ONE PACT, a South Korean boy group under Armada Entertainment, has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting rookie groups in the K-pop scene. Comprising Jongwoo, Jay Chang, Seongmin, TAG, and Yedam, the group’s formation is the result of experienced artists with diverse backgrounds coming together to create something fresh and powerful. They made their debut in November 2023, with the EP Moment and the lead single Must Be Nice. Before their official debut, the group set off on a pre-debut tour in Japan and Thailand, releasing performance videos for tracks like G.O.A.T and Hot Stuff. Since then, they’ve only continued to rise.

ONE PACT‘s journey into the music world has been one of constant growth. Their latest releases reflect the group’s identity and individual contributions, creating a sound that even non-K-pop fans can enjoy. The creative process behind their new mini-album, PINK CRUSH, was an intense yet rewarding experience, with each member pouring their heart into the project. 

In this exclusive interview with View of the Arts, we discussed the group’s origins, creative process, and artistic journey. From discovering their love for music at a young age to their hands-on involvement in producing their latest mini-album, PINK CRUSH.

Having talented musicians around me who also understand me well is something I’m always grateful for. – TAG

View of the Arts:  Being a new K-pop group, do you feel that music was always your calling? Can you share a moment when you realized you wanted to pursue a career as an artist? 

Jongwoo: I’ve loved music and watching performances since I was young. In middle school, a friend suggested we prepare a dance performance together, and the moment I stepped on stage, I knew it would shape who I am today.

Jay: My father was a musician, so I think I was destined to be an artist from the moment I was born. I’ve always worked hard for this, and I still love music deeply. I’ll continue doing my best to keep making music in the future.

Seongmin: The first time I listened to an original demo that I was set to record as a trainee, I felt an incredible excitement at the thought of bringing the song to life with my voice. It felt like I was one step closer to my dream. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to debut as a K-pop artist as soon as possible.

TAG: I believe a true artist is someone who creates their own music and moves people with it. Being a K-pop idol allows me to explore various genres and styles while reaching a wider audience.

Yedam: I’ve always loved singing and dancing. One day, while dancing, I imagined how incredible it would be to perform my own songs on stage – how happy it would make me and how much others would enjoy it. That thought inspired me to take the leap into this career.

VOA: Question for TAG – You’ve just released your 3rd mini-album, PINK CRUSH, where you were all involved in making it. TAG, you especially took on the role of producer, composer, and songwriter. With such deep involvement in creating the group’s music, how did you manage to balance your personal creative expression with maintaining the group’s overall identity?

TAG: It’s still too early to define ONE PACT’s musical identity completely, but the best part is that we get to create music that we’re satisfied with. That’s the most important thing. When the members participate in the process, we can immerse ourselves in the music and deliver even better performances.

VOA: Confession has a soft yet effortlessly cool beat that makes you want to dance. I also enjoyed how the lines were distributed in this song. What I find interesting is that the media rarely ask idols who work on their own releases what came to them first – was it the melody, the beat, or the lyrics?

TAG: It varies, but in my case, I usually ask producer friends to create a beat that fits the mood I’m aiming for. Then, I go through multiple beats and pick the one that resonates with me the most. After that, I write the lyrics and melody together. For example, when creating Confession, I started with the simple thought, “I want to use the phrase ‘I like you’ as the main theme.”

VOA: All the members collaborated on writing the lyrics for &Heart – It is a really great slow track. During your brainstorming sessions, did you encounter any creative differences? If so, how did you work through them to create a cohesive song?

TAG: I asked each member to write down their own ideas, but I didn’t let them share with each other. Since I was the one who had to organize everything and turn it into a song, it was important to keep their perspectives unique. Thankfully, everyone did an amazing job, making the process smooth.

My father was a musician, so I think I was destined to be an artist from the moment I was born. I’ve always worked hard for this, and I still love music deeply. – Jay

VOA: B2U brings an energetic, fast-paced vibe to the mini-album, making it another great dance track. With JOHA and Luke involved as both composers and arrangers, what was it like working with such talented producers?

TAG: Having talented musicians around me who also understand me well is something I’m always grateful for. More than anything, we trust each other’s abilities, so we plan to continue working together consistently.

VOA: wait! was composed by Universe, but TAG, you also contributed as a composer, producer, and lyricist. And  I have to commend you on both your production skills and your lyricism. The track is incredibly well-produced, and I love its nostalgic, old-school vibe. What was the creative process behind this song? Was there any particular inspiration for wait!?

TAG: Several Days was one of the genres I’ve always wanted to explore with the members. I explained the vibe I had in mind to Universe-hyung, and he captured it perfectly in the beat, making the whole process smooth and enjoyable.

VOA: Question for TAG: WILD adds to the musical diversity of the mini-album beautifully. Once again, you were behind the lyrics. When you first sat down to write them, what was on your mind? Also, how was the experience of collaborating with Universe on the song’s arrangements?

TAG: WILD was the most spontaneous song we made. I had saved a beat from a collection that Universe-hyung had sent me a while ago, and I ended up writing lyrics for it. I love working with Universe-hyung because we create great synergy, and his beats are always top-tier.

VOA: Question for Jay Chang: As the final member announced after releasing your solo EP, how has your journey to joining One Pact shaped your approach to group dynamics and performances? You have also released solo material, so how does the experience differ when you are part of a group compared to being a solo artist?

Jay: My role in ONE PACT is definitely as the vocalist! As a vocalist, I think I bring a dynamic quality to our music. I’ll keep working hard to deliver even better music. Also, through my solo activities, I get to express myself more as an artist, but being a part of the group and creating a unified vision with the members is something I truly love. Having multiple voices come together to form a song is really special.

VOA: Question for Jongwoo – as the leader, what strategies do you use to bring unity and resolve conflicts among the members, especially during intense preparation periods? As you are five in the group, there must be five different personalities, how do you guys make it work as a group?

Jongwoo: The most important part is the effort we put in behind the scenes. Of course, being together as a group is essential, but the invisible work – coordinating schedules, organizing things, and minimising conflicts – is just as crucial. When conflicts do arise, we always make sure to have honest conversations to resolve them.

VOA: Question for Seongmin – How does it feel when you release music in general? Personally, I feel like when an artist exposes their work it’s like revealing their soul to the public. I have major respect for that, and I’m curious, how do you feel, and how the group feels, when you put your music out there for people to judge? 

Seongmin: Our group tends to come back with very diverse genres each time. During the preparation process, I always wonder, “Will I be able to immerse myself in this new concept?” I also hope that our fans will love it. When our new concept is revealed and the fans respond positively, it makes me feel really proud.

I’ve loved music and watching performances since I was young. In middle school, a friend suggested we prepare a dance performance together, and the moment I stepped on stage, I knew it would shape who I am today. – Jongwoo

VOA: Question for Yedam – As the youngest member and lead vocalist of One Pact, how was your experience working on the new mini-album? Did you face any challenges or learn something new during the process?

Yedam: [Laughs], yes, I’m the youngest and an all-rounder! I loved working on this album because I genuinely enjoyed every song, and the process made me really happy. If there was anything difficult, it was probably adapting to Taekyun-hyung’s musical style, which can be quite challenging. But every time I work on it, I improve and learn a lot. I even found myself mimicking Taekyun-hyung’s speech and gestures while working on the songs!

VOA: You also released a music video for 100!, featuring vibrant and joyful visuals. What was the concept behind the MV, and how was the experience of shooting it?

Jongwoo: The song is about confessing feelings to a crush, and the lyrics honestly express the confusion that comes with it.

Jay: Filming the music video was really fun! Most of the scenes just felt like we were playing around, but it was freezing outside, which made it tough. Still, I think the final result turned out great!

Seongmin: We originally planned for this song to be ONE PACT’s signature love song, and since it’s our first full-member track in a while, we were all really excited. That energy carried over into the music video shoot, and I think that’s why the vibe turned out so well.

TAG: We wanted the MV to feel natural and intuitive—something that would make people smile while watching. If we achieved that, then I’d say we succeeded.

Yedam: The filming process was so much fun that I didn’t find anything difficult at the time. Looking back, though, it was really cold and exhausting. But the moment we played the song and just lost ourselves in it—that was pure happiness.

VOA: If you had to describe each other using only song titles from your discography, which titles would you choose and why? (fan question)

Jay: Jongwoo: Hot Stuff – Because he’s so cool! Seongmin: Must Be Nice – I’m jealous because he’s so handsome!! TAG: FXX OFF – Taekyun’s expressionless face kind of gives off that vibe. Yedam: WILD – Yedam is an amazing dancer, so I think “wild” suits him perfectly.

Jongwoo: [myself] Hot Stuff: Coolness, Yedam – Confession: A song that expresses Yedam the best. Jay – 100!: It really captures Jay’s kindness. TAG – FXX OFF: Dark and alluring charm! Seongmin – Until Now: Refreshing.

Yedam: [myself] Until Now: I think the upbeat rhythm matches me well. Seongmin – Loading: The sentimental melody and beat suit Seongmin’s vibe. Jongwoo – I Still Do: The beat is really cool, just like Jongwoo. TAG – B2U: Among ONE PACT’s songs, this one is the most dynamic, so I think it fits TAG well. Jay – Rush In 2 You: The intense yet emotional beat reminds me of Jay.

Seongmin: Jongwoo – Hot Stuff: Because he’s as cool as the title suggests. TAG – Never Stop: A song that reflects TAG’s warm heart. Jay – JAYCHANG & Heart: A song that perfectly matches Jay, who truly loves &Heart. Yedam – Until Now: It feels like the perfect theme song for cute and fresh Yedam.

TAG: Actually, each song in PINK CRUSH has its own protagonist. If you open the CD album, you’ll see that each song’s main character is featured behind the lyric poster. Never Stop: Since I composed this song 100%, I feel like its identity represents me. WILD: I wanted to capture Jongwoo’s wild stage presence in the song. Confession: This song was made for Seongmin. His quiet strength is reflected in the way the song builds up and fills out over time. 100!: I wrote this song with Jay in mind. I thought the funky beat and melody would suit him best. Wait!: If you listen to Wait!, you’ll get to hear Yedam’s rapping. So far, we’ve showed more of his vocalist side, but through this song, I wanted to highlight Yedam’s versatility as an all-rounder.

VOA: You’ve kicked off 2025 in style with the release of your third mini-album. Do you have any other projects planned for the future?

Jongwoo: I want to do a world tour! Meeting all our fans around the world is my biggest goal.

Jay: I just want to keep making great music and showing everything we have to offer while meeting even more fans. Love you, ENHRT!

Seongmin: We’re preparing for overseas concerts, fan meetings, and much more to connect with ENHRT. We also plan to keep exploring new genres to bring you fresh music!

TAG: We’re working on a full album.

Yedam: We’re going to achieve even greater things – winning music shows, topping charts, appearing on variety programs, and leaving a lasting impact as a group. That’s our goal!

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Armada Entertainment

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. While we already offer rich content to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by exploring Asian music in greater depth. At the same time, we remain committed to present the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that shape these industries worldwide.}