Composed of JAE YUN, MYUNG HO, MIN HO, YOON SUNG, HAE MIN, KYUNG MIN, YUN GYU, and SEUNG HEON, 8TURN is an eight-member boy band signed under MNH Entertainment who just debuted earlier this year, on January 30, 2023, with the mini-album '8TURNRISE.'
On June 26, 8TURN made its first-ever group comeback, five months after its debut. 'UNCHARTED DRIFT' is the octet's latest release, where 8TURN continues to tell the story of the eight members waking up the world of unfamiliarity with '8TURNRISE.' With 'UNCHARTED DRIFT,' the members explore the commotion of a midsummer night where their own unpredictability leads them to new adventures and goals.
In addition to the catchy title song "EXCEL," the mini-album also features four sidetracks titled "WORLD," "WALK IT OUT," "SKETCH," and "ING."
allkpop caught up with the members of 8TURN to discuss their first comeback with the new album, the things they'd bring to an uncharted place, and more. Continue reading the full exclusive interview below.
Shout-out video:
You can check out our interview with 8TURN on their debut album '8TURNRISE' here.
allkpop: You mentioned in our last interview that it doesn't feel real that you finally made your debut last January. Now that 8TURN is making its first-ever comeback, could you tell us how you felt during your debut preparations vs during your first comeback preparations?
HAE MIN: I think the biggest difference is that preparing for a comeback was much more enjoyable. Compared to our first album, there are parts where we improved, and preparing for this album with improved skill sets have made it much more enjoyable and fun to prepare this album.
allkpop: You said that during your debut preparations, you had a lot of thoughts and worries. Five months into your career, how's the feeling now? Are you more confident as an idol now?
YUN GYU: After making our debut, we were able to go on music shows and meet many other K-pop artists in person. Actually, I was very overwhelmed by their vibes and their performances on stage and I felt that we still have a long way to go and have much more to improve. This actually made me want to do better.
allkpop: Your first mini-album '8TURNRISE' is all about trying different paths in life. In the teaser video, it seems like you find freedom and confidence in yourselves. Could you please tell us and elaborate more on what you hope to convey with your second mini-album, 'UNCHARTED DRIFT'?
JAE YUN: The message that we want to send through this album is that we will be responsible for our actions. When you say you'll break loose, create a disturbance, and take your own path in life, one might regard it as being stubborn. But we are suggesting that we'll be responsible for our behavior and its consequences and find our own reasonings for our doings. This is some sort of confidence and conviction in ourselves.
allkpop: Please tell us more about the title track and the side tracks!
MYUNG HO: The fourth track of the album is titled "SKETCH" and it is 8TURN's first love song. I think our bubbly and cute charms really go well with our energizing vocal styles.
HAE MIN: The fifth track is actually a fan song for our fans that we've met during our promotion for our first album. Hope you enjoy it!
YUN GYU: The fifth track titled "ING" really talks about how we feel for our fans, TURNINGs, so if you are one, please listen to it.
MIN HO: YUN GYU participated in writing the lyrics for the first track, "WORLD" and this song includes a very attractive, low-tone narration of JAE YUN.
YOON SUNG: And our title track, "EXCEL" is a mix of old-school hip-hop and hard rock genres. As mentioned previously, the song talks about taking responsibility for your actions and you will be able to see the independent side of us as well as the energetic performances on stage.
SEUNG HEON: The third track, "WALK IT OUT" puts together our rap and vocals really well. At the same time, the song brings out the unique characters in our vocal styles so you'll be able to hear the zestful sound of our group.
allkpop: Are there any memorable episodes from the filming of the music video that you'd like to share with the readers?
YOON SUNG: When we were filming the music video, there were supporting actors on set who were students. There was a scene where we were dancing all together, and I was wearing an ear cuff then, which I lost while dancing. And all the students there helped me find my ear cuff. It was very fun and touching at the same time.
MYUNG HO: There was a scene where I climbed over a wall, as released in the teaser video. It has been a while since I climbed a wall, probably since elementary school, so it was a thrilling yet fun experience.
allkpop: Is there something that you've learned from your debut that you were able to apply for this first comeback of 8TURN?
MIN HO: Monitoring our personal fan cams and performances we did on music shows, I paid close attention to our facial expressions. Preparing for this album, we studied how to use our face better on stage, so you'll be able to check that out during this comeback.
HAE MIN: Our performance videos actually show you that, and we'll for sure stir your hearts with our various facial expressions!
MYUNG HO: Overall, I think we are more focused and that comes out in the songs as well. They will be fun to listen to!
JAE YUN: Rather than just trying hard, we tried to understand the song and make suitable expressions. Above all for the title track, we tried to really enjoy the process.
allkpop: Since your EP album is titled 'Uncharted Drift,' if you had to visit an uncharted place, what would you bring and which member would you bring with you?
YUN GYU: I want to be there with YOON SUNG and a camera, and we'll take photos of each other.
YOON SUNG: I, too, want to take pictures of things there.
YUN GYU: Take a really good photo and upload it on social media!
YOON SUNG: And share.
MYUNG HO: I want to surf if I can take my surfing board there.
MIN HO: Enjoy being in an uncharted place?
MYUNG HO: Yeah, why not?
KYUNG MIN: I'd bring cup noodles.
Members: That's a good idea, we need to bring that.
allkpop: In our previous interview, you also mentioned that you hope to become role models who inspire other people to dream. But for you, who's your role model?
JAE YUN: Each member has their own role models, but SEVENTEEN is our role model as a group. SEVENTEEN is such an awesome group and the reason we like them is because of their performance and their music. Also, it looks like the members really get well together. We, too, have come from different backgrounds but I want us to be like friends and brothers, who can depend on one another. Also, I can't leave out how synchronized they are during performances. We would love to show our own synchronized performances and our own music, and give hopes and dreams to others.
HAE MIN: I want us to last long, as SEVENTEEN.
JAE YUN: For a very long time.
allkpop: You recently performed at KCON Japan! How does it feel to step on a big stage or show like KCON?
YOON SUNG: The stage for KCON had an audience surrounding it, and it was just ecstatic when we went on stage. I really can't express it in words. I was grateful that I can sing and dance on a stage surrounded by fans, and I really immersed myself and enjoyed the moment.
allkpop: Do you have any pre-show rituals or preparations you do?
HAE MIN: I always check my pockets before going on stage. I don't want any mistake to happen on the actual stage, so I always check my pockets and make sure I have nothing in there. We'll show you our chant.
JAE YUN: We put our hands together like this, and say "Let's show them what we've prepared, everything we've got, and pay attention to energy and details! 8TURN, 8TURN, 8TURN!" This is how we do it.
KYUNG MIN: Before going on stage, I listen to my favorite song. I always feel like I should do my best for every stage, but also I really want to express how I feel through my performance. That is why I listen to my favorite song before going on stage. I've been listening to "Style" by Taylor Swift for two months now before going on stage. The song is very majestic.
allkpop: Any message you'd like to give to your fans worldwide?
MIN HO: As this is our first comeback, we put in everything we have to it and tried our best to show you various aspects of us. Please give us your love and support. Stay with us forever! We love you!
YOON SUNG: Do look forward to it, and enjoy watching our music video and listening to our song, "EXCEL"! Should we say goodbye in different languages?
MIN HO: (In Japanese) I love you, everyone!
YUN GYU: (In Thai) Thank you!
SEUNG HEON: I love you so much!
YOON SUNG: (In Spanish) I love you!
MYUNG HO: (In French) Hello!
HAE MIN: (In Chinese) I love you!
KYUNG MIN: No one has talked in Korean yet. Enjoy listening to "EXCEL!" We'll put in all of our energy on every stage to show our improvement throughout this promotion!
JAE YUN: Love you to the moon and back.
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