The K-pop boy band U-KISS has received major press in the West in the last few months, due mainly to rapper AJ's ongoing academic studies at Columbia University in New York City.
After a major profile in the New York Post, AJ even made an appearance on "Good Morning America" back in January.
The recent U-KISS US tour, scheduled to coincide with the rapper's winter break, rapped up earlier this month.
But though AJ is back in school, the other five members of U-KISS have no plans of slowing down. The group, who has sold over a quarter of a million albums internationally, will release their third album "Memories" on March 19.
A few days after the release of their eighth Japanese single, "Break Up" the members of U-KISS (minus AJ, who returned to Columbia on Jan. 21 and is on indefinite hiatus from the band), sat down with KpopStarz Japan reporter Kiyori Matsumoto to discuss their new album and the relentless touring schedule they have become known for.
KpopStarz: You recently completed a tour of the US. Any highlights?
Kevin: Playing in San Francisco, which is my hometown. I was very happy that my family and friends came out to see the concert. I introduced the other members of U-KISS to my family.
Hoon: We all went to sightseeing, but unfortunately heavy rains came.
Kevin: Yeah, I took everyone to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and we couldn't see anything but rain.
Soohyun: We were all excited to perform in the hometown of Eli and Kevin. We couldn't believe that we had so many American fans out there! Although we were really nervous before the tour, we enjoyed it to the fullest after so many fans came to see us.
KpopStarz: Were there any memorable moments onstage?
Soohyun: We tried to with "Stop Girl," but the fans screamed a little too loud and we could barely hear the music.
Kevin: I saw fans crying in the front row.
KpopStarz: How did you plan the order of songs in your set?
Hoon: Kevin did research on what songs American fans like and decided on the order.
Kevin: Which of our songs are popular differs from country to country. In America, they prefer upbeat songs like "Stop Girl." We performed a couple of our Japanese songs, as well.
Eli: "Forbidden Love" and "Tick Tack."
Soohyun: We were excited that the American fans sang those songs with us, even though the lyrics are in Japanese.
Is there anything you'd like to say to your American fans?
Eli: Our US tour was really fun. We had a very good time in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. We were so glad everyone came out and had fun. We hope we can go back in the future and put on even bigger concerts. We hope everyone will come back again and enjoy themselves.
Kevin: Our fans in America, thank you for waiting for us always. We had so much fun during this tour. Thank you for memories. We hope that we can go back in the future to do tours in more cities. Please continue to support us. Thank you. We love you guys.
KpopStarz: What did the three members of U-Kiss, SooHyun, Hoon and Kiseob, who don't speak English, say to the crowd during the US tour?
Soohyun: I kept my silence.
[Group laughter]
Hoon: I just reacted.
Kevin: That's exactly how Eli is feeling in Japan. [laughs]
Soohyun: I watched the reactions on the face of the members of the band who speak English and when they laughed, I laughed too.
[Group laughter, clapping]
Kevin: In Japan, Soohyun talks to the crowd. This time, Eli and I spoke to the crowd for the first time and found it very difficult to say something right after singing. Soohyun is a great MC.
KpopStarz: Besides Japan and the US, what other countries have you performed in?
Kevin: We have been to Spain.
Eli: Kevin and I talked to the crowd in Spain, too. We had to stick to the script as much as possible.
Soohyun: And we've been to China.
KpopStarz: What is it like adjusting to being a five-piece?
Soohyun: U-KISS has five active members right now. Originally we had seven members. We have debuted our new sound as a five-piece group with our new single "Break Up." As the group's frontman, I believe each member is giving it their all and we have developed substantially as a group.
KpopStarz: I hear the choreography for the "Break Up" music video is the some of the most difficult stuff U-KISS has ever attempted.
Soohyun: That's true. The speed and movement makes the dance really challenging. However, we are trying to make it look easy so we can put on the best performance possible for the fans.
KpopStarz: How does having only five members change your performance?
Kevin: We can't pause for a moment, dancing and singing.
KpopStarz: What was is like collaborating with a live band at your Valentine's Day concert in Yokohama, Japan on Feb. 16?
SooHyun: We normally sing over a prerecorded track at our concerts, but this time we featured a live band, which was pretty awesome. We all had fun at that show.
Kevin: We feel great when we perform with a live band.
Soohyun: I was really impressed with the sound of the drummer. It's interesting hearing how each instrument has a unique sound and feel.
KpopStarz: You recently announced you plan to tour Japan this summer.
Kevin: Yes. We will perform over 28 concerts in Japan. We are also planning to visit cities that we have never been to and are really looking forward to it. Since we'll be in Japan from July to August, we're a bit anxious if our physical strength will hold up all summer.
Hoon: We will have to be careful about our health. We need to build up physical strength.
Eli: We will perform some songs for the first time onstage during the Japanese tour.
Hoon: Eli will handle all of the rapping himself.
Soohyun: It will be hard, but I am pretty sure he will make it.
Eli: Yeah, it's fine with me.
KpopStarz: What is the significance of the album title "Memories?"
Hoon: We named it "Memories" hoping this album will be a lasting memory for all of our fans. We want our fans to remember each part of our band history.
Soohyun: Well said.
KpopStarz: What is your favorite song from "Memories?"
Kevin: I like "Baby, Touch Me." Eli and I sang it together. The song has a sexy concept. I can't wait to perform it at shows!
Eli: I like "Bungee Jump." It's highly addictive, once you listen to it once, you just can't stop.
Kiseop: I like the title song "Spring Rain" the most. Also "Crazy 4 U." I sing it with Soohyun and Hoon. It was very fun to sing in this formation for the first time. I like the falsetto part.
Hoon: I like "Spring Rain" the most. This song is about a guy who can't stop thinking about his ex-girlfriend, remembering all the good times he had with her. He believes one day he'll see her again. I put all of my emotions into this performance and tried to express that kind of bittersweet feeling.
Soohyun: I like "Nightmare." The melody sounds upbeat and uplifting so that I can easily imagine myself performing it onstage. I guarantee this song will rock you.
English translation by Nanase Yamaguchi
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