Girl group Kep1er has released their eighth mini album "CRACK CODE" and meets fans with a markedly changed coming-of-age narrative in both music and visuals.
Agency KLEB released a Q&A interview on the 31st ahead of the comeback title track "KILLA (Face the other me)" activity.
After announcing a great revolution as an innovative K-pop team through the seventh mini album "BUBBLE GUM" released in August last year, Kep1er continues an intriguing project with the title track "KILLA (Face the other me)" that leaves behind an anxious past, raises the self, and changes the present.
The new album "CRACK CODE" tells the story of the moment when inner awakening breaks through suppressed limits and confronts hidden nature. The comeback title track "KILLA (Face the other me)" is an electronic hip-hop song combining intense lead synths and trap-based drum sounds, presenting a color even more intense than Kep1er's previous images. Here is a Q&A about Kep1er's brilliant journey, the album that solidified the group's musical color, and their feelings toward fans.
Below is a Q&A commemorating Kep1er's eighth album "CRACK CODE" release
Q. Tell us your thoughts on the release of the eighth mini album "CRACK CODE."
Choi Yujin: As it is our eighth album, I'm so excited to be able to show a slightly more mature and different side. I want to make happy memories with Kep1ians during this promotion as well.
Xiaoting: I think we'll be able to show a more powerful and cool performance. I hope you look forward to it a lot.
Kim Chaehyun: I'm excited to greet you with an album filled with the intensity I think Kep1ians wanted to see. I hope you really like it.
Kim Dayeon: I'm so happy to perform on stage again in front of fans after a long time, and I want to make happy memories during this promotion too.
Hikaru: I'm really looking forward to showing a more developed charm. Through this album, I want to let more people know our charm.
Huening Bahiyyih: This time we included songs from various genres. While preparing the album, I was excited at the thought of showing our new sides. I think listeners will enjoy the listening experience.
Q. How did you capture Kep1er's unique color in this album?
Choi Yujin: I practiced facial expressions a lot to show the intense concept. From choreography to shooting the music video and jacket, I monitored in between and found expressions that fit well.
Kim Dayeon: I took private choreography lessons. The choreographer refined each detail, which completed a high-quality group dance.
Huening Bahiyyih: While keeping Kep1er's energetic side, we tried to include a much more mature and solid image. There were many movements we tried for the first time performance-wise, so it was a time for growth.
Q. The title track "KILLA" is an electronic hip-hop song. What kind of transformation will you show? Please introduce the other tracks as well.
Xiaoting: Through the title track, I want to show Kep1er's hip-hop and wild side. I recommend the track "I am Kep1." Like the title track, it captures Kep1er's image well, so you'll feel the energy.
Kim Chaehyun: You'll see a cooler, more mature side in the title track. Among the tracks, I recommend "I am Kep1," which announces the start of the album. It contains our vigor and confidence, and its bold lyrics are really appealing.
Hikaru: I think we can show a stronger image with this title track than in the previous album. The track "Addicted 2 Ya" among the recordings has a dramatic feel and you can sense pop sensibility as well.
Q. You showed a dramatic transformation in the concept photos and film. If each member has a killing visual point, what is it?
Choi Yujin: I tried a variety of hairstylings. For this promotion, I plan to try many different hairstyles.
Xiaoting: I dyed my hair for the first time in a while for this promotion. I was worried because it was a color I'd never tried, but fans liked it so much that I think that's the killing point.
Kim Chaehyun: I worked hard on self-care. I know many people already miss my chubby cheeks, but I hope you also enjoy this sharper image.
Kim Dayeon: The concept film required screaming acting and recording. I practiced hard after watching scenes from the reference film "Substance." I also researched cold yet cool facial expressions a lot.
Hikaru: It's been a long time since I performed with long hair. I dyed it the color I'd wanted and tried an image transformation.
Huening Bahiyyih: In the Locked version, the bangs were a big point. I tried the same hair about four years ago during the "Up!" promotions, and compared to then I definitely feel growth.
Q. Please tell us in detail what each of you worked on for this album.
Choi Yujin: When I first heard the title track, I was worried because it differed from the vocal style I'd used before. So I focused on vocal lessons and exchanged many opinions during recording to let my own color come through. I remember feeling proud when that was realized.
Xiaoting: Because the concept is so intense, I researched a lot while taking private lessons to match dance styles and the song's mood. Please watch both the song and the stage together.
Kim Chaehyun: During recording and jacket or music video shoots, I paid a lot of attention to details like hair and makeup, thinking about how fans would like it more.
Kim Dayeon: For perfect performances, members tried various choreography directions for each section and decided together. I really enjoyed the time we spent thinking about how to make better stages together.
Hikaru: I think I tried many ideas and attempts to better bring out each of our parts. Besides the choreographer, members gave each other feedback. I'm proud that the choreography I like most was completed.
Huening Bahiyyih: I gave a lot of opinions on visuals and styling. I sent style proposals I wanted to try and discussed them to select the best styles.
Q. Is there anything you especially want fans to pay attention to in this comeback?
Choi Yujin: Please watch the members' expressions and performances during the chorus. As Kep1er, dubbed a performance powerhouse since debut, we prepared stylishly, so please look forward to it. And please be sure to listen to all the tracks.
Huening Bahiyyih: Please pay attention to the performance composition and the members' expressions. I think the most noteworthy point is how Dayeon unnie and Karu express different feelings in the chorus. Please be sure to watch that part.
Q. Kep1er has been spotlighted not only in Korea but also overseas with appearances on Japan's leading music programs, global animation OSTs, concert tours and entry into the OTT market. What do you think are the team's strengths and charms?
Choi Yujin: We've practiced together for a long time, so the members' chemistry is really good. Because our passion and energy for the stage match well, I think people like those aspects.
Kim Dayeon: Since we receive a lot of love from overseas fans, we perform abroad every year to show our gratitude, and I think fans like that. We also try to show better energy and performance at each stage, and I think fans like those new sides. I hope we can visit as many places as possible.
Huening Bahiyyih: Being a multinational group seems to be a big advantage. I think the unity when members from various countries come together as one team captures fans' hearts.
Q. What achievements or goals do you want to gain from this promotion? Please say a word to the fans who have waited for this comeback.
Choi Yujin: I want to raise awareness of the name Kep1er, and I hope many people listen to this title track. I hope it becomes music heard widely not only in Korea but overseas. Kep1ians, starting with this album we'll be able to show a variety of activities this year, so let's make good memories together going forward.
Xiaoting: I hope more people recognize that we have grown. I hope you open your hearts and listen to Kep1er and Kep1er's music. And Kep1ians, thank you sincerely for always waiting. We'll show good music and stages this time too, so let's have a fun time together.
Kim Chaehyun: I hope the song aims straight for the ears and hearts of many people. To our Kep1ians who have waited by our side, thank you always and again. We'll show good sides so that your wait won't be in vain.
Kim Dayeon: My goals this time are music show wins and charting on streaming charts. I'm so grateful to Kep1ians who always wait for us, and we'll work harder so your support is not wasted.
Hikaru: Through this promotion I want to let more people know Kep1er's charm. And beloved Kep1ians, you've waited a lot, right? We prepared hard for this promotion, so I hope you like it.
Huening Bahiyyih: This time we want to show a more solidified side of ourselves through music. We want to show that Kep1er's passion is still burning and continue to be active steadily. We filled the album with songs that Kep1ians will like, so I hope you enjoy them and let's make memorable moments together.
Meanwhile, Kep1er will release the new album "CRACK CODE" today, the 31st, at 6 p.m. and begin full-fledged comeback activities.
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