Debuting in September 2025, the rising boy band AxMxP, signed under FNC Entertainment, is quickly making a name for themselves in the music industry. While few groups debut with a full-length album right from the outset, AxMxP did exactly that, proving their dedication to their craft.
AxMxP consists of members HA YOO JOON (vocalist, rapper), CRU (drummer), KIM SHIN (guitarist, vocalist), and JU HWAN (bassist, vocalist). They launched their career with the self-titled full album ‘AxMxP,’ which boasts a total of 10 tracks. Only four months later, the band made their first comeback with the mini-album ‘Amplify My Way.’
‘Amplify My Way’ features seven tracks—"PASS," "Too Much," "Punch-Drunk," "I Melody You," "Thereafter," "Bittersweet," and "Be yours"—all of which the members helped create. The mini-album captures the story of youth searching for the shape of their dreams at their own pace; rather than conforming to standards, echoing a message of self-confidence.
In March, AxMxP is set to hold a solo concert titled “DO IT MY WAY” as part of the “Rolling Hall 31st Anniversary Performance” lineup. The concert title represents AxMxP’s ambition to blaze their own trail as a next-generation band. Regarding this ambitious goal, JU HWAN told allkpop, “I want the name AxMxP to be a household name, like The Beatles.”
Following the release of their first mini-album, allkpop sat down with the members of AxMxP to discuss ‘Amplify My Way,’ their creative inspirations, and ambitious goals. Check out our exclusive interview with the band below!
allkpop: Congratulations on your first mini-album! Please introduce yourselves to the readers. What are one or two fun facts about each of you that you’d like to share?
HA YOO JOON: Hello, this is Yoo Joon, and we are AxMxP, a genre-blending band known for uniting our distinct musical influences and expressive personalities into a dynamic sound. Despite our energetic stage presence, we are down-to-earth offstage and dedicate most of our time to honing our craft.
KIM SHIN: Hello! Nice to meet you. I’m the tallest in AxMxP.
CRU: Thank you. Hello, my name is Cru, and I play drums for AxMxP. I was born and raised in the United States and only began assimilating into Korean culture and learning the Korean language when I became a trainee a little over 4 years ago. One fun fact about me is that I have moved over 15 times in my life! I am only 19 years old.
JU HWAN: Hello, my name is Juhwan, and I play bass for AxMxP. My favorite things to do are meditating and headbanging! Not at the same time, of course!
allkpop: Since AxMxP is still quite new in the industry as a band, we’re wondering what your first impressions of each other were like.
HA YOO JOON: When we first met, we were all relatively quiet. Our different personalities made things a bit awkward. However, as we began talking more about music, we quickly realized we blended perfectly.
CRU: My first impressions of each of the members were quite different. Firstly, Yoo Joon. It took me the least amount of time to befriend him out of three because not only did he speak relatively good English, but we also had a shared interest in hip-hop music and fashion.
Secondly, Kim Shin. My first impression of him was “Wow… Why is he doing music and not playing basketball or some other sport?” When we first met, he was nearly 7 inches taller than me.
Lastly, Ju Hwan. I first met Ju Hwan when he was just 13 years old. At the time, all I could think was that he seemed so mature for his age and was really committed to his craft, even as a trainee.
JU HWAN: I wanted to get closer to the other members because I thought they were so cool and handsome.
KIM SHIN: My first impression of Yoo Joon was pretty intimidating. I had a difficult time approaching him at first.
allkpop: Let’s talk about ‘Amplify My Way.’ What is the mini-album about, and how does it differ from your first album, ‘AxMxP,’ in terms of music and message?
HA YOO JOON: ‘Amplify My Way’ is an EP that reflects our growth as a band. If our self-titled debut album, ‘AxMxP,’ established our identity, this EP illustrates where we aim to go musically.
allkpop: The members contributed to the creation of all the songs. Could you share with us how you usually work on your music? What was your motivation behind the new tracks?
KIM SHIN: Usually, one or two of us will make a rough guide for a song. We will then develop said guides as a group, making use of our own individual strengths. This is how AxMxP’s songs are born.
allkpop: For each of the members, which song from the album is the closest to your personal musical taste?
JU HWAN: “Be yours” is my personal favorite song from our new album.
KIM SHIN: It is track 7 on our first mini-album, titled “Be Yours.” I poured my personal emotions into writing it.
HA YOO JOON: My favorite song from this album is the title track “PASS.” “PASS” perfectly embodies AxMxP’s identity as a hip-hop band, perfectly blending modern rage/hip-hop vocals and synths with nu-metal style guitar, bass, and drum parts.
allkpop: Have you reflected on your journey as a band so far? Were there any major realizations along the way? Tell us how the journey is going for all of you.
CRU: Our journey as a band so far has been one of many hurdles and little, unseen victories. AxMxP members have spent a long time together, and over the years, we’ve come to feel that our relationship goes beyond simple friendship and is more like that of brothers. We celebrate each other’s high points as one, and also help each other get through the lowest of lows as well.
Each one of these little hurdles that we get over is one step in the right direction towards becoming something great. We are proud of everything we have achieved up to this point, but we also know that we have just reached the base of the impossibly tall mountain that is our journey as a band. We hope that our fans, “the X” will be with us for the entire ascent up said slope!
allkpop: What was the driving force behind taking on the challenge of entering the music industry? Who or what was your inspiration to pursue this journey?
JU HWAN: During difficult times, I’ve often found solace in music. Because of the comfort that music has given me, I find myself wanting to create music that can comfort others. I also want to have a positive influence on people. There are countless artists who have inspired me, but as a musician, I’ve been inspired by Earth Wind & Fire, Daft Punk, Yoo Jae Ha, Lee Moon Sae, The Beatles, and Fred Again. As a producer/composer, I’ve been greatly inspired by Radiohead and Ha Hyun Sang.
allkpop: Lastly, feel free to share your short- and long-term career goals, as well as a message to the readers.
HA YOO JOON: Our band’s short-term goal is to become recognized and respected by both the general public and those within the music industry for our on-stage abilities. Our long-term goals are a bit more ambitious… We wish to trailblaze our own genre of music. A style of music that is instantly recognizable and immediately associated with AxMxP. We hope that our music can be a source of strength and energy for all, and that AxMxP and our music can become a safe space for those who need it.
KIM SHIN: I hope AxMxP will become a band that has a positive influence on many people. I want our music to help people feel every emotion—music you can laugh and cry with. Please look forward to AxMxP in the future.
CRU: For short-term goals, we all want to begin to play our own solo concerts and tours. As far as long-term goals go, I am a bit more ambitious… No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, doing a world tour in stadium-sized venues, headlining the world’s largest festivals, and possibly an induction into the rock and roll hall of fame.
JU HWAN: I want to become an artist that never stops finding new ways to improve. I also wish for us to become a band that is recognized as a leader for a new generation of bands that follow. And, finally, I want the name AxMxP to be a household name, like “The Beatles.”
SEE ALSO: FNC Entertainment's rookie band AxMxP sends out Seollal (Lunar New Year) greetings
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