Music
Like the first spell of spring warmth after a harsh winter, LUN8 have returned with their first full group comeback. Debuting in June of 2023, LUN8 are the first new boy group to come out of Fantagio Entertainment since globally-adored Astro. There is an infectious energy to be found in each of their releases, seen even in the debut of their subunit, LUN8wave.
When Clash met with the spirited group in Seoul, South Korea, they were eager to discuss their experiences since debuting, their comeback, and the advice they’ve received from their seniors.
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I’d like to talk about your time since debuting last year. What have you found most challenging since your debut?
Jun Woo: If I must pick, there are a lot of things that were physically and mentally challenging, especially synchronized choreography. Once you get tired physically, you also get tired mentally.
Ji Eun Ho: After debuting, there are constantly cameras on us. You monitor what you do through a screen. As a trainee, I didn’t have that, and now, I can see way more of what I am doing, what I lack, and what I need to improve. It’s hard to say that it’s something I find difficult, but if I had to pick a challenge, it would be that.
What inspires you or brings you strength to get through the challenging moments?
Ian: If you go on the second floor of our building, you’ll see one of the first place prizes Astro received. That is a motivation in itself. We want to be first, we want to be the top group. Naturally, you want to be the best.
Chael: One of the biggest motivations is our fans. When we’re tired after practice, I think of all of the people that are waiting for us and expecting our work. That makes me pick myself up and start dancing again.
Any moments that have surprised you since debuting?
Takuma: We had our first performance before debuting at Lotte World. I was concerned whether or not people were even going to be there to see us. When we came up onstage, there was this screen, and once the screen opened, we could see so many people, and they were all cheering for us. That was a delightful surprise.
Eun Seop: For me, it would be AAA (Asia Artist Awards). There were a lot of fans there, and there were a lot of artists there that we admire, so to be partaking in this event together was a very good surprise.
What has been your favorite or most happy moment since debuting?
Jun Woo: We do a lot of music shows, and one of them was pre-recorded, and a lot of our fans came. While onstage, we would also be talking with and communicating with our fans. That was quite a cool experience, because when we were trainees, we would see all these videos of artists doing the same. So to be able to have that ourselves was exhilarating.
Ian: At AAA, we received the Focus Award, and when we were up onstage accepting it, I felt that this was a really big deal, because of our fans. I felt it so deep in my heart, and had so much gratitude for them.
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What advice have you received from your seniors that has been helpful or memorable?
Jin Su: When our seniors, such as (Astro’s) Jinjin would monitor us, they would provide a lot of feedback. I, especially, would focus on dancing, and our seniors would tell us that you also have to focus on your emotion, and the way that you express yourself.
Jun Woo: When we were working on our special performance for the award show, Weki Meki’s Yoojung checked on our work a lot, and actually advised us that we had to focus on our lines and angles, to have a better performance. She would often come and give us words of encouragement, and I carry those memories with me.
At what moment did you realize that you wanted to be artists/idols?
Takuma: My mom is an Army (BTS fan), and when I was in middle school, I went with her to a BTS concert. I saw this amazing performance, and I wanted to dance and sing like them, but I also felt that I, too, wanted to be able to move people like their performance moved me.
Chael: I saw EXO’s ‘Mama’ stage, and thought, this is what an idol is, this is a celebrity. From that moment, I wanted to be an idol. Even just by watching their dance, they captivate people, and make you feel so much emotion through dance, and that’s what I liked about it.
Tell us a bit about your latest album, ‘Buff’.
Ji Eun Ho: The idea of our album is that if we come together, we can dream and achieve anything. I really do feel that. Even if I’m tired, when the eight of us are dancing together, I really feel this raw energy from our synergy. So, in that way, the title Buff is quite fitting.
Do Hyun: We have a song called ‘Pastel’ on this album. Normally LUN8’s style is very bright, breezy, fresh, and this song has a very different style. It’s something else that people can really look forward to.
Which song on ‘Buff’ stands out most to you?
Ji Eun Ho: For me, it’s ‘Got That Rizz’. It really reflects me well as a person. Rizz is to flirt, and that word is just me. Rizz is me. I am rizz. (The group applauds)
Jun Woo: ‘Now’. This song is about not hiding emotions, and just expressing them. This pure transparency and directness, no frills, just saying how you feel really is LUN8 in some ways.
What was the process like for all of you while you have been preparing for your first comeback? What thoughts and feelings do you have?
Jin Su: I feel that we’ve improved a lot since our first album. After our debut, we’ve monitored a lot of our work, and thought of ways to improve. One thing was thinking more deeply about how to express ourselves. We thought on this and tackled the problem together, and I think that was a very significant part of this process.
Jun Woo: During the recording of ‘Super Power’, there is a part where we all sing together during the chorus. We spent all of this time together at the studio, going into the recording booth 4-5 people at a time, and we couldn’t stop laughing at each other.
Because the message of Buff involves gaining the power to achieve anything – what do you hope to achieve?
Jin Su: During our first album, because it was our debut, we had a certain nervousness and tension that didn’t allow us to fully enjoy the stage. This time, I want to enjoy the stage, and I want to be known as a group that enjoys the stage.
Though this is only your first comeback and you are still developing your artistic style and sound – when people think of LUN8, what kind of artist do you want to be in listeners’ minds?
Chael: As we keep having comebacks and moving forward, we want to be known as a group that keeps upgrading ourselves.
Do Hyun: Since we’re trying a variety of concepts and styles, I want to be the group that makes people think, oh, LUN8 also has this style?
What would you like for those reading this to know about LUN8?
Ian: Lun8’s visuals. Physical. I want the whole world to know.
Jun Woo: You may not know our group, but I hope people can listen to our music and find happiness in their everyday life. That’s what our music is about.
Jin Su: Our goal, what we want to be known as, is a group that energises people.
Do Hyun: The filming of ‘Super Power’s music video was the same time as Eun Ho’s high school graduation, and unfortunately he didn’t get to attend his graduation. But I want to emphasise that that is the dedication and work we put into our music, so I hope people can check us out.
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Words: Ciara Glagola // @ciaraglagola