Nine months after making their debut with 'CONTINUE?' where they have shown how determined they are to take on challenges and start the "game," Fantagio's eight-member boy group LUN8 are back with a new album, ready to level up their journey.

LUN8’s sophomore mini-album, 'BUFF,' is a collection of six captivating tracks, including "MON2SUN," the title track "SUPER POWER," "GOT THE RIZZ," "PASTEL," "Now," and the English version of the title song. The album’s message centers on the members’ confidence and close-knit teamwork: “If we come together and envision the future together, we can gain the power to achieve anything.”

Ahead of the album release, JinSu, Chael, Takuma, JunWoo, DoHyun, Ian, JiEunHo, and EunSeop chatted with allkpop to discuss their first comeback and how they want to give positivity to others through music and performances. Continue reading to learn more about the rising boy group!

allkpop: Congratulations on your new album! I’m going to start with a basic question: Share with us how you prepared for your first comeback and why the general public should give your new album a listen. What is it in the music that will hook them in?

DoHyun: Firstly, our first album when we debuted was quite fresh and breezy. For this particular album, we were trying something new. It’s something we had an opportunity to try on our pre-release single, “PASTEL.” The mood is quite sexy. I also thought a lot about how we are going to express and show that side of us. Even though the album is soft, I really highly recommend that while listening to it, you should watch our performances as well. This music is great on its own, but it's quite more expressed with the choreography as it's an integral part of this. So, we recommend that you watch a lot of our performances, too!

allkpop: When you debuted, everything was new to you. How has your approach to preparation evolved? What was your experience like the second time you got your hands on these?

JiEunHo: Our debut was a very new experience for us. We were lacking in some parts of our performance. So, when we were making this first comeback, we looked into what we were lacking from our debut and worked on every little detail. One example is our expression, how we show and express ourselves on the stage in front of the camera and audience. That’s the aspect we considered more and worked on for this album. Now, I do feel that we really have developed.

allkpop: The terms ‘CONTINUE?’, which is the title of your debut EP, as well as your new album and title track ‘BUFF’ and “SUPER POWER” all seem to be related to gaming. I was wondering if the members play games during spare time? Is there anyone in the group who is an “avid gamer”?

JunWoo: Well, actually, I do like games! Not just computer or video games, but also some fun games. For example, after we eat or after we practice, someone has to clean up the table or the dining area. We play games for it, like rock paper scissors. And then whoever loses has to clean it up.

allkpop: The title track has both Korean and English versions. What was your experience like recording this particular track? How does it feel to be able to release an English song so early in your career, specifically during your first comeback?

DoHyun: When we were recording, there were some funny moments as well. The lyrics were originally in Korean, but we were also singing “SUPER POWER” in English. The idea of recording it in English feels like breaking down these language barriers. We want to reach a wider audience, so they can enjoy and feel the song. I think it was a great opportunity!

allkpop: The tracks mostly talk about love and expressing feelings for others. What personal meaning does “love” hold for you? It doesn’t necessarily have to be romantic or such. Perhaps you can describe this love in what you do right now—music.

Takuma: I think the emotion we feel right now is our love for our fans. This relationship is very special. The way they cheer us on… I think that’s the reason why we work so hard because we want to give back to our fans who are looking after us and giving us a lot of love. Just to give you an example, when we were doing our performance, the fans at the very front, when we saw them cheering on, I felt like, “Oh, we are doing the right thing.” It feels great that we are sharing this kind of atmosphere and moment together with our fans. That is a whole strong connection on its own.

EunSeop: When we do our schedules, sometimes fans come to see us. They cheer us on and do the fan chant. That's when we feel so loved. Also, when we use fan communication apps, sometimes they give us cheering messages and really long letters. That's when we truly feel this love and emotion.

allkpop: What’s one or two lyrics from any of the songs you think resonate with you personally and your journey, and why?

Ian: First, I would like to mention the first track “MON2SUN.” The lyrics are about I'm always thinking about you from Monday to Sunday. As Takuma and EunSeop mentioned earlier, we really think about our fans. We also feel like we've been working hard for them. The idea of thinking about someone, our fans, from Monday to Sunday really resonates with me.

JiEunHo: For me, it’s “Got The Rizz.” There's a lyric in the chorus that says “I got the rizz.” It really suits us. I mean, if you see us, we’re filled and dripping with rizz.

allkpop: LUN8 means 8 boys with moonlight that brightens up the night. I read in an interview that your families, friends, and members act as your “moon” during difficult times. But for you, in what ways do you want to be the “light” to someone? How do you each strive to bring positivity to someone?

JinSu: What we try to do is give a positive feeling to anyone who listens to our music and watches our performances. When you look at our future and see what's to come, it’s something filled with optimism, more rigor, and energy that we have toward our future as LUN8. It’s what we want to give through our music and performances. One thing we often think about and try to do is that to be able to do this, we first need to radiate our positive energy. And for our energy to be positive, we should have this positive mindset too. That we should be happy. Our daily habits should be positive as well in a way for us to eventually emit such positivity and influence to other people.

allkpop: You said that you wish to become a companion like the Moon that orbits around the Earth. If LUN8 is the “Moon” and your fandom is the “Earth,” in this way of thinking, what do you think stars represent?

EunSeop: Stars make things bright. That's what they do. When I think about them, I think about our personal families and our Fantagio family. And together, we illuminate.

[members clap]

allkpop: But coming from the “Earth”’s perspective, which is your fans’, stars do disappear sometimes when they’re covered by clouds (let’s say the clouds represent the temporary obstacles)... And so does the “Moon,” which is LUN8. But just like the “Moon” remains even when hidden by clouds, you want to assure them of your constant presence; you’re still there to provide light. Is that the message you aim to convey? Or do you have any other thoughts you'd like to share?

Takuma: Actually, yeah! I think what you just said is pretty correct and spot on! It's been a little bit of time between our first and second album comeback. But it seems to be a long time too. The way we think about our fans who are always waiting for us and cheering us on… I think that never stops. Even if we come back after a while, our fans are still there. And we are still with them.

allkpop: A fun, random question: Since we’re talking about parts of the galaxy/solar system. If you could name LUN8’s own universe within the vast galaxy, what would it be?

JunWoo: LUNiverse!!!

allkpop: You were able to perform at the Asia Artist Awards last year. What was the feeling like performing in front of a huge audience and in front of your sunbaenims? And you also won an award! Tell us about how you celebrated!

JunWoo: Yes, there were so many artists—our sunbaenims. We were a bit nervous to perform in front of them. But we tried our best to show our best sides to both our sunbaenims and the audience. We did as much as we practiced. Also, our award… I can’t express it that much… Can you express it?

JiEunHo: Okay… It was like heaven. Like all the planets aligned!

Ian: After the awards ceremony, we went to our hotel and gathered up. We had a small party at our hotel with a lot of food!

allkpop: Lastly, could you share with us a TMI and your final message to allkpop readers and your fans?

JunWoo: As you know, our album title is “SUPER POWER”...

JinSu: You mean the title song is “SUPER POWER.”

JunWoo: Well, yes, the title track is “SUPER POWER.” And to get “super power,” we need energy and power, so we eat a lot. That is our TMI!

JinSu: Please continue to like and support us! Please eat and be healthy! We will come back to you soon, showing our cooler sides.

Chael: Please look forward to it!