While ONEUS has been dazzling fans with their addictive singles and strong performance style since debuting with “Valkyrie” in early 2019, their recent comeback set up something of a new beginning for the group. Not only did their sixth mini album ‘Blood Moon’ become their best-selling album to date, but title track “LUNA” continues to receive love from both fans and critics alike—landing them their first music show win, their highest position yet on Gaon’s digital songs chart, and the #4 position on Billboard’s year-end ‘25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021: Critics’ Picks’ listicle.
Continuing this impressive momentum, the group has kicked off their latest U.S. promotions with their 2022 North American ‘Blood Moon’ tour, marking their first time back to the States since their debut year.
Just a couple of days before ONEUS took off to their first show in New York City, the six ONEUS members took time to talk to allkpop about their successful comeback, tour preparations, and goals for the future.
allkpop: First, we’d like to belatedly congratulate you on the success of your most recent album ‘Blood Moon’ and its title track “LUNA.” What was it like finally being able to secure #1 on a public broadcast music program with one of your songs?
RAVN: We celebrated ONEUS’s first music show #1 with ‘LUNA’s activities. I think the #1 trophy was a miracle created by all of our staff members—“Team ONEUS”—and our fans TOMOON. It was also even more meaningful to win first place with [a] K-Pop [song] that combines our country’s traditional hanbok and other traditional Korean elements.
SEOHO: I couldn’t believe it, and I was really, really happy, and really, really thankful!
LEEDO: I was really surprised. I was so surprised that, at first, I couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality. I’m very thankful as it was a precious #1. We’ll continue to work harder in the future as well.
KEONHEE: First, winning our first #1 was, of course, really great, but the first thing that came to my mind was the TOMOON who had been giving us love and putting in the effort to make our first win happen. Really, I was so, so thankful. We’ll show you even better performances in the future.
HWANWOONG: Thank you so much! First of all, I couldn’t believe it. I was so shocked that our acceptance speech came out a little chaotic, and I feel like that was a shame. We worked really hard on this album, and I’m so glad that we received such a great reward for it.
XION: ONEUS had their first win! I was really so shocked, and even now, I still can’t believe it. [Laughs] Our TOMOON made us great #1 singers, and we’ll continue to make even greater music for you!
allkpop: So how did you end up celebrating? Were you able to do anything special after the program to celebrate the big win?
SEOHO: It was during our activities, but I ate so much delicious food that I was stuffed!
HWANWOONG: Because we had a schedule the next day, Xion and I had a self-congratulatory party together. Xion bought me all this delicious food we usually don’t get to eat, so I think we should win #1s more often.
XION: To be honest, we had a schedule right after we won first place, so we couldn’t enjoy it right away. But afterward, the company staff threw us a party, and I was so happy!
allkpop: Since your comeback, you were also able to be returning competitors on the KBS program ‘Immortal Song.’ As seen in stages for “Lit” and “LUNA,” you’re obviously a group comfortable with more traditional style concepts. But while also a traditional performance, your cover stage for LEENALCHI’s “Tiger is Coming (범 내려온다)” was definitely a bit different as it’s not an original ONEUS song. Were there any challenges or memorable parts while preparing for the performance?
SEOHO: Because [the original version] is a song I listen to often, I was so used to the singing style, and changing it into another one and singing it that way was a bit challenging, but the song is so exciting that I had fun preparing for it!
HWANWOONG: Due to the nature of the program—needing to capture the attention of those judging—it was difficult to organize the story of finding the lost seal and making sure this would be seen well by the audience. Like the title of the song, we put in a lot of effort to give the performance a dramatic effect and used a real tiger on stage!
allkpop: Now let’s talk about the tour! At the time of this interview, you’re only days away from kicking off your second U.S. tour ‘Blood Moon.’ How are you feeling?
RAVN: It’s been two years since we’ve met up with our fans in America. We plan on putting all of our emotions into great stages for TOMOON to see—really showing how much we’ve missed them. I’m already excited over how fired up the concerts will be.
KEONHEE: I’m really excited to meet TOMOON in the U.S. again after such a long time. We’re preparing these performances as a big gift for those who have always given us their love and support from afar, so we hope you love them a lot.
allkpop: Is there anything special TOMOON can look forward to before the concert comes to their city? Are you allowed to drop any spoilers?
LEEDO: I think you’ll be able to see a more mature and sexier side of us. We practiced day and night to make the performances perfect.
HWANWOONG: As it’s been two years since our last North American tour, we’re going to show you how much we’ve grown since then and have special performances for TOMOON, so please watch us burn it up on stage!
allkpop: Back when you first performed in the United States, it was only really months after your official debut. Now that you’ve been active for over three years, how do you think you’ve changed as performers?
RAVN: When I compare our performance now to our performance back during our U.S. tour ‘Fly With Us,’ I think [now] it’s more dramatically powerful and the quality has improved a lot. More than anything, our showmanship on stage has become more relaxed. TOMOON that will be watching the performances soon can just enjoy it.
SEOHO: I think we have more time to enjoy ourselves on stage. At the beginning of our debut, we were really nervous, so I feel like we only concentrated on what we’d been preparing.
LEEDO: I think because I’m a little more skilled and relaxed on stage [now], I can shift my expressions, control my strength, and relax.
KEONHEE: Back then, trying to do things on stage perfectly without making any mistakes was too big of a task for me. Even now, of course, it’s still difficult, but now my task has changed to focusing on conveying good energy and a good message through my performances and being one with the fans.
HWANWOON: Right after our debut, we were obsessed with making sure everything was absolutely seamless, but now we’re trying to look a little relaxed and be mindful of things like speed control flow.
XION: That’s right. Honestly, during the last tour, we only had three title songs. Now it’s become eight. [Laughs] We tried our best to decorate the stage with ONEUS’s color every time. During this tour, I hope you look forward to and recognize ONEUS’s growth. [Laughs]
allkpop: What were you able to do in your free time when ONEUS last visited the U.S? Do you have any favorite memories?
RAVN: When we last went to America, it was nice that there was a relaxed mood no matter which city we were in. I’m also very calm and relaxed. Also, while we were performing, I was able to get a lot of energy from fans’ great liveliness.
SEOHO: Before the performances, there would be music playing, and the fans would sing along with the music. It was so sweet.
LEEDO: The best and most memorable moment from when we went to America for the first time was having concerts in front of American TOMOON.
KEONHEE: When we were waiting on standby before the start of the concerts, TOMOON in the concert venue sang our songs together while they waited. To American TOMOON, those are lyrics in a foreign language, but the fact they memorized them and sang them was really touching!
HWANWOONG: I remember being so moved at the sound of TOMOON in the U.S. all singing our Korean lyrics together before the performances, and I remember being thrilled to be on stage as well. I look forward to it this time too!
XION: To be honest, the U.S. tour was my first time going to America! Really, every city was so beautiful, and I was so happy! What is still memorable to me is seeing the first snow [of the season] during the tour. It was really a lot of snow, so I feel like that made it even more memorable.
allkpop: Are there any travel bucket list things you weren’t able to do last time you visited that you want to try doing this time around?
SEOHO: If we have time, I want to go to famous destinations!
XION: It’s probably going to be difficult this time too, but I definitely want to try going to Disneyworld in Orlando!
allkpop: Which other countries or regions are you looking forward to performing in someday?
KEONHEE: No matter which country, if it’s a country where TOMOON are, we want to visit them in person. We want to see you, and it’s really hard not to be able to! And there are many countries we’ve promised to go to so we can see TOMOON. I really want to keep that promise.
RAVN: If the opportunity arises, I want to go on a European tour too. It’s a region I’ve never been to, and it’s a place full of art that I like, so I wonder what it would be like. If I go, every time I travel around Europe, I will listen to “La Vie En Rose.”
LEEDO: No matter where, if it’s a country TOMOON are in, I want to go and put on a concert. No matter where that is.
allkpop: What do you plan to do when you return back to Seoul after touring? Any big goals for the rest of 2022?
RAVN: My goal for 2020 is, of course, health and happiness. After that, I want us to be on the Billboard chart this year. Last year, “LUNA” was selected as #4 on Billboard’s ‘25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021’ list, and I’d like to take over the good energy and enter the main Billboard chart this year.
SEOHO: My goal for 2022 is to repay TOMOON with even better songs and performances.
LEEDO: I want to be able to show a little more growth. Continuing to show more growth is my goal.
KEONHEE: I want to give a lot of gifts to the TOMOON who have been giving us love. ONEUS will become a group that will always do their best to present great albums to you, sing the songs you want to hear, and do the best we can!
HWANWOONG: I feel like I’d be so happy if I could show everyone a solo performance on an even bigger stage in 2022.
XION: I think my biggest goal right now is to finish our tour safely. And when we return, we plan to prepare a lot so we can show you a more sophisticated album and awesome performance.
allkpop: Finally, can you offer a message to allkpop’s TOMOON readers who are looking forward to the opportunity to watch you perform live again?
RAVN: Hello to all of the fans who are always giving ONEUS your love and support. This is RAVN. I’m happy and really looking forward to starting our 2022 with a tour like this. Please look forward to more awesome growth in the future, and let’s grow together with great goals. If you want it enough, you can do anything. Find your greatness.
SEOHO: We’ll show you even better performances and great songs in the future, so please show us a whole lot of love!
LEEDO: ONEUS will continue to bring you even cooler performances and great music. It’s not the last concert, so you don’t have to feel too sad. Let’s keep meeting each other for a long time. TOMOON, I love you.
KEONHEE: Our allkpop readers! I hope you look forward to the performances we really worked hard to prepare and give us a lot of love! TOMOON, I love you!
HWANWOONG: Hello, readers! First, thanks so much for your interest and love. Next time, we’ll show you an even better performance! Thank you.
XION: It’s been a really long time since ONEUS had a tour in America. It’s a shame that we can’t meet many TOMOON due to the difficult situation, but we worked really hard for TOMOON in America, so we hope you can come to enjoy our concert and make good memories together! I love you so much.
Fans can purchase tickets for individual remaining tour cities at the links below. (For ‘Blood Moon’ event tickets that include hi-touch, a tour exclusive lanyard, one set of photocards (six each), and a string pouch, head to the following link: https://mmt.fans/hfXV.)
✔️ DALLAS, TX (March 6th)
✔️ HOUSTON, TX (March 7th)
✔️ PHOENIX, AZ (March 11th)
✔️ BEVERLY HILLS, CA (March 12th)
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I'm not familiar with their music but reading this put a big smile on my face. I have to check them out.