[Exclusive Interview] KID PHENOMENON Greets Indonesian Fans! Hoping to Perform at Pestapora

Kapanlagi.com - The Japanese music industry is increasingly active in breaking into the global market, presenting many new talents with fresh and different concepts. One group that is starting to attract attention is KID PHENOMENON from EXILE TRIBE, a boy group created by LDH JAPAN that brings a unique identity titled "TOKYO NEO POP".

This group consists of seven members: KENSUKE, TSUBASA, KOHAKU, SOMA, SHUNNOSUKE, KOTA, and RUI, each with strong characters and different styles. They promote a musical color that blends various genres such as J-pop, hip-hop, and R&B, creating a vibe that feels both modern and distinctive.

In an exclusive interview with KapanLagi, KID PHENOMENON shared their story about their journey since their formation, the development of their music, and their big hopes to perform live in Indonesia, including at popular music festivals like Pestapora.

Continue to the next page to learn more about the beginning of KID PHENOMENON's journey and their unique concept!

1. About KID PHENOMENON Members

Getting to know more about KID PHENOMENON member (credit: Instagram/@kid_phenomenon)

Hello, can you introduce yourselves first? Each member's name, nickname, and position in the group.

KENSUKE: My name is Kensuke Sorematsu! You can call me Ken-chan.
I am the leader of KID PHENOMENON. I usually rap, but I also sing sometimes. My main strength is dancing!

TSUBASA: My name is Tsubasa Endo. I am often called "Tsuchan" or "Tsuttsu." I am a vocalist in this group.

KOHAKU: I am Kohaku Okao! Just call me Kobi!
I usually rap and dance (especially hip-hop), and I am the energy booster in this group, although I can also be the troublemaker sometimes!

SOMA: I am Soma Kawaguchi from KID PHENOMENON. I actually don’t have a special nickname; usually, people just call me Soma. I have long wanted to have a nickname, so I am currently open to suggestions!

SHUNNOSUKE: I am Shunnosuke Sato, also known as Shun-chan. I am a songwriter!

KOTA: I am Kota Yamamoto from KID PHENOMENON. People often call me COCO. I am a vocalist, and I also write songs and lyrics.

RUI: I am Rui Suzuki! People often call me "Ruirui." I am the youngest member in this group, so in my daily life, I often get spoiled (laughs). In terms of performance, I am most confident in dancing, and my specialty is KRUMP. I also work hard individually to contribute to this group through KRUMP.

2. The Concept of KID PHENOMENON and Its Origins

The origin of KID PHENOMENON and the concept presented (credit: Instagram/@kid_phenomenon)

What does the name KID PHENOMENON mean and why choose this name?

KENSUKE: The name KID PHENOMENON reflects our desire to create a new phenomenon in this world. We also have a concept called "TOKYO NEO POP", and we want to share a new culture from Tokyo with the world. Tokyo is a city where various cultures coexist, and we absorb influences from daily life, then rewrite and reassemble them with our own perspective to express them as a new concept. We do not just want to follow trends; we want to create a new culture and share it with the whole world.

How did the story of this boy group begin?

TSUBASA: We were formed through the largest audition project from LDH, called "iCON Z," which took place from 2021 to 2022, with around 48,000 participants. We did not pass in the first chapter, but we were selected in the second chapter, and eventually, the seven of us were able to achieve our dreams together. The journey was not easy, but now we have a bigger dream, to challenge the world, and we work hard together every day to make it happen.

3. About KID PHENOMENON Music

The unique concept of KID PHENOMENON music (credit: Instagram/@kid_phenomenon)

How would you describe the music of KID PHENOMENON?

KENSUKE: We describe KID PHENOMENON's music as "TOKYO NEO POP." This music is inspired by various cultures in Tokyo, blending elements of J-pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic music, as well as anime, games, and various aspects of other Japanese subcultures. Each member brings different influences, and by filtering them through our own perspectives, we create a sound that feels fresh yet authentic. Our music is not confined to a single genre; we want to express the freedom, individuality, and energy of our generation.

4. About the Upcoming Song "Mirror"

The song "Mirror" has a different vibe from previous songs (credit: Instagram/@kid_phenomenon)

Can you tell us a little about the single "Mirror" that will be released? Who is the writer? What is the song about?

TSUBASA: "Mirror" is a song that depicts the inner conflict often faced by many young people from our generation. This song reflects the gap between our true selves and our ideal versions, especially in today's era when social media makes it easy for us to compare ourselves to others. The song carries a message about accepting ourselves as we are and finding the courage to remain true to ourselves, even when it's not easy.

Musically, this song has a mellow and emotional vibe, allowing the lyrics and vocals to truly stand out and connect with listeners on a deeper level. The lyrics were written by Ameno Donguri, and the song was composed and arranged by Ryunosuke Tateyama.

There is a noticeable difference in vibe from previous releases, where it has become more mellow. Can you explain this change?

SOMA: Compared to our previous energetic songs like "Unstoppable" and "Black Flame," "Mirror" showcases a more mellow and emotional side of us. This song is easy to listen to and highlights our vocals, focusing on the expression of inner feelings while encouraging listeners to accept their emotions and keep moving forward.

5. KID PHENOMENON's Big Target and Concert Experience at SXSW 2026

KID PHENOMENON reveals their concert experience at SXSW 2026 along with their big target (credit: Instagram/@kid_phenomenon)

Can you tell us about your concert experience at SXSW 2026?

KOHAKU: One of the biggest things I realized is that music and dance truly transcend language and national borders. When we performed on the streets or danced freely during our DJ set, we could communicate and feel a connection with the audience just through dance, without the need for words. It made me feel really happy because I am passionate about dance.

During our showcase, we received a more enthusiastic response than we imagined. Some people enjoyed watching us, while others danced along to our music. I realized that everyone has their own way of enjoying music. It was a very beautiful space, where individuality and freedom of expression were truly appreciated. I also had the opportunity to watch performances by global artists like Jaydon and Ty Dolla $ign, which made me feel both inspired and challenged. It was an amazing experience. I also really want to perform in Indonesia and gain more inspiration.

SHUNNOSUKE: Everything is so inspiring! Every day we spent in Austin felt so exciting. By meeting new people in a new city and experiencing the music there firsthand, we could truly feel the culture of Austin, known as the "Live Music Capital of the World." During our live performance, even though we sang in Japanese, we still felt a strong connection with the audience. It made me realize once again how powerful music is.

Big target for 2026?

KOHAKU: Since this year we have already made our first performance in the United States, we want to continue our activities in Japan while also expanding our reach internationally, including to Indonesia. We want to plant seeds in various parts of the world so that more people get to know KID PHENOMENON.

SOMA: Personally, I want to build my own character and become an artist with strong charisma and appeal. As a group, our goal is to introduce our culture, "TOKYO NEO POP," to Indonesia, which has one of the largest and most influential Gen Z populations in the world. I am also very curious to see how our style will be received in a place full of youthful energy like Indonesia.

6. KID PHENOMENON Talks About Indonesia and Concert Plans

KID PHENOMENON expresses their desire to perform at Pestapora (credit: Instagram/@kid_phenomenon)

Are there any plans to hold a concert in Indonesia?

SHUNNOSUKE: Not yet, but we really want everyone in Indonesia to experience our live performance, which is one of our greatest strengths!

Indonesia has amazing festivals like "Pestapora" and "Far East Music City," and we have heard that the festival audiences are very enthusiastic, so we really want to perform there. I am also very interested in Indonesian culture and want to learn more about it!

RUI: Nothing has been decided for now, but I really want to go there and I look forward to the day we can visit. Japanese artists like YOASOBI and Fujii Kaze have held concerts in Jakarta, and we hope to do the same one day. We also really want to perform at major festivals in Indonesia like "Pestapora" and "Far East Music City," and share our "TOKYO NEO POP" with everyone there.

Have you ever been to Indonesia before? What do you know about Indonesia?

SOMA: I have never been there, but visiting various countries is one of my goals for 2026, and Indonesia is definitely one of them. I have the impression that Indonesia has incredible energy among its youth, and I am really looking forward to connecting through music and dance, as well as experiencing the local culture there firsthand.

RUI: I have never been to Indonesia, but I definitely want to visit there in the future! I really love the music of Raisa, who is known as a diva in Indonesia, and I would love to hear her perform live and get inspired by her.

Are there any Indonesian artists you know or have met before?

TSUBASA: I often listen to artists from 88rising like Rich Brian and Warren Hue, and they influence my taste in music. I also recently listened to "Alamak" by Rizky Febian & Adrian Khalif, and I think it's a very enjoyable and amazing song. If given the chance, I would really like to meet them.

CITY: I have never met Indonesian artists, but I often explore international music, including the Indonesian music scene. I quite often listen to artists like Rich Brian, NIKI, and Agnez Mo, and I am very inspired by their success on the global stage. The quality of their R&B and pop sound is also very high, and I learn a lot from their melodies and grooves. There are many elements that I want to incorporate into our music.

7. Message for Indonesian Fans

KID PHENOMENON shares messages and hopes to fans in Indonesia (credit: Instagram/@kid_phenomenon)

Give a message to your fans in Indonesia!

KENSUKE: To all our fans in Indonesia, thank you so much for your support!! We have not performed in Indonesia yet, but we really hope to meet you all in person and share our music, messages, and culture, "TOKYO NEO POP." We will continue to create various content for you to enjoy, so please keep supporting us!

KOTA: To all our fans in Indonesia, thank you so much for your support! We have not had the chance to perform there yet, but we really want to visit soon. We hope our music can bring energy and emotion to you. Please keep supporting us!

(kpl/afd)