On May 29, legendary Japanese band GLAY celebrated their 30th anniversary with the release of their single “whodunit” featuring ENHYPEN member JAY. Then, on June 9, JAY made a surprise appearance at GLAY’s 30th-anniversary GLAY EXPO 2024–2025 concert, proving that music possesses the power to transcend generations. We asked GLAY members TERU (vocals), HISASHI (guitar), JIRO (bass), and TAKURO (guitar), along with ENHYPEN member JAY, for their thoughts on their shared single.
“whodunit” brings together a band celebrating their 30th anniversary and a member of a K-pop group celebrating its fifth. What were your first impressions of each other?
JAY: I already knew about GLAY from their legendary GLAY EXPO ’99 SURVIVAL LIVE in MAKUHARI concert. I thought it was an exhilarating performance, seeing that huge audience there and the band playing their very best songs from the time. I’ve always had a ton of respect for those legendary bands that have been at it forever. I always thought of them as one of the dream teams.
JIRO: The first time I heard ENHYPEN’s songs was on Apple Music. I thought they were great. Then I got a chance to see them perform, and I was blown away by how energetic it was and by how charismatic all the members were. JAY, in particular, felt like he had this absolutely unflinching aura about him, so when TAKURO said, “What would you think about doing a collaboration with JAY?” I said, “He’ll be perfect for GLAY!” right away.
TAKURO: For our 30th anniversary, I wanted to get a singer who could keep up with TERU to put out some exhilarating new rock music. We looked all around the world for four or five years but couldn’t find anyone who fit what I had in mind. Then somebody I know said to me, “There’s this guy, JAY, in a group called ENHYPEN, who likes guitar and rock, who was born in the US and is good at Japanese, too. He was born to be a star.” And then, after I listened to ENHYPEN’s songs and their collab with Japanese musician Yuuri, I realized how surprising this could be, and felt like he could add something special to GLAY.
TERU: I first got familiar with JAY’s vocals after TAKURO recommended him. JIRO told me something like two years ago that ENHYPEN’s really cool, and I watched a lot of their music videos after that, but who could’ve guessed we would get to sing with him? (laughs)
Lots of people really seem to love the single you recorded together, “whodunit.”
JIRO: I just want to say how grateful we are not only to GLAY’s loyal fans but also to ENGENE around the world for saying such flattering things, and how thankful we are that we were able to connect with him through music.
TAKURO: There’s been such a massive response worldwide that it’s actually startling. It sounds like a lot of it’s coming from longtime fans of ENHYPEN and JAY. It was really fun working with JAY, but I was nervous about how fans would respond. I’m really grateful for their warm reception.
TERU: I was so pleased how kind and open ENHYPEN fans have been towards us. One comment on social media that stuck with me was, “Thank you for choosing JAY,” but we’re the ones who should be saying thanks!
HISASHI: We got a whole outpouring of messages saying thanks. I found out everyone knows JAY is both a singer and a lover of guitars and rock. When I saw how many fans like that JAY has, I realized just how loved he is.
I understand the groundwork for “whodunit” was laid quite a long time in advance. How did collaborating with JAY influence work on the song?
TAKURO: The direction our sound’s evolved in recently has its roots in JIRO’s bass style. The foundation of the song rested with his move from a funkier style when we debuted to something more in line with global standards. While I was finishing up the arrangement with HISASHI to record a demo, I was picturing TERU singing with someone really amazing like JAY. We had the idea for the song since around 2007, but we couldn’t quite get it to work before. Sometimes, when you’re making music, it just comes down to fate like that. Maybe the song refused to be finished until the band matured a bit more and we could connect with JAY.
JAY, this was your first time trying your hand at writing lyrics in Japanese.
JAY: I felt like the song leaned more into fantasy than everyday reality. It definitely wasn’t easy. (laughs) I typically try to switch into the perspective of that language and grasp it that way since it’s my belief that no language can be perfectly translated. Since it was my first time writing lyrics in Japanese, I tried to use words unique to the language and in a way that would sound clever and natural to a native speaker. I’m proud of how far I’ve come teaching myself Japanese (laughs) but I hope I can keep learning more and have more opportunities like this in the future.
What kind of lyrics did you ask JAY to write?
TAKURO: We had a clear vision for the lyrics. I explained it to JAY like a thrilling, noir-inspired world, like the [1967] movie Bonnie and Clyde. The idea was there’s these two people living in this chaotic world, and even though they’re sarcastic with each other a lot, when something comes up, they work together. They’re a beacon of light in dark times, and when they’re driven into a corner, they team up and escape despite the occasional squabble between them. I gave him that as a rough outline and told him, “Here’s the part where you’ll sing. Just write what you feel using language you’re comfortable with,” and it kept going back and forth between us, with him saying things like, “How about these lyrics?” Or, “What if I sang it like this?” When we recorded the vocals in Korea, it felt like we had already met each other in person before.
TERU: When I first heard the guide track and heard JAY’s lyrics, I was surprised by the explosive emotions. I wouldn’t really expect a line like, “the goblin’s cry rings out,” from TAKURO.
TAKURO: When JAY sent the first recording, we listened to it together in the car and we all screamed about how awesome it sounded. That’s when we knew the project was going to be a success. We were all super excited.
It’s amazing how well the gritty vocals work with the song.
JAY: Fans often say I have a versatile voice. Being a rock song, I felt I really needed to think deeply about my style and my vocals and to put a different side of myself forward. TERU and TAKURO actually helped out a lot so I could do exactly what I had in mind. It ended up being a good chance to work on my creative skills. I asked myself what I could do to add my own personal flavor and where I could elevate certain parts.
JAY is in the video for the song, which you worked with Korean music video producers ZANYBROS to make.
TAKURO: It’s always surprising and impressive the way they can understand an artist’s vision and the world of the song and make something beautiful from it like that. We’ve worked with the same team before, and I’m happy we got to make this video with them, too.
TERU: There wasn’t much difference from shooting in Japan, but I like the catering because I absolutely love Korean food! I also think about how JAY was supposed to snatch the microphone almost violently per the director’s suggestion, but then he grabbed it so delicately. (laughs)
JAY: I think it captures me in a way that I had always wanted—something I always dreamed of. I just tried to come across as cool as possible. (laughs) Seeing as it’s a completely different genre of music, I worked hard to make sure it didn’t feel awkward and that I was just effortlessly shedding my usual appearance to blend in. I’m glad my fans felt I came across as natural, too.
JAY’s going to make a surprise appearance at the concert on June 9. What are you all looking forward to the most? [Note: This interview took place prior to the concert.]
TAKURO: JAY’s amazing when it comes to recording songs and shooting videos, but he’s also just a fantastic entertainer overall, so I asked him to join us for the concert because I was sure he would put his best foot forward. I can’t wait to put this project of ours on live for all the fans. There can’t be anything more exciting than that.
HISASHI: It’s the same as when we’ve done a song with EXILE, KYOSUKE HIMURO, or MISIA—it’s never a 100% complete live performance without the featuring artist. I feel like it’s a really wonderful experience for us, too, when we can do the songs together and perform them live for people. I’ve been in love with this song right from when we recorded it, and tomorrow we finally get to experience it as it was meant to be experienced.
JIRO: I think we’ll develop a deeper bond with JAY after performing on stage with him. I’m looking forward to sharing a special moment together.
JAY: Really, it’s truly been an honor. I’m even going to play a bit of guitar during the concert. It’s my dream to try joining a band someday, so this has been an incredibly important experience for me. I hope I can take the opportunity to show those GLAY fans who don’t know about ENHYPEN how there’s a young idol out there making music like this. (laughs)
As a band that’s been playing a long time, do you have any advice for JAY?
TAKURO: I don’t have any words of advice for JAY. Even though we haven’t known each other that long, I can tell JAY’s the kind of person who’s always bettering himself in terms of being a performer, a musician, and an individual, and dreams big. JAY talked about how he envisions himself 30 years from now, since it’s our 30th anniversary and all, and he was so specific in what he sees that I’m sure he’ll get there. I’m really looking forward to what ENHYPEN and JAY will do going forward, with all honesty.
TERU: Setting up an environment where you can truly enjoy what you’re doing is more important than anything else, since it’s hard to keep going and going. Time flies in the blink of an eye, so I hope he’ll cherish each and every moment of it.
HISASHI: JAY really loves rock, and he said he likes fuzz pedals, too. Are there a lot of music stores in Korea? Japan has all kinds of fantastic stores with cool things like vintage effects pedals, amps, and different instruments, so I think he should take a look around when he visits. I know you’re always busy, but if you want to go around checking out Japanese music stores, I’ll drive you! (laughs)
It seems like you’ve all developed a deep bond with JAY. I also heard he showed you how to use TikTok. (laughs) What’s it been like befriending a Gen Z musician?
TAKURO: We’ve always done things our own way. We don’t know much about newer modes of self-expression. But thanks to JAY’s guidance, we made our first TikTok video, which was fun. You can tell from the video we don’t know how to dance, but JAY gave us a lesson and we got a glimpse of what makes dancing so fun. After the TikTok video came out, it made me hope we’ll be better at dancing by the time we meet up with him again.
TERU: I couldn’t stop laughing when we ate with JAY at this one Korean restaurant. It was so much fun. It was a reminder how a shared love of music can break down the barriers that can come from being born in a different time or place.
TAKURO: And we have a group chat where we not only talk about the concert but also little things like when he sent me a nice little message wishing me a happy birthday. It’s helped us have a deeper understanding of one another. (laughs)
@enhypen Sweet #GLAY :shushing_face: #JAY #ENHYPEN #SweetVenom ♬ Sweet Venom - ENHYPEN
What about you, JAY? Meeting a band with so much experience and working with them must have been very meaningful for you.
JAY: What I love about bands is that the truly legendary ones will still be going on tour 50, 60 years after they start playing together. It’s one place where age doesn’t factor into things. Watching videos of them playing the same songs over the years from their younger days until their hair turns white made me feel how youthful they can be, regardless of age. That led me to ask them before about what kind of mindset I should have so I can stick with my group for a long time like them. I’ll always cherish the signed guitar the GLAY members gave me and keep working hard. And I’ll grow from this and keep challenging myself, improving myself, and finding new sides of myself. I want to keep making music until my hair turns white, too.
GLAY has collaborated with a number of different artists. Before we go, how do you think this latest collaboration will influence your future musical direction?
HISASHI: The weight of certain music and the places you experience it will vary depending on where in the world you are. It’s an obvious thing to say, but we gain a positive influence from all the music that’s rooted in different places.
JIRO: Collaborating with the artists I have deep respect for is pure joy, and extremely exhilarating. Working with JAY let us venture out into a varied soundscape, broadening our group’s musical horizons just as we mark our 30th year together.
TERU: Given that this single was something new for us too, the fact that it’s gone over better than we ever could’ve imagined has been a big confidence booster. The whole experience made me realize we should be collaborating more with international musicians from now on!
TAKURO: The world has become terribly divided and full of conflict lately. It’s a real shame. But us members of GLAY believe music brings peace and solace, even if only for a brief moment. All the collabs we do with all these talented artists is really about that connection with others that we value so highly. Ultimately, the main theme of our music is love, and we look forward to working with even more of our favorite talented artists in the future.