There is no secret that the K-pop industry is highly competitive. With the 5th generation of idols on the horizon, it’s the rookie groups that often have to work extremely hard to secure a long-term position in the market.

82MAJOR is one of those rookie groups. Debuting in October of this year, they already showed that with strategic planning, consistent output, and their fun and creative personalities, they are on the right track towards a successful career. Under GREAT M Entertainment, the group began their official journey by releasing ON, a double single that features SURE THING and FIRST CLASS. With this release, 82MAJOR has gradually started to establish a dedicated fan base.

“Hi, I am Nam Seong Mo, the rapper of 82MAJOR”, Nam exclaimed when introducing himself during the roundtable interview. Followed by Hwang Seong Bin, Kim Do Gyum, Cho Seong Il, Park Seok Joon, and Yoon Ye Chan’s introduction, the group comfortably sat down over a Zoom and shared personal anecdotes and shed light on the creative process behind ON.

The metamorphosis from trainees to rookies brought forth significant changes, especially in their daily schedules. Cho Seong Il explained, “Before as trainees, we would always practise here [in the company]. Now that we’ve made our debut, we tend to practise elsewhere. Also, we get more time to interact with our fans, which I find to be great.” Park Seok Joon, on the other hand, reflected on the shift in mindset, saying, “When I was a trainee, I did not have the confidence that I would debut for sure. Now that we’ve made our debut, I want to show a better side of us, and it motivates me to do well during practice sessions as well as lyrics writing.”

Recalling humorous moments during the recording of their debut album, Cho Seong Il shared, “We had to film a teaser for our debut. When Seok Joon finished his scene, there was a bit of a narcissistic moment where he said ‘I did great.’ The way he said it was very funny so that was the most memorable moment.” Yoon Ye Chan added his own memorable experience, saying, “For me, for our single SURE THING, we had a very short time to practise it. We had a teacher who oversaw our recording sessions, and I was practising with our teacher trying to figure out how to do everything. In the two days that I had, I was able to learn what I am good at and what I still have to improve on.”

As each member expressed their ambition to collaborate with other artists and dreams of winning the Rookie of the Year award, they also delved into their musical influences. Nam Seong Mo confessed that, “BTS is a significant inspiration for me, not only musically but in how they embrace cultural elements in their music, showcasing Korean culture to the world. They’ve left a strong impression on me, and I aspire to become an artist like them.”

There is no doubt that the songwriting process is crucial for rookie K-pop artists as it allows them to carve their own musical identity and helps them to express their perspectives and emotions. Nam Seong Mo and Hwang Seong Bin offered insights into their songwriting process. Nam Seong Mo explained his approach to SURE THING, saying, “When I first heard the melody of SURE THING, it brought a positive, hopeful feeling. It inspired me to write lyrics as if directly communicating with our fans. When crafting these lyrics, a lot of beautiful words came to mind. In a section mentioning ‘a small firefly,’ I remembered being a child and witnessing a firefly, amased at how something so small could emit such a bright light. I aimed to be a similar source of light, even if small, for our fans. That’s how the lyrics came together.” Hwang Seong Bin added, “While creating FIRST CLASS, my focus was on the aspiration for 82MAJOR to reach a first-class status in the future. I aimed to express this ambition through the song’s lyrics.”

Choosing songs that represented their personalities, the members expressed gratitude to fans for their support. Yoon Ye Chan candidly confessed, “I think all of us think the same way when it comes to our fans. We want to thank everyone, the fans in Korea and those abroad. Thank you for leaving all the comments on our social media. We read all of them. We love all of you, so thank you for your support.”

In discussing their long-term goals, the group conveyed aspirations to create music that reflects their distinct colour and eventually produce entire albums independently. Cho Seong Il said, “Even though we just made our debut, it is my goal to receive the Rookie of the Year award. It is the biggest goal that we have. After receiving the Rookie of the Year award, we will do our best to receive the grand award through our next album.”

Leading up to their debut, the members of 82MAJOR found themselves grappling with nerves, excitement, and a surreal sense of unreality. Park Seok Joon confessed, “Until about 5 days before our debut, it didn’t feel like I was going to debut at all. I kept asking myself, ‘Am I really going to debut?’ I was somewhat nervous, but I think the uncertainty played a role in that feeling. During the debut showcase, the presence of all the people in front of me washed away any nerves I had.”

As they navigated the preparation process, Cho Seong Il reflected on the endurance test of repetition. “Listening to the same song repeatedly can lead to fatigue, but as we prepared for our debut and kept listening to what our members had created, I never grew tired of it. The song sounded great, which boosted my confidence and helped to calm me down.”

The inspiration behind naming their group, 82MAJOR, stemmed from a collaborative decision with their CEO, as Cho Seong Il explained, “As K-pop comes from Korea, we pondered over elements representing the country. That’s when the idea of using the country code came up; the number 82 instantaneously makes you think of Korea.”

Delving into the meaning behind the lyrics of FIRST CLASS, Nam Seong Mo shed light on their playful approach to confidence. “For this part, we wanted to show our confidence in a more witty way. And while working on the lyrics, we asked ourselves, ‘How can we really show the group’s confidence in the song?’ Then that line came up humorously and showed who we really are as a group.”

Considering the impact of their surroundings on their creative journey, Cho Seong Il emphasised the critical role played by their support system. “The staff’s support truly mattered. When we felt our energy was too low or felt too tired, their encouragement – saying, ‘Let’s do this!’ – helped us rekindle our spirits and push forward. They are the source of our motivation for sure.” Then Yoon Ye Chan added, “When we were at music shows, the staff always said what we did well. They never said what we did badly, but what we could improve on. So, that way of thinking really helps us with our confidence and nervousness.” As 82MAJOR continues to navigate within the K-pop industry, it’s obvious that their journey is not just about individual talent but also the shared strength derived from the supportive environment of GREAT M Entertainment.

As the interview concluded, Hwang Seong Bin expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you so much for supporting us. You are the reason for our existence. We love you!” Yoon Ye Chan expressed the same sentiment, highlighting their appreciation for fans both in Korea and abroad. “Thank you for your support,” he said. “We love all of you.”

I am delighted to see that 82MAJOR is not only starting their new musical journey but also proudly showing a vibrant story of growth and creativity.

Written and interviewed (part of a roundtable interview) by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}