Treasure Says, “We’ll Show the Roots of YG Hip-Hop” on Comeback [Q&A]

The group Treasure expressed strong confidence ahead of the release of its fourth mini album, New Wave. Set for release at 6 p.m. on the 1st, New Wave includes four tracks, led by the title song “IF I,” along with “ZOOM ZOOM,” “NALLY-NA (HYUNHAYO),” and “DANGER.” For the first time since their debut, the group filled the entire album with hip-hop tracks, sharpening its sound with a more intense and distinct musical identity. Through New Wave, Treasure aims to prove its limitless potential with ambition and fiery energy as it moves toward a higher level. “NEW” represents the group’s new chapter that begins with this comeback, while “WAV” reflects its determination to reveal Treasure’s unfiltered charm, much like a lossless audio format. Interest from global music fans is already running high, with preorders surpassing 1 million copies. The members said, “Since we are returning to hip-hop after a long time, you’ll be able to see a more mature Treasure,” adding, “This is an album packed with music that can be called the essence of YG, and the essence of the team. We’ll show you a Treasure that is clearly different from anything we’ve done before.” Here is the Q&A with Treasure. Q. You are making a comeback just two days after the 2025-26 TREASURE TOUR [PULSE ON] ended. Yoshi: We know our fans so well, so we focused on working on the album whenever we had time during the tour. Thank you for waiting for such a long time. We are returning to the hip-hop sound that both the fans and we have been looking forward to. This time, we have confidence, and even certainty. We hope everyone is ready to be shocked. Q. Please introduce your fourth mini album, New Wave. Choi Hyunsuk: I personally came up with the album title. I wanted to develop the music we have always made and create a new energy. The word “WAV” is used in many hip-hop songs, so it fit our current musical identity well. As we worked on it, the message of confidence naturally came through: if you look at who we are at our core, you will understand, so we do not need to say much. Yoon Jaehyuk: It also carries our ambition to create a new direction for Treasure. We filled the album with hip-hop, a genre we have loved since our trainee days. That is why our color comes through so strongly, and we are sure this is the music we do best. We want people to say, “Treasure is hip-hop after all.” Q. This is the album that will open Treasure’s second chapter. What mindset did you prepare it with? Choi Hyunsuk: The production period overlapped with the PULSE ON tour, but our fans were so excited about the new album that it motivated us even more. In particular, this album includes songs in the style I wanted to try ever since I dreamed of becoming a YG artist, so it feels like I checked off a bucket-list item. It is a result I am deeply attached to. Q. How would you introduce the title track, “IF I”? So Jung-hwan: It is rage, a genre that is also trending in hip-hop these days. We all like this style, but since we had never tried it before, I think fans will get to see a new side of Treasure. It clearly reflects our ambition and confidence, and the song is also appealing in terms of sound because it has several standout points throughout its flow. It turned out so well that it was chosen as the title track. Q. Is there a new nickname you hope to earn through this promotion? Haruto: I want to be called “MZ YG.” We are carrying forward the hip-hop roots that can be called the essence of YG, while also making a comeback with new songs that reflect our own style, so the MZ label comes to mind. Treasure has brought the real kick this time, so I hope people will try it and tell us what they think. And this is not the mild flavor we had before, but the spicy kind, so I recommend drinking milk in advance. (laughs) Meanwhile, Treasure is a 10-member boy group under YG Entertainment that debuted in 2020. The group has won global fans’ love with songs such as “Bona Bona,” “KING KONG,” “Boy,” and “JIKJIN.”