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When you consider influential teams in Ok-Pop, it’s inconceivable to not talk about Dice Leisure’s juggernaut group BTOB. Debuting again in 2012, the group (at present comprised of 4, with two members serving within the army) BTOB has managed to cowl a variety of territory of their time collectively, however we’re hopeful that this lighting in a bottle group has an opportunity to remain united for years to return.
We’ve seen the expertise of BTOB shine by their elaborate discography, roles as model ambassadors, a number of actuality collection, award wins, and even by their respect for philanthropy – as a result of BTOB understands that flexibility and longevity have a symbiotic relationship. Their intensive accomplishments have resulted in numerous profession alternatives for the members as properly, with their assured spot on the collection KINGDOM to curate Ok-Pop greatness. On KINGDOM, BTOB competed amongst a number of the most profitable present teams in Ok-Pop, exhibiting week after week that they’ve expertise that holds up almost a decade since debuting. Via the rigorous performances and work required from the group throughout KINGDOM, it ignited one other period – main us to the group’s new comeback EP, 4U: OUTSIDE.
With the 4 members of the sub-unit again to characterize BTOB as an entire, we get to see that the artistic strategy of the group transcends folks’s expectations – as a result of with age comes the irreplaceable present of expertise. On their new EP, the group steps up their sub-unit course of, navigating a sophomore launch and introduce a sound that’s nostalgic-driven, but mature and forward-thinking upon completion. The lead single “Outsider” entails a dabble of funk/jazz with hint parts of powerhouse vocals, which is fully congruent with all the thematic visuals from the music video.
Simply as BTOB was approaching the 4U: OUTSIDE launch date, we had the pleasure of talking with the 4 gifted gents behind the group’s present lineup – getting their tackle this explicit sub-unit sound, reuniting all the group, and what to anticipate from BTOB transferring ahead.
Welcome again! This marks your first return since KINGDOM, which was unbelievable to look at! What would you say has modified about BTOB for the reason that program wrapped?
EUNKWANG: I realized quite a bit from the opposite artists. Traits all the time change all over the place, and with each technology. As we realized performances that we haven’t skilled earlier than, our general efficiency was much more enhanced and we selected to problem ourselves with numerous genres.
MINHYUK: It gave us a brand new motivation for BTOB and made us not be afraid of recent challenges. I’m now ready to have a look at issues from a wider perspective.
CHANGSUB: Via KINGDOM, I skilled a variety of new issues and I realized quite a bit from the opposite artists. I feel I can now strive a greater number of genres.
PENIEL: General, I feel we now have gained extra confidence. Once we have been first requested to be on KINGDOM, we have been very hesitant as a result of the opposite teams on the present have been very performance-based teams. After the primary episode aired, we noticed not solely the followers’ reactions but in addition the response of most people and the love we have been receiving. I feel we gained extra confidence that we are able to simply do what we do the very best.
Together with your new music, the 4 of you might have develop into fairly accustomed to performing as a outstanding unit – what has been one of the noticeable alterations to the group’s sound, or power together with your fellow members at present serving within the army?
EUNKWANG: Because the energy of HYUNSIK and SUNGJAE’s voice and power was very sturdy, the power of the 4 of us could seem a bit smaller. Nonetheless, we have been in a position to strive filling within the empty spots with performances and take a look at new issues. However in fact, BTOB is finest after we’re all collectively.
MINHYUK: The need to make good music stays the identical whatever the variety of our members. That’s the reason our group power appears completely different slightly than music-wise. I assume we grew to become calmer than earlier than!
CHANGSUB: Musically, nothing has modified as a result of we’re all the time presenting BTOB-like music that solely BTOB can do.
PENIEL: I don’t assume there have been any main adjustments. Whether or not it’s a subunit or our full group efficiency, we all the time simply need to launch good music for everybody.
You’ve been performing since 2012, so that you clearly are a number of the extra skilled, energetic performers within the business! What would you say has developed about your music through the years?
EUNKWANG: I might say “Outsider” itself is a brand new aspect and a problem for BTOB. The issues that we realized by KINGDOM, the music genres, and performances are all new and distinctive sides of BTOB.
MINHYUK: I imagine every of us and the group has improved music-wise. We eagerly put out our efforts to do higher, and that’s why we’re in a position to make upgraded good high quality music.
CHANGSUB: Every of our members is progressing ahead and making an attempt their finest. Via our title observe “Outsider”, which is a brand new problem for us, we’ll be capable to showcase extra numerous sides of us.
PENIEL: We’ve undoubtedly develop into extra comfy and I feel that may solely include time and expertise. We’re additionally in a position to fill our album with our self-written songs, so naturally, it fits us higher.
Regarding the new music, if you began to work on 4U: OUTSIDE what have been a number of the types or genres you hoped to include on the album?
EUNKWANG: We needed to include a contemporary vibe all through the album. As you’ll know if you take heed to it, we stuffed our album with new, however BTOB-like songs.
MINHYUK: I needed to precise a deep however relaxed ambiance. I’m within the Tenth yr of my profession and but I nonetheless discover it difficult.
CHANGSUB: We needed to indicate the completely different sides of us, and also you’ll be capable to really feel them together with your coronary heart if you take heed to the songs on our album.
PENIEL: Personally, I needed to strive a hip-hop observe since that’s what I primarily take heed to. I’d like to present it a strive if we’re given the possibility sooner or later. For now, BTOB is simply targeted on making good music no matter style.
With reference to “Outsider”, how would you conceptually introduce this title observe for listeners?
EUNKWANG: This observe is devoted to the individuals who really feel drained and weary from repetitive every day life. You’re all particular. You’re an “Outsider” who’s completely different and particular from others similar to what the lyrics say.
MINHYUK: I needed to present just a little wit to those that are bored with their every day repetitive lives. We’re all very weak, however on the identical time, we’re sturdy sufficient to get by it. It’s all as much as us!
CHANGSUB: It’s a tune that may cheer folks up and can be a consolation generally. Good luck, everybody!
PENIEL: It’s undoubtedly a style that we haven’t tried earlier than, however if you happen to take heed to it, it seems like our tune. We hope that lots of people could be comforted by the lyrics because it talks about not being the identical as everybody and discovering your individual path.
What do you assume followers will probably be most stunned to find about BTOB by your new music?
EUNKWANG: It’s really our first time to have a dance break in a tune. They’ll be stunned to see the brand new efficiency of BTOB since we obtained a variety of love for ballads.
MINHYUK: Till now, BTOB’s choreographies have been well-synchronized as a result of they have been slightly succinct. This time, you’ll be amazed by our refined but synchronized choreography. A very synchronized choreography per se.
CHANGSUB: Our followers will probably be surprised once they watch our efficiency. We’ll present you our synchronized dance strikes.
PENIEL: We’ve all the time tried a wide range of genres and I feel we’ve pulled them off properly, so we’ll simply show to them as soon as once more that we’re not restricted to at least one sure fashion.
Are there any songs on the album that felt like they required (any of you, or as a gaggle) to return out of your consolation zone, or was this a really pure physique of labor for BTOB?
EUNKWANG: I felt a mixture of each. HYUNSIK’s “Ready 4 U” and MINHYUK’s “Finale (Present And Show)” are each BTOB-style songs that really feel acquainted, however the remainder of the tracks really feel considerably contemporary and new. “Traveler” particularly was a brand new method by way of each style and singing fashion.
MINHYUK: “Finale (Present And Show)”, the final observe which we premiered on KINGDOM, was actually a problem. It made me each shrug and nod repeatedly. The method of mixing the genres you possibly can’t simply discover in pop music in a pop-friendly manner and in BTOB-style was powerful, however finally, I made it work and I’m pleased with it. It’s a masterpiece.
CHANGSUB: I feel “Outsider” and “Finale (Present And Show)” are songs outdoors of our consolation zone. Each performance-wise and choreography-wise, it was a brand new journey!
PENIEL: For me personally, “Traveler” made me come out of my consolation zone. I was a bit involved in the course of the recording session for the reason that notes have been fairly excessive basically, however fortunately it turned out properly.
In the event you have been going to every choose a member who particularly impressed you whereas engaged on 4U: OUTSIDE, who would you select?
EUNKWANG: MINHYUK. I already knew his raps have been nice, however I used to be stunned to see him even nail singing. And performance-wise, I used to be not nervous in any respect as a result of MINHYUK was there to steer the efficiency. Love you, MINHYUK!
MINHYUK: PENIEL. We went by the recording course of whereas we ready for the finale of KINGDOM, and I may really feel that his confidence stage has boosted. I’m completely satisfied to lastly let the world find out about PENIEL’s true skills.
CHANGSUB: EUNKWANG. We’ve recognized one another since we have been youngsters, however he seemed gorgeous after we tried his new coiffure!
PENIEL: MINHYUK. He’s gotten a number of songs tracked on our earlier albums, however his manufacturing has undoubtedly improved. 3 out of the 5 songs this time have been produced by him and one among them was even a runner-up for the title observe.
Everyone seems to be so excited that you just’ll be capable to reunite together with your enlisted members this fall! Have you considered what you hope to do collectively as soon as the group is formally reunited?
EUNKWANG: We’re very enthusiastic about it too. Now we have but to resolve what sort of music we are going to do, however I’m actually trying ahead to the music we are going to make collectively when the expertise the 4 of us constructed up throughout their enlistment mixed with their musicality. All of us are simply ready for that day.
MINHYUK: I want all of us could be on a actuality present or selection present. Actually, I felt form of jealous once I noticed the youthful teams having enjoyable with their teammates. We’re nonetheless extremely loud… However in fact, promotions are what I miss probably the most about our group! Can’t wait!
CHANGSUB: Clearly, I’ve been serious about our Tenth-anniversary live performance. By the point we now have our live performance, I hope we now have overcome the COVID scenario so we are able to trade our mics with our followers and benefit from the second with them.
PENIEL: Not too lengthy after the remaining members’ discharge, it is going to be our Tenth yr anniversary since debut. I hope we are able to do a live performance that the followers are in a position to really attend as an alternative of watching by a display.
Your followers have actually rallied through the years and helped you accomplish some huge milestones – what would you every say that you just hope to attain collectively subsequent?
EUNKWANG: I thank our followers MELODY from the underside of my coronary heart. I imagine what we should always do in return is for BTOB to remain by their aspect and sing for them till the tip. Let’s keep collectively perpetually, BTOB and MELODY!
MINHYUK: Our Tenth anniversary is approaching, and I’m positive we are going to accomplish milestones of 15, 20 years if we hold our efforts going collectively! And to make that potential, all of us should keep wholesome!
CHANGSUB: My want is for us to proceed making nice music, receiving love for them, and giving folks our hand by our music. Via our Tenth, twentieth, and extra anniversaries to return, I hope we could be artists that may deliver folks’s hearts along with our music. And I need to give again to our followers by singing along with HYUNSIK and SUNGJAE too!
PENIEL: Our aim has all the time been to simply launch good music. I don’t have a sure accomplishment that I’d like to attain, I simply hope that we are able to keep collectively as a gaggle and hold working collectively for a very long time.
Ensure that to stream BTOB’s new EP, 4U: OUTSIDE now, and the music video for “Outsider” is included above!