[Interview] Emerging septet TUNEXX dives into debut mini album ‘SET BY US ONLY,’ their sonic identity and more

Emerging boy group TUNEXX makes a powerful introduction to their bold and liberating sonic identity with debut mini album SET BY US ONLY, a four-track collection built on ambition and creative freedom.

Consisting of Donggyu, Inhu, Taira, Sungjun, Zeon, Sihwan, and Arctic, the vibrant rising septet is rooted in a performance-driven approach weaving confidence and empathy into cohesive sonic signature. With SET BY US ONLY, the group reflects honest, unapologetic emotion, laden with a tender sense of sincerity.

From the electronic hip-hop stylings of focus track “I’m Alive” with sharp rap delivering a message of individuality and resilience to the funk-tinged “100%” and smooth R&B offering “Obsessed,” the album is built on versatility, maturity and nuance as they close out with an exuberant encapsulation of youth on “Twenty Something."

Poignant and uplifting in equal parts, the album marks the band's first step into a layered musical path that feels as intimate as it does expansive and global. In conversation with Earmilk, TUNEXX dives into their album, finding their distinct sonic identity, personal favourite tracks and more.

What is the inspiration/message behind SET BY US ONLY?

Zeon: The main message we wanted to share through this album is that what the world expects from us isn’t always the right answer. We hope listeners can let go of the standards they’ve accepted without question and feel encouraged to live life in their own way.

Donggyu: As we express in SET BY US ONLY, we also hope people won’t be shaken by what others say and will keep walking the path they truly believe in, all the way to the end.

How would you describe your sound and is there a particular sonic path you’re hoping to pursue in future?

Inhu: Rather than defining our music as a single genre, I’d say it’s driven by a free-spirited vibe and emotion. Instead of limiting ourselves to one style, we want to keep exploring different sounds and build TUNEXX’s own color along the way.

Who inspires you both personally and on a professional level?

Sungjun: Personally, I get inspired by Crush a lot. I admire how he weaves R&B into other genres like hip-hop and even into soundtracks, and how he focuses on conveying emotion rather than just vocal technique.

Taira: For me, it’s Taeyong. I’m inspired by the way he expresses himself on stage and the unique vibe he creates.

What’s your personal favourite track from the album and why?

Arctic: For me, it’s “Twenty Something.” I feel at ease and comforted every time I listen to it, which is why I feel especially attached to it.

Zeon: I love all the tracks including “100%” and “I’m Alive,” which I took part in creating. But if I had to pick one to personally recommend, it would be track 3, “Obsessed.” There are moments when you can’t always stay bright and full of energy. This song brings comfort during those times and gives you the strength to move forward again. That’s why it holds a special place in my heart.

What’s been the most rewarding moment of your career so far and what’s next for you?

Donggyu: Every moment since our debut has been meaningful, including now. But one moment that really stood out was when we could hear the fans cheering through our in-ear monitors during a music show pre-recording. I felt rewarded. We’ll keep working hard to show our diverse charms through different kinds of music.

Sungjun: I also can’t forget how I felt the moment I heard the fan chant through my in-ears while performing on stage. It gave me so much energy and helped me become fully immersed in the performance. We’ll do our best to expand our musical spectrum and show more diverse sides of ourselves.

Sihwan: The most rewarding moment for me was performing in front of our fans. It felt like all the hard work we put into training had finally paid off. We’ll continue to do our best.