"The song is awkward," INFINITE's Dongwoo recalls how the members were opposed to promoting "Be Mine"
Posted by queenofjong3,151 pts 3 hours ago 2,109
INFINITE member Dongwoo dropped a surprising behind-the-scenes story while guesting on Haha’s 'Super Radio Show.' According to Dongwoo, the now-iconic song "Be Mine" not only gave INFINITE their first music show win, but it also saved the group from disbanding.
Over the years, "Be Mine" has continued to receive love from fans and even celebrities, and was once repurposed with new lyrics as a campaign song for a South Korean presidential candidate. However, Dongwoo confessed that the group initially hated the song and even tried to reject it.
He recalled that the members were eating with their CEO at a pocha (street cart bar) in Busan when they voiced their frustration. Four members, Sungkyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, and Sungyeol, complained that the lyrics, especially the phrase "Be Mine", felt outdated and awkward. They strongly opposed making it the title track, fearing it wouldn’t do well.
내꺼하자 발매 전에 부산 포장마차에서 성규 동우 우현 성열이가 대표님한테 요즘 내꺼하자란 말을 누가 쓰냐 저흰 이거 못하겠다 우린 잘되고 싶다 어필했는데 "하기 싫은 xx들 나가" 듣자마자 "내꺼하자를 위하여!" 건배사 외쳤는데 발매하고 초대박이 났다고,,, 멤버들 다들 회사의 안목을 믿게… pic.twitter.com/XDBmGCjOJv
Their CEO didn’t back down. He told them bluntly, “Anyone who doesn’t want to do it, get out!” That shut down the complaints fast. The members raised their glasses and toasted, “To ‘Be Mine!’”
Luckily, they were wrong. "Be Mine" became a massive hit. Although it didn’t perform well at first, the song experienced a dramatic chart reversal a few weeks after release, ultimately landing INFINITE their first win on 'M Countdown.'
That win was more than just symbolic, Dongwoo revealed that if they hadn’t achieved first place with that album, it likely would’ve been the end for INFINITE. Their company had gone bankrupt producing the album, making the success of "Be Mine" a do-or-die moment.