NewJeans Talks ‘Surreal’ Experience Performing ‘Gods’ at ‘League of Legends’ World Championships: Exclusive

Whereas NewJeans‘ model of easy-listening Ok-pop minimalism has earned the lady group each a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 in addition to a Billboard Music Award, the quintet shook up their formulation when it got here to recording League of Legends‘ annual world-championship anthem “Gods.”

For the musical collaboration alongside Riot Video games set to one of many world’s hottest video video games (League of Legends studies 80 million common month-to-month gamers), NewJeans carry a booming, maximalist electronic-pop epic totally in English the place an ominous full choir accompanies members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein.

In accordance with NewJeans, bringing “Gods” to life meant delivering their most elaborate stay efficiency so far when the quintet took the stage at LoL‘s World Championship Finals on Nov. 19. Together with dancers and actors becoming a member of NewJeans, the efficiency included virtual-reality, computer-generated imagery and visitor appearances from the highest competing groups in eventual 2023 champs T1 from South Korea in addition to Weibo Gaming from China.

Speaking to Billboard solely after an enormous weekend the place they not solely carried out and gained on the 2023 BBMAs however helped open League‘s 2023 Worlds, NewJeans focus on recording and making ready “Gods” for the large stage, assembly T1 and Weibo Gaming, favourite Riot Video games’ musical collaborations and extra.

Congratulations on an enormous weekend. Not solely did you carry out and win on the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, however you additionally carried out “Gods” for the primary time stay at Worlds. How are you all feeling?

DANIELLE: The entire expertise felt surreal to me! Performing for the Worlds Finals in addition to the Billboard Music Awards alongside artists we deeply respect and admire was extremely surreal! Even wanting again now the size was unbelievable and we’re so grateful and honored for the expertise. 

The Worlds efficiency regarded and felt very huge. How do you put together for such an enormous efficiency with totally different components like dancers, actors, VR and extra?

MINJI: It felt just like the stage with probably the most numerous vary of artistic components we had to date. It was really pleasing going via the method of coordinating with the dancers and actors via quite a few rehearsals, aligning the timing and digital actuality elements! [Laughs]

These VR and CGI components are very cool to observe on YouTube. As performers, do you want to think about the consequences whilst you’re singing?

MINJI: I used to be conscious that there have been quite a few stage setups, however after we really rehearsed on stage, everybody was fairly mesmerized. Specifically, seeing the half the place the video results seamlessly transitioned into actuality left everybody in awe. It was really an honor to have the ability to take part in a efficiency of the size!

How was making the stay premiere of “Gods,” your first tune in English, at Worlds? Take us via how this tune was conceptualized and ultimately got here to life on stage.

MINJI: “GODS” was a new problem for us as NewJeans. It has a unique vocal and choreographic type from what we normally do, so we invested numerous effort and time into it! I recall rehearsing it over and over for a flawless and dynamic stay efficiency on the grand stage.

HAERIN: Because it’s the anthem for a sport and a event that’s so broadly beloved on a world degree, we thought the lyrics in English would assist followers all over the world immerse themselves higher within the surge of feelings related to the tune.

Are any of you League of Legends followers or gamers yourselves? Was anybody excited to see components of the sport like Leona and Mordekaiser’s character represented in the course of the efficiency?

HANNI: I get pleasure from taking part in League of Legends every so often, and since there are such a lot of champions, I’ve develop into inquisitive about all their totally different skills. It was wonderful to see the efficiency we practiced being dropped at life on stage alongside such wonderful dancers, actors, and all of the particular results and CGI. I keep in mind being in awe whereas we watched the playback of our efficiency backstage. Additionally, our outfits and styling had been impressed by the champion Leona! Trying again, having Leona seem on stage with us was positively cool to observe.

So, even your style had connections to LoL too?

DANIELLE: Sure!! The truth is, our entire outfits had been based mostly round Leona, who’s a holy warrior in League. Our equipment had been particularly designed to resemble her armors of gold and shimmer!

HAERIN: Our wardrobe had an elegant really feel to it and was put collectively based mostly on a palette of impartial tones. We needed an apparel appropriate for portraying the tune successfully! 

Finalist groups T1 and Weibo Gaming (WBG) additionally joined on stage. T1 members have shared that they’re NewJeans followers. Are any of you followers of the groups or gamers? Did you meet on the occasion?

HANNI: We had the pleasure of assembly each T1 and WBG backstage on the media convention day! It was a couple of days earlier than the Finals, and I can’t think about how nervous they might’ve been, however they greeted us all very warmly. It was good to have time to satisfy them! Up till then, we had seen all of the small references they made about us and our music, so I actually needed to say it to them and thank them. However, out of the joy of assembly them, I forgot to say it!

HYEIN: We had numerous rehearsals to good our efficiency for the Finals. Throughout one of many rehearsals, I circled briefly and was stunned but in addition fascinated to see the gamers there! Additionally, earlier than the stage, we had a second to greet the gamers, and it was so gratifying to have the ability to inform the gamers from each groups that we’ll be cheering for them.

One in all my favourite components was the montage with folks from the LoL group’s images, like gamers, casters, announcers, homeowners and extra. How does it really feel to be a part of this numerous group?

HANNI: The truth that we had been in a position to participate in such a globally beloved event and interact with such an enormous group nonetheless feels surreal. We had been so honored to be part of it, and we had been additionally grateful to everybody who made it attainable. Being there in individual and witnessing how such a large group shares the identical love and fervour, together with all of the workers and followers there alike, was a tremendous expertise. It actually was the icing on the cake for this entire course of.

You’re now becoming a member of LoL and Riot Video games’ historical past of musical collaborations. Think about Dragons, Becky G, Marshmello, Kim Petras and extra have participated, whereas Riot Video games has created digital bands like Ok/DA, HEARTSTEEL and True Injury. Have you ever listened to those collabs? 

HANNI: I’ve listened to almost the entire musical collaborations with Riot Video games Music and watched all of the wonderful accompanying performances. I believe Ok/DA’s “POP/STARS” was simply so iconic and big. I keep in mind it blew up in reputation again once I nonetheless lived in Australia! Personally, “Warriors” by Think about Dragons, the first-ever Worlds Anthem, possesses a really deep emotional sound that’s fascinating, and I beloved immersing myself within the emotion it conveys and the expression of it itself. Whereas we had been rehearsing and making ready for the opening ceremony efficiency, we received to observe the opposite performances, and HEARTSTEEL was such a blast to observe! The tune is just not solely enjoyable to take heed to, however the artists’ particular person traits and character had been showcased rather well on stage, whereas effortlessly complimenting one another!

As artists, in what methods do you see music and gaming connecting?

DANIELLE: From my perspective, I believe music can improve the storytelling side, enriching the entire expertise of the sport. I believe it helps to intensify the general immersive high quality of the expertise, which results in a stronger connection between the participant and the visible components inside League! 

NewJeans had a large 2023. Is something important nonetheless deliberate for the top of this yr? Or any spoilers about what to anticipate for 2024?

HYEIN: Definitely there have been many thrilling occasions in 2023, together with our music releases. I need to ship many fulfilling and wonderful performances for the rest of 2023! I hope our followers, Bunnies, will get pleasure from our upcoming performances too!