LUCY is a four-member South Korean boy band - consisting of SHIN YECHAN, CHOI SANGYEOP, CHO WONSANG, and SHIN GWANGIL - formed during JTBC's television talent show 'SuperBand' in 2019 and is currently under MYSTIC STORY. The band debuted on May 8, 2020, with their first single, "Dear." Now, the band is back with a new album, 'INSERT COIN,' after six months.

'INSERT COIN' is LUCY's third mini-album, and it contains a hopeful message that the band's music will become a new opportunity for someone, just as a new life is given through an insert coin in a game-over situation. As the members showed off their unique musical capabilities in each album and participated in the overall work, CHO WONSANG participated in writing, composing, and producing all songs this time, completing LUCY's unique color. 

The new album has a total of four tracks, including "Unbelievable," "Tied up," "Never in vain," and "Fill it up." The title song, "Unbelievable," is a track that stands out with the harmony of LUCY's signature refreshing string, guitar, and bass line. In addition, the band unravels sweet words about love with witty lyrics and draws lively scenes.

To commemorate their return, LUCY caught up with allkpop to discuss their latest album, 'INSERT COIN,' share the games they play, their favorite songs from the album, the artists they want to collaborate with, and more. Keep reading to know more about the quartet!

LUCY shout-out video:

allkpop: First and foremost, we want to congratulate you on your comeback with 'INSERT COIN'! Could you please tell us more about the album and explain why the album's title is 'INSERT COIN'?

CHOI SANGYEOP: Just as we are given a chance to start again through 'INSERT COIN,' which comes out when you die in a game, we wanted to deliver a message of hope that you can love and look back on yourself, so we named this album 'INSERT COIN.'

allkpop: Could you please tell us about the creative process behind the album? What was your overall experience filming the music video and recording the songs in the studio?

SHIN YECHAN: When I was recording this album, the violin melodies were captured beautifully, so I think I was able to finish the work very proudly and happily! I filmed a simple choreography for this music video, and it is also memorable that I practiced hard with the members for that brief moment. It was a different experience for us as a group that doesn't usually dance well, and I think the fans would have seen it in a new way.

CHO WONSANG: I thought a lot about how to make people who listen to our music for the first time fall in love with our music, and I think it would be comfortable for the listeners to put down their perfectionist tendencies and make them feel a little comfortable, so I really enjoyed each song.

allkpop: The music video is so creative and fun to watch! You also made references to games like 'Minecraft,' 'Super Mario,' and 'Among Us' - we are curious if you play any games at all. Do any of you enjoy playing video games in your spare time?

SHIN YECHAN: I love Nintendo games so much! I like the game called ‘The Legend of Zelda’ the most, but I felt sorry for the ending of the game, so I deliberately didn’t break the last stage and enjoyed it more until I finally saw the ending.

allkpop: This comeback was about six months since your last album, 'Childhood,' released in August of 2022. During that six months, did you spend most of your time preparing for 'Insert Coin' or did you spare time doing things or hobbies aside from music?

CHOI SANGYEOP: It's been six months since we made a comeback, but we had a lot of opportunities to stand on stage, such as solo performances and festivals, so we practiced hard and took care of ourselves in our spare time.

SHIN GWANGIL: I also appeared as a regular guest on the radio, communicated more closely with my fans, and kept thinking about music! I was always working hard to hear new songs.

allkpop: All of the songs from 'INSERT COIN' are good, and they represent a variety of genres. Which song is your personal favorite among the four tracks from the album, and why?

CHOI SANGYEOP: I love all the songs because this is an album I prepared really hard for, but personally, I like the second track, “Tied up.” First of all, the words with a sense of rhyme flowed out repeatedly, making it highly addictive, and it is a refreshing song that seems to be used in the opening of a youth animation, so if you listen to it once, you will keep thinking about it.

allkpop: Member CHO WONSANG participated in writing, composing, and producing all songs. That is so impressive! Could you please share your thoughts on being able to write songs for your band, LUCY? Making music is not an easy task. What did your days look like, and what inspired you to write and produce the songs?

CHO WONSANG: I have never written a song thinking that I was inspired or created. It seems to be born naturally just by imagining the combination of how the members will feel when they play and sing, and what kind of synergy they can create with each other.

allkpop: LUCY participated in the survival show, JTBC's 'SuperBand.' Could you please tell us about your experience on the show and what you learned from it?

SHIN YECHAN: I think I was even more motivated by the realization that there are many really outstanding people in the world. And I learned that music makes you happier when you do it together than when you do it alone.

SHIN GWANGIL: Participating in ‘Super Band’ is a very precious experience for me. First of all, I participated as a vocalist at first, but I ended up playing the drums to meet the members and fill in the missing parts. It broadened my musical spectrum as I encountered various band plays through ensemble and competition with people who really love music!

allkpop: LUCY debuted in May 2020, amidst the pandemic. This year will mark your third anniversary - congratulations! How has your musical journey as a member of LUCY been so far? Please share your favorite and most memorable moments with us.

SHIN YECHAN: The moment we recently received the 'Blooming Band Performer Award' at the ‘Hanteo Music Awards’ is the most memorable moment for me. The moments we spent a busy day by day to always show better music and improve images passed by like a kaleidoscope, and it felt like our efforts were recognized!

CHOI SANGYEOP: After debuting, every moment was happy, but if I had to pick one of them, I remember receiving congratulations from many people when I celebrated my 1,000th day of debut not too long ago. I felt that I was receiving a really valuable love.

CHO WONSANG: I feel that the phrase ‘it seems like I’m dreaming’ is referring to a situation that doesn’t feel real. However, I am not satisfied here and want to develop further. The most memorable moment since my debut is when I heard the cheers of the fans for the first time at a festival after the COVID-19 restrictions were eased.

SHIN GWANGIL: The happiest memories are our solo concerts with fans who support us. I feel very grateful to be able to perform in the same space, breathe together and feel the same emotions.

allkpop: Do you remember when you first fell in love with music and began playing instruments and singing? What role has art played in your life, both growing up and now?

CHO WONSANG: For me, art was at first just a comforting friend, an existence in my dreams, or an existence I dared not to approach. But now that I've had the experience, art is gradually becoming my life; thinking about it now, I'm both proud and amazed. I would like to describe the role art played in my life as the process of becoming friends with God.

SHIN GWANGIL: I spent my adolescence abroad, but I was lonely because I didn't have many friends. So I started to study music on my own, and at that time, music breathed a lot of energy into my life. I am also grateful for being able to meet the hyungs and promote as LUCY.

allkpop: Most of you started playing instruments at a very young age. What did you do to hone and improve your instrument-playing skills? How do you usually practice these skills in order to improve your performance?

SHIN YECHAN: I started playing the violin in the 3rd grade of elementary school, and from a young age, I practiced 9 hours a day every day. I put a dot on the wall and played while looking at one spot to correct my posture and improve my concentration.

CHO WONSANG: There is no 'how' method; I just play like every day!

allkpop: Aside from playing instruments and doing anything related to music, are there any kinds of hobbies or activities you have taken an interest in lately?

CHOI SANGYEOP: I have always loved soccer, and these days I have a hobby in basketball, so I recently bought basketball shoes! Also, I have a hobby of walking, so I'm thinking that it would be nice to challenge myself on a national trek sooner or later.

SHIN GWANGIL: Other than music, I don't have any hobbies in development yet. I'll let you know when it happens!

allkpop: You have recorded an increase in sales with your latest album 'INSERT COIN' - congratulations! Do you have any goals, be they career-related or personal, you hope to achieve this year?

CHOI SANGYEOP: Thank you. We are also proud of achieving career highs in every comeback. In the future, we want to continue to break our own record with each album, and we want to show LUCY's stage overseas as well.

SHIN GWANGIL: This year, we want to meet more fans at a bigger venue. And this time, we won the 'Blooming Band Performer Award' for the first time at the ‘Hanteo Music Awards,’ and we want to receive more awards with distinct achievements in the future.

allkpop: Are there any fellow K-bands or artists in the industry you would love to collaborate with in the future?

CHOI SANGYEOP: Last year, we collaborated with seniors from Daybreak, and if we get a chance to do it together again, I think we can do even better. It would be nice to be able to work with other bands too!

CHO WONSANG: I want to test how far I can go with my producing skills! I want to try hip-hop with Jay Park sunbaenim, and I want to challenge various genres.

allkpop: Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers and your fans worldwide?

SHIN YECHAN: Hello, everyone! We had an interview with allkpop to celebrate our comeback. How was it? We're happiest when we perform in front of you! Please pay a lot of attention to LUCY, everyone; we'll meet soon! See you soon!

CHOI SANGYEOP: I am always grateful to those who support me from far away. We look forward to the moment when we will be together with you on a wider stage! Always be healthy, and love LUCY a lot!

CHO WONSANG: Thank you for loving LUCY, and please listen to this album a lot! And I hope you are happy because of us!

SHIN GWANGIL: It's a pity that there are few opportunities to meet overseas fans. We will work harder and go overseas! Please wait a little bit!