Following the successful return of 82MAJOR with their first official comeback, ‘BEAT by 82’, One Seoul caught up with the six members – Seongil, Yechan, Seongmo, Seongbin, Seokjoon, and Dogyun. In an exclusive interview, the group talks about their new mini-album, their creative process, and what the future holds for them.
A Comeback to Remember
The members shared how they felt about their official comeback. Seongbin expressed his delight, saying, “I was excited and prepared to show a new side of us to our fans, 82DE”. He also expressed his hopes for everyone to enjoy the stages and music they have prepared, adding that he wanted to show the group’s growth to their fans.
Yechan echoed this sentiment, noting that the members all worked hard and were eager to show what they had prepared to everyone. He was thrilled to meet their fans in person for the comeback and joked that he had a “hunch” (‘Choke’ in Korean) that BEAT by 82 would be a hit.
The group also shared memorable moments from their comeback preparations. Seongbin revealed that the members had fun teasing each other by saying “Choke Choke Choke”. Seokjoon added that director Woogie Kim even joined in, performing the “Choke” chorus choreography while on set. The staff from their performances and variety shows often started to dance and sing “Choke” as well. The group was happy to see everyone enjoying the song, making these moments very memorable.
Personal Favorites
BEAT by 82 showcases several tracks, with three songs singled out by the members as their favorites. Seongbin and Seongil both chose “Illegal”, emphasizing its significance as they were deeply involved in its creative process. They hold a special attachment to the song as it marks the start of 82MAJOR. Seongil also expressed his desire to film a performance video for Illegal featuring all six members in the future. The song was reworked into a six-member version following Yechan joining the group.
Meanwhile, Dogyun and Seokjoon opted for Birthday as their favorite track. Dogyun mentioned that the song’s rhythm complements his vocals perfectly, while Seokjoon remarked that the vibes of the song uplift his mood. They also added that Birthday is the type of song you can enjoy anytime, anywhere, with its cute choreography.
Lastly, Yechan and Seongmo selected Choke. Yechan emphasized how the song captures the group’s confidence and charisma. Seongmo shared that the song holds a special place in his heart because he put a lot of effort into performing the final chorus, and he feels that it turned out satisfyingly well.
Creative Process
82MAJOR have all actively participated in the songwriting process for BEAT by 82. Discussing their work for their recent mini album, Seongbin mentioned that for Illegal, they thought a lot on the harmonizing of the members’ vocals and raps. He added that “since it was a track we worked on before debut, and our fans really wanted it to be officially released, we refined it happily.” Seongil also discussed their hands-on approach to the choreography of the song, revealing that the members themselves have contributed to crafting the dance routines for the songs, adding a deeper level of significance to their performances.
When questioned about their sources of inspiration, Seongmo explains that he draws inspiration from the diverse range of music he listens to, while Seongbin Finds inspiration from the musical opinions of the members. He reveals, “when working on songs, we provide feedback and deliberate together, and this collaborative process often sparks new inspiration.”
Achievements and Future Plans
The group also acknowledged the significant increase in first-week sales for ‘BEAT by 82’ compared to their debut album. Seongil expressed his gratitude, stating, “We feel the love from 82DE, and we’re determined to repay that love with even better performances. We prepared various looks and styles for this album, and I hope fans will enjoy watching us evolve.”
When discussing their future plans, Seongbin expressed his desire to explore a broader range of musical and stylistic concepts, including the possibility of experimenting with a more mature concept. Additionally, apart from their scheduled WATERBOMB events in Hong Kong, Dubai, and Seoul, Dogyun revealed that the group is in the process of planning a global tour slated for the second half of the year.
82MAJOR’s successful return with ‘BEAT by 82’ marks a significant milestone in their artistic journey. As the group continues to captivate audiences with their talent and passion, fans can eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the group’s future.
