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For the K-pop group AtHeart, traveling around the world is a perk of their job that they don’t take for granted. “Even though I had been to Los Angeles before, I had only been there [previously] as a tourist,” said Katelyn, who hails from the Philippines. “This time, however, we were filming a music video, so it was a completely new experience for me. It was so much fun and really exciting because I love L.A. and I hope we get the chance to go there more often in the future. Since there were more people who spoke English, I was able to better understand what they specifically wanted from me, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable.”

To promote their new single “Say It” – which pays homage to The Cardigans’ “Lovefool”

– the multinational septet all participated in this conversation from Seoul. Besides Katelyn, the group includes Japanese American Michi, Aurora from Japan, and Korean members Arin, Bome, Nahyun and Seohyeon. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: Where did you shoot the music video for “Say It”?

Seohyeon: In Mokpo [South Korea]. I thought the filming locations were absolutely beautiful and perfectly matched the story and concept of the music video. The scenery and atmosphere added so much to the overall mood, which made the experience even more memorable for me.

Q: What is your bucket-list venue that you have yet to perform in?

Katelyn: One thing I’ve always said is that I want to perform in all of the members’ hometowns, and of course in the Philippines! I’d also love to perform at iconic music festivals and stadiums like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Wembley Stadium someday ...

Seohyeon:… and the Tokyo Dome!

Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?

Aurora: I think whenever I travel, I always become more independent and mentally stronger. I did a homestay in Korea when I was 12 years old and attended a music camp in New York when I was 14. At first, being in an unfamiliar country without any family around felt very scary. There were many challenges and obstacles along the way. However, being in that kind of environment taught me how to speak up for myself and step out of my comfort zone. I believe that stepping outside of your own country and familiar environment can teach you lifelong lessons. Because of that, I personally want to travel and live in many different countries in the future.

Katelyn: I’ve learned how to appreciate my family more. Since we’re all growing up, we’ll be busy with our own lives and won’t always have time to be together. That’s why when I once asked my parents why we often traveled outside the country, they told me that once we get older, we won’t always have the time to do it anymore.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

Arin: It’s the Philippines. I’d love to learn more about where Katelyn is from and what makes it so special. I’d also love to try the local food, explore the culture and spend time experiencing the beautiful beaches and scenery.

Nahyun: I’d love to visit Michi’s hometown, Hawaii, try local Hawaiian food and spend some relaxing time by the beach.

Q: Do you feel that the vibe of a different place makes its way into your music and videos?

Bome: I definitely think so. The final result can change a lot depending on the directors and even the atmosphere or situation on the day of filming. Because of that, I think those factors have a big influence on how a project turns out. It’s always interesting to see how different elements come together to create something unique.

Q: When you are overseas working, do you have any free time built in?

Michi: Having traveled to both the U.S. and Japan for promotions and filming, we’ve had the chance to meet our overseas [fans] and create many precious memories together. Even with our busy schedules, when we have free time, we try to experience the local culture – visiting popular spots, trying famous foods, shopping or trying new activities. We also make sure to document our experiences so that [our fandom], heartbeat, can join us and share those first times together. Traveling abroad as a group has strengthened our teamwork, and we’re truly grateful for these shared experiences that allow us to grow even closer.

Nahyun: In L.A., the members and I spent a lot of quality time together. We went grocery shopping, cooked meals and stayed up chatting, which helped us grow even closer. We also went shopping together and had fun unboxing the things we bought, so I think we really made the most of our time there. In Japan, we visited [the store] Don Quijote, which is a must whenever we go there. We also got to try all the Japanese food we had been wanting to eat.

Q: What is your best or worst vacation memory?

Aurora: Best was when I went to a place called Iwate in Japan. Iwate is located in the very north of Japan and it’s where my grandpa was born and raised. We had a full family vacation there, and all of my family members came together. It’s always the best spending time with family. As for my worst vacation memory, my trip to New York when I was five. I still cannot forget the exact moment when I threw up in front of Santa Claus on Christmas night.

Michi: This is a fun question! I’ll go with my favorite vacation memory. It would probably be when I take family trips to Japan. That’s when I get to see my mom’s side of the family and experience both the bustling city and the calm countryside. One time we went to Hokkaido and visited a lavender farm. I felt so happy being surrounded by endless purple flowers! We even rode a lavender train, ate lavender ice cream and took beautiful photos. It felt so different from the way I live in Hawaii.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)

©2026 Jae-Ha Kim. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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