Rising Japanese vocal group WOLF HOWL HARMONY released their latest single, “Marmalade,” on 21 November — a song that beautifully balances the sweet and bitter emotions of love, heartbreak, and hope. The track also serves as the ending theme for the historical action drama Masked NINJA Akakage, highlighting the harmony of strength and tenderness in both the song and the series.
Formed in August 2023 through the competitive iCON Z ~Dreams For Children~, which had nearly 48,000 participants, the four-member group features GHEE and HIROTO, winners of the competition, alongside RYOJI and SUZUKI, formerly of chorus group DEEP SQUAD, who joined in the second chapter. Their name reflects how their voices came together, like a lone wolf finding its pack.
KMania had the opportunity to interview WOLF HOWL HARMONY about their latest single, “Marmalade,” uncovering the story behind the song, their recording experiences, and messages for fans.
WOLF HOWL HARMONY Talks “Marmalade” with KMania
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Q: The first time I listened to ‘Marmalade,’ I instantly fell in love with it — it’s such a beautiful song with a soothing vibe. From your perspective, what does ‘Marmalade’ mean to you personally, and are there any particular lines or moments that feel special to you?
RYOJI
そう言っていただけて嬉しいです。ありがとうございます。
この楽曲は人々の生活にある思い出にフォーカスをした楽曲になっていて、甘い思い出ばかりではなく、ほろ苦い思い出もあるけど、きっとそれが人生。時が経てば笑い合えるはずだというメッセージを込めました。サビにある「未来はオーダーメイド」というフレーズはマーマレードの味覚とテーマを掛け合わせていることが象徴されているのと、聴き心地も韻が揃っていて聴きやすくすぐ覚えられやすいパートかなと思っていて、お気に入りポイントです！
I’m really happy to hear that. Thank you so much.
This song focuses on the memories that exist in people’s everyday lives. Not all memories are sweet; some are bittersweet, but that’s life; and with time, we believe we’ll be able to laugh about them together.
The phrase in the chorus, “The future is tailor-made,” symbolizes the combination of Marmalade’s flavor and the song’s overall theme. The way the words rhyme also makes it pleasant to listen to and easy to remember, so that’s one of my favorite parts!
SUZUKI
自分の人生で経験してきた良いことも悪いことも全て抱き締めて歩んでいく。
その過去はほろ苦くても仲間と笑い合えたらいいよねって自分自身に置き換えて歌っています。
「ほろ苦いままでも笑い合えるなら」
この歌詞がまさにそれを表現していて好きです。
I sing this song by placing myself in the message: embracing both the good and the bad that I’ve experienced in my life, and continuing to walk forward with all of it.
Even if the past is bittersweet, it would be wonderful if we could still laugh together with the people around us.
The lyric “Even if it stays bittersweet, as long as we can laugh together” expresses exactly that feeling, and it’s my favorite line.
Q: If ‘Marmalade’ had its own signature flavor, what would it taste like to you — and why?
GHEE
カヤココナッツフレーバーです‼︎
好きだからというのもありますが、甘い感じが曲の雰囲気に合ってる気がしています
I’d say kaya coconut flavor!
Partly because I love it, but also because its sweetness really matches the vibe of the song.
HIROTO
ストロベリーフレーバーです！
ジャムといえばというイメージもありますし、Marmaladeを聴いてみんなに甘い思い出を沢山作って欲しい！という思いもあり、ストロベリーにしました！
Strawberry flavor!
When you think of jam, strawberry is the first thing that comes to mind. And I also chose it because I hope that by listening to “Marmalade,” everyone will create lots of sweet memories.
Q: Was there a part of the song or the recording process that challenged you the most, and how did you overcome it?
SUZUKI
キーが割と低めで一定なので、そこに感情の表現やニュアンスを入れていくのに意識を置いてレコーディングをしました。
言葉一つ一つがしっかりと聞こえて景色が見えたり、感情が分かりやすいように意識しました。
Since the key is relatively low and steady throughout, I focused on adding emotional expression and subtle nuances during the recording.
I wanted each word to be clearly heard so that listeners could vividly picture the scenes and easily understand the emotion behind them.
GHEE
ラップの歌い方です。
表現の仕方が曲の世界観の邪魔にならないように意識して何度も試行錯誤しました！
For me, it was the rap delivery.
I kept experimenting with different approaches to make sure my expression blended naturally with the song’s world and didn’t disrupt its atmosphere.
Q: Do you see a side of WOLF HOWL HARMONY in this song that fans haven’t heard before?
RYOJI
僕たちもリリースさせていただくたびにファンのみなさんへサプライズの意味も込めてと、楽曲の世界観を最大限に表現して伝えられるように、フレッシュさはすごく意識しているので、今回も新しい歌声を届けられたかなと思っています！この楽曲ではそれぞれの歌い分けにキャラクターとしてありのままの自分を全開で表現させていただきました。歌声のメロディーも楽しんでもらえていたら嬉しいです！
Every time we release a new song, we always want it to feel like a surprise for our fans. We put a lot of thought into keeping things fresh and expressing the world of the song in the best way possible. I think this time, too, we were able to deliver a new side of our voices.
For this track, each of us expressed our own character openly and authentically through our vocal parts. I hope everyone enjoys not only the melody of our voices but also the individuality behind them!
HIROTO
曲調でいったらSugar Honeyに近いものを感じる部分もありますが、この曲はこれまで沢山の思いを積み重ねてきた今のウルフにしか歌えないと思っています！
そんな強い思いをJ-POPサウンドに乗せて歌っています！
それがこれまでのウルフとは違った一面だと思います！
In terms of vibe, there are parts that feel somewhat close to “Sugar Honey,” but I truly believe this is a song that only the current WOLF HOWL HARMONY—after everything we’ve experienced and built up—can sing.
We poured that strong feeling into a J-POP sound and sang with everything we have.
I think that’s what makes this song show a different side of WOLF HOWL HARMONY compared to anything we’ve done before.
Q: ‘Marmalade’ talks about moving forward despite heartbreak. What message or feeling do you hope fans take away from this song?
GHEE
今は辛くてもその辛い出来事ですら自分が進むための一歩だから大丈夫だよと伝えたいです。
折れそうになっても乗り越えたら幸せが待ってるって思って欲しいです‼︎
Even if things are painful right now, I want people to know that those difficult moments are still steps that help you move forward — and that it’s going to be okay.
Even when you feel like you’re about to break, I want you to believe that happiness is waiting on the other side once you overcome it!
HIROTO
これまでの人生で沢山の思いを経験したから今の自分があるし、その先の未来を素敵なものにできると思っています！
それは僕達も同じです！だから一緒にみんなと最高の未来を作っていきたいです！
自分の人生と重ねて聴いて頂けたら嬉しいです！
I believe that I am who I am today because of all the experiences — the emotions, the moments — I’ve gone through in my life, and that’s why I think we can create an amazing future ahead.
The same goes for us as a group too! That’s why we want to build the best future together with everyone.
I’d be so happy if you listen to this song while reflecting on your own life.
Q: If you could describe ‘Marmalade’ in three words, what would they be?
RYOJI: Melody, Memory, Life
SUZUKI: 甘い ほろ苦い 人生 / Sweet, Bittersweet, Life
Q: Do you have any message you would like to share with your fans, especially your Malaysian fans?
RYOJI
ここまで読んでいただき、ありがとうございます！そしていつも熱く応援してくださるLOVEREDのみなさん、いつも本当にありがとうございます！
まだ僕たちはマレーシアには行ったことがないのですが、いつかみなさんに会いに行けるように更に進化して頑張っていきたいと思います！また、LIVEを開催することができた時は、是非遊びに来てください！一緒に音楽で遊びましょう！
これからもアツい応援をよろしくお願いします！
Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end! And to all LOVERED who are always cheering us on with so much passion — thank you from the bottom of my heart!
We haven’t had the chance to visit Malaysia yet, but we want to keep growing so that one day we can come and meet all of you.
When we’re able to hold a live concert there, please come and have fun with us! Let’s enjoy music together!
Please continue to support us with all your love and energy!
SUZUKI
マレーシアのLOVEREDの皆さん、いつも応援ありがとうございます。
みなさんからの応援しっかり僕達の元に届いています。
早くマレーシアでもLIVEができるように、これからも頑張るので引き続き僕達の音楽を楽しんでくれたら嬉しいです。
To all LOVERED in Malaysia, thank you always for your support.
Your love and encouragement definitely reach us.
We’re working hard so that we can perform live in Malaysia as soon as possible, so I’d be happy if you continue enjoying our music in the meantime.
GHEE
Hello Malaysia
いつも応援ありがとうございます‼︎
マレーシアに行けるように僕たちも頑張りますので僕たちが奏でる音楽を沢山聴いていただけたら嬉しいです‼︎
Hello Malaysia!
Thank you always for your support!!
We’re doing our best so that we can visit Malaysia one day, and I’d be really happy if you continue listening to the music we create!!
HIROTO
マレーシアのみなさん、いつも僕達の楽曲を聴いて下さりありがとうございます！
僕はマレーシアでライブしたいという思いが強いので、これからもウルフの音楽を愛していただけたら嬉しいですし、マレーシアでのライブが決まった時は是非ライブに足を運んで頂けたら嬉しいです！
To everyone in Malaysia, thank you so much for always listening to our music!
I have a strong desire to perform live in Malaysia, so I’d be grateful if you continue to love WOLF HOWL HARMONY’s music.
And when the day comes that we’re able to hold a show in Malaysia, I hope you’ll come and join us!
Listen to WOLF HOWL HARMONY’s “Marmalade”
With “Marmalade”, WOLF HOWL HARMONY delivers a heartfelt journey through love, heartbreak, and hope, balancing the sweet and bittersweet moments of life with their signature harmonies. The song showcases their growth as artists while inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences.
🎵 Listen & stream:
📱 Follow WOLF HOWL HARMONY for updates & behind-the-scenes content:
- Instagram: @wolf_howl_harmony
- X (Twitter): @WOLFHOWLHARMONY
- TikTok: @wolf_howl_harmony
- YouTube: wolfhowlharmony
