K-pop group TXT energised and excited for European tour debut
LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) - Popular K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, also known as TXT, is making its European tour debut feeling inspired and more connected after two months away from the spotlight, its members said.
The boy group's label, Big Hit Music, which also manages K-pop super stars BTS, announced in January that TXT would be taking a "long-term break" to rest and spend time with their families. This was after group leader Soobin said he was taking time off for health reasons.
"It was the first time we took such a long break. It gave us time to reflect on many things," member Hueningkai said in an interview shortly before taking to the stage at London's O2 Arena for the group's first UK performance on Tuesday.
"I think it actually brought us closer together and allowed us to think more about ourselves as a team and artists," added Hueningkai, whose hiatus highlights included a family trip to South Korea's resort island of Jeju, good food and a visit to Japan with friends.
"Rest is as important as working because rest is always inspiring me a lot," added member Taehyun.
The group, composed of Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai, debuted in March 2019.
Six years on, they have won over a loyal fanbase, known as "MOA", short for "Moments Of Alwaysness", with their pop rock sound and hits including "Blue Hour", Sugar Rush Ride" and "0X1=LOVESONG (You Know I love You)", featuring South Korean singer Seori.
Their album "Minisode 3: Tomorrow" ranked as the 10th best-selling album of 2024 globally, according to recorded music industry body IFPI, which also placed TXT seventh on its Top 10 list of global recording artists of 2023.
The European tour, which kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, on March 20, also takes the fivesome to Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam. Fans are in for a spectacle, the members said.
"It's a really colourful and diverse set list, so I think it will be really fun for the fans. There are solo stages that we haven't shown before," Hueningkai said.
Other novelties for the group include Beomgyu's upcoming solo debut with mixtape "Panic", released on March 27. As for other new music, no spoilers, the group said. Fans will have to wait and see.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'Most underrated city in Europe' with 'rich history' is just 1 hour from the UK
The social media user claimed to have found the most underrated city in Europe, sharing a short video of the destination, which is known for its incredible architecture Praise has been lavished on an historic city dating back to the Middle Ages with a population of just 560,000 people and the largest designated cyclist area in Europe. In a short video on YouTube, @MarkEarthExplored shared a video of "a true hidden gem". With just 60 followers to his name, the intrepid explorer exclaimed in his latest offering: "I found the most underrated city in Europe." Clocking in over 130 likes, the footage takes viewers on a visual jaunt through Ghent, the jewel of Belgium's East Flanders province and its third-largest urban sprawl. Steeped in antiquity as one of the nation's eldest cities, Ghent boasts a tapestry of historical richness and awe-inspiring architecture epitomised by the towering Saint Bavo's Cathedral, peaking at 292 feet. Ghent's treasure trove of landmarks features The Groot Vleeshuis, a grandiose former market hall, the ancient Gravensteen castle harking back to 1180, and the sacred walls of St Elisabeth Church, nestled within one of the city's three beguinages. If bricks and mortar history isn't your cup of tea, Ghent has a smorgasbord of museums to tickle your fancy, reports the Express. The prestigious Museum voor Schone Kunsten houses a staggering array of artwork amounting to 9,000 pieces dating as far back as the Middle Ages, majorly spotlighting Flemish masterpieces beside those of other European virtuosos. Meanwhile, the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (SMAK), or City Museum for Contemporary Art in layman's terms, parades a dazzling permanent exhibit featuring scene-stealing pieces from icons like Andy Warhol and Francis Bacon. Alternatively, food enthusiasts can indulge in some of Ghent's mouth-watering specialties, such as the sweet, cinnamon-spiced "mastellen" or "Saint Hubert bread" bagels. A mastel is a soft, bagel-like treat flavoured with cinnamon and sugar, offering a delightful taste experience. Another local delight is the praline chocolates, also known as cuberdons or "neuzekes" (little noses), which are cone-shaped and filled with a sweet raspberry-flavoured filling. Visitors can easily reach Ghent by plane, train, or car. By train, the journey from London takes approximately three hours, while a flight takes around one hour. Driving from London to Ghent takes roughly 4.5 hours, although the duration may vary depending on the specific starting location.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Ryanair warns passengers after hundreds miss flights amid airport chaos
The budget airline has issued a stark warning to passengers as Portugal experiences airport chaos with more than 270 passengers missing their flights in the last two weeks Ryanair has issued a stern warning to holidaymakers following travel turmoil at several Portuguese airports, leaving hundreds stranded at departure gates. The budget airline reported that over the past fortnight, more than 270 passengers have missed their flights due to lengthy queues and severe understaffing at border control. The most significant delays are being experienced at Faro, Lisbon and Porto airports, with wait times reportedly extending up to an astonishing two and a half hours. In a statement released on Monday, Ryanair condemned the situation as "completely unacceptable", urging Portugal's new government to address the staffing crisis. "In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls," the airline stated. The problem began to intensify around 26 May, with the airline cautioning that families, including those travelling with young children, were getting caught in the chaos. The issue is particularly severe during morning peak hours, when passenger numbers surge and border posts are overwhelmed, reports the Mirror. Ryanair blamed airport operator ANA for failing to adequately prepare for the annual summer travel influx. The statement continued, "The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources. " It also emphasised the urgency for proactive measures to avert further turmoil as the busy season approaches, "especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights". Neal McMahon, Operations Director at Ryanair, termed the current circumstances as "unsustainable," cautioning of an escalation in problems as passenger numbers soar in the summer. Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, recently attempted to quell rising anxieties by assuring that issues with border controls would be "resolved within two weeks". The PSP police force has committed to introducing 500 additional officers to fortify airport security and manage border checks in Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores starting from July. An initiative for immediate reinforcements at Faro Airport, where the situation has been especially severe, is already in motion. Travellers planning trips to or via Portugal are urged to allot extra time for airport arrival to avoid potentially missing their flights. This development unfolds as travel agencies have observed a significant number of UK holiday-goers opting for north African destinations over customary European retreats. The lure seems to be the region's abundance of competitively priced high-quality accommodation compared to costlier options in traditional holiday spots like Spain, France, and Italy. North African nations including Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are witnessing a surge in visitors from the UK. According to aviation analysts Cirium, an estimated 19,847 flights are expected to operate from UK airports to these countries this year, more than double the 8,653 flights recorded in 2019. In contrast, the number of flights to Spain and Portugal is predicted to rise by just 10 per cent and 9 per cent respectively over the same period.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair issues warning as hundreds of passengers miss flights in airport chaos
Budget airline Ryanair said more than 270 passengers have missed their flights over the past two weeks due to extensive queues and chronic understaffing at border control Ryanair has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers after travel chaos at several airports in Portugal meant that hundreds were left stranded at departure gates. The budget airline said more than 270 passengers have missed their flights over the past two weeks due to extensive queues and chronic understaffing at border control. The worst delays are being felt in Faro, Lisbon and Porto airports, with wait times reportedly stretching to a staggering two and a half hours. In a statement issued on Monday, Ryanair slammed the situation as "completely unacceptable", calling on Portugal's new government to sort out the staffing crisis. "In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls," Ryanair said. The trouble began to escalate around May 26, with the airline warning that families, including those travelling with young children, were being caught up in the mess. The issue is said to be especially bad during morning rush hours, when passenger numbers swell and border posts are swamped. Ryanair placed the blame with airport operator ANA, accusing it of failing to prepare adequately for the annual summer travel surge. "The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources," the statement continued. It also stressed that action must be taken now to prevent further chaos as peak season looms large, "especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights". Neal McMahon, Ryanair's Director Of Operations, branded the situation as 'unsustainable,' warning things will only get worse as air traffic ramps up over the summer months. Last week, Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, moved to calm growing concerns, promising that border control issues should be "resolved within two weeks". The PSP police force has meanwhile pledged to deploy 500 new officers to reinforce airport security and border posts at Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores from July. In the meantime, an early reinforcements push is already underway at Faro Airport, where the situation has been particularly dire. Passengers heading to or through Portugal are now being strongly advised to arrive at the airport extra early - or risk being left behind. This comes after travel companies reported thousands of UK holidaymakers are ditching traditional European hotspots in favour of north Africa. Experts say many people are being drawn to the region by its wide availability of high-quality hotels costing considerably less than similar properties in locations such as Spain, France and Italy. North African countries Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are all experiencing a boost in visitors from the UK. Figures from aviation analysts Cirium show 19,847 flights are projected to serve routes from UK airports to those nations this year, more than twice as many as the 8,653 that did so in 2019. By comparison, the number of flights to Spain and Portugal is forecast to increase by 10% and 9% respectively over the same period.
