Indra Aziz
The name 82MAJOR itself is a potent declaration of intent, a carefully crafted moniker that signifies the group’s ambition to become a preeminent force in representing their cultural heritage on the world stage. The "82" is a direct and proud nod to South Korea’s country calling code, +82, grounding their global aspirations in their national identity. This foundational principle has underpinned their journey, leading to significant milestones that underscore their growing influence in the K-pop landscape.
A Strategic Leap Forward: The "Trophy" Era and Global Reach
Approximately six months prior to their latest endeavors, the sextet – comprising Seongmo, Seokjoon, Yechan, Seongil, Seongbin, and Dongyun – achieved a pivotal moment with the release of their fourth mini-album, "Trophy." This release marked a significant commercial breakthrough for the group, evidenced by its impressive sales figures, exceeding 100,000 copies within a mere five days of its launch. This success not only bolstered their domestic presence but also laid the groundwork for their subsequent international ventures.
Building on this momentum, 82MAJOR has recently embarked on a more ambitious trajectory. Fresh from a successful world tour that traversed numerous European cities – including major hubs like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Warsaw – the group sat down to discuss their latest release, "FEELM." This new mini-album, a portmanteau of "Feel" and "Film," signifies a deeper exploration of artistic expression and personal narrative. The discussion also delved into their identity as "self-produced idols," the impact of their extensive tour, their overarching ambitions, and a retrospective look at their evolving musical catalog.
The Genesis of "FEELM": A Deeper Dive into Artistic Expression
The creation of "FEELM" demanded a refined approach from the members, particularly in its meticulous production process. Seongil elaborated on the heightened level of dedication required: "While preparing this album, we put a lot of effort into it and practiced a lot during the preparation period to improve our skills. Since it’s an album with a new concept, we paid even more attention to it and worked on it very carefully." This meticulousness reflects a group committed to evolving their sound and presentation with each release.
Seongil further articulated the unique positioning of "FEELM" within their discography: "This album feels a bit different from ‘Trophy,’ so I’m curious about how people will react. I think not only our fans, but also the general public will really enjoy it." This sentiment suggests a calculated risk-taking approach, aiming to broaden their appeal beyond their dedicated fanbase.
The pressure accompanying such expectations is palpable, yet for Yechan, it has been transmuted into a source of strength: "Of course, it would be a lie to say there’s no pressure. But more than pressure, I feel like it’s given us confidence. Because after seeing the success of ‘Trophy,’ it feels like if we’ve done it once, we can do it again. I feel like this is also a period of change for us. That’s why we released ‘Trophy,’ and I think our next album will really show our growth – both in our artistry and our musicality." This self-assurance is a testament to their growth trajectory and their belief in their creative capabilities.
The evolution of 82MAJOR’s artistry is intrinsically woven into the fabric of "FEELM." Yechan emphasized this point, stating, "[If you listen to it], you can tell that we’ve put more effort into this album than before. It includes more of what we want to show and what we want to do musically. I was heavily involved in the production, and we also did a lot of the toplining and lyric writing ourselves. So this album really feels like it finally shows who we are – what we want to do and the kind of music we want to make." This hands-on approach to creation signifies a maturation of their artistic identity, moving towards a more authentic and self-directed expression.
Seongbin echoed this sentiment of collective ownership and artistic intent: "We all worked on it together. While preparing the album, we put in a lot of the music that we genuinely wanted to make. We’re preparing it with the hope that not only our fans, but also the general public, will enjoy it." The collaborative spirit within the group appears to be a key driver of their creative process, fostering an environment where diverse ideas can coalesce into a unified vision.
Despite the collaborative nature of their work, the members have cultivated a dynamic where creative differences are seen as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Seongbin noted, "I think we tend to accept a lot of different ideas. Especially with lyrics, we discuss things a lot together – with the members and with the producers – and work through them collaboratively." This open dialogue and willingness to integrate varied perspectives are crucial for a group deeply involved in self-production.
The Thrill of Release: Confidence Over Nerves
For a group so intimately involved in the creation of their music, the act of releasing it into the world might be expected to carry a significant burden of anxiety. However, Yechan refuted this notion, highlighting a consistent sense of excitement rather than trepidation. "I’ve never felt nervous putting music out," he stated. "If anything, I’m excited, and I’m also really curious as to how people are going to perceive our music and listen to our music. I’ve never once been nervous." This unshakeable confidence speaks volumes about their belief in their artistic output and their eagerness to connect with their audience.
Seongmo further underscored this feeling of pride stemming from their direct involvement: "Just the fact that we participated in the final product makes us feel more proud." This sense of ownership imbues their performances and releases with an undeniable authenticity.
Personal and Professional Growth: From Debut to World Stage
The pride that 82MAJOR derives from their creative endeavors extends to their personal development as artists. Reflecting on their journey since their debut in 2023, Seongbin shared insights into their evolving self-awareness: "I think I’ve learned a lot about myself – things I didn’t know before – from the fans, the producers, and the members." This introspection highlights the transformative power of their career experiences.
Seongmo observed a tangible shift in his mindset: "I think my mindset has become stronger compared to when I first debuted." This mental fortitude is crucial for navigating the demanding K-pop industry. Seokjoon pinpointed the most striking evidence of this growth on stage: "Sometimes, when I’m on stage, I see different sides of myself come out, and that surprises me." This discovery of latent potential during live performances indicates a profound artistic blossoming.
Yechan vividly contrasted their early career anxieties with their current stage presence: "I feel like at the start of our careers, it was more nerves fueling us. And, you know, more like, oh, let’s not mess up. Now, it’s more of like confidence, because we know that we’re going to do good. We practice this much, there’s no way we can mess up. And even if we do, we have the confidence to bring it back. We think performances are super special, and we want to show you everything that we have, but the way that we do perform now, it’s more full of confidence, more than nerves." This evolution from a performance driven by the fear of error to one fueled by assured execution is a significant marker of their maturity as artists.
The European Sojourn: A World Tour’s Impact
The past few months have provided an unprecedented platform for 82MAJOR’s growth, amplified by their extensive world tour across Europe. This international exposure has not only broadened their fan base but also provided invaluable cross-cultural experiences. For Yechan, the tour itself represented a monumental achievement: "Just being in Europe was the highlight. Not just to do with the tour, just honestly one of the highlights of our career. London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and Warsaw. Being in those cities feels like a dream come true in itself." The sheer experience of performing in these iconic global cities served as a powerful affirmation of their global aspirations.
London, in particular, left a lasting impression, though the group expressed a desire for more time in the city. Seongmo shared, "We did have some time in London, but I wish we’d had more. Next time, I’d really like to spend more time there." This sentiment suggests a growing appreciation for the nuances of different cultural landscapes and a desire to engage with them more deeply.
The international touring experience has fundamentally reshaped how the members perceive connection, extending beyond their direct interactions with fans. Dongyun highlighted the broader impact of engaging with diverse cultures: "Meeting people from different cultures gives us new perspectives and influences how we think and feel." This exchange of ideas and perspectives is vital for artistic development, fostering a more nuanced understanding of global audiences.
Charting Future Trajectories: Musical Exploration and Visual Evolution
Looking ahead, the experiences gained from their global tour are already informing their future strategies. Seongmo expressed a clear ambition for larger-scale performances: "I want to perform on bigger stages. And with our next comeback, I want to create a setlist that includes more songs from the new album." This desire for grander platforms signifies their readiness to take on more prominent roles in the global music scene.
Seongbin offered a more introspective perspective, focusing on audience engagement: "When we visit different cultures, I notice that audiences enjoy performances in different ways. It made me think about what they respond to more and how we can connect with them better. I think learning more about each culture before touring would make the experience even better." This thoughtful approach to cultural understanding suggests a commitment to building genuine connections with diverse fan bases.
This cross-cultural dialogue is not confined to live performances. Their recent collaboration with Brazilian artist Melody exemplifies this outward-looking approach. Seongil recounted the enriching experience: "As we collaborated with Melody, we learned about each other’s culture, language, and music. And it was our first collaboration with an overseas artist. Maybe that’s why I was looking forward to it. I think I’ve been excited since I started working on it." This partnership signifies a deliberate effort to expand their musical horizons and engage with international artists.
Dongyun echoed the sentiment of learning and honor, stating, "For all of us, it was an honour, and we learned a lot from the experience." Yechan vividly described Melody’s vibrant energy: "She was just super lively, very energetic, very bright. We just felt that kind of energy."
Discography Deep Dive: Favorite Tracks and Future Genres
When pressed to select a favorite track from their catalog, the members found it a challenging yet insightful exercise. Seongbin chose "Heroes," explaining its personal significance: "Even though it’s separate from the overall theme, I put a lot of my feelings for the team into the lyrics, so it’s very meaningful to me." This highlights the emotional depth embedded within their music. Dongyun opted for "Face Time," simply stating, "It’s just my favourite."
Yechan, however, took a broader, album-centric perspective: "I think I can’t do songs… I’ll do albums. I think our newest album. I would keep that album and just… say bye to all the rest [members laugh]. Everything else can go away, but I’d definitely keep our next album. The songs on there are just great." This enthusiastic endorsement of their latest work underscores its importance to the group.
Looking towards future musical explorations, 82MAJOR has expressed a clear interest in diverse genres. Seongil articulated a desire to delve into "a fully deep/conscious hip-hop style album." Yechan, meanwhile, indicated an inclination towards electronic music: "I think I want to lean towards more like jungle, drum and bass. Obviously, like liquid drum and bass. Get into the EDM, but also keep the hip-hop, the rap side of things." This fusion of genres suggests a commitment to pushing creative boundaries and experimenting with new sonic landscapes.
Visual Ambitions and Long-Term Vision
Beyond musical experimentation, 82MAJOR is also keen on evolving their visual identity. Seongmo expressed a desire for "a bit more mature? That kind of image. Mature." This indicates a move towards a more sophisticated and nuanced aesthetic that reflects their growth as artists. Yechan elaborated on their versatile potential: "All of our members are very versatile. There are so many things that we can do, and we’ve yet to explore different sides of ourselves that we should at this point. There are so many concepts that we could branch out to and bring to fans, but I feel like we just need to explore our visuals, our concepts a little bit deeper." This recognition of their untapped potential signals an exciting period of conceptual exploration.
Addressing their long-term goals, Yechan shared a perspective of early achievement coupled with future aspirations: "I feel like a lot of my goals have been achieved quite early on. Especially because one of my biggest goals was to work on ‘Trophy.’ And then also with this title track as well, I worked on it. But I think the next step would probably be to work with our members and make the title track ourselves." This ambition to fully self-produce their title tracks represents the ultimate expression of their "self-produced idol" identity.
Seongil concluded with a pragmatic yet ambitious outlook: "We’re not completely sure about our direction yet. But as six members, we want to continue making music consistently, show different colours, and achieve good results." This statement encapsulates the group’s core philosophy: consistent output, artistic diversity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence as they continue their ascent on the global stage.
