The members of 8TURN reflect on their new single and what “bruises” they’ve had to accept about themselves.

IN FIFTH GENERATION K-POP, it isn’t an all-together rare thing for idols to show their vulnerabilities. As some companies loosened a tight grip on groups, idols have begun to reveal a looser, more relatable side to themselves. Livestreams have often become the perfect platform to capture these emotions; a place where idols are the most relaxed and reflective about their lives. Yet in music, where songs about audacious confidence and partying go viral, vulnerability still carries risk. Messy emotions aren’t always welcome – or marketable – with an idol’s curated image.

But I admire a group willing to make a big swing and try to express themselves candidly. So it is a courageous thing that this week, 8TURN, an eight-member boy group under MNH Entertainment, released “BRUISE, a new single that offers a raw look at accepting yourself, flaws and all.

8TURN’s new direction is a welcome change of pace that began last summer with the career-best single “ELECTRIC HEART”. This was a strikingly cathartic song, highlighting the group’s vocal charm and celebrating the freedom of youth. “BRUISE” expands on this and explores another dimension of youth: the pains of maturing and accepting who we are.

8TURN’s members describe 'BRUISE' as a song about healing. “I hope listeners see a bruise as growth from trying and moving forward—whether in love, life, or anything else. While 'ELECTRIC HEART' captured youth's brightness and overcoming challenges, 'BRUISE' focuses on pain and the boldness to move on,' SEONG HEON, the group's rapper and maknae, said.

SEONG HEON relates to 'BRUISE,' having debuted at 17. “'I’ve always felt pressure to be mature since debuting so young. Over time, I realized that pressure only frustrated me. Now, I focus on understanding myself and living genuinely. I believe maturity will follow naturally.'

On January 30, the boys will celebrate their third anniversary as a group. 8TURN’s success is built on resilience. They do not come from a major company and have had to work hard—perhaps harder than many—to succeed on their own merit.

JAE YUN, the group’s leader, has spent years reflecting on what it takes to succeed as an idol, and sometimes those reflections have brought hard truths to light. “The fact that not everyone can have a successful career is a ‘bruise’ I’ve had to accept. I mean, we all know that — whether you're the consumer or the one being consumed,” he told me. “But when that stops being just an idea and actually becomes your reality, it really does something to you on the inside.”

For MIN HO, a vocal line member, “BRUISE” carries a very personal meaning. When I asked what a “bruise” is, he had to accept about himself, his admission was frank. “I think it was me. When I saw myself on screen and felt like I wasn’t perfect or good enough, I used to feel embarrassed and discouraged. But now, I try to do my best and respond to each situation in the best way I can.”

RECORDING “BRUISE” HAS GIVEN the members an opportunity to reflect on themselves and their personal growth.

“I think I’ve tried to turn pressure into motivation-the desire to do better-and I’ve practiced as hard as I can because of that,” YUN GYU, the group’s rapper, told me. “Still, I think a certain amount of pressure actually helps me on stage.”

For MYUNG HO, the pressures of idol life became easier with experience. “When I practice a lot,” he said, “pressure and tension are easier to handle.”

Beyond self-reflection, recording “BRUISE” has given 8TURN the possibility to think about perseverance, too. “When I first listened to ‘BRUISE’, it gave me such a powerful and overwhelming feeling that I imagined myself as the main character in a drama. In my head, I was in the middle of a battle against someone incredibly strong, but instead of giving up, I kept thinking, ‘I’m going to overcome this,” YOON SUNG, a vocalist in the group, recalled.

This positive mindset influenced YOON SUNG when he injured his back over the summer and had to adjust promotions for “ELECTRIC HEART”. Looking back, YOON SUNG said, the setback proved something to him. “I’ve been working out every single day, except for about five days since September,” he said. “I used to feel really lazy about going to the gym, but now it’s become such a habit that it actually feels weird if I don’t go – which surprised me.”

MYUNG HO recalled how the “BRUISE” video tested his ability to shoot in cold weather conditions, even after 8TURN shot multiple times in cold seasons. “When we filmed this ‘BRUISE’ music video, the snow and rain came at the same time, making it much colder than I’d expected – it caught me off guard. But I managed to push through and finish the shoot well,” he said. Then, he added with a laugh, “so I surprised myself and felt really proud.”

The members spend a lot of time considering – and rehearsing – the emotions they want “BRUISE” stages to convey. “To create a song, you have to care about all the details, like the concept, costumes, and even the album cover. And we’re all involved in that process and actively share our opinions, and that’s something I’m really proud of,” MIN HO explained. “We also had a lot of input when it came to melody, lyrics, and choreography. Because of that level of involvement, I feel much more attached to the album.”

MYUNG HO echoed this with pride. “I’m really proud of the expressions and gestures that come out naturally when I’m fully into the song, and the way I express those emotions on stage,” he said. YUN GYU, too, was extremely focused on capturing the song’s message in his choreography and performance. “I practiced a lot to put more emotion into the opening part of the song, and I think it turned out really well,” he said.

BECOMING AN IDOL is a unique experience that very few people can understand. This lifestyle is one that the members are trying to navigate with grace and maturity. But 8TURN hopes that through 'BRUISE,' they can connect more deeply with their fans, TURNING.

“People my age usually experience vulnerability and growth at school, surrounded by family and friends. But since I am spending these times with my teammates and fans, it’s safe to say all the things I go through are intertwined in a very complex manner,” JAE YUN said. “And I consider that the reason the bond between the fans and me, plus my teammates, is very special.”

HAE MIN, a vocalist, has been touched by the fans he’s met across the world, both on tour and at fan signs. “Honestly, thanks to TURNING, who have had more diverse life experiences than us, I think I’ve learned a lot about how to grow stronger and overcome challenges in many ways,” he said. “Because of that, I think I’ve grown much more mature as well.”

The members are attached to several key points in the lyrics of “BRUISE” and hope that TURNING can find some comfort in them. YUN GYU and KYUNG MIN found the lyrics important to capture in their performance. “I focused on bringing out the emotions more than I have before,” YUN GYU expressed.

“I love the song’s lyrics, like, ‘I’ll willingly face the pain,’” KYUNG MIN said. “I don’t know what kind of struggles or hardships TURINGS might be going through right now, but I hope you can keep moving forward with confidence and courage, willing to face whatever comes your way.”

HAE MIN hopes that listeners can see healing from a bruise as something that everyone, even idols, experiences. “ I truly hope you come to realize that healing wounds and overcoming pain is ultimately a process of growth and becoming an even stronger version of yourself,” he said. “With that in mind, I encourage you to never let your own spark fade, but instead allow it to grow and spread even further.”

“BRUISE” has also offered the members an opportunity to reflect on themselves as teenagers, when many of them were just young trainees hoping to debut. Looking back on that period, MIN HO said, “I want to tell myself that it’s ok not to be perfect, so don’t overthink things – you’re doing well. And when you take a break, take it easy and just relax.”

KYUNG MIN felt similarly, adding that he’d remind himself, “You’re doing really great, so keep moving forward and don’t get shaken.”

YOON SUNG recalled always wanting to be an idol and, incredibly, making it happen. He said that, given the chance, he’d tell his younger self, “Since this is what you've always dreamed of, I hope you give it your all without any regrets, doing everything you want to do,” and, most importantly, “I’ll always support you.”

For SEONG HEON, who debuted at a young age and is still in his early twenties, the support he receives from his fans has moved him. “I’m the type who doesn’t like showing my vulnerable side or imperfection to anyone. However, with people who truly matter to me, I find myself slowly opening up and showing those sides as well,” he admitted. “I think the genuine care and love that TURNING has for me gave me the courage to open my heart and let them see my weaker moments, little by little. Even when I’m not fully mature or far from perfect, TURNING accepts me just as I am. They are my greatest support and the ones who help me grow into a more mature person.”

As the members mature and learn more about themselves, they hope that TURNING can see themselves in this song, too. Even though their life experiences might be different, they are going through the same thing, together: growing older, learning about self-love, and accepting what is impossible to change. “Maturing can be both a reassuring and intimidating thing,” JAE YUN observed. “But both of those qualities make maturing something exciting and fun."

If TURNING receives anything from “BRUISE”, HAE MIN hopes it is comfort. “I hope listeners can really feel the pain and bruises described in the song,” he said, “as well as the emotions that come from being healed over time.”

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