Interview: BANG YONGGUK Reflects On Recent Tour and Comeback
2024 is surely shaping out to be an eventful year for BANG YONGGUK! Recently wrapping up the U.S leg of his latest tour III, BANG YONGGUK took the time to reflect on his latest album and tour in an interview with The Kraze. Check out what he had to say below:
Q: Congratulations on another release of a new album! Could you please tell us more about your latest album, 3?
A: This EP was inspired a lot by the last world tour. I wanted to enjoy the concert with a wider audience. So I tried new genres or tempos that I've never tried.
Q2: Your latest album features more upbeat, funky-dance type of songs such as “BAD” and “MOVIMIENTO.” What was the process behind choosing such songs for this album?
A: This album is meaningful in that I challenged the genre and tempo that I did not like before. I tried to get out of the existing BANG YONGGUK's music. By trying things that I didn't like, I was able to understand the genre characteristics of various music and study to change them to suit my style. I also feel that music has no end to learning.
Q: What do you hope listeners get to take away from this album that is different from your previous album, 2?
A: BANG YONGGUKk's musical range has broadened to encompass more diverse genres. ‘2’, the previous EP and ‘3’, the latest EP are so varied and interconnected that they could be developed into a full album through collaboration. I believe my music has transformed from a surrealistic style to a more realistic one.
Q4: For this comeback, you’ve released music videos to all of your songs off the album, what are your favorite memories in getting to film? Were there any difficulties in filming?
A: The moments of preparing for the shoot by going to France ahead of the filming date and scouting the location in Nantes are still vivid in my memory. After finishing the location scouting, we would always have long meetings with the team to decide on the filming concepts. Sometimes, we would share our opinions and work on creating a piece of art together until the sun rose. Even though it was tough, those times made me feel alive.
Q: What was your biggest challenge in preparing for this tour and this album? How did you overcome these challenges, if any?
A: A tight schedule makes it more difficult to maintain my condition than I anticipated. During group activities, sharing the stage with the members allowed for a bit more physical leeway. However, filling the stage by myself for nearly two hours requires much more energy than I expected. But when I'm on stage, the passion from the fans gives me energy and helps me overcome these challenges.
Q: If you had to recommend your favorite song off your latest album, what would it be and why?
A: “MOVIMENTO.” The Euro garage genre is something I tried for the first time in my career. If people discover me through this music, my first full album might feel quite different. This contrast gives me a sense of accomplishment as I continue to create music through new challenges.
Q: If you could choose only five of your own songs to introduce yourself to new fans/listeners, what would they be?
A: “Journey,” “HIKIKOMORI,” “YA,” “UP,” and “BUSS IT DOWN”
Q: Last year, you got to embark on your first solo tour within the U.S. What are you looking forward to on this tour this time?
A: We performed our first live show with the new album 3 as the main setlist. The tour felt like a promotional event for the new album. When many fans sang along with the songs from the recently released album, I truly felt a lot of love.
Q: You have visited new places on this tour compared to last year, what have been your favorite parts of coming to these new cities?
A: Orlando was a fascinating city that I visited for the first time. In fact, I had hardly ever been to Florida for performances. There were so many passionate fans. The weather was also wonderful.
Q: What was one thing that you were able to do on this tour, that you weren’t able to last time?
A: I really enjoy American wine. During the last tour, I didn't get to drink much, but this time, I made an effort to try the wines I wanted to taste on my days off. I even wrote tasting notes. The difference between drinking American wine in Korea and drinking it locally was quite significant.
Q: As you are traveling while on tour, what is something that you must do your try when visiting?
A: On my off days, I absolutely have to go to the hotel gym. One way to maintain my condition is to rest and conserve energy without moving, but if I do that even on my off days, my body tends to feel sluggish. So, when I have a day off, I go to the gym and do some light exercise to keep my biorhythms and tempo in check.
Q: Do you have any pre-show preparation/rituals that you must do before going up on stage?
A: I drink an energy drink. I think it helps increase my alertness and warms up my body before going on stage. Of course, I limit myself to just one can. I have a habit of sipping it slowly from the time I arrive at the venue until the performance begins.
Q: What are you hoping that those who have come to see you on tour, can take away by seeing you on tour?
A: I hope my performance will be a great time for you to forget the stress and worries you have in your life. Sometimes I want you to feel the moments of recalling the past. And it would be wonderful for me if you could listen to my music again when you go home and remember the special moments of the performances once again. Wouldn't that be why I make music and perform on stage.
Q: Lastly, for your fans and those who are reading this interview, do you have any last words that you’d like to share and what can they look forward to from you in the future?
A: Fans who give me a special life: I always want to say that I love and respect you so much. Thanks to you, I'm still able to do music. I want to be an artist who develops so that I can repay you for your endless support. Please keep telling me your stories. Thank you.
On behalf of The Kraze, we would like to thank BANG YONGGUK, YY Entertainment and MyMusicTaste for the opportunity to interview BANG YONGGUK.