As a first-generation idol, they exude composure. At the same time, because this is their first domestic activity in six years, there is excitement and nervousness. This is the story of the group Ocean (5tion), which captivated Korea with their sweet medium-tempo debut song.
Ocean, who debuted in 2001 with the song "More Than Words" and received great love, has released a new song and begun domestic activities. Having built a solid fandom in Japan while promoting there, they reorganized into a five-member group by adding new member Teo and released the new song "I'm on your side" on the 14th of last month. 5tion, who revealed the new song stage for the first time on a music show on MBC M's "Show! Champion," spoke to OSEN about their impressions.
▲ perfect harmony of extreme T and extreme F, a stronger five-member group
Currently Ocean consists of eldest brother Roi, who has also worked as an actor, main producer Ren, vocalist Noah, dance lead Marin, and the newly joined youngest member Teo. With MBTI tendencies clearly split between "T" and "F," at first some were hurt by "ESTJ" Ren's directing, but because his directing guarantees "efficiency" and "success," they trust him, and the tight teamwork forged over many years of activity stood out.
"Recording studios charge by the hour (laughs). I think the ability is to produce the best result within the short time given. So when I direct, I try to be cold rather than emotional; even if something is good, I change the melody or lyrics right there to find something better." (Ren)
"Normally we're really close and joke around a lot, but as soon as we enter the recording studio Ren becomes the teacher. When Ren presses the button it means do it again no matter what. At first it hurt, but now it's been so long that everyone has become numb. In the end, good results always come out, so we trust him completely." (Noah, Marin)
"The older brothers say they've all become numb, but as the youngest I haven't become numb yet, so I'm always nervous." (Teo)
▲ Teo, who overcame roughly 1,200-to-1 (?), the youngest who joined despite 'job recruitment scam(?)'
The biggest change in this comeback is the addition of youngest member Teo. Teo, who captivated the older members in an audition said to have very high competition, went through an intense yet pleasant adjustment period to blend into the group.
"The conditions for joining Ocean were really picky. You had to be a certain age, tall, have the right look, and be unmarried. Among them, what the older members cared about most was 'personality.' In fact, when I first joined the brothers said, 'We won't make you suffer like our idols, it will be easy,' but it was a total job recruitment scam(?) (laughs). Because this is our first Korean activity in a long time we wanted to show a perfect appearance, so everyone practiced without rest and our bodies were covered in patch pain relief plasters." (Teo)
Although Teo was tense when he had just joined the group, it was not difficult for him to assimilate with the older members. Ocean's characteristic strong culture made Teo 'fall for' them.
"At first I was really surprised. Even during breaks all five of us have to eat together, go shopping together, and go to the sauna together. I wondered, 'Why do these guys keep doing this among themselves?' but before I knew it I was acting the same way. I even used to dislike Western food and fast food, but these days I'm the one who first suggests to the brothers that we eat hamburgers. The brothers tease me that I've become perfectly 'Ocean-ified.'" (Teo)
▲ easy listening and a message of comfort, "I'm on your side"
Ocean's new song "I'm on your side," which added a new voice with Teo's inclusion, was co-written, composed and arranged by hitmaker producer Kim Young-hoo and member Ren. In a recent music trend dominated by flashy and intense sounds, Ocean instead touted "comfort" and "warmth" as their strengths.
"Many people are tired of the sounds these days. Our song, unlike trendy performance tracks, is a melodic easy-listening song that can be comfortably heard in a car by families regardless of age or gender. The lyrics are not directed only at a specific lover but contain comfort that 'we will always be on your side' for fans, family, friends, and anyone." (Ren)
"The choreography is also composed of moves that the public can easily follow rather than performance that's hard to imitate like other idols. With the message 'I would do anything for you,' a key gesture features holding someone up with your hands." (Marin)
▲ music show after six years… the composure and romance of a first-generation idol
As a first-generation idol who swept the music scene in the early 2000s, they also feel a special sentiment about sharing waiting rooms and stages with much younger idols from the fourth and fifth generations.
"We perform on music shows with young artists, but we don't fuss over age. We just prepare the music we love and go to greet the public, so enjoyment comes before pressure." (Marin)
"I recently went to Los Angeles, California, to see a K-pop junior group's performance and was shocked to see foreigners who don't know Korean singing along in Korean. As a first-generation senior, I felt with my whole body that our country juniors are truly amazing and something to be proud of." (Ren)
▲ the secret of a long run, and the real 'treasure' found in everyday life
Asked about the secret that allowed them to maintain the team through long ups and downs, Roi choked up for a moment and then sincerely opened up.
"At some point the name Ocean itself became a symbol and a pride in my life. Honestly, we could never have come this far without our fans. Even now, being able to sing on stage with my beloved younger brothers and share delicious food while enjoying the small happinesses of daily life feels like a miracle and I am grateful." (Roi)
"People from different backgrounds coming together means friction is inevitable. But the secret that got us through every crisis was members slightly lowering themselves, listening to each other, and showing consideration — the 'strong bonds between members.' Rather than chasing grand award-show stages or huge goals, I believe that if we sincerely create our own happy stage like now, someday the public will recognize that sincerity." (Marin)
▲ a preview of 24 shades of charm… a promise to fan club "Orion"
Breaking away from Japan-centered activities to expand onto the domestic stage, Ocean raised expectations by promising activities across various fields such as variety shows.
"For a while we'll focus on activities in Korea, and we'd like to greet people through radio, interviews, and web variety shows. The members are really fun and full of charm, so on talk shows we can show all '24 shades' of our charm." (Marin)
"To our fans who have consistently supported Ocean for more than 14 years, and to 'Orion,' we are truly grateful. We hope to return to the old girlish sentiment and create romantic memories with you again. Ocean will always be by your side as 'your side.'" (Ren)<
[OSEN]