MODYSSEY (Courtesy of ONECEAD)

ONECEAD

MODYSSEY isn’t your typical K-pop group.

For one, the group consists entirely of Chinese members – Hengyu, Fan Zheyi, Li Zihao, Lynnlynn, Suren, Yichen, and Rowan – formed by ONECEAD Entertainment, a global joint venture between CJ ENM, JYP China, and Tencent Music Entertainment. Though they may be Chinese, the group focuses on K-pop, with their songs primarily sung in Korean, and following the K-pop artist system.

Second, the group has gone through great lengths and multiple stages to get to where they are. For many, competing in a music survival competition series and not being able to make it to the next round is heartbreaking, especially when you’ve been training for most of your life. Now, imagine doing that twice within the span of six months.

The septet began their musical journey as trainees on the Mnet survival competition BOYS II PLANET, but were unable to make it to the final lineup. Little did they know that there would be a spin-off competition series, PLANET C: HOME RACE, just two months later, featuring the 18 eliminated Chinese (one Vietnamese) contestants. Ultimately, the seven were chosen to become MODYSSEY on December 27, 2025. The group's name represents their musical voyage. The M stands for Music, Movement, and Momentum, while ODYSSEY represents their journey of growth.

Following their formation, the members began training together as a group and were introduced to their fanbase, MODU (a combination of MOD(YSSEY) + (Yo)U, meaning “all of us”) on their social media pages and variety show, “Say Say MODYSSEY,” which launched in March. Nearly three weeks later, MODYSSEY debuted on April 13 with their first single album, 1. Got Hooked: An Addictive Symphony. Their lead single, “HOOK,” was produced by 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han of Stray Kids) and released in both Korean and Chinese versions. The group achieved the 2nd-highest 1st-week sales in 2026 among debut groups on the Korean Hanteo Charts. During their debut week, they performed consecutively on major music shows, starting with Mnet’s M Countdown, KBS2’s Music Bank, MBS’s Show! Music Core, and SNS’s Inkigayo.

It was there that I first encountered MODYSSEY, fresh off their M Countdown performance in Seoul, wide-eyed and excited for the next few shows. The towering group – whose heights averaged 5’11.5 (the youngest Fan Zheyi is 6’2) – were very polite and cordial, with several members speaking English as I greeted them in my remedial Mandarin. It was a simple meet-and-greet that evolved into an understanding of their arduous journey towards finally debuting after years of training.

Not to inundate the boys during their debut week, we reconnected over Zoom the next week, as they called from JYP Entertainment office in Seoul, eager to talk about their first week, including the announcement that they will perform at both KCON JAPAN in May and KCON LA in August. Suren, whose positive energy radiated through the screen, shouted, "We’re so excited!" when asked how they’ve been feeling.

Lynnlynn admits they feel stronger as performers since debuting as a group than they did as trainees learning to work together after the survival show. He reveals through the translator, “We didn’t really know each other’s personalities or the way we would act towards each other. But now, since we debuted, I can feel the mixture of everyone, and us united as a group.”

After going through two competitive shows, the boys expressed both relief and disbelief that it’s actually happening. Suren raises his hand like a student, shouting, “This is unreal!”

He adds, in English, “Before being announced in the group, I’ve thought about that image so many times. I thought I would react happily or surprised, but when I actually heard my name called, my mind went blank for a few seconds. It’s so unreal. I was really shocked.”

Rowan shared the same sentiment with Suren, who was in complete shock when he was called. He didn’t even have a speech ready. He thought he hadn’t actually done well that night.

“I thought, okay, what am I having for dinner later, but then they called my name,” he explains. “I get to debut here?! I was so surprised. I feel so glad to be here and happy to be one of the members of MODYSSEY.”

Fan Zheyi thought about his family, especially his mother, who had hoped for all the best for him throughout the competition. He was beyond excited when he made his dream come true and shared that happiness with his mother. He shares, “When I heard my name in Korean, it felt unreal. I was excited to hear my name on the stage. I’ve wanted to debut for such a long time.”

Below, MODYSSEY talks about working together as a group, how they have bonded through two competitions, their music, what they’re looking forward to when they visit the States for KCON LA, and their go-to sauce for Haidilao Hot Pot.

LAURA SIRIKUL: How is it working together as a debut group now versus when you were competing together (because some of you had to work together in groups)?

Suren: When we joined the survival program, even though we were all really close, we were still in a competition. So we had a competitive relationship. After we ended up together, we became like a family, helping each other.

Li Zihao: We still have some arguments as a team, but we find the problem and solve it [together]. That’s how we do it right now. As Suren said, we just keep helping each other to make MODYSSEY better and better.

SIRIKUL: Many groups tend to be mixed in together with Koreans, Chinese, other Asians, diaspora, and more. But this group is all of Chinese descent. Is there a sense of comfort in knowing that you guys are on a similar journey in Korea and the K-pop industry?

Li Zihao: The seven of us are all Chinese and can speak Chinese. It’s easier to communicate with each other and share our emotions.

SIRIKUL: Because you competed and trained together, how did you guys bond as a group? What do you guys like to do for fun to bond?

Suren: When we are not on stage or practicing, we have BBQ lamb together or other meals. We are all boys, and we like video games. So we play video games together.

Yichen: I love running. I run every day, and sometimes we run together. I do have new hobbies every day. So sometimes I’ll go for a run. Sometimes I work out. Sometimes I’ll play video games. I bond with the younger members through video games and working out. Of course, we go to Haidilao Hot Pot.

[Lynnlynn, Suren, and Li Zihao all cheer for HaidiLao Hot Pot.]

SIRIKUL: I love Haidilao! We have some in the States, too. I need to know what your sauce mix is.

Li Zihao: I love the original taste. I don’t need sauce.

HENGYU:
Minced Garlic, 1 Tablespoon
Chopped Chilis, 1 Tablespoon
Chives, 2 Tablespoons　
Oyster Sauce, 1 Tablespoon
Seafood Soy Sauce, 4 Tablespoons
Vinegar (with a strong sour flavor), 3 Tablespoons
Sesame Oil, 1 Tablespoon
MSG, 0.3 Tablespoons
Sugar, 0.5 Tablespoons​

FAN ZHEYI: You need to dip into the first sauce, then the second sauce, before eating.
1st Sauce:
Minced Garlic, 1 Tablespoon
Chives, 0.1 Tablespoons
Cilantro, 0.8 Tablespoons
Soy Sauce, 1.2 Tablespoons
Vinegar, 0.8 Tablespoons
Oyster Sauce, 0.8 Tablespoons
Sesame Oil, 1 Tablespoon
Minced Beef, 1.5 Tablespoons
Spicy Beef Sauce, 0.5 Tablespoons
Crushed Peanuts, 0.5 Tablespoons
2nd Sauce:
Sesame Sauce, 2 Tablespoons
Crushed Peanuts, 1 Tablespoon
Roasted Sesame, 0.5 Tablespoons
Sugar, 0.5 Tablespoons​

LYNNLYNN:
Oyster Sauce, 2 Tablespoons
Chives, 1 Tablespoon
Minced Garlic, 1 Tablespoon
Cilantro, 1 Tablespoon
Crushed Peanuts, 1 Tablespoon
Chopped Chilis, 2 Tablespoons
Sesame Oil, 2 Teaspoons
Sesame Sauce, 2 Teaspoons​

SUREN:
Sesame Sauce, 1 Tablespoon
Oyster Sauce, 1 Teaspoon
Sesame Oil, 0.5 Tablespoons
Chopped Chilis, 0.5 Tablespoons
Dark Vinegar, 0.5 Tablespoons
Minced Garlic, 1 Teaspoon
Crushed Peanuts, 0.5 Tablespoons
Add chives and cilantro, if you want​

YICHEN:
Sesame Oil, 2/3 of the bowl
Minced Garlic, 2 Tablespoons
Oyster Sauce, 2 Tablespoons
Chives, 1 Tablespoon
Cilantro, 1 Tablespoon
A little bit of Chopped Chillis​

ROWAN:
Celery, Cilantro, Minced Garlic, Chili Powder = Adjust to taste
Oyster Sauce : Sesame Oil : Mala Oil = 1.5 : 1 : 1
Dark Vinegar : Soy Sauce = 6 : 4

SIRIKUL: Back to the music, I love “HOOK.” It’s produced by 3RACHA. Can you tell me about how you guys found that sound, especially with 3RACHA, and how you made it your own?

Li Zihao: This was a big challenge for us because most of us are rookies. It was a few members’ first time recording, and we were trying to make the 3RACHA style our own. It was actually hard because, even though we have different tones, we still had to practice the pronunciation. The lyrics were hard for them because they’re in Korean, and we had to perform our own color. For example, Hengyu is good. His tone is very light, like sunshine. My tone is powerful and a little bit strange – like Doctor Strange. [jokes] Lynnlynn is really bad at Korean.

Lynnlynn: What?!

Everyone: We are learning. We are still learning.

Li Zihao: We have different challenges. So that is the hardest part for us.

SIRIKUL: When you were trainees, there were probably things you expected when you debuted. What was the most surprising thing to learn when you debuted?

Suren: Before we did our M Countdown performance, we thought we weren’t going to be that good because we made mistakes during practice. But after we performed on the first stage, it was much better than we thought. That was the most surprising thing I saw after our stage.

Fan Zheyi: I saw a lot of the senior performers on stage that I’ve seen on TV. When they announced who was getting first place this week, I realized I was standing on the same stage as my seniors. I could share their happiness when they announced they were in first place. This was a sudden realization for me.

SIRIKUL: You've got to meet a few of your sunbaenims/senior artists. Is there anyone in the music industry that you’d like to work with?

Yichen: Justin Bieber.

Suren: Maybe in the future, if we have a chance, we really want to work with our sunbaenim 3RACHA. Actually, be on the stage with them and perform together.

Li Zihao: That sounds good. Do you know Jay Chou? I love him so much. He’s so good at making songs. Jay Chou is the best singer in my heart.

SIRIKUL: You guys have done hip-hop, rap, and swagger beats. What other genres would you guys want to try out? Or concepts that you want to try?

Lynnlynn: Afrofunk.

Hengyu: Rock.

Fan Zheyi: Cute! Cute concept!

Rowan: More pure. More adorable. Not that strong.

Suren: I want to try a school concept.

Yichen: Fresh concept.

Hengyu: I want a stronger and more impactful concept, like ATEEZ.

SIRIKUL: Rowan and everyone, you're all already so cute.

[Rowan does a cute face gesture.]

SIRIKUL: How excited are you guys to come to LA and make your KCON LA debut? What are you looking forward to?

Li Zihao: We don’t know what we are going to do yet, but if we do cover any songs for the Legendary stage (when rookie groups do cover performances of other artists), it would be legendary. And, other than the stage thing, maybe we can eat some local food. STEAK!

Suren: Before I debuted, I really wanted to go to LA to train as a dancer. There’s a studio called Offstage Dance Studio. I really want to go there. When they told us we were going to LA, I said that if I had a chance, I wanted to go to that studio to train. I’m also looking forward to the energy from the people in LA. I feel the energy will be really good when we perform. I’m looking forward to it.

Lynnlynn: It's an honor to be able to go to LA. It’s my first time going to LA. I have a lot of expectations – a lot of food and attractions to try.

Yichen: It’s my first time in LA. I’ve been wanting to go since I was young. I want to try the food and do a morning run to see what LA is like and how people live there. I want to learn about the daily life of the people in LA.

Li Zihao: All of us. It’s our first time.

Rowan: [I’ve been to LA before], but this is very special for me because I’m visiting for the first time as an artist. I’m very excited to see LA MODU. We are still rookies and very new to the industry. Going on stage at KCON LA, I hope we get more attention and love from new fans, too.

SIRIKUL: Do you have a message for your fans waiting to see you?

Hengyu: We spent a lot of time working really hard to prepare the special stage for KCON. Please look forward to it.

Li Zihao: We will try to [visit and see all the MODUs]. I hope they will like us.

Lynnlynn: I am very thankful and grateful to all the fans who support us. Please look forward to us on stage. We will try our best to perfect every stage.

Fan Zheyi: I’m so thankful to all the fans who support us. We will work harder to convey positive energy and happiness to our fans.

Yichen: I want to say, "I love you, MODU."

Suren: To all the fans worldwide, we hope to make your day when we meet.

Rowan: From now on, I am Idol Rowan. So expect to see me more.

MODYSSEY’s 1. Got Hooked: An Addictive Symphony is available on all streaming platforms. Physical copies are available at select retailers.