Photo = B.WAVE ENTERTAINMENT

 

[Hanteo News = Reporter KANG SUYOUNG] ONEUS’ SEOHO revealed the process of joining the group’s full-group comeback immediately after being discharged from the military.

 

ONEUS met with Hanteo News at a cafe in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 21st and talked about its 12th mini album ‘FIRST LIGHT : 井.’ On this day, SEOHO said, “I did some dieting in the military and came out after losing about 8kg,” adding, “Because the muscles I used were different, I could see things like, ‘Was I this awkward when doing this move?’ And because I could not manage myself overall, I felt a little regretful about my visuals too.”

 

The members had prepared for the comeback that took place immediately after SEOHO’s discharge. KEONHEE said, “We wanted to promote as a full group as soon as possible, so we worked hard in advance to set everything up so that SEOHO hyung could start as soon as he came back,” adding, “We worked hard to set things up too, but he had to learn choreography and record starting the day after his discharge, so I felt especially grateful because I think SEOHO hyung must have had a particularly hard time this time.” SEOHO said, “It was great that everything was already set up, but I was not prepared, and I was not mentally ready either,” adding, “I worked hard to quickly awaken the rusty parts, and in order to catch up with the members who had been working hard for a year and a half, I divided up my time as much as possible and focused on practice and album preparations.” Regarding his current condition, he said, “Compared to before I went, I think I am at about 80%, and I have come up a lot.”

 

The members viewed SEOHO’s return even more positively. XION said, “SEOHO hyung is the main vocalist and a member who has always been at the center of the team, so he has done well,” adding, “He started practicing right from the day after he returned, and he was in a situation where he had to pull off not only this title track, but also three new songs, including songs that the four of us had performed at events.” He continued, “He pulled it off within a short time, and while learning the choreography, he has been working hard to overcome it by doing not only group practice but also individual practice. Once we make our comeback, I think fans will not even be able to tell, to the point where they will say, ‘Wait, did SEOHO really come back from the military?’ If I had to put it in percentage terms, I would say 90%.”

 

KEONHEE said, “Aside from the fact that his hair got a little shorter and he looks a bit like a soldier, even during his military service, he communicated with fans on his own, gained a lot of experience performing alone, and was doing his best to prepare for when he returned to ONEUS,” adding, “He did so well so quickly, to the point where there was no sense of difference from before, almost like he had only rested for about a month, so I felt proud inside.” He continued, “For some reason, he came back from the military a little more shameless, so that part is slightly annoying to see, but still, it must have been overwhelming for him, so seeing him try to show everyone promoting together again in such a short time makes me feel both sorry and grateful.”

 

KEONHEE also shared the behind-the-scenes story of SEOHO’s weight loss. KEONHEE said, “When he came out on leave, he stayed at my house, and every time he came over, he kept showing off his body, saying he had worked out hard and his muscles had gotten bigger,” adding, “The last image I had seen of SEOHO hyung was of him looking cooler after gaining muscle, but when he was discharged, he appeared with the weight all slimmed down so that he could start promoting right away, looking very idol-like. That made me feel that SEOHO hyung had prepared hard and come out ready.”

 

The album title ‘FIRST LIGHT : 井’ carries a deep meaning. KEONHEE said, “We debuted with an album titled ‘LIGHT US,’” adding, “It meant that we were born because our fans shone on us. Now, seven years later, as we return as a full group, if the love we have received from TOMOON, our fandom, was the moonlight that fans shone on us, this album contains our ambition to return that and the meaning of, ‘We will illuminate your dark sides with our sun.’” He continued, “It contains a lot of our gratitude toward fans, and I think it also contains many stories about the time ONEUS has spent together until now, so I think it may be an album that becomes a gift for fans.”

 

The title track ‘Don’t Look Away’ also carries a deep message. KEONHEE said, “‘Don’t Look Away’ has the direct message to fans of always looking at us, but its subtitle ‘Say Yes!’ also contains a lot of positive feelings,” adding, “The message that runs through the song is ‘I’ll be the sunrise,’ meaning that I will become your sunlight. Just as fans have always shone on us, we also wanted to illuminate the darkness of our fans, so we expressed those positive feelings through the condensed lyric ‘say yes.’” He continued, “With its addictive, hooking sound and warm lyrics, I think you will be able to feel a lot of positive energy.”

 

They also shared their plans for the upcoming military hiatus. SEOHO said, “I went first, and no matter when another member goes or how long it takes, I want to tell them to go comfortably because I will fill the empty space again and protect the team well,” adding, “I do not know when it will be, but I have faith that we will be able to promote as a full group again whenever that may be, so I hope they go comfortably.”

 

KEONHEE said, “We were all born one after another, in 1996, 1997, and 1998,” adding, “There are no specific plans decided right now, but as soon as concrete plans are made, we plan to let fans know first. I also hope fans do not become anxious or nervous already and end up unable to enjoy this comeback or tour.” SEOHO said, “I want to tell the younger members that they do not need to worry too much,” adding, “Because I was the first, I was very anxious too, but the members were protecting the team well, and once I was there, I was not completely cut off, so time actually did not pass as slowly as I thought. It did pass slowly, though,” drawing laughter. He added, “I hope they enjoy the present and are happy.”

 

ONEUS’ 12th mini album ‘FIRST LIGHT : 井’ will be released today at 6 PM.

 

grace@hanteo.com