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Posted by Sofia-Sayson Friday, November 11, 2022

EXCLUSIVE
[INTERVIEW] UP10TION talks about their 11th mini-album 'Code Name: Arrow,' favorite tracks from the album, their artistic journey, & more!

AKP STAFF

The ten-member boy group under TOP Media, UP10TION, featuring members Jinhoo, Kuhn, Kogyeol, Jinhyuk, Bitto, Wooseok, Sunyoul, Gyujin, Hwanhee, and Xiao, made their official debut on September 11, 2015, with their mini-album 'Top Secret,' which features the title song "So, Dangerous." 

On October 12, UP10TION returned to the K-Pop scene nine months after the release of their 10th mini-album 'Novella' as a seven-member group with three of the members, Jinhoo, Jinhyuk, and Wooseok, currently on hiatus. They made their awaited comeback with the group's 11th mini-album 'Code Name: Arrow' with "What If Love" serving as its title track. The six-track album consists of B-sides "Angel," "Bloom," "Flash," "Starlight," and "Rewind."

To commemorate the release of 'Code Name: Arrow,' UP10TION chatted with allkpop to discuss their newest album and goals as a group, share how they usually celebrate milestones, and more. Keep reading to know more about the boy group!

allkpop: First, congratulations on the release of your newest album, 'Code Name: Arrow'! This marked your first comeback in about 9 months. How did you find the album preparations? Did you feel any pressure or just felt excitement throughout the preparations because you're finally releasing new music? 

Gyujin: I was so nervous...

Kuhn: While preparing for the album, I felt a lot of pressure because we had to prepare a new concept and song style, but I think the members liked the music and everything and wanted to show it to the fans at the same time, so I had a lot of fun preparing the album. It was fun!


Hwanhee: I think there was a little bit of tension and pressure! I was nervous and pressured to perform in front of my fans after a long time, but on the other hand, I was very excited.

allkpop: Could you please tell us about the album's creative process, as well as the recording process for the tracks? Did you encounter any difficulties preparing for the album? 

Kogyeol: It took a lot of time to choose the title song. While preparing for the album, it was hard to choose because it was our first time trying a lot of new styles of singing.


allkpop: What is the meaning behind your newest album, 'Code Name: Arrow'? What message do you want to convey with it? Please explain its concept. 

Gyujin: The main motif of our album was the Gods of love in Greek mythology, and we made the recklessness to unravel the low-key nature of the Gods who make the target of love become mine, with the concept of love and snipers, so arrow was created. I thought that we will become cool people who target the hearts of our fans.

allkpop: Which track from the album is your favorite, and which song would you recommend to listeners? 

Hwanhee: I'd like to recommend the song "Rewind"! I think there will be a time when everyone wants to go back, so I think it's a lyric that anyone can relate to.


Kuhn: I like the sixth track, "Rewind," it's a song that has a lyrical atmosphere and vibe. If I can go back to those days when I think about the memories that Bitto composed and the lyrics of the song were dazzlingly beautiful. Please listen to it!

Xiao: I would like to recommend the first track, "Angel," and the title track because it has a powerful vibe. I think you'll like it.

allkpop: Are there any memorable or fun behind-the-scenes stories while filming the music video for "What If Love"?

Hwanhee: I remember that I made a lot of mistakes in the choreography for the first group dance scene. I went into the group dance, but my stomach hurt so much that I couldn't concentrate.

Kuhn: There was a scene where the members went around Gyujin and filmed it in a cool way, but since the members were hovering around and bumping into each other, it was so funny that I had a hard time finding laughter.

allkpop: 'Code Name: Arrow' marks UP10TION's 11th mini-album. You already have a huge number of great songs in your discography. What would you say are the biggest differences between 'Code Name: Arrow' and your past releases? Is there anything new you tried while making this album? 

Gyujin: We've just released our 11th mini-album, but I think it will be a situation where we can show more skills and learn a lot of emotions in between, expressing mature core and manliness. I think that's the biggest difference. I also tried new things. And because it was hot, so I took care of it so that it would come out pretty on camera.

Kuhn: And as I said before, I'm going to show you a new and different way of singing, so I tried to give you a sexy but powerful vibe with the song's choreography.


allkpop: UP10TION celebrated its 7th group anniversary last month. What do you think has been the biggest change in your career thus far? 

Hwanhee: There have been so many changes, but I think the most changes are in mind and mindset! I think I became a better adult UP10TION because I have matured not only my thoughts but also my mind for 7 years!

Kuhn: Our 7th anniversary was in September, and I feel that we have changed because of the bond between the members. I think we're more connected to our fans. I think each person's personality has become more prominent and that we've done more with UP10TION no matter what we do; I think there was something like that.

allkpop: How do you usually celebrate a group achievement or milestone? 


Kuhn: Cheers! (laughs)

Xiao: We communicate with each other using the platform.

Kuhn: We tend to eat delicious food!

Hwanhee: Of course, we spend it in a good mood, but I think we try to make HONEY10 feel happier than us!

allkpop: After being in the industry for over seven years, we would like to ask: how do you work toward something you want to achieve? What have you done to improve yourself as an artist over the past years? 


Kogyeol: The members seem to have improved a lot from the beginning. While working over the course of time, and you want to achieve something, of course, you have to make some effort I think that's why we worked hard on that and to make it happen. We're developing ourselves a lot as artists because we're more mature than when we first did it.

Kuhn: For example, Bitto danced harder and studied a lot on level composition, so I think he's good at it. And Sungyoul tried to sing trot. Each member has a new development.

Hwanhee: As a singer, I have a lot of worries. Actually, I still don't think I've got the answer! I'll think about which way to improve myself more!

allkpop: You've worked and grown up together with the members... How do you think your relationship with each other as UP10TION has changed or remained? How do you stay connected to each other? 


Kogyeol: First of all, the members are like family. Honestly, it feels like we've seen each other more than family, I think that our relationship has gotten better than before, and I think we're still working on that now.

Kuhn: As time goes by, we'll be closer tomorrow than today.


Hwanhee: I think we are very consistent! So I think it's a team that can be closer and maintain UP10TION!

allkpop: Looking back on the memories UP10TION has created, the fun times you've had, and the challenges you've faced as a group, what do you believe drives you to just keep pushing forward? 

Kogyeol: The biggest reason we can move forward is because of our driving force. I think we've tried, said a lot of things, and had a lot of problems, but we're greedy, and we want to be more successful. That's what I think makes us move forward.


allkpop: What is one thing that makes you proud to be a UP10TION member? 

Hwanhee: I'm just proud, but if I have to pick one thing, I'm really proud when I see HONEY10!

allkpop: Do you have any particular goals for this comeback and long-term goals as a group and as individuals? 

Kuhn: First of all, our goal for this comeback is to communicate more with our fans and make a lot of happy memories through this album. It's been a while since we saw each other, so we can't communicate with many HONEY10 that want to see us.


allkpop: Please leave a message to everyone who's reading this as well as to your fans worldwide.


Kogyeol: We came out with a new album! A lot of people might enjoy watching it. I think you'll keep thinking about us if you watch our performance. I hope you can watch the music video or performance video for "What If Love." Thank you!

Hwanhee: Hello! I'm Hwanhee of UP10TION! Thank you so much for reading this long comment, and please continue to love UP10TION!


  1. UP10TION
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xx-jenn-xx
xx-jenn-xx Allkill VIP 20,825 pts Friday, November 11, 2022 0
Friday, November 11, 2022

AHHH MY BOYS!!!! Rewind seriously is a very good song if you know the meaning behind it....instant sobbing. Angel is my favorite b-side on the album!!! This was one of my favorite albums so far. I absolutely love Up10tion!!! I can't wait to see what the future brings us!

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