CHECKMATE

Behind their dynamic image, ITZY have always focused on staying true to themselves. Their sleek, genre-blending songs and sophisticated, perfectly executed performances have placed them firmly in the top tier of K-pop girl groups since their debut—and they maintain that energetic self-confidence on their fifth mini-album, *CHECKMATE*. For the cheery opener “SNEAKERS”, a summertime gem that finds ITZY declaring their intent to be free and not compare themselves to others, they turned to GALACTIKA \*, the songwriting team behind their best-known hits. The record also features tracks from hitmakers like KENZIE, LDN NOISE and Sebastian Thott—and allows the group to flex their creative muscles with forays into hybrid trap and electro-pop. Ahead of the release of *CHECKMATE* and the start of ITZY’s first world tour, Apple Music asked the group’s members five questions about their everyday lives when they’re not onstage. Check out what these straight-talking Gen-Zers had to say below. 
**Five Facts You Didn’t Know About ITZY** **1. What were your favourite sneakers to wear while working on the new album? 👟** YEJI: All white Adidas Superstar! LIA: Adidas white sneakers. RYUJIN: Adidas Superstar! CHAERYEONG: All white Adidas Superstar! YUNA: White Adidas Forum! **2. What are your phone wallpapers? 📱** YEJI: A photo of the sky I took from the plane! LIA: A still from *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*. RYUJIN: Gremlin. CHAERYEONG: A photo of the sky that I took. YUNA: It’s just the default screen. **3. Anything you’d like to eat right now?** YEJI: Sushi. 🍣 LIA: Spicy cheesy tteokbokki. 🫕 RYUJIN: Umm… beef? Mala xiang guo…? Ramyeon, maybe? 🍜 CHAERYEONG: Chocolate-flavoured TURTLE CHIPS… 🍫🐢 YUNA: Yogurt ice cream! 🍦 **4. What’s your very own way of de-stressing? 🤯** YEJI: Lying in bed and just relaxing. LIA: Eating spicy stuff. Also, crying myself to sleep. RYUJIN: Eating something I crave, or watching movies or shows by myself in bed till I doze off. CHAERYEONG: First I take a nice shower. Then I get on the couch and watch TV. YUNA: Having a shower, or taking a walk while blasting music! Also, dining out somewhere nice. **5. What are some movies or shows you’ve seen recently? 🎥** YEJI: *About Time*. LIA: *Twenty-Five Twenty-One*. RYUJIN: *The Chef of South Polar*. CHAERYEONG: I watched *About Time* again! YUNA: *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*.

Steadily climbing the charts since the late 2010s, K-pop group ITZY made a big splash with their fifth EP Checkmate.