The K-pop group Tomorrow x Together (TXT) is taking a stand on a critical issue that resonates deeply with them: mental health. In partnership with UNICEF, they have launched the campaign “Together for Tomorrow,” which aims to foster empathy, eradicate stigma, and encourage open dialogue around mental health challenges.
The collective, made up of members Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai, shared their insights on the initiative during a conversation with PEOPLE backstage at their final U.S. concert of the ACT:TOMORROW world tour held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on October 2.
As they navigate their careers and personal lives, the topic of mental well-being takes center stage. Taehyun, 23, articulated the connection between their music and this initiative, stating, “Mental health is a hot topic worldwide and also the music that we’re doing is talking about empathy. So the values that UNICEF holds and this campaign holds and also our music holds went hand in hand.” The collaboration also includes a significant funding commitment of $1.4 million from TXT’s label, BIGHIT Music.
The members are particularly mindful that mental health issues are often personal for their fans, known affectionately as MOA, which stands for “Moments of Alwaysness.” Hueningkai, 23, expressed his hope that their music can provide solace, saying, “I’m just hoping that our music can mentally care for them and be there for them. I believe that many people in their 20s are going through mental pain or struggle these days so I’m hoping that our music can become a comfort.”
One of the group’s notable songs, “Panic,” co-written and performed by Beomgyu, 24, particularly resonates on this theme. The lyrics convey support to fans battling mental health issues: “Beneath the dark night / Let’s not stay here, but move on / In the days of bruises / Every step we take / You and I / Will find our way through.” The accompanying music video features poignant imagery of a bedroom filling with water, symbolizing the depths of despair and the hope of overcoming it.
Reflecting on their own experiences, Hueningkai noted, “Of course we did go through those struggles and the pains and that’s why we know that there are so many out there going through the same. That’s why we decided to talk, so that people can feel safe to raise their voices.”
The initiative was officially launched on September 30, with Soobin delivering a speech at UNICEF House in New York. Although he was excited, he admitted to feeling stressed about addressing the crowd: “I was going crazy with nerves about giving the speech in front of other people,” he shared.
Fortunately, he found support from RM, leader of the famed K-pop group BTS, who was once in a similar position. “I talked to him because I realized he was exactly my age when he gave that speech [at the United Nations],” Soobin recalled. RM made headlines in 2018 for his speech at the U.N. General Assembly as part of the “Love Myself” campaign with UNICEF, where he was among the early voices in the industry to talk about mental health on a global platform.
Soobin appreciated RM’s encouragement, saying, “He gave me a phone call himself right before I gave the speech, so that was a great relief.”
On their ACT:TOMORROW world tour, the members made it a priority to maintain their mental well-being and support one another. This tour marked their fourth since their debut in 2019 and featured solo performances from each member for the first time. When asked about their downtime backstage, Taehyun humorously remarked that they were busy “changing our clothes,” a frequent task due to their dynamic performances, while Hueningkai pointed out that they eventually found calm amid the chaos, enabling them to enjoy watching each other’s acts.
Beomgyu also embraced a new approach to self-care during the tour. “I’m rather a homebody whenever I do a tour and I just stay at the hotel, but this time was a little bit different,” he explained. “Whenever I was in a different city, I went out to take a picture so it was a good memory. I got to know the unique colors of each city and so that one month [of touring] was pretty happy for me.”
Through their campaign and personal reflections, Tomorrow x Together is not only raising awareness about mental health issues but also connecting with their fans in a deeply meaningful way, reinforcing the importance of empathy and support for one another in challenging times.
