No Japanese Allowed? How UNIS Members Are Fast-Tracking Their Korean to Conquer the K-Pop World

What happens when two generations of “survival show” royalty meet? Recently, the members of UNIS sat down with Kep1er for a heart-to-heart that was less about competition and more about the shared struggles of idol life.

While the conversation touched on everything from “secretly smuggling snacks” during their trainee days to their musical role models, one topic stood out: UNIS’s relentless commitment to breaking language barriers.

The “Korean-Only” Rule: A Secret to UNIS’s Chemistry

For global groups like UNIS, which features members from different backgrounds including Japan and the Philippines, communication is everything. During the meeting, the Japanese members of UNIS shared a surprising “company rule” that has defined their growth.

To ensure their Korean improves at a lightning pace, the members are required to speak only Korean even amongst themselves.

“People usually assume that having multiple Japanese members makes things easier because we can just talk in our native language,” the members noted. “But it’s actually the opposite! Our company encourages us to use Korean constantly so we can improve. Now, we’re at the point where we barely speak Japanese to each other at all.”

The Kep1er members, who also feature Japanese members (like Hikaru and Mashiro), were visibly impressed. They joked about how, in the beginning, “pretending not to understand Korean” was a survival tactic for getting out of trouble, but they praised UNIS for their discipline.

The “Hikaru Effect”: A Full-Circle Moment

The interaction took an emotional turn when Kotoko of UNIS shared a private memory. She revealed that during a year-end collaboration stage, Kep1er’s Hikaru had reached out to her with a simple but powerful: “Japanese members, fighting!”

“I was so moved that I immediately called my mom to brag about it,” Kotoko admitted, sparking laughter and “awws” from both groups. It was a reminder that while the “Korean-only” rule is strict, the support they receive from fellow global idols makes the journey worth it.

Polished for the Future: Hexagon Idols

The video wasn’t just about talk; it was a showcase of talent. UNIS members showed off their “Hexagon Idol” (all-rounder) status by performing snippets of J-Pop covers and switching songs with Kep1er.

Seowon’s Japanese pronunciation was so flawless that the Kep1er members were stunned. “When did your Japanese get so good?” they asked, highlighting that while the Japanese members are mastering Korean, the Korean members are returning the favor by learning their teammates’ languages.

Editor’s Insight: The Language of Success

In the fast-paced world of K-Pop, the “language barrier” is often seen as a hurdle. However, UNIS is turning it into a bridge. By enforcing a Korean-only environment, they aren’t just learning words; they are building a unified team identity.

As they gear up for their upcoming Japanese fan meetings and future comebacks, it’s clear that UNIS’s secret weapon isn’t just their talent—it’s their dedication to truly understanding one another.