Meet ALL(H)OURS: The Making of WITNESS
It hasn't been a full seven months since ALL(H)OURS burst onto the scene, but in that time, the group has proven they are ones to watch. The seven members—Kunho, Youmin, Xayden, Minje, Masami, Hyunbin, and ON:N—debuted on January 10 with their album ALL OURS and have kept fans eagerly anticipating their next move. On July 2, they exceeded expectations with the release of their WITNESS EP.
The Kraze had the amazing opportunity to catch up with the group to discuss their creative process, growth, and future projects. Keep reading to hear what the guys had to say for themselves.
*Q: Why did you choose “Witness” as your follow-up mini-album?
ON:N:The album WITNESS is named to signify that you'll be able to witness our growth and potential. Our debut album conveyed our beginnings as rookies and our ambition for the future. In contrast, this album showcases our vigor in a more raw and powerful way.
Q: The mini-album showcases a diverse blend of sounds and genres, highlighting ALL(H)OURS’s musical versatility. Which track or genre did you enjoy working on or performing the most?
O: For me, preparing the title track "SHOCK" was the most fun. We challenged ourselves with a new genre called Drift Phonk, rooted from the EDM scene. Exploring and researching this genre was exciting. Creating a performance for the song involved a lot of discussion about how to pull it off, making the entire process very interesting. When we perform on stage, the EDM elements allow us to truly enjoy it.
Xayden: For me, preparing the song "Blah Blah '' was a lot of fun. I have mixed feelings about this song because Hyunbin and I faced quite a few challenges while writing the rap part for the second verse. It was our first time working on the rap part, and we wanted to showcase our skills within a very short time frame—just 10 seconds. Despite the difficulty, the process of making a rap part that I truly enjoy and cherish was very fun.
*Q: Is there a reason you went with such an uptempo song to promote this comeback?
Youmin: For this comeback, we wanted to showcase our full potential and ambition. We decided that the best way to convey this to the public was through a song that excites and resonates with listeners.
Q: What has been the biggest difference this time around preparing for your comeback instead of debut, beyond showcasing a new color and discovering a new sound?
XD: For our debut, we focused on showcasing the songs and dances we had practiced so far. With our second album, based on our prior experience, we learned the importance of even the smallest facial expressions on stage. We paid attention to how we would be portrayed through the lens of the camera and made sure not to show our fatigue while performing strenuous choreography. I think these are areas where we've grown.
YM: I personally think that to pull off the song "SHOCK," a certain level of muscle mass was needed. So all the members worked out diligently not only to lose weight but also to build physical strength and power.
*Q: Looking ahead, what is the next milestone that you individually want to achieve?
Masami: As I'm Japanese, I'd like to perform in my hometown. I want to perform at a large venue like Tokyo Dome and show my parents our stage. I want to make them proud.
Minje: I also want to go on a world tour. I understand that the way people cheer varies by country, and I want to experience that in person.
O: As for me, I'd like to win first place on a music show. When we appear on music shows and see other senior artists win, I imagine what it would feel like if we received the award. I know it would be a great honor. Additionally, the “Rookie of the Year” award is something you can only receive once in your career, so it is a milestone I'd like to achieve.
It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with the group and learn more about them. Thank you to ALL(H)OURS and Helix Publicity for giving us the opportunity to speak with the members. Make sure to check out WITNESS when you get the chance!
*Question from another outlet