By: Malasha Parker
Q) Your single “FOOL,” which is the English version of “눈물나게 고마워 (Grateful to Tears),” is a sentimental song that tells the story of a fool in love but in various ways. What made you want to dive deeper into this topic?
A-MIN: I think what defines EPEX is our ability to explore the different sides of a single theme, whether it’s love, as we did with the Prelude of Anxiety and Prelude of Love albums, or any other emotion. Even with the same song, the interpretation and message can change depending on the language and expression we use and that’s exactly what we wanted to showcase this time.
Q) Since “FOOL” is the first song in English sung fully by EPEX, what are some of the challenges you had while recording and performing it?
BAEKSEUNG: Since English isn’t my native language, I felt that I needed to express even more emotion to properly convey the meaning of the song. I paid extra attention to delivering those feelings while recording the English version compared to the Korean one. It was also a bit challenging to make sure my pronunciation didn’t sound awkward.
YEWANG: Personally, I don’t really remember the difficult parts. Instead, what stood out more was how excited I felt about recording an English track. I was thrilled and full of anticipation, which made the whole recording process really enjoyable!
Q) Ayden, Jeff and Wish, you all expressed your excitement for fans to hear the English version of this song. What has the fan response been like for you?
WISH: Fans shared with us comments like, “It’s the same song but it has a completely different charm,” “I actually prefer the vibe of the English version,” and “Thanks for releasing this version!” We really appreciated all those reactions.
AYDEN: Many fans said they found it interesting and fun that the English lyrics carried a slightly different message from the Korean version.
JEFF: All of our fans supported our new challenge wholeheartedly. Knowing that they genuinely enjoyed the song itself gave us so much strength and motivation.
Q) The album has tones of softness and energy, but also bold sounds and rock vibes that gradually build up. How did you decide the placement of the songs on the album?
WISH: The track list was designed to reflect a journey of fully accepting and understanding oneself. I recommend listening to all the songs in order while focusing on the lyrics, and you’ll be able to feel that message unfold throughout the album.
Q) The album ends with the track, “Pluto,” which tells of journeying forward and how youth is a place of growth but that doesn’t mean that all things are left behind. Talk a little bit about what reactions and thoughts you want fans to leave with after listening to this album?
JEFF: I hope people remember that no matter where they are or what they’re doing, this very moment is their youth.
A-MIN: I wish for everyone to keep chasing their dreams and sense of romance within their own journey of youth.
Q) For each of you, what is your favorite song(s) from Youth Chapter 3 : ROMANTIC YOUTH and why does it/they stand out for you?
WISH: My favorite track is the title track, “Grateful to Tears.” I love the way the song’s flow and emotional progression unfold from start to finish.
MU: I’d say “Pluto.” It has a different charm from the overall tone of the album. Its band sound and powerful melody really have a strong impact on my heart.
A-MIN: My favorite is also “Pluto.” I think the lyrics and the atmosphere of the song fit perfectly together and there were several times I found myself drawing strength and hope from it.
BAEKSEUNG: I really love “Whale fall.” The whale motif appears in the album’s concept photos and overall cover, which gives the song a deeper meaning. I also find it moving how all our voices come together as one.
AYDEN: My favorite is “Pluto.” The chorus explodes with such power and it’s incredible to experience that in a live performance. After performing it during our fan-con tour, I grew to love it even more.
YEWANG: Mine is “Pluto” as well. Beyond how great the song sounds, its bold and challenging message gave me a lot of courage personally.
JEFF: My favorite track is “Dances with Wolves.” It’s funky and full of playful energy and I really enjoy its unique sound.
Q) Mu, you said Youth Chapter 3: ROMANTIC YOUTH is about stepping forward to the next chapter. What exactly does that look like for the members of EPEX?
MU: So far, we’ve shared emotions that can only be felt during youth such as sadness, happiness and love and messages about growing through experiences of farewell. From here on, we plan to tell stories of young adults who have moved beyond that stage of youth, showing their growth and maturity in more diverse and colorful ways.
Q) Since Youth Chapter 3 : ROMANTIC YOUTH is the final album for the youth series. What can you tease about the next era of EPEX?
BAEKSEUNG: We’re still discussing it, but since we’ve shared stories of youth and adolescence so far, I think it might be time for us to explore more mature and daring themes in the future.
AYDEN: That’s right! After being active for over four years, we’ve grown not only in visuals but also emotionally and mentally. I think we’ll be able to express that maturity through our songs and music videos as well.
Q) Which songs do you enjoy performing live for fans the most?
YEWANG: My favorite song is “Closer.” It’s one of those tracks that always receives a great reaction from the crowd every time we perform. I’d love to create music with a similar vibe again in the future.
WISH: I’d say “Hymn to Love.” It’s such an energetic and uplifting track that we always perform it as our encore at concerts, and I think our fans love it just as much as we do.
Q) You’re doing concerts in different countries right now. What has been the best part of those concerts?
JEFF: I think our first overseas concert, MY ZENITH IN JAPAN, remains one of my most memorable moments. It was such a happy and unforgettable experience.
A-MIN: The recent performance we had in Macau really stayed with me. It was the final stop of our ROMANTIC YOUTH tour and we performed with the hope that this romantic chapter of our youth wouldn’t end here, but continue on into the future.
Q) Who are some artists that you would love to collaborate with on music in the future?
MU: I’d love to collaborate with a hip-hop artist someday. I think it would be amazing to create a song that beautifully blends the genres of K-pop and hip-hop.
BAEKSEUNG: I’d like to perform on stage with our senior group, CIX. I think the two groups coming together would create an incredible synergy.
Q) What would you like to say to fans of you and your music?
AYDEN: Thank you so much for loving our music! We’ll keep working hard to deliver great songs until people naturally think of EPEX as a “group with great music that we can trust.”
YEWANG: The Youth series may have come to an end, but EPEX’s music will only continue to grow more colorful and diverse, so please look forward to what’s next. We love you!