Photo = UNCORE

 

[Hanteo News = Reporter KANG SUYOUNG] JANG YEOJUN of CLOSE YOUR EYES, also known as CYE, expressed his desire to try acting professionally after taking on an acting challenge through this album.

 

CLOSE YOUR EYES held a press conference to commemorate the release of its 4th mini album ‘256th Note’ at The Riverside Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 30th. On this day, JANG YEOJUN looked back on filming the interlude film for the pre-release track ‘Open Your Eyes’ and shared, “It was such a great opportunity that it made me think I would like to try acting professionally if I get the chance.”

 

Ahead of the release of this album, CLOSE YOUR EYES unveiled the interlude film ‘Open Your Eyes,’ in which all seven members took on group acting for the first time. KIM SUNGMIN recalled, “It was our first time acting together as members since debut, so we also took acting lessons,” adding, “It was fun because we could exchange feedback with one another.” He added, “It was impressive to see XIANG hyung take the lead when doing improvisational acting, and when KENSHIN and XIANG hyung acted in their native languages, the tone itself changed, which was really cool.” JANG YEOJUN said, “I had always been interested in acting, and through this opportunity, I became even more interested,” adding, “I want to try it professionally if I get the chance.” He also expressed his gratitude, saying, “Actor JANG YOHUN participated with us, so we were able to show an even better side.”

 

The members also talked about the B-side track ‘Eternity,’ for which all members participated in writing the lyrics. MA JINGXIANG said, “I wrote the lyrics while continuously thinking that I want to be with CLOSER, our fandom, forever.” SEO KYOUNGBAE said, “I desperately wanted to include the friendship among the members and our desire to be with CLOSER for a long, long time,” adding, “Because I wrote with that feeling, I was able to write it quickly.” KENSHIN shared, “In the past, I would first write in Japanese and then translate it into Korean, but this time, I studied Korean again and tried to write the lyrics in Korean from the beginning.”

 

On the musical direction CLOSE YOUR EYES pursues, JANG YEOJUN said, “I think our own story has to be included,” adding, “We are trying to continue making various attempts and taking on challenges without being limited to any one genre.” He continued, “Even the members who have difficulties with language are overflowing with musical ambition,” adding, “Thankfully, we have received a lot of compliments saying that our music is good, so that gave us the courage to keep challenging ourselves and trying new things.”

 

CLOSE YOUR EYES, which expressed the pure emotions of youth in its own language with its debut song ‘All My Poetry and Novels Within Me,’ has since expanded its musical range by taking on various genres and concepts. Ahead of the official release, the group also raised anticipation for its comeback by releasing the pre-release track ‘Open Your Eyes’ and holding busking events in the city.

 

The album ‘256th Note’ is inspired by the freedom and improvisation unique to jazz. Rather than focusing on standardized expressions, it centers on the emotions and flow of the moment, capturing the process in which passing moments come together to become one piece of music. The album contains a total of seven tracks, including the title track ‘Drop That!,’ and all seven members participated in writing the lyrics for the final track ‘Eternity,’ directly expressing their feelings for their fandom CLOSER in the lyrics.

 

CLOSE YOUR EYES’ 4th mini album ‘256th Note’ will be released today at 6 PM. As CLOSE YOUR EYES returns after five months with an even broader musical world, anticipation is growing for what kind of growth the group will show through this album.

 

grace@hanteo.com