Китайская группа WayV дебютировала в Нью-Йорке и выпустила альбом с традиционными китайскими мотивами

The neon-lit Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, with the Manhattan skyline peeking through the trees, created a postcard-perfect New York backdrop for WayV, and marked a milestone the Chinese pop group had been waiting years to experience. Last weekend, the five-member group made its New York City debut at Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, bringing its blend of Mandarin and English-language music, intricate choreography and larger-than-life personalities to thousands of fans. On Aug. 2, WayZenNi, WayV’s devoted fanbase, packed the park to see Kun, Xiaojun, Hendery and Yangyang take the stage. Speaking with amNewYork at Top of the Rock while overlooking the view of Central Park, the members said they had imagined the moment for years, but nothing compared to the energy they felt when they stepped onto the SummerStage to a roar of cheers, handmade signs and lightsticks. “Central Park is one of the most famous places in New York, and to be able to perform in the most famous place in New York is such a blessing,” Yangyang said. “It’s our first time here in New York, and even performing this many songs in front of our fans in New York or in the U.S.” The crowd sang, danced and shouted along throughout the set. But it was the fans’ response that made the night especially meaningful for the members. “They sang with us, they danced with us,” Yangyang said. “We were so blessed to be here with them. We hope that next time we can come back again.” Presented in partnership with the China Institute, the performance was part of the 40th annual City Parks Foundation SummerStage festival and marked several milestones for WayV: its first visit to New York City, its first NYC performance and one of its biggest opportunities to perform for its U.S. fanbase. One of the most emotional moments came during “On My Youth,” when Xiaojun heard the audience singing every word back to him. He removed his in-ear monitor to take in the sound. “We didn’t realize the fans could sing along that good,” Xiaojun said. “They were singing along, and I just took off my inner ear. I was so touched. At that moment, I felt so magical.” For WayV, moments like that are a reminder of why they continue to perform after years of navigating the demands of the global music industry. Throughout their conversation with amNewYork, the members repeatedly returned to one theme: their connection with WayZenNi. “I think [our confidence] is from our fans, WayZenNi, because without them, to be honest, we are nothing,” Hendery said. “WayV is not just the four of us. It’s the members plus WayZenNi equals WayV. Like fish without water cannot swim.” Hendery recalled meeting a fan several years ago who told him that WayV’s music had changed her life. “She said, ‘You really made my life. You saved me,’” he recalled. “I could see the [genuine] smile from her, so I feel like, ‘Oh, this is our success.’ At that moment, I felt like I was the most successful man in this world.” That connection has shaped the meaning behind many of WayV’s songs, with the members carrying certain tracks and memories with them throughout their careers. When asked which songs hold special meaning, Kun chose “Be Alright,” while Hendery pointed to “Stand by Me,” particularly for its message of staying beside someone through difficult moments. Yangyang chose “Love Talk,” one of WayV’s best-known songs and a track that helped introduce the group to audiences outside Asia. He remembered performing at KCON in Los Angeles and hearing fans, including people who had never heard of WayV before, sing the song from beginning to end. “Everyone sang along,” Yangyang said. “The lyrics, everything. They knew the lyrics from top to bottom. So, I think that’s one of the most memorable moments for me.” Xiaojun pointed to “Face to Face,” WayV’s first ballad and a song performed entirely in Chinese. Its message, he explained, feels particularly relevant in an increasingly disconnected world: Put down the phone, lower your voice, be gentle with one another and connect with the person standing in front of you. “Just face-to-face with the guy in front of you,” Xiaojun said. “Like, touch grass,” Hendery added, smiling brightly. For Yangyang, “Give Me That” represents another side of the group, one rooted in joy, confidence, and the desire to both give and receive love from their fans. Hendery, meanwhile, gravitates toward “On My Youth,” a song he described as deeply emotional because of its themes of regret, mistakes, and learning from the past. And for Kun, there is “Phantom,” a song that reflects the powerful performance style that helped define WayV from the beginning. “We debuted with powerful songs, and I feel like our group as WayV, we are very suited for that powerful music,” Kun said. “I love those old-school SM-style performances.” That performance identity was on full display at SummerStage. But the New York debut was only the beginning of an important month for WayV. On Aug. 10, the group released its new album, “Vision Wings,” a project that embraces its Chinese identity while blending traditional sounds with contemporary music. The album arrives as WayV continues to navigate a unique position within the global K-pop landscape. While the group is China-based, their careers were largely developed within South Korea’s entertainment system. The members began training in Korea as teenagers before officially debuting as WayV in 2019. With “Vision Wings,” they are focusing more directly on their cultural roots. The album incorporates traditional Chinese instruments with hip-hop and jungle beats, creating what Yangyang described as a fusion of traditional and futuristic sounds. Its central imagery is a bird flying through the sky, pushing forward despite whatever storms may come. The songs span R&B, hip-hop and pop ballads, with both English and Chinese-language tracks. “It’s our first time trying so many Chinese elements,” Xiaojun said. Yangyang tells amNewYork that the decision to explore those sounds was deeply personal. “We’ve actually never really tried the Chinese style,” Yangyang said. “We’ve seen a lot of other people who try Chinese style, but we were like, ‘Why don’t we try it? Because we’re the authentic ones.’” That sense of authenticity is at the heart of “Vision Wings.” The members hope the album introduces more listeners around the world to Chinese musical traditions while demonstrating that cultural identity and modern pop music can coexist. “We just hope that we could spread this tradition to all of the people around the world,” Yangyang said. “And also make people proud of our culture, our tradition.” That message takes on added significance in New York, a city shaped by generations of immigrants and one of the world’s most diverse music audiences. For WayV, representation is not simply about performing in another country. It is about bringing their language, culture and perspective with them. And after seven years as WayV, that sense of identity extends beyond music to the members themselves. Although the group officially debuted in 2019, the members have known each other for more than a decade. They met as teenagers while training in Korea, growing up together as performers and friends. “We don’t even have to talk to understand each other’s mind,” Yangyang said. “Just one eye movement, you know what he’s thinking. One face, you can see if that guy’s sad, if he’s happy.” That familiarity has also taught them how to grow together. When asked what advice they give one another, Xiaojun emphasized the importance of boundaries, recognizing that even the closest relationships require respect. Yangyang said that as teenagers, the members were more likely to argue and play without thinking about those boundaries. As they matured, their relationships changed. “Now as we grew up, we have that respect, mutual respect to each other,” he said. Kun, as the group’s leader, has watched that evolution firsthand. He said communication has become one of the most important parts of keeping WayV together. “If someone’s doing something wrong or someone’s going through something, we just say it,” Kun said. “We don’t hide it. We don’t mask it. We just say it out loud for the benefit of that person. That makes your team work better.” By the end of the SummerStage performance, WayV had both made their long-awaited New York debut and introduced themselves to curious first-time listeners. Xiaojun said the members could tell during the show which fans were seeing them perform for the first time, and they wanted those people to leave impressed. “I want to make them feel our vibe like, ‘Oh, respect. These guys are dope,’” he said. The goal, Kun explained, is to show WayV as a group defined by both confidence and diversity. “We want to show them the image that we’re a group with confidence and diversity,” he said. “I want them to leave with that image after seeing our performances.” Yangyang hopes audiences can also see the people behind the performers. “While we’re performing, we could be the star on the stage, but while we’re talking, we could be down to earth,” he said. Now, with “Vision Wings” officially out today, the members are looking toward what comes next, and toward reaching more fans beyond the stages they have already conquered. Hendery echoed the sentiment of “Stand by Me” when addressing WayZenNi: “I will always stand by you. Will you stand by me?” Yangyang promised that the group’s journey is far from over. “The goal is to meet you guys and also connect with our fans more and more,” he said. “No matter where you are, we’re trying to go and find you.”