Queendom Puzzle＞ and the harmony we built during that time helped us get closer quickly after EL7Z UP was formed and harmonize well with each other.

During the competition, was there a particular member you hoped to share the stage with and are now glad they joined EL7Z UP alongside you?

YEEUN: First of all, I thought that having the opportunity to collaborate on a stage with artists who are active in their respective groups isn't easy. So, I was happy with every member I am with now. I cherish this fate-like connection!

Isn't the feeling of Kei and YEONHEE, who were from the same agency and had a senior-junior relationship, unique now that they're working together?

Kei: Having observed and cherished my junior since before her debut, it feels deeply moving to become part of the same group and share a stage together! I plan to cherish and support her even more in the future~

YEONHEE: I first teamed up with Kei for the final stage, and honestly, just sharing a stage was something I had only ever imagined as a special event. I never dreamed that we'd actually become members of the same group. It's both fascinating and delightful, and I feel there are aspects where we'll mesh well. I'm excited for what's to come!

What's different between your activities in your original group and in EL7Z UP? NANA, you especially were the oldest member in your previous group, but now there are more older members in this team, right?

NANA: That's correct. I always used to carry a heavy sense of responsibility, making sure everything was in order. But now, I've been given the pleasant opportunity to be among the younger members, allowing me to express my playful side more. Having these older members makes me feel so supported and grateful. However! When it comes to work, I'm trying to be a diligent younger member.

Do you have any specific goals or resolutions as EL7Z UP?

YEOREUM: Our aspiration is to be an EL7Z UP cherished by ELZ7 U for a very long time!!

Lastly, could you share a message for the fans who will be joining you for this album?

YEOREUM: EL7Z U!! I'm so, so grateful and happy to share our first album with EL7Z U. Let's be together not just for our ‘CHEEKY’ promotions, but until the end️

HWISEO (H1-KEY): EL7Z U!! Hello!! Please look forward to EL7Z UP's future activities and let's enjoy our time together with joy!! Thank you!

NANA: EL7Z U🤍 So glad to meet you and welcome.  Whether our journey is long or short, let's deeply love each moment and enjoy our stages together. You're precious 🤍.