Just three years after their debut, KID PHENOMENON from EXILE TRIBE—consisting of KENSUKE SOREMATSU, TSUBASA ENDO, KOHAKU OKAO, SOMA KAWAGUCHI, SHUNNOSUKE SATO, KOTA YAMAMOTO, and RUI SUZUKI—has quickly risen as one of Japan’s most promising next-generation acts.
The seven-member dance and vocal group, representing the spirit of TOKYO NEO POP, continues to build momentum through nationwide tours, anime theme songs, and charting releases such as “Unstoppable,” “Sparkle Summer,” and “Black Flame.”
Now, the group is set to release their 7th single, “Mirror,” on April 1, marking a new chapter that highlights a more introspective and emotionally driven side of their artistry.
In this exclusive email interview, KID PHENOMENON opens up about the meaning behind “Mirror,” their personal struggles, and their message to fans across Southeast Asia.
INTERVIEW
Q1. Can you tell us more about your upcoming single “Mirror” and the message behind it?
新曲「Mirror」について、楽曲の魅力や込められたメッセージを教えてください。
KENSUKE:
This song has a sound that gives you a sense of nostalgia when you listen to it. However, the lyrics focus on struggles that many of us experience while living in today’s world, where it’s easier than ever to express ourselves—such as worrying about how others see us or feeling inferior for not having a clear dream. The song is meant to resonate with those kinds of concerns.
TSUBASA:
The appeal of this song lies in its message that says, “It’s okay just the way you are,” encouraging you to accept yourself no matter what. In addition, the sound draws from a revival of the ’90s to 2000s era, giving a sense of nostalgia while still fitting perfectly with the current times.
Q2. “Mirror” reflects the conflicting emotions of Gen Z—how do you personally relate to this theme?
「Mirror」はZ世代の葛藤する感情を表現した楽曲とのことですが、このテーマに対してご自身はどのように共感していますか？
SHUNNOSUKE:
I really relate to the theme of wanting to live true to myself without worrying about what others think, while at the same time facing the reality that I often adapt to those around me and try to read the room.
KOTA:
I feel that “Mirror” is a theme I can really relate to. The song portrays the gap between your ideal self and your real self, and in today’s world—where you can instantly see the best sides of others through social media—it’s easy to end up comparing yourself. I often find myself wondering, “Am I really okay as I am?” or “Who is my true self?” These are struggles I personally experience as well, so it feels very real and relatable to me.
Q3. What was it like behind the scenes while preparing and recording “Mirror”?
「Mirror」の制作やレコーディングの裏側では、どのようなエピソードがありましたか？
TSUBASA:
During the pre-production, I struggled to deliver a singing that I was satisfied with. However, through continuous practice and research, I was able to sing in a way that better enhanced the groove of the song.
KOTA:
There’s a line in the lyrics—“Just the words ‘I have a dream’ claw at the deepest part of my heart”—that I personally relate to a lot. During the recording, rather than just focusing on singing it well, I was really conscious of how to convey that inner conflict in a raw and authentic way.
Q4. How does “Mirror” differ from your previous releases like “Unstoppable” or “Black Flame”?
「Unstoppable」や「Black Flame」などのこれまでの楽曲と比べて、「Mirror」はどのような違いがありますか？
KOHAKU:
“Unstoppable” and “Black Flame” are songs with a strong worldview and an aggressive edge, often performed as standout highlights during live shows. In contrast, “Mirror” is more of an easy-listening track that anyone—regardless of age or gender—can enjoy anytime. I also think it highlights the vocalists’ singing ability even more.
SOMA:
“Unstoppable” and “Black Flame” have mainly been intense, high-energy dance tracks, but “Mirror” has a mellow tone, with each line of the lyrics gently resonating with the listener. It embraces the kinds of worries that everyone carries—not by judging them as right or wrong, but by affirming that simply feeling that way is something meaningful, and encouraging you to move forward. It’s a new kind of track for us, one where we focus on expressing our inner emotions.
Q5. Is there a particular part of the song or performance that you’re most excited for fans to see?
楽曲やパフォーマンスの中で、ファンの皆さんに特に注目してほしいポイントがあれば教えてください。
SOMA:
For “Mirror,” we incorporate nostalgic steps and movements to match the song’s retro-inspired sound. What I especially want people to notice is that we’re not trying to be overly precise or “perfect” in our movements. Rather than strictly matching every move to the beat, we intentionally loosen the form and avoid chasing the rhythm too tightly, which helps express the song’s unique sense of ease and openness. It’s a different style from our usual intense performances, more relaxed and natural.
RUI:
“Mirror” has a very airy, effortless feel and a stylish finish. It’s also a style that you wouldn’t expect from KID PHENOMENON’s previous worldview, so I think watching it will feel fresh and exciting.
Q6. What message do you hope listeners will take away from “Mirror”?
「Mirror」を通して、リスナーの皆さんにどのようなメッセージを届けたいですか？
KENSUKE:
I want to tell everyone that the individuality each and every one of you has is the most wonderful thing.
SHUNNOSUKE:
Because we live in a time where social media is so developed and we’re constantly being seen and judged by others, this is a song I really want everyone to hear.
Q7. In three words, how would you describe “Mirror”?
「Mirror」を3つの言葉で表すとしたら、どのように表現しますか？
KOHAKU:
Authentic, genuine, and positive.
RUI:
Emotional, nostalgic, and youthful!
Message to fans in Malaysia and Southeast Asia
マレーシアおよび東南アジアのファンの皆さんへメッセージをお願いします。
KENSUKE:
Thank you all, as always, for your support! When you want to feel uplifted, when you find yourself looking down, or when you’re struggling to move forward, I hope listening to “Mirror” will help you lift your head again.
TSUBASA:
Thank you always for your incredible support! Thanks to all of you, we’ve been able to discover and learn so many things, and it makes us truly happy that we can give back by turning those experiences into entertainment. Please continue to follow KID PHENOMENON as we keep evolving!
Closing
With “Mirror,” KID PHENOMENON steps into a more vulnerable and emotionally resonant space—proving that their growth goes beyond performance, and into storytelling that reflects a generation.
