A new K-Pop boy group under Great M Entertainment has bursted onto the K-Pop scene: 82MAJOR's first chapter begins as they brim with excitement in meeting fans and making memories with them moving forward through the band's debut single album 'ON.'

With its name inspired by South Korea's country code, 82, the six-piece group — composed of Nam Seong Mo, Park Seok Joon, Yoon Ye Chan, Cho Seong Il, Hwang Seong Bin, and Kim Do Gyun — are ready to carve their own path, establish themselves in the ever-growing K-Pop industry, and show what they have to the world.

The album includes double title tracks "First Class" and "Sure Thing," wherein members Seong Mo, Seong Bin, and Ye Chan participated in penning the lyrics, working alongside notable songwriters and producers Ryan Jhun, Wyatt Sanders, Charles Frank Rhodes Jr., Roydo, and Frederik Jyll to bring the masterpieces to life.

The boys of 82MAJOR sat down with allkpop to talk about their debut preparations, experience on being an idol so far, future aspirations, and more. Keep reading to know more about the new boy group!

Shout-out video form 82MAJOR to allkpop readers:

allkpop: Hi, 82MAJOR! Congratulations on your debut! How does it feel to be now part of the growing K-Pop industry? Considering how big K-Pop is right now, what are your thoughts on being able to debut and what do you plan to show to everyone?

Seong Il: First of all, I’m very glad to have made a debut! Also, I’m overjoyed for all the love and support from our fans. We aim to stand before you, creating music and engaging in more activities. Our goal is to be a group that touches your hearts with the music of 82MAJOR!

Seong Mo: I dreamed of becoming a K-pop idol while watching senior K-pop artists. Standing on the same stage as them is a great honor, and I'm eagerly anticipating future activities.

Do Gyun: I'm honored and thrilled to be able to promote our songs alongside senior K-pop artists I've always admired. We're putting in efforts to connect with our fans directly on more stages in the future so please stay tuned!

Seong Bin: I'm genuinely ecstatic about making my debut. Moving forward, I would like 82MAJOR to expand globally and engage in activities that positively impact many people.

Ye Chan: We’re here to show people we aren’t just about our looks but we care for the art and the music we are making. As of now we’ve been a part of the music-making process and wish to delve deeper into it.

Seok Joon: I’m extremely honored to be part of the fantastic K-pop label, and we aspire to share our unique style of music with the world in the future.

allkpop: It’s been over a month since your debut. What was your first month as a member of 82MAJOR like? How would you describe this experience in one phrase or sentence?

Seong Il: The phrase "Let's not be fooled by familiarity and lose something we hold dear" is something that comes to my mind, and it is a phrase I’d like to live up to. With the continued love I receive, I will always work with a grateful heart and treasure the support from my fans.

Seong Mo: I was thrilled as it was my first time experiencing everything, and meeting my fans in person brought me immense happiness.

Do Gyun: Everything was new, so it was a novel experience. I’m also grateful for everything that happened.

Seong Bin: These are precious memories of diverse experiences and the coming together of various people. The time spent with the fans was especially meaningful.

Ye Chan: Thrilling. I know you asked for a sentence but as soon as this question popped up that was the first word that came up and it couldn’t have been more correct. It’s been thrilling to be on music shows and honestly, I’m thrilled to make more music!

Seok Joon: Since my debut, I've undergone numerous experiences like performing on stages, filming, fan meet-ups, and autograph sessions—summing it up in one sentence, it feels like a dream.

allkpop: What aspect or thing do you think 82MAJOR members have that you believe will help you set yourself apart from other artists?

Seong Il: A standout feature of 82MAJOR is that every member can create songs, and each member is confident in their exceptional rapping skills. We believe this will undoubtedly be a strength for our group!

Seong Mo: Our distinctive feature lies in all members contributing to rap and writing their own verses.

Do Gyun: Strong teamwork!

Seong Bin: Our versatility in trying various genres is a key aspect. Moreover, the members' direct involvement in song creation allows us to convey our sincerity through our music.

Ye Chan: The fact that all six of us can rap and we’re all trying to fill in for other members where we lack. It’s kind of giving yin and yang the way we’re balancing each other out. Plus we’re all very close to each other, so I feel like these points make us distinct.

Seok Joon: It is that all members write music, and we all can rap.

allkpop: K-Pop groups find importance in the songs they’ll first release to build a strong foundation and impression on people. What do you think makes ‘ON’ the perfect debut project for 82MAJOR? What were your first impressions and reactions when you heard the demo?

Seong Il: Our debut album ‘ON’ features two double title tracks, “Sure Thing” and “First Class.” These songs evoke contrasting emotions, allowing us to showcase our diverse charms at the same time. When we first heard the demo, we unanimously felt, ‘These suit us perfectly!’

Seong Mo: I was glad to be able to showcase our contrasting charms through two songs.

Seong Bin: The moment I heard both songs, I instantly thought these songs were made for us. “Sure Thing” captured me with its beautiful melody from the first listen. The repeated line in the chorus of “First Class” truly resonated with my heart and I wanted to sing this song no matter what.

Ye Chan: Initially, I thought “Sure Thing” suited me better personally. However, after performing on music shows, I've come to appreciate “First Class” as well!

Seok Joon: Naming our debut album ON signifies the commencement of 82MAJOR, and we believe both songs are a perfect fit as the title tracks for our first album to introduce ourselves to the world.

allkpop: Are there any interesting or fun behind-the-scenes stories from your debut preparations in general?

Seong Mo: On the day we filmed the music video for “First Class,” it unexpectedly rained, adding a unique and enjoyable experience as we danced in the rain.

Do Gyun: The most memorable moment for me was when we filmed the “First Class” music video where I danced in the rain with the members. The exhilaration and fun of dancing in the rain made it even more exciting!

Seong Bin: I was incredibly nervous before stepping onto the stage for music shows, but I vividly recall Do Gyun, the youngest member of the team, making funny hand gestures to help me relax. Thank you, Do Gyun!

Ye Chan: Yes! While filming “First Class” music video’s airport scene, my hat kept falling off so I just kept throwing it off of my head which was completely improvised, but it eventually made the final cut in the music video! I thought that was just super fun. I don't think I’ve told that story anywhere yet!

Seok Joon: I have fond memories of going to Gapyeong for a workshop with our CEO and company staff. We had a great time playing games and enjoying a barbecue party together.

allkpop: Since you’re just a new group, I was wondering what musical styles or genres would you like to try that you best believe will suit 82MAJOR perfectly.

Seong Mo: It feels a bit early for us to choose one, and we plan to enhance our unique style by exploring and challenging various genres.

Seong Il: I think hip-hop-based music with a chill vibe suits us the best.

Seong Bin: With all six of us being able to rap, we believe the hip-hop genre suits us best.

Ye Chan: We’re planning on releasing music on SoundCloud and I don't know if we’ll present new music by the time this interview comes out. But one thing we can say is that we’re cooking up a LOT of songs for our fans and they’re all very diverse but as of now, the genre that fits us the best would be hyperpop/rap. I think.

Seok Joon: I believe hip-hop-based music would suit us well. However, I'm confident in our ability to embrace and excel in various genres.

allkpop: Seong Mo, Seong Bin, and Ye Chan participated in writing the lyrics for the tracks. Could you please walk us through how you worked on them? And how does it feel like to see your name in the credits, to be able to release a song to the world that you were a part of creating?

Seong Mo: I remember jokingly saying, "Wow, we're kind of cool!" to each other.

Seong Bin: Seeing our name on the album credits was truly amazing, and it felt like our song was finally out in the world. Reflecting on the countless hours we spent practicing, I found myself eager to start working on the next song as soon as possible.

Ye Chan: Having my name on the credits and the song description feels very surreal. It’s almost unbelievable. It’s been my dream to have my name credited under songs, so finally seeing it come to fruition is surreal to me. For our next album, I’d like to participate in the songwriting process with more time.

allkpop: The members were born in 2004 and 2006, and you trained for years before debuting. Was there a moment that you had second thoughts about being an idol? And what was it that you were holding onto until the time you finally debuted?

Seong Il: Personally, I faced some challenges trying to lose weight, but I was able to overcome them with guidance and support from the members and the company.

Seong Mo: Watching the performances of senior K-pop artists consistently motivated me, fueling a growing desire to excel, which ultimately helped me persevere.

Do Gyun: I've never regretted my decision. Above all, the support of my family, especially my father, has been a tremendous help. Thank you.

Seong Bin: The desire to bring comfort to many people through music has been my driving force and source of support. I hope to evoke empathy from many through good music. Additionally, my debut became possible thanks to the trust and support of my precious family. 

Ye Chan: I’m sure all trainees and idols have felt this before, but we’ve all had second thoughts especially when things weren’t going as expected. When I had left my previous company and was searching for a new company, I was seriously considering going back to the university and studying music to become a producer. The person who actually pushed me along to continue this journey was my mom! She has always supported me through thick and thin, so I always feel blessed to have her support.

Seok Joon: I've never regretted my decision. Despite the many challenges, the support from both the members and my family provided me with the strength to overcome them.

allkpop: Since all the members are still young, I’m sure there are things you would want to explore and try. Is there anything, maybe a hobby, that you’re keeping an eye on?

Seong Il: I was a badminton player before, so I want to make an appearance on a program about badminton.

Seong Mo: I wanted to become a soccer player when I was young, so if I have some time, I'd love to revisit playing soccer and other sports with my friends. Additionally, I have a keen interest in exploring various musical projects with other artists.

Do Gyun: I’d love to try learning several martial arts.

Seong Bin: I want to try extreme sports like bungee jumping, skydiving, scuba diving, mountain biking, and more. I'm eager to engage in experiences that push me to explore my limits.

Ye Chan: I’ve always skateboarded and snowboarded, but I've been wondering what surfing is like. So possibly in the future, I’d like to try surfing.

Seok Joon: I dream of customizing my home according to my preferences. In my vision, one room is dedicated to gaming setup and another is filled with items I've always wanted to buy or collect.

allkpop: Which artists, in or out of K-Pop, would you like to work with for either a song release or a stage collaboration?

Seong Il: I’d love to collaborate with Jungkook of BTS because he has been our role model since our early days.

Seong Mo: I want to collaborate with Halsey or Keshi. I just love their music.

Do Gyun: Baekhyun from EXO. I really think he is a great artist.

Seong Bin: I want to perform a collaboration stage with Post Malone. He is not only my role model but also an artist for whom I am deeply grateful, as he played a significant role in making me dream of becoming an idol. Collaborating with him would be a dream come true.

Ye Chan: My brother, NCT, and Taeyang.

Seok Joon: I admire works by MELOH!

allkpop: What hopes and goals do you have for yourself and 82MAJOR? What will be your 2024 resolutions?

Seong Il: My goal is to present you with great music in 2024 as well!

Seong Mo: First and foremost, maintaining good health and not getting injured would be the goal. In 2024, our goal is to further promote 82MAJOR to the world!

Seong Bin: On a personal note, I hope our music resonates with many, and let the world know that there is a person named Hwang Seong Bin. As a group, we aim to expand our horizons and strive for the Rookie of the Year award. In 2024, especially, I hope our songs do well on music charts, reaching a broader audience.

Ye Chan: Hopefully, we win an award as a group! And spending more time making music for our group and releasing many more songs.

Seok Joon: With our next album, we aim to reach an even broader audience and make them aware of the presence of this fantastic group!

allkpop: To conclude this interview, please share with us one song that you’ve been playing on repeat these days, plus your final messages to everyone!

Seong Il: I've been frequently listening to DEAN's "Instagram" lately! I like that this song brings me a sense of calm. Likewise, we are committed to creating music that resonates and touches your heart.

Seong Mo: “24 Hours” by Kvsh. Thank you all for taking the time to read this. Please continue to give 82MAJOR your love and support!

Do Gyun: As winter is here, I'd like to recommend “First Snow'' by EXO. Thank you for reading our interview till the end, and please look forward to the continuous growth of 82MAJOR!

Seong Bin: “No Pain" by Silica Gel is an incredible track. The powerful electric guitar sound that leads up to the moment of suspenseful muting is truly a work of art. The song's clear message makes it exceptionally good, and I highly encourage everyone to give it a listen.

Ye Chan: “Late Night” by Lucky Daye and “DIE 4 YOU” by DEAN. Thank you guys for reading our interview. Hopefully, we will see y’all soon on the big stage!

Seok Joon: “Green” by Bang Yong Guk. The pleasing melody, well-matched lyrics, and the overall sensation of a cool breeze on the plains make it a standout track. Thank you for the love and support for 82MAJOR, and we look forward to bringing you even more exciting things in the future! Thank you!



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