YOUNITE
The group YOUNITE of BRAND NEW MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT goes to meet journalists during a privileged interview in Seoul, where KSTATION TV is invited.
Composed of members EUNHO, EUNSANG, STEVE, HYUNGSEOK, WOONO, DEY, KYUNGMUN and SION, the group debuted on April 20, 2022 with a first EP entitled «YOUNI-BIRTH», supported by the song title «1 of 9». The name of the group is a combination of “you” and “unite”, proving the group’s desire to be close and united with its fans. The interview is now focused on their seventh album «YOUNI-T» which is a pun with the word «unity». This is an opportunity to show their fans once again the charm of each member, especially since it’s the first time since their beginnings that they make songs in sub-units.
The title song for this comeback is «Rock steady», a hip-hop title that speaks of deep emotions felt by the group, a title with retro sounds to bring a more powerful mood to this album and this comeback. Other tracks included are “Amie song”, “Gasoline”, “Who’s next”, “Twilight rush”, “Miracle day”, and “Good to go”, “Who’s next” being the sub-unit song of HYUNSEOK, DEY and KYUNGMUN, “Twilight rush” by EUNHO and STEVE, and “Miracle day” of EUNSANG, WOONO and SION. All songs have a personal touch of the members, who participated in the composition of the titles. “Gasoline” was also composed by DAEHWI of the group AB6IX, from the same agency.
The interview begins with listening to the new song “Rock steady“, dynamic and highlighting the talent of each boy, encouraging people to join them to dance with them, on original and retro sounds, promised by the concept of this album. Listening to the song, some reporters seem enthusiastic, shaking their heads in rhythm with the melody. The group then enters the room, takes place alongside the journalists and introduce themselves individually to begin the question-and-answer session. A year has passed since an album of this type, making them all very excited to make this comeback. They are especially eager to share the sub-units with fans, a risk for them as each member has been involved in writing these songs.
The first time they listened to the title song, they recognized immediately the characteristics of the agency BRAND NEW MUSIC and were happy to come back with a title always in the hip-hop vibe that defines their musical identity. As a rapper, it is also important for some, like EUNHO to be involved in the creative process of the comeback. It is also a visual return to the roots for the latter, who has black hair again since three years, when he debuted. The fans are very happy with this choice, especially since he admits that his hair was very damaged by having colored them. The group defines itself as a group that can touch both hip-hop, walking, or pop, and the plurality of styles in this album should appeal to fans, or anyone looking to discover the group.
« It is a unique album, which touches on many different styles and represents the personality of each member» — EUNSANG
The energy that this album carries is a way for them to share their charm and talent, and make their fans feel different emotions, hoping that they will enjoy listening to their new songs. The training period between albums is something that for them is not necessarily difficult, getting used to it, and on the contrary their reminder oh how grateful they can be to continue to release albums and persist in the music industry. As singers, they receive a lot of support and love from their fans, but also from the agency and their boss who regularly expresses his pride for the group. This weekend, they held a concert called «YOUNIVERSE: CONNECTED», and seeing their fans brought them a lot of strength.
EUNSANG and EUNHO quickly become the «leaders» of this interview, being also the leaders of the group, answering with great precision to the majority of questions that are asked by the press. Through this new album, it is also an opportunity to rehabilitate old musical genres and in dance, especially the tektonik that has fallen into oblivion for years. During their break while preparing this album, the members took care of themselves and their appearance, some did swimming like DEY to stay in shape. Even if they are young, they want to look experienced and well established in the hip-hop world. In the world we live in, it is not necessarily easy to impose yourself on the musical sphere, and YOUNITE hopes to make a mark with its music in one way or another.
During a live YouTube held by the agency a few months ago, the boss expressed his desire to create many opportunities for the group to export in Korea and the world, through different occasions. SION says that the agency and the group’s desire is to live without regret, and this year they want to test all kinds of projects that seem interesting and relevant. Addressing their involvement with foreign fans, having a foreign member among them themselves (STEVE is American), they say they do their best to communicate with the fans, and make them understand that YOUNITE loves them, discussing in Korean, but also in Japanese for example, or trying to memorize some words when they go abroad perform, so that the fans note their communication efforts.
By participating in programs for example, it is also the opportunity to show who are the members of the group, and thus discover their music and style through different processes. Addressing the song “Gasoline” composed and written by DAEHWI, EUNHO states that their elder has always wanted to help them in their careers and compose songs for them, and so they are very grateful to have been able to participate in this project together with him, underlining their appreciation of the title. Meeting DAEHWI and talking with him to best personalize the song was very beneficial for the group, but the boys are sure to point out that all the songs on their album are excellent.
« Thanks to the fans, we get a lot of strength that allows us to work harder » — DEY
The concert they held this weekend showed their loved ones the result of their hard work. Especially for the foreign member, it was very rewarding to have his family present, STEVE noting that his uncle, aunt and many other international fans were there, proving the impact of the group not only in Korea but also around the world. For this concert, many performances have been prepared to show all the involvement of the group, and the time of two hours and a half, they hope to have shown the love they have for their fans. On the 20th, for example, a fan said that he had not hesitated to walk for ten hours to meet the group, saying that «it was worth it», having touched the boys.
YOUNITE recommends the title track “Rock steady” to start listening to the album, encouraging fans to dance with them and have fun, giving it the adjective “refreshing”. On many occasions, they express their hard work, in order to prove their passion for the job of being an idol. They also return to the set of the show «ROAD TO KINGDOM» which opposed several popular male groups, WOONO addressing the preparation above all fun and meaningful for the group, which left each member many good memories. They were obviously worried a few times about the performances they had planned, but seeing the result and the reaction of their relatives and fans, it was a relief.
In addition, a member left the group last year, HYUNSEUNG and it was a complicated period for the boys who did not know at that time how the group would evolve. But they did not let themselves down, and with the support of the agency were able to make comebacks and activities, having strengthened their bond. They have had to redouble their efforts to make up for the absence of HYUNSEUNG and after almost a year since his absence, they consider that the group is again as before, united and in symbiosis. KYHUNGMUN then approached his dream, stating that he wanted to become a person, an artist, who brings hope to other people willing to go into the music industry, and become their model. The others acquiesced, becoming a beloved and respected artist seeming to be everyone’s goal, as well as a group known for its plurality of style and talent.
In each of their albums, we can find special titles that deviate from their hip-hop trajectory, so that anyone can identify or like at least one of their songs. Even though some members are different in style and image within the group, hip-hop is a concept that brings them together, where they thrive together as a group. It is therefore a genre that best suits them. Returning to the songs in sub-unity, initially it was the agency that suggested they write lyrics. So they focused their writing on the “화”, originally representing a flower, but also love, in order to reach more people, because it is a universal feeling. What was also important for them was to sing what they wanted to talk about, and in a style that gives them confidence, even if it’s not hip-hop. It is thus retained that «YOUNI-BIRTH» is a personal and representative album of the members.
« Gradually we would like to become more sexy » — EUNSANG
«Miracle day» is a title written and composed by EUNSANG who wanted to tell the youth, his point of view growing up in this society. But it’s back to the concert, YOUNITE being deeply grateful to all the people who came, having made sure to make eye contact with the fans and saying to themselves “I hope they are healthy, and that everything is going well for them”. In the future, the group would like to try out a more mature and sexy genre, such as the song “Gasoline”, a title that was potentially going to be selected to be the title song of the album, but instead prioritizing a festive title. SION believes that they should try out any type of musical style to know what they like to do and define their musical footprint gradually over the course of the comebacks. HYUNGSEOK selects itself as the sexiest member currently in the group, and that trust is earned over the years on stage.
Through sites such as “UNIVERSE” they regularly reach out to fans, but if given the opportunity, SION would like the group to appear in shows related to cooking, being a popular theme in Korea. It would be an opportunity for fans to discover the group in its intimacy. One day, if they have the opportunity too, go abroad to perform in countries never before visited, such as the United States, selected by WOONO, where there are a lot of fans, and also being a country that seems “cool” to him through social networks.
Concluding the interview, the members send a message to the fans, their most faithful support, continuing to highlight their desire to meet them and never disappoint them.
Our reporter’s words: “There is a lot of passion coming from these young men, congratulations on this comeback!”
Journalist: Pillet Anaïs
Translator: Pillet Anaïs
Photos: BRAND NEW MUSIC
Source: KSTATION TV
