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BTS Talk Inspiration Behind "Dynamite," New 2020 Album, Gratitude For ARMY & More

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"Even in the midst of hardships, we must focus on what we can do," the South Korean superstars tell GRAMMY.com
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 21, 2020 - 9:00 am

Today, Aug. 21, after several weeks of teasers, K-pop superstars BTS have released their first English language track, "Dynamite," a jubilant disco-tinged bop meant to inspire joy and hope during these difficult times.

"[The inspiration for] it all began from this: even in the midst of hardships, we must focus on what we can do. As for us, we found freedom and happiness in singing and dancing. This song goes to the ones who need encouragement. We hope people feel energized when listening to the song," the chart-topping band recently told GRAMMY.com.

BTS Perform "Dynamite" | Press Play

Even in such an unprecedented year of turmoil and slowdown for the entertainment industry (and virtually everyone), BTS have been able to maintain their stance at the top of the global pop landscape. After having to cancel their massive 2020 Map Of The Soul World Tour, the South Korean group, already having a super engaged online presence with their huge ARMY of dedicated fans, got creative and delivered a lively, colorful—and wildly successful—pay-to-view virtual concert, BANG BANG CON: THE LIVE, in June.

This year, the loveable pop stars also led by example of what it means to be a positive force in the world, using their platform for good in many ways. In June, along with their South Korean management company, Big Hit Entertainment, they donated $1 million to Crew Nation to support out-of-work concert crews and $1 million to the Black Lives Matter Foundation. (Just 24 hours later, the BTS ARMY matched the donation by raising more than $1 million.) They also stood in solidarity with the Black community with a simple yet powerful Tweet that made their stance against racism clear.

And, of course, they've also been busy working on new music, delivering "Stay Gold" and their fourth Japanese album, MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 ~The Journey~, in June and July, respectively. Now, with "Dynamite," we get the first taste of the forthcoming new album they've been focused on crafting.

To hear more about "Dynamite," the upcoming project, the ARMY and other BTS 2020 highlights, we checked in with the dynamic septet (consisting of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook) over email. Read on to hear more from BTS.

Get To Know K-Pop Kings BTS | For The Record

What was the inspiration behind your new song, "Dynamite"? What do you hope listeners feel when they hear it?

BTS: It all began from this: even in the midst of hardships, we must focus on what we can do. As for us, we found freedom and happiness in singing and dancing. This song goes to the ones who need encouragement. We hope people feel energized when listening to the song.

More: BTS Talk New Album 'Map Of The Soul: 7': "The Genre Is BTS"

"Dynamite" is your first song sung/rapped fully in English--how did you prepare for the recording and who wrote the lyrics?

BTS: It was a new challenge for us as well. The lyrics, which are exactly what we wanted to say to our listeners, were written by David Stewart and Jessica Agombar. At the first try, it sounded fresh and perfect as it is in English, and throughout the whole process of recording, we've strived to get the message delivered flawlessly in English. 

Can you tell us more about the new album you've said is coming later this year? What kind of sounds and themes are you exploring on this project?

BTS: We're currently working on a new album and sharing the process with our fans via livestream. Each member's input has been significant for this particular one, so we're kind of doing everything we've wanted to try. It's slated for later this year and more details are coming soon.

BTS Live!: iHeartRadio Fest 2020: BTS, Miley Cyrus, Usher, Migos, Coldplay & More To Play COVID-19 Adherent Concert

In February, Map Of The Soul: 7 became your fourth album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with your highest first-week numbers yet. What does the success of this album mean to you?

BTS: We cannot be thankful enough to our fans. They made this possible.

Iconic Idols: K-Pop Phenoms BTS Keep Breaking Records: Here's Why

You've all released music as solo artists—what does it feel like working on your individual projects versus BTS? What's the biggest thing you've each learned from your solo projects?

RM: It feels like I have two completely different identities. Working as BTS, I have to be considerate of others, but at times it also means I just have to do my part well and the rest will roll. When working individually, I definitely have more freedom but less of the sense of comfort and belonging I can feel when working with the other BTS members.

Jin: I can do whatever I want when I work alone, whereas we all need to be on the same page on concepts, melodies and lyrics for a collective project.

SUGA: [For me,] there's not much of a difference in terms of process. It's just really encouraging to have my team by my side and work together on a BTS album.

j-hope: I get to know about my shortcomings from a solo project. We have many people participating in our team projects, including producers. But a solo project is a direct result of the planning and execution done by myself, which helps me better understand feedback from the public—those are valuable takeaways.

Jimin: I focus more on my personal thoughts when I work alone, whereas working together allows me to contemplate more on the things we experience as a team. I also believe that solo projects are additional activities enabled by BTS.

V: I'm currently working on my own mixtape and I must admit there's a lot of pressure. I think there's more to think about compared to group projects. 

Jung Kook: I don't think I can call myself a solo artist yet since I'm short of many things. I really need to improve. I'll keep listening and making music until I'm able to come up with something on my own. 

Your virtual BANG BANG CON show was a huge success—what did it feel like to all of you to connect to the ARMY in this way? Do you think you'll plan another one?

BTS: We were so happy to be performing for our fans. Yes, we did miss their loud cheers, but we gave it our all thanks to the love sent by our fans from near and far. We're actually holding another show in October called "BTS MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E" and this time it will be both virtual and offline. We're so excited and thrilled to finally meet our fans in person.

As a group, you've stood in solidarity with Black Lives Matter on Twitter and with a generous donation in partnership with Big Hit. As non-Black allies, why is it important for the group to speak out and join the Black community in solidarity?

BTS: We think our Twitter message speaks for itself. We stand against racial discrimination and condemn violence. We all have the right to be respected. It doesn't matter whether we are non-Black or not. 

Watch More: BTS On The Creative Process, Breaking Records, Their Responsibility As Artists & More

What's next on the horizon for BTS?

BTS: As we mentioned, we have a show in October and an album coming later this year. And we have lots of things prepared surrounding "Dynamite," so everyone better keep their eyes on the ball!

K-Pop Phenom Eric Nam Talks New Mini-Album 'The Other Side' And Life As One Of Korea's Biggest Stars

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BTS at the 2019 GRAMMYs

BTS at the 2019 GRAMMYs

Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

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K-Pop Phenoms BTS Keep Breaking Records: Here's Why

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There's something special about the Bangtan Boys
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Feb 22, 2019 - 1:48 pm

It's official: The seven stars of BTS—J-Hope, Jin, V, Jungkook, Jimin, Suga and RM—have created an "ARMY" of worldwide fans. As they continue to break records, it's become increasingly clear that the K-pop titans are currently the most visible representatives of where mainstream pop music—American pop music in particular—is headed. 

Now, K-pop itself is certainly nothing new (the genre in its contemporary form has been around since the '90s). So, what is it about BTS that has America in such a frenzy? Here are five major reasons why the seven-piece band stands apart from the pack, and why they're unlikely to slow down any time soon.

1. BTS Defy Expectations…

At first glance, and considering the industry's ebbs and flows, it might be easy to write BTS off as just another musical fad. But that would be underestimating BTS' power to connect with audiences: Not only do their steady stream of albums touch on important topics like self-love and follow a developing story arc, last year BTS packed arenas on their Love Yourself global tour. The North American leg alone, which brought the boys to eight cities, had four sold-out shows at the 21,000 capacity Staples Center in Los Angeles. And their first-ever stadium show in the U.S., at New York City's Citi Field, welcomed 40,000 loyal fans for another sold-out show.

What's more, BTS openly experiment with K-pop and boy-band aesthetics, crossing genres and subverting expectations. They defy gender norms and push aside outdated ideas of pop star masculinity via their fashion and music choices, not unlike other young, modern stars like Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny. In their live review, the LA Times noted BTS' "thrillingly evolved presentation of gender," with multiple costume changes, including "frilly white blouses" and "baggy tracksuits," and playful on-stage interactions

"The effect was a welcome disruption of what we expect a male heartthrob to look and sound like—a radical cultural act made only more encouraging by how enthusiastically it was received by the diverse crowd inside Staples Center," Mikael Wood, a pop music critic for the paper, wrote.

2. …And Gracefully Crosses Genres

Additionally, in his review of the NYC show, longtime New York Times pop music critic Jon Caramanica eloquently summarized how BTS' music is more than just airy takes on bubblegum pop. "Those albums [Love Yourself: Tear and Love Yourself: Answer] show how BTS navigates an increasingly variegated and complex sound: Chainsmokers-esque EDM-pop, 1990s R&B, hip-hop from New York and the South, and much more. As singers and rappers, the members are gifted. As dancers and performers, they are nimble. And at this show, their execution was relaxed," Caramanica said.

BTS On What They're Listening To Now & More

3. All Seven Members Offer Unique Talents To The Group

At first glance, seven members may sound like a lot for a group that doesn't actively play instruments. But, as any ARMY member will be surely attest, Jin, V, Jungkook, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga and RM each play an important role in shaping who BTS are. For starters, the band splits duties between rapping and singing. And, unlike boy bands of yesteryear, there are no de facto "leaders" or frontmen. RM, who is fluent in English, often speaks on behalf of the group, but he is not necessarily the lead member. 

More: BTS On The Creative Process, Breaking Records, Their Responsibility As Artists & More

As Caramanica also pointed out in his show review, BTS readily share the spotlight onstage, much to their fans' delight: "Near the end of the show, 'The Truth Untold' showcased the sweet harmonies of the four singers (Jimin, Jin, Jungkook and V), and was immediately followed by 'Outro: Tear,' which displayed the versatility and range of the three rappers (J-Hope, RM and Suga). Each member was given a solo turn as well — V's sensual R&B on 'Singularity' was a high point, and on 'Serendipity,' Jimin pulled off some balletic, Matrix-esque dance maneuvers."

4. Their Music Feels Authentic To Fans

While BTS have clearly mastered how to look and sound good, they do more than just draw people in with catchy hooks and eye-catching clothes and hair. They tackle important issues, like mental health and self-love. The group acknowledges the importance of serving as role models to so many young people around the world. In Korea, K-pop stars are even referred to as "idols"—and BTS don't take that responsibility lightly.

Back in Sept. 2018, the GRAMMY Museum hosted A Conversation With BTS, where 300 fans listened to the group talk about a breadth of topics, including their responsibility as artists.

"That makes us think more about our responsibilities, how we should act, how we should make our music. So it makes us think more deeply about what we do, how responsible we should be about what we're doing, and the music we're making," Jungkook said.

They also discussed their creative process and how they work collaboratively as a team, as well as with Bang Si-hyuk, the head of their label, Big Hit Entertainment. "When we had our conversation with Mr. Bang when we first started out, he always emphasized that we should sing about our own experiences, our own thoughts, our own feelings. So, that has always been at the center of the music that we made," RM explained.

He also emphasized their collaborative process as bandmates. "We try to participate together as much as we can. I think our participation in the process makes the music more sincere, make the songs more sincere, and that changes our attitude about how we approach our songs," RM said.

Even More: BTS: "Fans Gave Us The Wings That Allowed Us To Be Where We Are"

5. BTS Think Of Their ARMY As Family

You can't talk about BTS' record-breaking rise without also highlighting their loyal ARMY, which stands for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.

In fact, BTS has two official Twitter accounts: At the time of this writing, @BTS_twt is home to 18.5 million followers. The ARMY is very active on the platform, as evidenced by one unoffical ARMY account having sent out a fervent 116k tweets to date. Additionally, BTS' official YouTube page has over 15.6 million subscribers.

Yet just as fans support BTS, BTS supports their fans. All in their mid-to-early-20s, the members of BTS know how to use social media as a tool to connect with their millions of admirers online, giving fans regular access and updates on their lives. While many social-media users at risk of falling into feelings of isolation the more they "like" and scroll, BTS actively leverage positivity on social media. Fans follow suit, filling BTS' YouTube page with upbeat, supportive chatter. Together with their fans, BTS creates a giant, supportive family.

And the BTS U.S. takeover is only just getting started: Following the announcement of BTS' new 2019 tour dates, fans took to Twitter to share in the excitement, with some wondering if this was how their parents felt when The Beatles toured. Others pointed out the significance of some of the venues: For example, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where BTS will be performing on May 4, is a football stadium with a capacity of 90,888. Rose Bowl concerts are reserved for the likes of the Rolling Stones and Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who brought their OTR II tour for two nights to the huge venue last September.

The numbers don't lie: Between record and ticket sales, streaming numbers, self-aware lyrics and a fervent fan base, BTS have tapped into a formula for history-making success—in America and all over the world.

All The Ways BTS Won Our Hearts At The 2019 GRAMMYs

BTS

BTS

Courtesy: Big Hit Entertainment

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BTS Talk New Album 'Map Of The Soul: 7': "The Genre Is BTS"

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The international pop stars discuss the creative process behind their latest release and shine a light on the growing creative community in South Korea
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Feb 22, 2020 - 12:27 pm

International pop stars BTS are used to shattering world records. They've done it time and time again.

In 2018, the septet became the first Korean group to receive gold status from the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA), for the Steve Aoki remix of their 2017 track, "Mic Drop," featuring rapper Desiigner. The song, now certified platinum, became the act's first hit in the U.S., setting off an ongoing streak of Stateside hits and world records for the South Korean boyband. That same year, they became the first Korean act to top the Billboard 200 chart with Love Yourself: Tear. 

BTS are now back to dominate the charts once again with Map Of The Soul: 7. Released just yesterday (Feb. 21), the new album is already the best-selling album of the year worldwide. Another day, another world record in the life of BTS.

Get To Know K-Pop Kings BTS | For The Record

Map Of The Soul: 7, BTS' fourth studio full-length to date, is the next installment in the band's ongoing Map Of The Soul series. It picks up from the 2019 chart-topping Map Of The Soul: Persona EP. In addition to featuring songs from the latter, Map Of The Soul: 7 expands on some of the themes and topics from the overall series, including the concepts of persona, shadow and ego. 

"[Map Of The Soul: 7 is a] continuation from the album before, called Persona," BTS member RM tells the Recording Academy. "And this time, we put the other two themes, shadow and ego, and we put it together into [this] album, called 7. The difference is [the] persona, which is like the social mask before the good things that we have, [like] the spotlight. This time [on 7] we talked about the real shades and shadows that we had inside, and also the big manifesto that we admitted: all the shadows as our destinies and we're gonna carry on." 

Sonically, Map Of The Soul: 7 touches on many genres and sounds. Album opener "Intro: Persona" sees RM rapping over a guitar-laced, bossy hip-hop beat, while "Interlude: Shadow," a solo track from BTS member Suga, is an atmospheric pop ballad that converts into an industrial rap monster. 

For the group, Map Of The Soul: 7 breaks free from genre confines once and for all.

"I think it's less and less meaningful to divide music into genres now," Suga says. 

"The genre is BTS. That's the genre we want to make and the music that we want. New genre," the group's Jungkook, V and J-Hope add. 

On the day of the album's release, the Recording Academy caught up with BTS—all seven members!—at the Park Hyatt New York in Midtown Manhattan to discuss the creative process behind and deeper meanings within Map Of The Soul: 7, the group's all-star collaborator wishlist and the growing creative footprint of their South Korean homeland.

This interview was edited for clarity and brevity. An interpreter translated all answers from BTS, except for RM.

Can you talk about the creative process behind Map Of The Soul: 7? How does it differ from the rest of your albums?

Suga: It took us a little longer, and this is our first full album in quite a while. But making an album isn't just making the music. We have the songs, there's the choreography and a lot of other elements that come with it, so it took some time. But once we got started, it really started rolling along and it was really fun. 

The album features individual tracks that highlight traits from each of the seven BTS members. How does the album reflect each individual member? And how does it reflect BTS as a whole? 

Jungkook: I think individually, it really contained what we wanted to put into the music and the ideas that we have, and this is what we put in.

RM: As a group, it's like a big statement or like a manifesto that we finally admitted our shadows and egos at the same time as part of our destiny. So it's like, you're going to carry on and you can bring the pain and we'll carry on.

Map Of The Soul: 7 reflects on the seven years since BTS debuted in 2013. What has been the biggest life and career lessons you've learned so far?

Jin: Thanks to these guys, I think I learned more about music. I didn't really know a lot about music when I started out, but now I've learned how to write music or make melodies. That's what I really got out of the past seven years, thanks to these guys. 

Jungkook: I think I really learned how precious music is, how important it is to me. Recording the music for this album, working on the music—through this whole process, [it was] really fun and meaningful because, again, I kind of learned and figured out how precious music is and how important it is to me.

The new album features collaborations with Halsey and Sia. Who are some other artists you want to collaborate with?

All (shouting out loud): Ariana [Grande], Travis [Scott], Taylor [Swift], Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, "Big" Nas, Lil Nas X!

RM: Call our label, please.

BTS On Creativity, Breaking Records & More

Your music as BTS has touched on many genres, from rap to pop. Are there any other genres or sounds you're interested in exploring in the future?

Suga: I think it's less and less meaningful to divide music into genres now. 

Jungkook, V, J-Hope: The genre is BTS. That's the genre we want to make and the music that we want. New genre.

Map Of The Soul: 7 is a continuation of Map Of The Soul: Persona. How are the two projects related? And how are they different?

RM: Like you said, [Map Of The Soul: 7 is a] continuation from the album before, called Persona. And this time, we put the other two themes, shadow and ego, and we put it together into [this] album, called 7. The difference is [the] persona, which is like the social mask before the good things that we have, [like] the spotlight. This time [on 7] we talked about the real shades and shadows that we had inside, and also the big manifesto that we admitted: all the shadows as our destinies and we're gonna carry on. We put all the three things [together] and made a series.

Watch: Lil Nas X, BTS & Billy Ray Cyrus Enter The "Old Town Road" Multiverse At The 2020 GRAMMYs

The K-pop genre has exploded across the world over the past few years. Where does K-pop go from here? What would you like to see happen for your community?

Suga: As you said, the stature of K-pop has really grown all over the world. But rather than be recognized as the rise of a genre or the rise of K-pop as a genre, I would like more talented Korean artists to be better known around the world, because I think there are a lot of talented Korean artists, and it's really amazing to have this small country and so many talented people coming out of it. That's what I'd like to see.

Speaking of talented Korean artists, how did you feel when Parasite won so many awards at the Oscars this year?

RM: We felt like we won the GRAMMYs. Parasite is a great movie; I also watched it in the cinema. And like Suga said, we just know that there are a lot of talented people in Korea, also including outside K-pop or K-movie or anywhere else. Parasite's honor is our honor, too. We're happy.

Why is K-pop's popularity exploding in the United States?

BTS

BTS

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

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BTS Drop Juice WRLD Collab, "All Night," In Lead Up To BTS World Release

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"All Night" marks the third week of releases for BTS, following last week's Mura Masa-produced summer-ready jam, "A Brand New Day," led by J-Hope and V, along with Swedish pop songstress Zara Larsson
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jun 21, 2019 - 12:23 pm

New music Friday is always a good day, especially when your favorite artist drops a hot new bop you can't stop playing.

Well, K-pop heartthrobs BTS are always ones to warm their fans' hearts, and today they did just that, with a smooth new song, "All Night," featuring rising Chicago rapper Juice WRLD. The song features just RM and Suga of BTS, two of the group's rappers, and was produced by RM and Powers Pleasant.

The new single is the third release from the band's forthcoming BTS World Soundtrack, the musical accompaniment to their new mobile game of the same name. Both the soundtrack and game, where you can play the role of young Jin, V, Jungkook, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga and RM's manager, back when they formed the fab 7 squad, are due out next week. The game will be available to download in the U.S. on June 25 and the soundtrack drops June 28.

Related: BTS Shine At GRAMMY U SoundChecks In Chicago

"All Night" marks the third week of releases for BTS, following last week's Mura Masa-produced summer-ready jam, "A Brand New Day," led by J-Hope and V, along with Swedish pop songstress Zara Larsson. The group tapped British alt-pop queen Charli XCX for the first BTS World song, the anthemic "Dream Glow," released June 7.

BTS have had a big year so far, taking over their first GRAMMYs, being named one of the "100 most influential people" by Time, channeling the Beatles on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, launching a crowd-sourced database dedicated to their fans, continually breaking records, and more.

BTS On What They're Listening To Now & More

K-Pop Phenoms BTS Keep Breaking Records: Here's Why

ENHYPEN

ENHYPEN

 

Photo Courtesy of Belift Lab

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Meet ENHYPEN, K-Pop's Latest Breakout Boy Group

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The emerging global act tells GRAMMY.com about their debut mini-album, 'BORDER : DAY ONE,' and their plans to take over the worldwide K-pop industry
Ashlee Mitchell
GRAMMYs
Jan 7, 2021 - 2:49 pm

One of the most exciting K-pop debuts in recent years came at the end of 2020: ENHYPEN. The seven members of the group were selected by fans worldwide after they competed on Mnet's "I-LAND," a South Korean survival reality show. Featuring members who were former trainees under Big Hit Entertainment, the masterminds behind BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and from various backgrounds, ENHYPEN are now spreading the K-pop agenda worldwide. 

After wrapping up "I-LAND'' in September, the septet immediately began preparing their highly anticipated debut: BORDER : DAY ONE, released last November on Belift Lab, a joint venture between Big Hit and South Korean entertainment company CJ ENM. (Belift Lab are the creators of "I-LAND.")

On BORDER : DAY ONE, ENHYPEN explore a wide range of genres while grappling with their new status as an emerging global act. The album's lead single, "Given-Taken," is a high-energy pop song showcasing the guys' youthful vocals and doubling as a dark power anthem; the song's lyrics tackle the complex question of whether they have earned their coveted spots in the group, or taken them. 

Elsewhere, "Intro: Walk The Line" takes on alternative hip-hop, "Let Me In (20 CUBE)," produced by Big Hit's FRANTS and "Hitman" Bang, mixes reggae with hip-hop, and closer "Outro: Cross The Line" wraps up the album in an eerie, waltz style.

Since debuting in November, ENHYPEN have taken the international K-pop world by storm. Their debut mini-album broke the record for highest first-week sales in Korea among rookies who debuted in 2020, and they won the Next Leader award, aka rookie of the year, at the Fact Music Awards within 12 days of their debut. Their exploding social media presence also reflects their ability to connect with global fans: They currently have more than 1 million followers on Twitter and more than 3 million followers on TikTok.

Beyond the numbers game, the guys come from diverse backgrounds that align with their goals for world domination: Sunghoon, who gave up a successful career as a competitive figure skater to become an "idol," Sunoo, Heeseung and Jungwon are Korean; Jay is from the U.S.; Jake is Australian; and Ni-ki, the group's youngest member, is Japanese. 

Surrounded by some of the best minds in the industry, ENHYPEN have a promising future ahead of them. With young members who are eager to learn and grow, the group is ready for the burgeoning worldwide success that's on their horizon. Despite debuting in a pandemic, which has caused them to rely on the power of social media to connect with ENGENES, their so-called fan base, all eyes are now on ENHYPEN. 

GRAMMY.com checked in with ENHYPEN to talk about their debut mini-album, BORDER : DAY ONE, and their plans to take over the worldwide K-pop industry. 

First off, you're making your debut not long after ending "I-LAND." What has the process been like preparing for your debut? Has it been difficult or more demanding than training on the show?

Jake: We did our best to prepare, wanting to meet our fans as soon as possible. We helped each other out and received help from our staff as well, so the preparation process was pretty smooth.

There are huge expectations for your group, with many considering you guys the most anticipated rookie debut. How does it feel to have so much support already? How do you deal with the pressure, if any?

ENHYPEN: We are thankful for all this support, and it motivates us to do even better. We try to take all this as a good energy that fuels us to work hard to show our fans the best version of ENHYPEN. 

Read: BTS Talk Inspiration Behind "Dynamite," New 2020 Album, Gratitude For ARMY & More

A lot of new acts debut in the K-pop industry every year. What do you hope to bring that is new and different from other artists? In your opinion, what makes ENHYPEN special?

ENHYPEN: ENHYPEN's forte is music that is rooted in our own stories and performance and the chemistry between the seven of us … Our teamwork has been getting better and better as we've been together throughout "I-LAND" as well as the process that led to [our] debut. 

Out of the six tracks on your debut EP, do you each have a song that resonates with you most or that you're most excited to perform?

Jungwon: "Given-Taken" resonated the most because the lyrics reflect our current situation. I'm most excited to perform "Given-Taken" and "10 Months." The latter is a very sweet song. The performance and gestures are more relaxed, and I just really like the song. 

Heeseung: I can't wait to show "10 Months" because it puts a spotlight on ENHYPEN's vocals, dance and charms all at once. The song especially highlights the vocals, so we want to perform it really well. 

Jay: It's "Given-Taken." The lyrics encapsulate the complex emotions that I'm feeling right now, and I want to deliver a genuine performance. 

Jake: "Let Me In (20 CUBE)." This song shows a more groovy side to ourselves, and a performance with all of us in perfect synchronization. 

Sunghoon: It's "Given-Taken" for me. I relate to this song the most because it talks about the complicated emotions of seven boys who have finally achieved their dream of [debuting] and are at the borderline of a new beginning. The performance radiates a dark and powerful energy. 

Sunoo: I like "Let Me In (20 CUBE)" because of its catchiness, but "10 Months" resonated with me the most, because the lyrics [say] that despite looks of a grown-up, we have a lot more room to grow emotionally and mentally mirror ourselves. Also, the cute performance allows us to show fans various facets of ENHYPEN. 

Ni-ki: For me, it's "Let Me In (20 CUBE)." I personally like up-tempo melodies, and I also think this song underscores ENHYPEN's charms really well. 

More K-Pop: TOMORROW X TOGETHER On How Their New 'minisode1 : Blue Hour' EP Marks The Beginning Of A New Era

The lead single, "Given-Taken," addresses the complex emotions you face as you're starting a new beginning, which is fitting for your journey and relatable for a diverse audience. What about your group do you hope resonates most with audiences?

ENHYPEN: "Given-Taken" is a song that we can do at this moment as it captures our current situation. We're really at the beginning right now, so we hope that these complex emotions one has at the verge of a new start resonates with many people. 

You've been working with Big Hit's well-known producers on your EP. Is there anything you have learned about producing or songwriting through the process? How do you hope to make your music your own?

Heeseung: The process of making this album taught me how to polish my rhythm and groove into a final output and about the importance of a good delivery. I will take all this into account for the recording that will come hereafter and make good music. 

Jungwon, as the leader of ENHYPEN, what do you think makes you a good frontman? How would you describe your group's chemistry?

Jungwon: I think the most important thing is communication, so I try to listen to our members' opinions as much as possible. ENHYPEN's chemistry is really solid! 

It must be tough to debut during a pandemic, where you can't perform in front of fans in person. Despite that, you're part of the "digital native" generation that regularly utilizes social media. How do you hope to grow the fan-artist bond you have created for the time being? Is there anything you're looking forward to doing for your fans in person when time allows?

Sunoo: We connected with our fans via socials and livestreams. To keep this connection strong, we want to show them various aspects of ENHYPEN [that] we haven't revealed yet! 

You're obviously very busy, but outside of your recent debut, what have you guys been doing to pass the time? What are your hobbies outside of music and performing?

Ni-ki: We usually watch choreography videos during breaktime or at our dorm because those videos point out what we lack. I personally like soccer clips and movies. We don't have much downtime these days, but I want to go [watch] movies and soccer games with our members soon. 

This is a really exciting time for all of you, and you're getting ready to build your own legacy after various years of training. What are you most excited about for the near future, and what career or debut goals do each of you have? What are some of your biggest dreams?

Jay: My career goal is to become a versatile artist not limited to a certain specialty. And throughout all that process, to be close to our fans. As for now, I wish we could perform on the global stage with the costumes I created or took part in designing. 

Lastly, for those unfamiliar with your stint on "I-LAND," what is the most important thing people should know about ENHYPEN going forward?

Sunghoon: ENHYPEN grows together by connecting one another. Our group's goal is to connect worlds and people through our music.

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