ONE OR EIGHT, the energetic Tokyo-based boy band, is back with their latest release, a remix of KAWASAKI featuring Big Sean. Known for their seamless blend of hip-hop and pop, the group continues to make waves with their dynamic performances and strong cultural influence.
I had the pleasure of interviewing member NEO in a previous article for KpopWise, and now I’m excited to chat with the rest of the group about their growing success and upcoming projects.
Let's dive into what’s in store for ONE OR EIGHT as they continue to break boundaries in the music scene.
You've named your group ONE OR EIGHT, which stands for ‘All or Nothing’. If you could only perform one song for the rest of your career that best describes your group, which one would you choose and why?
TAKERU: Our debut song, ‘Don't Tell Nobody’, holds a special place for us as it’s the very first track we released as ONE OR EIGHT. It marks the beginning of our journey as a group. While we’re excited to release more songs in the future, we’ll always look back on Don't Tell Nobody with fond memories.
MIZUKI: ‘KAWASAKI’! It was the very first video we ever released before our official debut, and the response we received from people all around the world was incredible. If I had to choose just one song to perform for the rest of my career, it would definitely be ‘KAWASAKI’!
The tagline ‘BET ON YOURSELF’ really stands out. What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken so far in your music career, and how did it shape you as an artist?
TAKERU：The biggest risk I took was when I made the decision to shift my dream from being a dancer to pursuing a career as an artist. Growing up, I was dedicated to dancing and always saw myself as a backup dancer. But I began to look up to artists who could inspire people not just through their performances but also with their words and messages. I found that incredibly powerful and inspiring. When I first started on this new path, I didn’t know anything about singing or music and it was definitely challenging. But looking back, those challenges are what helped shape me into who I am today. Through my experiences, I want to show that if you keep moving forward, step by step, and never give up, your dreams can come true.
You blend hip-hop and pop so effortlessly in your music. Can you each share which genre you think is closest to your true musical identity, and why?
SOUMA：I’d say that R&B and Hip Hop are the two genres that are closest to my identity. Growing up, I was surrounded by these styles and they really shaped who I am as an artist. But at the same time, I’m always eager to explore and experiment with different genres.
MIZUKI：I feel the closest connection to Hip Hop music. I believe Hip Hop has this unique ability to express thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences in such a raw and impactful way. For me, it’s a powerful tool to share my own stories and connect with others on a deeper level.
You recently surpassed 10 million views on your KAWASAKI performance video! What was the first thing that crossed your mind when you hit that milestone?
REIA: I felt a mix of emotions, it was honestly incredible to see our dance performance video get so many views. But at the same time, it was hard to believe that it actually reached 10 million views.
TAKERU: All I can say is, it was unbelievable. We hadn’t even debuted yet, so when I saw the comments and well-known people sharing our video, I couldn’t help but think, Is this really happening?
SOUMA: Before our debut, there were so many unexpected moments—it felt like one surprise after another! When we first got the demo, it already sounded so complete and when we heard the mastered version, it had this whole new level of charm that wasn’t in the mix. I couldn’t stop listening to it!
TSUBASA: I’ve always had a lot of respect for Ryan Tedder, so when I found out he would be providing us with a song, I was honestly incredibly surprised and overjoyed. It felt like such an amazing opportunity and I couldn’t believe it was really happening.
YUGA: I was truly amazed when Ryan Tedder and David Stewart helped with the production and sent us the tracks. The singing and English pronunciation were definitely challenging for me, and I struggled a bit at times but overall it was an amazing learning experience.
REIA: I was so happy to be involved in a song by Ryan Tedder, an artist I’ve admired for a long time. But there was a lot of pressure—I really wanted to make sure I didn’t disappoint anyone and could deliver a high-quality performance. When we received the demo with Ryan Tedder’s own voice on it, it was truly amazing. But I also felt a bit uncertain about whether we’d be able to express it properly.
You’ve got a great streetwear aesthetic, which reflects your unique style. If you were to design a clothing line together, what would be the signature piece that represents the group’s vibe?
MIZUKI：The theme for the music video for KAWASAKI (with Big Sean) is all about coming together. For me, the image of everyone wearing the same team jacket and coming together as one creates such a strong visual. I think the jacket could really become a symbolic item for us. It would be amazing if our fans wore matching bomber jackets to our LIVE shows!
Big Sean is featured in the upcoming remix of ‘KAWASAKI’. What’s one thing you’re most excited about in working with him, and how do you think his influence will shape the song?
TSUBASA: I’m really excited because I believe our music will reach even more people who haven’t heard of us yet. Having Big Sean featured on this track brings a whole new energy and speed compared to our previous work, making the song even cooler.
RYOTA: Big Sean’s lyrics really changed the whole vibe of the track and added so much depth to our performance. He took the song to a new level and I’m really looking forward to Big Sean’s fans discovering us as well!
As a group, you each bring something unique to the table. If you could swap roles with any member for a day—whether it’s singing, dancing, or something else—who would it be and why?
REIA: Everyone in the group has their own unique charm, so it’s tough to choose. But if I had to, I think I’d go with YUGA! I really admire how effortlessly he sings and since I don’t have that kind of voice, it would be amazing to experience it, even if just for a day
YUGA: I’d have to go with REIA! I really admire his tall physique, and it would be amazing to be able to speak Korean like he does.
SOUMA: I’d choose RYOTA. I’d love to experience what it feels like to have such strong muscles! It’s something I really admire about him, and I’m curious to know how it feels to be that strong!
RYOTA: I’d choose TSUBASA. I really admire his vocal ability and I’d love to be able to sing like him!
With your music reaching a global audience, how do you want your music to impact listeners from different cultures? Is there a message you want to share through your sound?
YUGA: Coming from different language backgrounds, we really want to deliver our power, emotions, and thoughts through our music. Our goal is to send the “All or Nothing” message globally.
RYOTA: Music and performance have completely changed my life. I wasn’t initially interested in music, but after watching a show one night, everything changed for me. Now, I want to help others experience that same life-changing moment through ONE OR EIGHT.
TAKERU: I believe there are barriers that words alone can’t break, but through music and dance, we can push past those walls. I want to use that power to share our performances with our fans!
You’ve mentioned ‘BET ON YOURSELF’ as part of your philosophy. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about trusting yourselves throughout your journey together?
MIZUKI: I’ve learned that when we’re on stage, if we don’t believe in ourselves and give our best performance, the audience can sense that uncertainty and it makes us doubt ourselves too. That’s why it’s so important to trust ourselves and give it our all.
SOUMA: I’ve learned that having a fearless attitude and being open to taking on challenges is key when you’re aiming to make an impact on the world. I often ran into language barriers, but by making an effort to overcome my anxiety, I felt much better, and this attitude has been my greatest lesson.
Follow ONE OR EIGHT
Instagram: @oneoreight_
TikTok: @oneoreight
X: @oneoreight
Facebook: @oneoreight.official
YouTube: @ONEOREIGHT
Listen to ONE OR EIGHT