The Asian American group RE:WIND is looking to revitalize the pop boy band scene in the U.S. with their debut single, “FOREVER.” The three-member group, formed by Elaya from New York, Eddie from Los Angeles, and Lei from Boston, made their debut last week as the first Asian American K-pop group based in the United States. Their mission is to bring back the Y2K nostalgia in pop music.
“We come from very different backgrounds. Elaya was really deep into the K-pop industry, Lei has a strong music production background, and I come from an acting background. We’re so different, but when we come together, it works out really well,” Eddie shared.
The group’s debut track, “FOREVER,” pays homage to early 2000s pop music, drawing inspiration from icons like *NSYNC and Britney Spears. The nostalgic vibe is evident in the song, outfits, and music video, reflecting the group’s concept.
“Britney Spears and *NSYNC were huge inspirations for us, and that’s what led to the 90s and 2000s boy band vibe,” Elaya said. Eddie also noted that they were influenced by first-generation K-pop groups such as SHINHWA and S.E.S.
“Our identity as Asian Americans pursuing music is really important to us, and we hope it resonates with others as well,” Eddie added.
For the members, debuting as K-pop idols was a dream come true, though they only fully realized the achievement on the day of their debut, according to Lei.
Before their official debut, RE:WIND released a pre-debut track titled “RE:SET.” The group’s name and track titles— “RE:SET” and “FOREVER”— emphasize a strong theme of time in their concept.
“RE:WIND is about going back to a specific time, feeling, or memory. Music has such power, and we want to take listeners back to those moments with every song,” Elaya explained.
The group has already garnered support from fans online, with messages of encouragement meaning a lot to them, even if they are simple comments on platforms like YouTube.
“Even if the comments seem small, they mean the world to us. It’s nice to see people enjoying the work we put out,” Lei said.
Looking ahead, RE:WIND plans to experiment with different sounds and genres. However, they intend to keep one element constant in their music—emotional connection.
“We want to evolve and explore new styles, but one thing that will remain constant is the emotional element in our music. Our songs will always bring that sense of nostalgia or a certain feeling,” Elaya stated.
Lei added, “What I’m most grateful for is the versatility of these guys’ voices. Our trio has so many options, and I think I bring something to the table too.”
As the first K-pop group based in the U.S., RE:WIND is carving their own path with their company, ALLELE Entertainment, to make their dreams a reality.
In South Korea, new artists have ample opportunities to perform on music shows and variety programs. However, such platforms are not as readily available in the U.S., meaning RE:WIND has yet to perform live for fans. Despite this, their debut is still a significant achievement.
“I would love to do a live performance. We all do. Meeting our supporters and finally being able to perform live is a goal of ours. At the end of the day, it’s all about catering to that childlike part of us that just wanted to sing and dance together. We’re going to keep doing that,” Eddie said.
Lei added a message for their fans: “Thank you, and it’s never too late to start listening to us, or to pursue your own dreams.”
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