By Shim Sun-ah
Introducing hrtz.wav, the highly anticipated five-member K-pop band, comprised of top talents from Mnet’s popular band survival show “Steal Heart Club.” The group features Youn Young-jun on keyboard, Riaan on vocals, Dane on bass, Keiten on guitar, and Hagiwa on drums. Uniquely, Keiten and Hagiwa hail from Japan, joining their three South Korean bandmates to form this dynamic international K-pop ensemble.
According to their agency, Kakao Entertainment, the name hrtz.wav is a thoughtful fusion: “hrtz” signifies the frequency of both heartbeats and sound, while “wav” symbolizes sound waves and high-quality audio. This distinctive name encapsulates the members’ ambitious goal to “create a new wave in the world” with their innovative music, as stated by Kakao Entertainment.
During hrtz.wav’s exciting debut showcase in Seoul, bassist Dane shared insights into the band’s diligent preparation. He revealed that after the conclusion of “Steal Heart Club,” the members dedicated four intense months to perfecting their debut, expressing their eagerness to showcase their “best sides” to awaiting fans.
Keyboardist Youn Young-jun described the hrtz.wav debut as “both exciting and emotional,” emphasizing it as a profound “chance to repay everyone who waited for us” with their unique sound.
The debut EP, aptly titled “The First Wave,” masterfully captures youthful emotions through its vibrant band sounds, captivating melodies, and dynamic performances. Kakao Entertainment further explained that the EP narrates the journey of five members, each with distinct “frequencies,” converging to ignite “the first wave in a silent world” through their collective musical artistry.
This compelling EP, “The First Wave,” showcases six diverse tracks, headlined by the powerful lead single, “Nineteen.” This signature track metaphorically likens the brightest yet most uncertain period of youth to the pivotal age of 19. Further enriching the EP are other notable songs such as “Dream,” “Highlight,” and “I Am So Fine.”
Lead vocalist Riaan candidly admitted that initially, the hrtz.wav members faced a period of adjustment to each other’s distinct personalities and habits, a natural challenge given they had never collaborated in this precise combination, even during their time on the TV show.
“But just as a rainbow brings many colors together to form harmony, we did the same by respecting each other’s differences, playing music together and coordinating our opinions,” Riaan added, highlighting the band’s growing synergy.
A truly distinguishing characteristic of hrtz.wav is the enigmatic masked identity of drummer Hagiwa. He deliberately keeps his face, age, and natural voice concealed, embracing a unique concept that he was “born in Hagiwa World in Japan” just three years ago. This intriguing persona adds another layer of mystique to the K-pop band.
“I just want to share a lot of fun and good music,” stated Hagiwa, explaining his unique approach. “I thought I should take on this challenge and make people happy through music. Because many people on ‘Steal Heart Club’ embraced that, I am still happily doing music (with this concept) today.”
Describing hrtz.wav as a team “that creates synergy when each member’s unique personality is combined as one,” the K-pop group articulates its ambitious aim to be “a band impossible to forget after seeing us once,” promising a memorable impact.
“We hope to be a great band that leaves a lasting mark on the vibrant K-pop scene,” bassist Dane concluded, expressing hrtz.wav’s long-term aspirations.
