Forever moving straight forward, TREASURE talked with us to share their thoughts on “JIKJIN,” the lead single off their first mini album, THE SECOND STEP: CHAPTER ONE, and the music that gives them strength and keeps them from feeling tired while working on music.

“JIKJIN” (TREASURE)

Choi Hyun Suk: I loved “JIKJIN” from the first time I heard it and I had fun recording and practicing for it. I’m really attached to it, especially because we haven’t made a comeback album in a long time and it’s the lead single. From the minimalist but impactful hook and the buildup to the bridge to us all singing together at the end, it’s a fantastic song.

Jihoon: “JIKJIN” is the lead single for our new album and it’s like TREASURE’s way of kicking off 2022. It’s our way of saying we’re heading straight for TREASURE MAKER. I was impressed right from the title and thought it was really catchy, and it’s made even better because it lets us express our fiery passion.

Yoshi: The beat to our latest lead single, “JIKJIN,” is catchy and amazing.

Junkyu: When you listen to our new album’s single, “JIKJIN,” it’ll automatically make you oonse oonse (laughs) and go straight where you’re headed whether you’re walking or running or driving. TREASURE’s always got your back as you all face the day ahead and I hope that helps you head straight where you’re going.

Mashiho: This latest single, “JIKJIN,” lets us show off a high-energy performance to its hard beat. I hope you like it.

Yoon Jae Hyuk: Go straight to the one you love: The song’s message is difficult but simple at the same time. (laughs) And I, Jae Hyuk, will try to go straight to my beloved TREASURE MAKER!

Asahi: Everything about “JIKJIN”—the beat, the lyrics—goes hard. It’s going to be good to listen to when you want to feel hype or get excited.

Bang Ye Dam: “JIKJIN” is really intense and it lets you see TREASURE’s spirit like we’re reaching straight out to our fans, like the title suggests.

Doyoung: “JIKJIN” is about TREASURE rushing toward our goals, so I hope people think about what and where we’re headed toward while they listen. My goal is to fill the listeners with passion and energy!

Haruto: We’ll show you a whole new side of us in “JIKJIN.” Please give it a listen.

Park Jeong Woo: Just like the song says, I’m going to go straight for your heart!

So Jung Hwan: I hope “JIKJIN” becomes everyone’s new favorite song. It’s already number one in my heart. Make sure you listen to it!

“U” (TREASURE)

Mashiho: My favorite non-single track off the new album is “U.” I’m recommending it because it makes you feel nice and happy the more you listen to it.

Asahi: “U” is an upbeat, rhythmic song. It’s the kind of song everyone will enjoy, so that’s my recommendation!

Haruto: “U” is super cheery, so you’ll feel happy when you listen to it. I think it’ll show TREASURE MAKER a completely different aspect of us than “JIKJIN.”

So Jung Hwan: I really hope people love “U” from the new album! It’ll change your mood and put everybody in a good mood!

“DARARI” (TREASURE)

Junkyu: The other song I want to recommend off the new album is “DARARI.” It reflects those situations where you’re full of joy and happiness and can’t help but hum a song! How about you hum a song like “DARARI” when you feel good, too?

Yoon Jae Hyuk: Darari darari darari dandaradandan darari! Music starts playing whenever I see you! That’s what that song’s about. I think it’s easy listening, so I recommend it.

Bang Ye Dam: “DARARI” has a great hook and lyrics, and you can really feel the excitement of young love in them.

Doyoung: I’ll recommend “DARARI.” It’s sweet like chocolate milk! There’s no other song like it. “DARARI” is the best—listen to it any time, anywhere!

Park Jeong Woo: “DARARI” is the kind of song you’ll go around singing to yourself, echoing the title.

“IT’S OKAY” (TREASURE)

Jihoon: There’s a song on the album called “IT’S OKAY.” The lyrics take a hopeful outlook on negativities like worries and failures about the start of 2022, like, Everything will be okay—just get back up again. And because TREASURE sang it with TREASURE MAKER in mind, and I sang it for myself, I think that sincerity is directed toward our fans.

Yoshi: There’s a song off THE SECOND STEP: CHAPTER ONE called “IT’S OKAY.” I hope TREASURE MAKER will listen to it when they’re having a tough time.

“BFF (Best Friend Forever)” (TREASURE)

Choi Hyun Suk: “BFF” is a song for our web series Mysterious Class that I helped to write the music and lyrics for. Right from when I started writing, I wanted to capture TREASURE’s one-of-a-kind chemistry and the inseparability we had on Friendship. You could even say I made that the focus of my work so that people who listen to the song would think about their own friendships and relate to that.

“Come to Life” (Kanye West)

Choi Hyun Suk: Kanye West’s latest album, Donda, had a big impact and influence on me, and my favorite song on it is “Come to Life.” It fills me with strength whenever I listen to it. I was really comforted and inspired by certain lyrics in particular, like, “night is always darkest ’fore the dawn,” and, “gotta make my mark ’fore I’m gone.”

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” (Fats Waller)

Jihoon: These days I like to turn off all the lights in my room and listen to jazz. I’m into a lot of songs these days, but somehow I felt like recommending this one!

“Feel Good Inc.” feat. De La Soul (Gorillaz)

Yoshi: I listen to this song all the time lately. Whenever I feel frazzled I listen to this song and then I feel better! (laughs)

“Angel” with Tiger JK & Bizzy (Yoonmirae)

Junkyu: I’ve been listening to this song forever! There’s a part in the lyrics—chil jeon pal gi—meaning if you fall down seven times then you get up eight. I love it so much that it’s my favorite four-word idiom in the world! So I keep trying because I want to be the kind of person who gets back up and walks his own road even if he falls down! I hope everyone else will listen to this song when they’re feeling down and get back up and onto their road, too 🥰

“SUPER STAR” (G-DRAGON)

Mashiho: This song always calms me down and gives me strength when I listen to it. Not surprising—he’s a superstar! (laughs)

“Christmas Tree” (V)

Yoon Jae Hyuk: This song’s on the OST of my favorite show, Our Beloved Summer! Just listening to the song makes me feel the way I did when I watched the show and what my life was like then, so I listen to it all the time.

“That’s Life” (Frank Sinatra)

Asahi: I’ve been listening to this song every time I wake up or take a shower for a long time now. Listening to the song makes me think positive and lets me enjoy life.

“The Magician” (Andy Shauf)

Bang Ye Dam: This is one of the songs I was listening to all the time last year. I felt like this song put me in neutral emotionally no matter how I was feeling!

“LOVE SCENARIO” (iKON)

Doyoung: “LOVE SCENARIO” has a simple melody and anybody can have fun singing along to it! “We met and we loved …” 🎶

“Maybe If” (BIBI)

Haruto: I loved Our Beloved Summer, the show this song comes from. I’ve been listening to this song more than anything else lately and I recommend it to all of you, too.

“Natural” (GSoul)

Park Jeong Woo: I always end up feeling peaceful and relaxed when I listen to “Natural.”

“This Is War” (MBLAQ) 

So Jung Hwan: I loved “This Is War” growing up! Hands up if you know it! (laughs)