Take a Break and Chat with LUCY!
After their song “Jogging” went viral on stan Twitter, it was only a matter of time before everyone was asking “Who’s LUCY?” This four-member band made their debut after being the runner up on the JTBC show SuperBand in 2019. What sets them apart from other groups like DAY6 and ONEWE is the unique addition of the violin as a prominent instrument in their music. We had the opportunity to chat with LUCY and learn a bit more about these rising stars.
Q: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. Please introduce yourself to our readers who may be meeting you for the first time.
Hi! We’re LUCY! A four-member band made up of Shin Yechan, Choi Sangyeop, Cho Wonsang, and Shin Gwangil.
Q: What are your roles within the group?
Yechan: I'm the LUCY leader and I play the violin.
Wonsang: I produce LUCY’s music, and I play bass.
Sangyeop: I'm the main vocalist of LUCY.
Gwangil: I'm the vocalist and drummer of LUCY.
Q: LUCY was the 2019 runner-up on the JTBC show SuperBand. What was everyone’s first impression of the other members?
LUCY: From the first time we met, we’ve been doing well just like high school friends.
Q: You debuted with the single album Dear. One of the songs, “Flowering,'' has two music videos. One is the regular music video and the other is the sign language version. What was the idea behind making the sign language version?
S: “Flowering” is a song that conveys warmth through messages of comfort and support, so we learned it hoping that “Flowering” will reach a wider audience through sign language.
Q: Your most popular song on YouTube is “Jogging” with over 1 million views! What was the inspiration behind the song and the music video concept?
W: In a cartoon I’ve seen in the past, the main character had a hectic start to their day. From that, I associated the scene to LUCY because we’re also living a busy life. I had fun creating the melody, and I hoped to give the energy to many hardworking individuals out there.
S: In the music video of "Jogging," astronauts, chickens, bears, giraffes, and many other animals appear. The interpretation depends on the viewer, but the conclusion is “We Run!” Run in any environment!
Q: LUCY is unique among K-Bands because of the addition of the violin. How do you think having a violinist makes your music stand out from other popular bands?
Y: The violin is as powerful as an electronic guitar, but it can still express itself more delicately and emotionally.
Q: Yechan, when did you begin playing the violin? Why did you choose violin over other instruments?
Y: When I was 10 years old, I followed my mother, who was a minor violin major, and started playing the violin at the recommendation of a teacher there. I learned how to tune the violin by myself.
Q: Sangyeob, you had originally gone to university for engineering. What type of engineering was it? What made you want to change career paths?
S: I majored in applied chemical engineering. I decided to start music because I was confident that I could do it well. I felt like I would regret it if I didn’t do music.
Q: Wonsang, as the group's producer, many of your arrangements have been acknowledged by the original singers. How do you feel when your skills as a producer are praised?
W: I couldn’t believe [it], and still I can’t believe [it]. If God showed up in front of me, I think it’s the same feeling. Recently, I did an Instagram live broadcast, and I was surprised when Tennyson, the original composer of "Cry Bird," came in and commented. I think I realized it then.
Q: Gwangil, your position within the team is drummer, but you are also able to play the guitar. What made you choose to play drums over guitar?
G: I want to fill out a band with special sounds. I think the drum was a key to making various sounds. So I decided to play the drums.
Q: You have released a lot of song covers in between original music. What is each member’s favorite cover?
Q: Most recently you collaborated with DAY6’s Young K on a cover of “Maniac.” How was the experience? Were you nervous to work with a well-known senior K-Band member?
Y: I was so nervous but he made me feel comfortable. I was glad that fans liked the combination of the two bands. It was really fun.
Q: Who are some other artists you would like to collaborate with?
Y: Sunwoojunga
S: Ed Sheeran
W: Wonstein (a rapper who appears on Season 9 of Show Me The Money)
G: CNBLUE
Q: Your latest release was a single album titled Snooze featuring two tracks. Could you tell us a bit about each track and the story behind them?
W: “Snooze” is a song about those living a busy city life hoping to live without forgetting their childhood innocence and “Farther and Farther” is a song that expresses sorrow over time.
Q: A fan of your group has mentioned that your music would fit well for an OST. Which song would you pick for an OST?
L: “Intro” from the first single album Flowering seems fit as a theme song of an animation.
Q: All of your members play instruments. What helps you stay motivated to practice?
Y: A sense of responsibility that comes from playing the band’s lead instrument. Also, studying and exploring violin sounds that match band music is a must because I’ve majored in classical music.
S: I have no choice but to practice as the range of genres that I’m challenging myself to explore is getting wider.
W: I get motivated to practice from watching videos of amazing bass players/bass playing musicians.
K: Our producer is making music that’s harder and complex, so we have no choice but to practice. (laughs)
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
Y: I hope you pursue music because you like music, and even if you don’t like music, I hope you continue until you end up liking music.
S: There are so many people who are good at music. But I hope you can do something that will bring out your own unique color.
W: If you really want to do music, I hope you do it to the end.
G: Practice, practice, practice.
Q: Now that you have debuted, what advice do you have for your pre-debut selves?
S: Embracing the gratitude for debut; don’t lose any precious opportunities that come to you.
Q: What is your favorite song that you have released?
Y: “Farther and Farther”
S: “Flowering”
W: “Missing Call”
G: “Watermelon”
Q: Who is a senior artist you look up to and why?
Y: I look up to the violinist Kang Echae. I want to emulate her artistic atmosphere.
S: I fell in love with Sunwoojunga’s music. You can feel the aura of the artist when watching a video of their live performance. I have the thought that I want to sing like her.
W: Damons Year because their lyrics really touch my heart.
G: CNBLUE was a senior band that I’ve always liked, and I greeted them for the first time at a music show. I was thankful that they have been seeing our music in a positive light and encouraged us to work hard together. If we have the chance, I wish to work with them.
Q: Currently fans refer to themselves as WalWals. Any plans for an official fandom name coming up?
L: “Walwal” is a nickname, and the official fandom name has not been set yet.
Q: Senior K-Band groups like N.Flying and Day6 have come out with cheering lights for their fans. If LUCY had a cheering light what would it look like?
L: How about bone-shaped dog gum that reminds us of the nickname “Walwal?”
Q: As we are closing in on the end of 2020, what should fans look forward to in 2021?
L: We've released an album for this spring, summer, and autumn season, and we think we can show you our winter album early next year. If the pandemic ends and offline concerts become possible again, we would like to meet many fans through overseas tours.
Q: Any last thoughts for your fans?
L: Like family, our fans have “trust.” We really want to say thank you for giving us faith, supporting us everyday through your letters, and giving us a lot of strength. We love you. We miss you.
You can find LUCY at any of the social media links below and check out their recent release “Snooze.”
Special thanks to our team translator Julia for helping out with this interview!