ExWHYZ is a four-member group affiliated with the music production company WACK, who announced the formation of ExWHYZ immediately after the dissolution of their previous group EMPiRE in June 2022. The group currently consists of yu-ki, mayu, maho and mikina. They are collectively referred to as ‘Masters’ by their fans.

Their musical style during their EMPiRE days was a fusion of rock music and dance music, but since they began their activities as ExWHYZ, elements of club music have become their main focus. On 13th May 2023, they became the first WACK group to appear on stage at the Nippon Budokan, where they performed a live show with their bass-heavy dance tunes. The group put on a great stage show with dance tunes that rang out with heavy bass.

We caught up with ExWHYZ, who have also performed twice in London and set the dance floor alight with their local fans.

-First of all, please introduce yourselves one by one.

yu-ki: My name is yu-ki! I enjoy meeting and socialising with people, and I often watch films during my days off. I love Notting Hill and have seen it more than ten times. I also started using a film camera about two years ago. I take photos of the band members and behind-the-scenes at live shows and post them on social media. I like to drink, so when we tour different regions, one of the things I look forward to is trying the local alcoholic beverages.

mayu: This is mayu. Within the group, I often receive compliments on my singing. I don’t have any particular hobbies. I’m not much of an outdoor person, so I enjoy playing games and reading at home. I also like to write down my thoughts, which I do frequently—I write a column every two weeks on the JJ website.

mikina: My name is mikina. I am a drummer and a DJ; as a DJ, I tend to play atmospheric chill dance music or mellow dance tunes suitable for home listening. I have a laid-back yet fast-paced personality, but I’m also quite meticulous, sometimes spending up to three hours preparing for a show (laughs). Essentially, I feel like I live according to my own schedule. I also enjoy expressing my worldview freely by writing columns. Additionally, I publish photo books and like to consider how to present myself to the world.

maho: My name is maho. I used to have little interest outside of the group’s activities, but recently I’ve become more keen on exploring and experiencing cities during our tours. Within the group, I also write lyrics for some songs. The only thing I spend money on is shopping; I like to buy clothes and browse international fashion on Pinterest and similar platforms. However, my tastes change rapidly—one month I’ll be like, ‘I’m only wearing black!’ and the next month I’ll be wearing lots of colourful clothes (laughs).

-What kind of group is ExWHYZ?

maho: As you can see from our conversation just now, we’re a very free-spirited group (laughs). We’ve been through a lot and have evolved into our current form, so I think we’re a free group in that sense as well.

mayu: We don’t have the concept of calls or member colours that are common in Japanese idol culture. As maho said, we are a ‘free’ group, and lately, we don’t script our MCs but speak spontaneously, expressing our feelings in the moment. Because of this, I feel that everyone values their own individuality. The same goes for dance—we don’t focus on ‘perfect synchronisation’ but rather on allowing each person’s uniqueness to shine through naturally. Each of us has a strong sense of self, and even when performing together, our individuality still stands out. Our live performances feel like something created not just by us, but together with the audience—it’s something that happens naturally.

-I know that idol groups in general follow a certain format and style, but how did ExWHYZ become such a free-spirited group?

mayu: I think it’s because of the path our predecessors paved. If you trace our roots, we had GANG PARADE, BiSH, and BiS, which eventually led to our predecessor group, EMPiRE. WACK groups were originally created as a counter to the mainstream of Japanese idols. I think we emerged as a different kind of counter to that. At first, people often said we didn’t sound like WACK, but now there are more and more groups within WACK, each with its own style. That’s why I think ‘WACK-ness’ is no longer confined to a single definition.

maho: In the beginning, we sometimes struggled when people said we didn’t sound like WACK. It made us question, ‘Who are we?’ But there was a time when the six of us stood firmly together. WACK started with one senior group, but now there are many junior groups. Some things have changed, while others have remained the same. I think we are right in the middle of that transition.

-How do you feel about the history of WACK?

mikina: I had a lot of admiration for the older groups, so in the beginning, I was strongly influenced by their spirit. Within that, we decided to “keep doing what makes us happy,” which allowed us to try everything and, in turn, gave us confidence. That’s why we’ve been able to freely shape our own path.

yu-ki: It’s true that, in the beginning, I was often told to ‘show my individuality.’ There was a time when I really struggled with what that actually meant—what is individuality? We were also frequently told that our performances were too ‘stiff.’ But gradually, as we started enjoying ourselves more on stage, we found our current style. Now, I feel like we can express ourselves more naturally, without forcing anything.

-What would you recommend people who are interested in ExWHYZ to listen to first?

maho: Wow, that’s a tough one! I suppose the first song that comes to mind is ‘STAY WITH Me’. It’s a track from our first album and was among the initial demos I heard when ExWHYZ was formed. Produced by Denny White, an international producer, I vividly recall the moment I first listened to it. I imagined a large room filled with people singing along to the chorus. It was truly exhilarating and left a lasting impression on me, so I’d love for you to give it a listen.

mayu: I’d recommend our debut song, ‘Wanna Dance’. We’ve mentioned how enjoyable our live performances are, and I believe this track, being our first release, is special as it set the course for ExWHYZ’s future. It was the initial song that declared, “We are ExWHYZ!” I hope people will listen to it for that reason.

-What about you, mikina?

mikina: I’d have to say ‘Darling’ and ‘Aishiteru’. The intro of ‘Darling’ is really cool, but the chorus has a very J-pop feel, creating an interesting contrast. The structure of the song is also quite unique, and the lyrics include cute phrases that reflect a distinct Japanese sensibility. I absolutely love this song, and I recommend it for that very reason. ‘Aishiteru’ is a song that beautifully highlights the essence of the Japanese language. The lyrics are simple, yet their meaning can vary depending on the listener’s interpretation, making them deeply resonant. That’s what makes this song so special, in my opinion.

maho: I also have a lot of confidence in ‘Aishiteru’. It’s a direct and unembellished song. I think I was able to write it in my own style because the lyrics communicate emotions in such a straightforward way. We don’t perform it live very often, but I hope people will listen to it.

-What about you, yu-ki?

yu-ki: I like ‘Unknown Sense’. I enjoy the slightly eccentric atmosphere of the song. If ‘STAY WITH Me’ is the kind of track that gets everyone singing along in an open-air setting, then ‘Unknown Sense’ is a song best experienced freely in a darker, club-like environment. Even if it’s your first time hearing it, you instinctively know when to get excited, making it an easy song to enjoy at a live show.

-ExWHYZ’s live shows are different from most idol performances since you often play in clubs. What is the atmosphere like at your shows?

maho: I feel that all our fans bring a lot of enthusiasm to our live shows. But it’s not like, “We all have to get hyped together!” It’s a space where everyone is free to enjoy themselves in their own way—whether through their expressions or personal styles of enjoyment. It feels very comfortable. From the perspective of Japanese idol culture, some of our songs involve audience participation through singing, which adds an interesting layer. At first, some people assume our shows will have more of a club-like atmosphere, but then they are surprised to hear unexpected calls from the audience! It’s fascinating how different styles coexist in our performances.

-There is a culture of waving penlights at idol live shows. Do ExWHYZ concerts have similar light-up items?

mikina: We use band lights.

yu-ki: Unlike traditional idol groups, we don’t assign specific colours to each member. Instead, the colours change for each tour or live show. Rather than simply waving them like penlights, it’s more about moving with them while having fun, almost like dancing.

mikina: Band lights serve as a memento of attending a live concert—they make you feel like you’re truly part of the experience! That’s what I love about them.

maho: Rather than being an item to “light up your favourite member” with a specific colour, they’re more about expressing, “I’m having fun!” When fans wear them, we also enjoy watching where they light up (laughs).

-ExWHYZ have performed in London twice so far. Have you noticed any differences between the live atmosphere in Japan and London?

yu-ki: When we performed in London for the first time, I felt the atmosphere was completely different. In Japan, there isn’t much of a culture where the audience sings along with the band—there’s more of a call-and-response dynamic. But in London, the audience sang along to several songs, creating a very free and energetic atmosphere. There were more spontaneous shouts, and the excitement felt different from what we were used to. However, I also feel that the gap between the two is gradually narrowing.

-That’s interesting. What did the rest of you think?

maho: The way people express joy varies from country to country. It’s not a matter of one being better or worse than the other—it’s just fascinating to see the differences in culture. In Japan, there are songs that people listen to attentively, whereas in London, the way audiences engage with music is different. In Japan, people might listen quietly, but in London, there are a variety of reactions, which I find really interesting. Performing abroad makes you realise that there isn’t just one way to interpret a song. I used to think, “This is what this song is about,” but through our show in London, I saw how the meaning of a song can expand depending on the audience. It was an incredibly valuable experience.

-mayu, did you discover anything new through your experience abroad?

mayu: It was very interesting to see the differences in the interpretation and enjoyment of the songs. But more than that, I realised that fans are the same everywhere (laughs). We also held a benefit event, and no matter where we went, there were many similarities in how fans reacted. For example, both in Japan and in London, some people were too shy or nervous to speak at all. Then afterward, they would leave and say, “I couldn’t talk properly…” It’s all the same (laughs). That’s why I felt that fans are cute wherever we go. However, since my native language is Japanese, I did feel a bit of a language barrier. I’d love to improve my English so I can communicate more smoothly. The fans came with the same feelings as me, so I really wanted to be able to connect with them better.

mikina: It was just like in Japan—fans act cool in front of their favourites, but when they talk to other members, they become much more relaxed and chatty (laughs). For example, “I get nervous and shy in front of my favourite member, but I can talk a lot to the others!” That was exactly the same, and I thought, “Oh, it’s no different from Japan.”

-That was a sweet and happy moment.

yu-ki: Yes, I was really happy! It’s rare to have the opportunity to meet overseas fans, so when we finally did, they were really open and talked to us a lot. We even had lunch together, and I was so impressed because many of them had studied Japanese so much that they spoke to me in Japanese.

mikina: Some of them even said, “I studied Japanese for hours every day for three months!”

yu-ki: We studied a bit of English for our trip to London too, but when we tried speaking in our broken English, they responded in incredibly fluent Japanese (laughs). I was so surprised! Many fans said, “I learned Japanese so I could meet ExWHYZ!” Hearing that made me really happy. We were able to have smooth conversations, and it felt so warm and welcoming.

-What is your message to those who have read this article and are interested in ExWHYZ?

yu-ki: Thanks for reading this far! We at ExWHYZ truly believe our live shows are something special, so if you’re interested, please check out our live videos on YouTube. And of course, we’d love for you to come and see us in person. We can’t wait to meet fans from all over the world!

mayu: I’ve never had much exposure to foreign cultures, nor have I actively sought them out myself. That’s why it means so much to me that people from different backgrounds enjoy ExWHYZ’s music. I’m truly happy that people are willing to explore something new and connect with us beyond language barriers. Because of people like you, I feel an even stronger desire to deliver our music with sincerity! Please take pride in your passion for ExWHYZ, and I will do my best to come and see you!

mikina: Distance and language barriers may make it difficult to meet, but I believe the miracle of this connection exists because of ExWHYZ’s music. If even for a brief moment, I’d love for people to feel that miracle. For me, that’s the true purpose of putting my heart into what I do. I look forward to the day we can meet in person!

maho: If I hadn’t been part of this journey, I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet people from so many different countries. Even just by reading this article, I feel like we’ve formed a connection. It makes me so happy to know that people around the world are getting to know us. One day, I hope we can sing together and share that excitement! I look forward to the day we can stand on the same stage and sing as one.

INTERVIEW：Hiroo Nishizawa
Photo：Yuki Ohashi

■Live information

WACK in the UK Vol. 5
DATE: Wed. 26th Mar. 2025
OPEN: 7PM
VENUE: The Underworld (London)
APPEARANCE : KiSS KiSS,ASP and GANG PARADE

General Tickets: £30 (Entry from 7pm)
VIP Upgrade Ticket: £120 – strictly limited. It includes:
· Light lunch with the members
· Cheki photo with group of choice
· Cheki photo with member of choice (plus autograph)
· Exclusive T-shirt (Japanese XL size)
· Early entry to the show.
· VIP ticket holders do not need to purchase a general entry ticket.
To upgrade via DICE please purchase a general ticket, then log into your DICE account and choose the upgrade option.
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Timetable:
12:30 – VIP light lunch and cheki event
14:00 – Cheki ticket sale begins for general ticket holders.
14:30 – General cheki event
18:30 – VIP early entry
19:00 – General entry
19:30 – KiSS KiSS
20:20 – ASP
21:10 – GANG PARADE
22:00 – End
About Cheki event:
Cheki are a type of polaroid style photo that is popular in Japan. The VIP ticket already includes 2 cheki opportunities. Further opportunities, as well as opportunities for general ticket holders, will be available by purchasing cheki tickets from the mech stand. Each cheki ticket purchased will allow for one cheki to be taken with a member of the ticket holder’s choice.

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