[HT Interview] ARTMS Says, “We Are Confident We Will Work Hard”…A Distinct Determination After Breaking Their Hiatus (Comprehensive)

[Hanteo News = Reporter KANG SUYOUNG] ARTMS, returning after a long hiatus, was united with a distinct sense of determination.

ARTMS met with Hanteo News at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 6th and talked about their 2nd mini album 'Hyper-Ego.' Ahead of their long-awaited comeback, the members’ expressions showed not only excitement but also firm resolve.

“Since we are making a comeback after a long time, one year and two months, I feel very nervous and excited, but we worked hard to prepare this album with a diverse composition, and we have returned with a title track with a new feel that ARTMS has not challenged before. I would be grateful if you gave it a lot of interest.” (HEEJIN)

“Since we waited so much, and OURII, the fandom name, waited so much as well, we are confident that we will work hard on anything, whether it is Reels, content, or all music shows. Even among ourselves, whenever we got too tired and exhausted, we reminded one another of the hiatus and promised to keep going.” (JINSOUL)

As they spoke with such firm determination, the outfits they were wearing caught the eye. The members, who were scheduled to head straight to a music show stage after the interview, were all dressed in black school uniforms of the same design. The way even the details matched gave a strong sense of unity.

“This is the main outfit for the pre-release song 'Born Stunner.' We focused on what outfits would make us stand out the most. We had tried wearing flashy outfits and simple outfits, but fans seemed to like outfits that are simple yet have a clear character more. International fans even come dressed in cosplay versions of our outfits. So this time, while trying to keep it as simple as possible but still bring out our character, we thought that if we wore school uniforms, we could naturally melt our storytelling into it without looking too intense, so we chose these outfits.” (JINSOUL)

“ARTMS is made up of five members who are each their own ego and also one single ego. We have always melted that into music video storytelling, but I think we thought a lot about how to show it through an intuitive image. So this time, we tried an image transformation by all going platinum blonde, all wearing the same school uniforms, and all wearing lenses of the same color. For 'Blue Blood,' both the outfits and lenses are blue, while for 'Born Stunner,' we used red, preparing the two double title tracks with different feelings.” (HEEJIN)
 

As HEEJIN said, the two title tracks were truly different in color. 'Born Stunner' captured the ear with a heavy bass sound that matched its intense red color, while the bright and refreshing mood of 'Blue Blood' went well with vivid blue tones. Both songs had a noticeably different feel from ARTMS’ previous songs, which were mysterious and dreamy.

“We did think a lot about changing genres. To be honest, I think we were flustered when the CEO first played this song for us. We wondered, ‘Does this match our color?’ so we even requested a meeting with the CEO, and it was a song with many twists and turns. But because of the time we had spent with the CEO, we decided to trust him and give it a try, and we prepared hard in our own way. Then the hair and makeup staff and other staff members told us that this song was good. I felt that the parts of us that had been a little niche had perhaps developed a bit more.” (KIM LIP)

“To be really honest, the members’ first reaction was, ‘Can we do this?’ Since we have years of experience, we wondered whether there was a reason we had not done this kind of feeling before, so we were anxious. But we have always had trust in the CEO, so we decided to trust him again this time. Instead, because we were anxious too, I think we tried to include our color in the performance, hair, makeup, and styling.” (JINSOUL)

“In the end, I think we had prejudices about ourselves. After trying it, it felt like wearing clothes that fit us really well, and I thought, ‘The CEO definitely thinks differently.’” (HEEJIN)

The representative keywords that describe ARTMS are worldview and aesthetics. Under the solid worldview that has continued from their former group LOONA, they have built an image different from conventional idols by continuing to take on conceptual attempts. The teaser image of HEEJIN released when their 1st mini album 'Club Icarus' came out last June also drew major attention for its unique visuals. Why does ARTMS choose challenges instead of pretty music?

“In the case of the worldview, it is something we had been very obsessed with and loved since LOONA, and I think it is a part that not only we but also the fans really like. So we wanted to keep carrying it forward. In a way, we have been active for almost 10 years from LOONA until now, so rather than simply doing pretty music or formal music given to us by the company, we try to challenge ourselves a lot with conceptual things because we want to find fun elements within it. And we also receive a lot of inspiration from fans. To be honest, rather than the worldview being completely set from the beginning, I think it was more about creating the story together with fans.” (KIM LIP)

“Also, fans really love this worldview and really enjoy making theories about it. Even when we watch our own music videos, there is fun in making guesses ourselves, and we are trying to unfold the worldview in an increasingly fun way.” (CHOERRY)

A unique and unrivaled concept strengthens a group’s identity, but at the same time, it can also raise the barrier to entry. For ARTMS, who face the task of improving domestic recognition compared to their overseas popularity, that dilemma may feel even greater. We asked whether, as popular music artists, they had concerns between those two points.

“I think it is half and half. Personally, our music videos are not just for listening, but they also include storytelling and visual enjoyment, so there are many times when they feel like watching one film in a series. That is a great strength, but I always had the thought that it might not resonate with many members of the public. But I think the song that complements that is this 'Born Stunner,' so personally, I think this album satisfies both sides. This time, I hope fans enjoy it together, but I also hope the music 'Born Stunner' spreads widely so that many members of the public can know the name ARTMS.” (HEEJIN)

“This is my personal thought, but I think the worldview and conceptual aspects I mentioned earlier may be what fans find fun, and I think they like us a lot because our genres are diverse. What became symbolic for us during ODD EYE CIRCLE was the school uniforms in different colors. Even now, 10 years later, everyone still loves those uniforms and wears them as costumes. Musically, we also make diverse attempts, and with this 'Born Stunner,' we tried to go one step further, so I think fans may like seeing that side of us.” (KIM LIP)

disappointment that it is not with the full group. HASEUL is unable to participate in the album activities and concert tour due to shoulder surgery. Instead of simply feeling sad, the members have decided to support one another in their own ways.

“Actually, HASEUL unnie is probably the most disappointed, and what we were most worried about was that she might not be able to rest comfortably. Since we are working hard on our activities, her heart might feel uncomfortable. So we visit unnie very often, eat dinner together, and unnie also comes to our sites a lot. Yesterday, she came to the practice room and brought snacks and things like that. We are trying as much as possible not to be apart from one another.” (HEEJIN)

“I really rely on the members a lot. When we are on concert tours, flying and traveling for a long time in unfamiliar places can make us physically and mentally drained and exhausted. But every time that happens, if one member looks tired, we all go over and ask, ‘What is difficult?’ and we open up to one another. If someone says, ‘I think today’s performance will be a little hard for me,’ we all come to that person’s side and say a lot of positive things like, ‘You can do it.’ I still remember what we said among ourselves after the last tour ended. In our group chat, we said warm things to one another like, ‘I was able to endure because the members were there.’ Whenever that happens, I feel, ‘The members really think about and love one another a lot.’” (KIM LIP)

“Because we see one another more often than family and live together for a long time, we know each other’s personalities well, and we can immediately tell things like, ‘Unnie must be tired right now,’ so honestly, I think we hardly ever fight. During our U.S. promotion this time, we also used an Airbnb together for the first time in a while, and because it had been so long, it was so fun and happy.” (CHOERRY)

“Rather, the longer we spend together, the more reasons to fight disappear. Because we understand one another so well, we come to know what each person likes and dislikes, and things like, ‘Oh, she is not in good condition today, so I should not talk to her or joke around with her.’ As those things build up, we become more considerate of one another, and I think there is no reason to fight at all. If anything, we bumped into each other more in the past, before we understood one another.” (HEEJIN)

Meanwhile, ARTMS released their 2nd mini album 'Hyper-Ego' today. Attention is focused on how ARTMS, who are finding their own position between familiarity and newness, public appeal and uniqueness, will complete that balance with this album.

grace@hanteo.com


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