The group POW made a comeback with the release of their third EP album.
POW (Yochi, Hyun-bin, Jung-bin, Dong-yeon, Hong) made a comeback with the release of their third EP album 'Being Tender' on the 27th.
Debuting in October 2023 with the EP album 'Favorite,' the multinational boy group POW, signed under Grid Entertainment, showcases their versatility in various fields such as music, acting, and content production. They are making their presence felt, promising fresh and fun experiences in the music industry.
The third EP album 'Being Tender,' released on the 27th, is based on European youth culture, with leader Yochi and Jung-bin in charge of overall production. The album contains the matured and deepened music of POW, featuring various genres, including the title track 'Being Tender,' 'Reason,' 'Celebrate,' and 'Fingerprint,' which is expected to be a gift for fans waiting for their music.
The title track 'Being Tender' is a song that harmonizes fresh and lyrical melodies with distinctive vocals, capturing the actual stories of the members, who find it challenging to treat precious individuals tenderly. Fans can expect to experience the more energetic and expanded musical world of POW.
POW, returning for the third time in four months and currently engaging in music broadcast activities, has expressed their determination to fill 2025 with meetings with fans through a tour.
The following is an interview Q&A with POW about their third EP 'Being Tender'
Q. The group name and official slogan, incorporating 'POW,' symbolize an explosive debut, and the official slogan 'Creating Culture Everyday' suggests a commitment to continuously creating culture. How do you think you have harmonized these two values during your activities since debut?
Yochi: For us, the name 'POW' signifies not only the impact and intensity during our debut but also our commitment to delivering fresh energy and positive strength at every stage. The slogan 'Creating Culture Everyday' represents a value we always cherish. I believe that if we sincerely pour our passion into music, fashion, or even the smallest thoughts, it can become a new culture.
Q. The debut concept, 'European Youth Culture,' is very emotional and uniquely approached. I'm curious how each of you interpreted this abstract concept and tried to infuse it into your own style. Additionally, what efforts did you make to express that sentiment on stage during your debut song 'Dazzling'?
Yochi: Each member interpreted it slightly differently. Some members perceived it through fashion or style, while others interpreted it as the emotions of youth finding themselves, or the vibes of a small city filled with dreams. This diversity in understanding and expression seems to have become the unique charm of POW. On the 'Dazzling' stage, we tried hard to convey that sentiment naturally. We paid a lot of attention to our expressions, gestures, and performances to ensure that even amidst bright and free energy, we could feel our own emotions and resonance. We wanted to show, not just that we looked cool on stage, but the genuine emotions and moods of this moment.
Hyun-bin: I tried to think of the concept of 'European Youth Culture' quite simply. I took it literally as the culture of European teenagers. The first thing that came to my mind when I thought of European teens was freedom. So I wanted to infuse my sense of freedom into this concept. Also, since 'Dazzling' is about the sparkle of memories, I recalled the joyful memories we had while filming the music video in Hungary, as well as the enjoyable times I had with the members during our tough trainee days.
Jung-bin: I think I tried to express a free youth. I believe our unrefined selves are the closest to what perfect youth looks like, so during 'Dazzling' activities, I aimed to express the song as naturally as possible. I also emphasized a more free feel by doing curly hair, which many European teenagers have. I had a very strong curly hairstyle when I debuted. When I first did it in Korea, I felt I was detached from the city, but when I went to Europe for the shoot, I found many young people with hair like mine and colors like Hyun-bin's.
Dong-yeon: Youth culture ultimately reflects the culture or emotions of the youth in any era, region, or field. Among them, we chose Europe as the area where we felt we could best express our inherent sense of freedom and roughness. The members generally dislike being confined by any frame. While somewhat coarse, I think that natural feel resonates with all the members. So when I first heard the concept, I thought it was a direction that could encapsulate all five of us. Hence, during the 'Dazzling' stage, we tried to incorporate the playful and lively vibes we had while practicing into our performance.
Hong: I interpreted 'Dazzling' as a story about discovering the sparkle of a happy moment from a certain day. I think the music, which feels soft and mysterious, reflects the beautiful image people hold of youth. However, in fact, youth is nothing but this very moment we are living. We don't have to mimic anything because we are genuinely in the moment, so I tried to show our most natural selves.
Q. (Yochi, Dong-yeon) Before your debut, each had special narratives as a national youth actor from Thailand, a member of 'Trainee A', and making it to the final team in the audition program 'LOUD.' How did those times contribute to your current activities as a member of POW, and was there a sense of urgency or motivation that comes from this 'second chance'?
Yochi: I believe my experience as a child actor in Thailand since I was young was very precious and a wonderful learning opportunity. Through that process, I learned responsibility, teamwork, and, above all, how to manage emotions and energy in front of the stage or camera. While I didn't understand everything at the time, looking back now, I feel that all those experiences have laid the foundation for who I am today as a K-POP artist. And receiving this opportunity again as a member of POW feels like a long-awaited 'second chance.' Because of this, I work harder every day, knowing better than anyone that this dream will not be easily achieved. I want to show my growth as an artist, not as a past child actor, through music, performances, and through who I am, and become someone who can convey positive energy to my fans.
Dong-yeon: During the time I was preparing for the audition program, I actually received a casting call from the company. However, I wanted to give my all to the program I was already preparing for, so I declined it at that time. After the audition program ended, I spent time contemplating what I could do, and I reached out to my current agency's representative once more. At that moment, they readily replied, allowing me to gather the courage to try again. I thought someone still wanted me, and I wished for more people to desire me. If there are those who continue to expect the next steps from me, I felt I needed to find ways to move forward.
Q. The title track of the second album, 'Boyfriend,' was a bold choice to remake Avril Lavigne's global hit. What did you consider the most important point in making it 'a song by POW' beyond the fame of the original? And this track achieved high ranks on the charts; how did this experience provide you with confidence in directly producing this third album?
Yochi: When we decided to remake Avril Lavigne's 'Boyfriend,' we were well aware that it was an iconic song loved globally. Therefore, the most important thing for us was to incorporate POW's colors and identity while respecting the original song. We aimed to express everything anew, from the musical arrangement and choreography to the interpretation of the lyrics, to align with the current era and our POW energy. We wanted to tell our own story through this song, not just deliver a simple cover. When 'Boyfriend' performed well on the charts, it greatly empowered us. I felt that fans and the public resonated with our interpretation and challenge, which led to confidence in our creative work. Thus, while directly producing this third album, I believe we were able to boldly incorporate our thoughts and colors thanks to this experience. Moving forward, we want to continue growing through our music and culture.
Q. The fan song 'Gimme Love' was written and composed directly by Yochi and Jung-bin. It was impressive that actual memories were woven into the lyrics. When writing a song for fans, how does your mindset or the inspiration process differ from regular song creation?
Yochi: My experience of directly writing and composing the song 'Gimme Love' for our fans was truly special. Unlike typical song creation, it's not just about thinking of melodies or performances, but really working while thinking of the 'real people' who love us—our fans. Above all, this song started from a genuine desire to express gratitude to our fans who always support us and give us strength. Writing it with that mindset made me create it from the heart rather than just from the mind. I hope that while listening to this song, fans will recall the precious moments they shared with us and feel warm emotions.
Jung-bin: When writing a song for the fans, I try to be more straightforward in my expression. Instead of beating around the bush, I aim to convey the thoughts or emotions that come to mind as accurately as possible. In fact, some feelings cannot be expressed in words at all.
Q. The self-produced web drama 'Always There' best showcased the slogan 'Creating Culture Everyday.' What was it like for all members to challenge acting and also create the OST filled with those emotional lines? Which task did you find more difficult or interesting: acting as a fictional character or singing from that character's perspective?
Yochi: The project 'Always There' was genuinely a new and special experience for me. Although I had some acting experience in Thailand, acting as a fictional character and expressing it in Korean was a whole different level of challenge. If asked whether singing from the character's perspective was more challenging than acting, I would say singing was harder. I had to convey the character's emotions with just my voice, without any facial expressions or gestures. However, it was a challenging yet enjoyable experience. Through this project, I could grow a step further as an artist, and I understood more deeply that 'Creating Culture Everyday' is not just a phrase, but a way for us to tell stories in various forms.
Hyun-bin: Personally, I found it to be a more enjoyable experience than I expected. I believe that both acting and singing involve expressing feelings wholeheartedly, but since this kind of dramatic acting was a first-time challenge for me, I encountered some difficulties compared to singing on stage.
Jung-bin: Personally, I really enjoyed the filming and recording of 'Always There.' Both acting and the style of the track were new to me, so there was excitement and joy even before we started. I felt that it could undoubtedly become a new avenue for communication with our fans. If given the chance, I would like to communicate with fans through more diverse projects.
Dong-yeon: The dialogue itself is something we wouldn't normally say as members, but I don't think it's entirely fictional. The web drama 'Always There' was planned based on the stories and experiences of the members. The same goes for the OST. I found the acting to be somewhat challenging. While I was familiar with the story, the lines of the character I played weren't my own, which made me feel awkward each time. However, during the process, I was able to discover my new side and find new aspects of the members as well, so it was a meaningful experience.
Hong: Through the web drama 'Always There,' we were able to show our acting to our fans and the public. I felt proud and enjoyed presenting ourselves in areas beyond music. I was really nervous when I first acted because it was my first time trying something like this. But as I continued to act, I became less nervous and found it enjoyable. However, portraying the character was definitely more challenging.
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