[INTERVIEW] CATCH THE YOUNG PREPARE FOR FESTIVAL RUN WITH NEW SONG "IDEAL TYPE'" • POP TOKKI

Rising K-Band CATCH THE YOUNG has made strides in the Korean music industry, securing spots at festivals they’ve previously performed at and growing their fan base exponentially. Following the announcement of their secondary appearances at Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival and Incheon Pentaport Music Festival, the five-member band released their single “Ideal Type,” further defining their signature sound.

All members contributed to the writing and arrangement of the song. When creating their songs, they draw emotion from their personal experiences while keeping in mind their audience. With “Ideal Type,” CATCH THE YOUNG aimed to release a song that listeners from any generation could relate to and show their audience that they can pull off brighter sounds compared to the rock tracks and ballads they’ve released in the past.

“Ideal Type” follows the group as they build the courage to confess to their crush. In the beginning, the group expresses emotions of uncertainty, saying “Even I didn’t know you’re my ideal type,” but once they gain the courage to make a move, that line changes to “I’ll confess to you now, you’re my ideal type.” The thought behind the song is to be an encouraging force to anyone building up the courage to confess, inspiring listeners to be brave and make their move.

The track is bright and refreshing, pairing perfectly with the message behind the song. Between the locations featuring colorful, grassy fields and the members’ shot going on a class trip, the music video feels lighthearted and youthful, perfectly capturing the image of relatable student memories the group aimed to convey.

Ahead of the release of “Ideal Type,” POP TOKKI participated in a roundtable interview with CATCH THE YOUNG to hear about their memories as a group as well as their inspirations for their discography.

POP TOKKI: What songs from your discography are most personal to you and why?

JUNYONG: I think it would be this latest single, “Ideal Type.” The concept of the music video and the song itself talk about having a crush, something you can often experience during your school years. As a high school student right now, I feel like it captures those fresh, youthful emotions you experience at school really well.

SANI: For me, it’s “Cactus Boy” in our first album. When I wrote the lyrics for that song, I thought about when I was going through a tough time, so it feels the most personal and closest to my own story.

NAMHYUN: I would choose “The Way to You.” The lyrics are also really sweet and youthful, literally about going to see someone you care about. I think that emotion is so similar to how I feel when I’m on my way to meet Catchers. Every time we have a performance, I go with that same excited, fluttering feeling, so I think this song matches my emotions.

POP TOKKI: What is your favorite memory as a group this far into your careers?

JUNYONG: For me, it would be our 1st anniversary concert. We held a show called “DREAM IT” on November 10, 2024. Since it was our anniversary, a lot of fans came to celebrate with us. We also filmed special content for it, and the whole idea and keyword of “1st anniversary” felt emotional and meaningful.

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