The band Wonwi revealed the secret to their 10 years of teamwork.
Wonwi recently held a commemorative interview for the release of their second studio album 'WE: Dream Chaser' at the RBW headquarters in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, where they discussed their new album.
Emerging as a strong performer, the 'trusted band' Wonwi consists of Yonghoon (main vocalist), Kanghyun (guitar), Harin (drums), Dongmyeong (vocal/keyboard), and Giuk (rap/BASS). Although they debuted in 2019, the members have been together for over 10 years.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of Wonwi's formation. Harin noted, "The secret to our close-knit bond is that we communicate openly and resolve our issues well. While we can't avoid conflicts, it seems that those arguments have allowed us to understand each other better. Until now, I think we’ve been able to communicate well by grasping the thoughts and actions of the members."
The youngest member, Giuk, who is 6 years younger than the eldest, Yonghoon, said, "In the past, when I was in high school, I felt the age difference a lot. Now that I’m in my mid-twenties and my brother is older, the difference doesn't seem as significant. Since we’ve been together for a long time, I feel like our mental ages are similar (laughs). It feels like friends, and I'm happy that my brother treats me comfortably. I think that’s what has allowed us to be together for 10 years. The older members have great personalities, which made it easier for me as the youngest in the team."
Dongmyeong mentioned, "Having been together for 10 years, we've naturally experienced adolescence together and I feel like I’ve spent more time with the members than with my parents. I’ve only worked on music with the members, which has deepened our bond, and I think it’ll continue to be fun working with these people. We share a common goal of showcasing our music well. Although 10 years may seem surprising, it feels like just yesterday to us. I didn’t realize it had been a decade. I think we’ve strengthened our bond along the way to reach this point."
Wonwi resumed full group activities last year after Yonghoon and Kanghyun completed their military service. When asked if there were any changes before and after the members' military service, Harin replied, "We may have become wilder and more mischievous, but on the other hand, it strengthened our bond. When the band is fully present, the synergy is 100 percent, but I missed the absences and wished we could reunite soon. The experience has made us recognize the importance of each member even more."
Dongmyeong added, "Since we have been active together for 10 years, we have hardly been apart. The first time we were apart was when the older members were in service, which made us feel more affectionate. We kept in touch a lot, and our bond has grown tighter. When we reunited, we discussed creating an amazing album and expanding the scale of our concerts. Before that, we were at a very tiring time, but after meeting again, the energy was at its best, which allowed us to come this far without getting exhausted."
However, there are still military leaves remaining for other members. Yonghoon expressed confidence, saying, "When the other younger members go, it’ll be up to those remaining to perform well. We’ve done it once, so I’m not worried. In the past, I was afraid because I hadn’t experienced it, but now that it's over, I see there weren’t any major issues. Time will pass, but I’m not worried. I believe we’ll navigate it wisely."
Dongmyeong also mentioned, "We are not the kind of team that thinks of just doing this for 1 or 2 more years. We’ve done this for over 10 years, and the period we want to continue into the future is long, so even if there is a gap, I don’t think it will have a negative impact, and I’m not afraid of it." Harin added, "I think a unique turning point may come rather than just a gap."
In recent years, as various bands have gained attention in the music scene, a band boom has emerged. Wonwi said, "We also had high expectations. When we see band music making a resurgence, we feel happy and hope for similar success for us in the future. It’s pleasant to see bands doing well."
When asked if there are any songs they hope to see make a comeback, Harin replied, "Personally, I think if the title song 'All Memories' from our first album were to resurge, it would be heartwarming and refreshing. It’s the starting point of our journey, and even in daily life, when we express that everything is a memory, it seems to change the atmosphere, so I wish for our debut song to make a comeback."
So what goals is Wonwi pursuing? Dongmyeong explained, "I want our band to be seen as one that people would want to attend concerts like, 'I definitely want to go to their concert' or 'I must go to a Wonwi concert this year.' I greatly admire seniors like PSY who perform every year because they’ve turned their performances into a brand. I want Wonwi's concerts to become a brand and for us to be artists who people look forward to seeing every year."
[Photo] RBW
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