Welcome back #SoundLovers! We are thrilled to share that we had an absolutely amazing opportunity to catch up with the incredible members of POW and dive deep into their highly anticipated upcoming comeback!
POW is a rising star in the boy group scene, creating a buzz in the industry since the release of their pre-debut single "Favorite," on September 13, 2023. This talented group, consisting of Yorch, Hyunbin, Jungbin, Dongyeon, and Hong, officially debuted on October 11, 2023, with the EP and mesmerizing music video for "Dazzling," followed by their electrifying first comeback with the digital single, "Valentine." POW has brought a breath of fresh air and an explosion of energy to the K-Pop world with their impressive vocals, captivating choreography, and stunning visuals that have won over fans worldwide. We were beyond thrilled to catch up with these multi-talented artists to chat about their recent fan meet/live stage, their unforgettable appearance at KCON LA, and the highly anticipated release of their 2nd EP, "Boyfriend." Dive into our exclusive interview with POW below!
Hey, it's great to see you guys again!
Before we start, we've got some new readers who are interested in POW, so can you take a moment to introduce yourselves?
YORCH - Hi! This is POW’s eldest, YORCH.
HYUNBIN - Hello! This is HYUNBIN from POW.
JUNGBIN - Hello! This is POW’s leader, JUNGBIN.
DONGYEON - Hi! This is POW’s DONGYEON. So nice to meet you!
HONG - Hi! This is POW’s youngest, HONG.
Last time we talked, you had just dropped "VALENTINE" and you've been super busy since then – you had the [POW House in Thailand] Fan Meeting / Live Stage, you were at KCON LA in July, and now you're getting ready for a comeback in October! So, let's take a moment to catch up on all these exciting events you've completed!
Last time we talked, you mentioned you wanted to visit a bunch of places in Thailand, like Icon Siam, Real Thai Street, Phi Phi Island, Amphawa Floating Market, and Phucket. Did you get to go to any/all of them? If not, were there any other places you went to that you really liked?
YORCH: I went to Khao Kheow Open Zoo before, but recently I've been seeing a lot about the baby hippo, Moo Deng, on social media. So I'd love to visit again with the members to see it!
HYUNBIN: I haven’t been to many places yet, but I love animals. I especially like elephants, so I really want to meet the elephants in Thailand.
JUNGBIN: I haven’t had the chance to visit those places yet, but after our trip to Thailand, I’ve been trying out Thai food here in Korea. Next time, I want to explore more dishes I haven’t tried before.
DONGYEON: I haven’t been to many places yet, but what sticks out the most for me is the POW HOUSE in Bangkok. I told our fans that I wanted to remember every part of that performance, and I still think about it often.
HONG: I want to visit YORCH’s hometown, Phayao. Before our debut, the members and I visited my hometown, Jeonju, and YORCH really enjoyed it. This time, I’d like to visit his hometown!
What was the most memorable part of your POW House in Bangkok Live Stage?
YORCH: What I remember the most was when the fans surprised us with a slogan event at the end.
HYUNBIN: I was really touched when the fans prepared a surprise event for us.
JUNGBIN: The moment right before we took the group picture at the end, we saw all the fans holding up the slogans together. This memory sticks out the most to me. Thinking about all the moments leading up to that, was very emotional for me.
DONGYEON: The most unforgettable part for me was when I looked back at the fans while they held up the slogans. It reminded me that these moments are what we’ve been working toward.
HONG: What stands out the most for me was the rock version of "Valentine" at the end. It was amazing being up close to fans and passing out the signed balls. We had so much fun.
Now, you were at KCON LA 2024 in July – we were there too! (we were sure to catch your stages, and cheer you on) What was that experience like for you?
YORCH: Performing in LA was something we always talked about, so KCON LA was very special to us.
HYUNBIN: We’ve been to a lot of festivals, but this one was huge, with so many artists and fans. I left wanting to perform on even bigger stages like KCON, and I hope one day we can fill those arenas with just our POWER fans.
JUNGBIN: Every stage is an opportunity for us. An opportunity to meet our POWER fans and introduce ourselves to new K-pop fans. We prepared really hard to show our true selves at KCON LA, and it was such a valuable experience.
DONGYEON: KCON LA 2024 felt like a turning point for me. We were so nervous as it was the stage we wanted to be on. But, when I got up on stage, I realized it wasn't as scary as I had feared and that I didn't need to be so tense. It made me realize, I should feel more at ease for future performances. It was a great learning experience.
HONG: It was our first performance in the U.S. and a stepping stone for more to come.
What was your favorite part of KCON LA 2024?
YORCH: I think the best part was just performing on such a big stage. The energy from all the people who love music made it even more fun. I had a blast!
HYUNBIN: Standing in the center of the Crypto Arena stage was amazing. The fans were so immersed in our performance from a 360 angle. I felt the passion of K-pop fans from all around the world.
JUNGBIN: Everything about the experience was awesome, but performing on stage is definitely what made me the happiest. Whether it was the showcase or the pre-show stage, I loved seeing so many K-pop fans having a great time with us.
DONGYEON: The moments on stage were the most memorable for me. I told myself that I never want to forget those feelings.
HONG: I loved being able to perform on such a huge 360-degree stage. It was exciting to see fans from all directions enjoying the show.
While we were at KCON LA 2024, we met several new and long-time POWER, whom we reached out to, to see if they had any questions for the members. Here are just a few:
What's your favorite song these days? (@itsisabella3000)
YORCH: Lately, I’ve been into electric guitar sounds, so I’ve been listening to "Die With A Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars a lot.
HYUNBIN: I’ve been liking DAY6’s "Melt Down" recently. It gives me this nostalgic feeling, like I’m remembering memories I didn’t even have.
JUNGBIN: I’ve been listening to "A Walk" by Baek Yerin a lot. It feels perfect for the cool fall weather, especially when I’m on my way home after a long day.
DONGYEON: I’m into "Michi Teyu Ku" by Fujii Kaze right now. The colder weather fits perfectly with the mood of the song.
HONG: "LOVE" by Kendrick Lamar. It’s such a romantic song, and I love the topline.
What fashion trend do you love? (@xujayhao)
YORCH: I’ve been into second-hand items lately. They tend to have a lot of natural-toned colors, which I like.
HYUNBIN: I love beanies these days. I’ve been looking at different designs and fits from various brands.
JUNGBIN: I’m a big fan of streetwear. I’ve been wearing a lot of wide or Bermuda pants with shirts, but lately, I’ve also been enjoying a rock-chic look.
DONGYEON: I like silver accessories, especially chains and necklaces. It depends on the outfit, but I often tuck the necklace inside my shirt.
HONG: I like all-black outfits with a standout bag as the highlight.
Favorite sanrio character :0 (@bhnnys)
YORCH: Cinnamoroll is my favorite! Fans say I look like him, and I often wear Cinnamoroll items during fan signs.
HYUNBIN: I like Kuromi the most. Fans always tell me I look like him.
JUNGBIN: Cinnamoroll, because he’s cute.
DONGYEON: I like Kuromi since I love black.
HONG: Kuromi! My nickname for games used to be Kuromi.
What is your favorite pose? (@bhnnys)
YORCH: I like the pose where I put my hands in my pockets the best.
HYUNBIN: The cat pose! Fans gave me the nickname “Kkunyangi" because they say I look like a cat.
JUNGBIN: I like the "Grr-Ang" pose. It’s the one I’ve done the most since I was a trainee.
DONGYEON: I like the "tired thumbs up" pose.
HONG: I like the salute pose.
What is the hardest choreography you’ve ever learned? (xujayhao)
YORCH: "Favorite" is the hardest for me! The song is fast, and the choreography is even faster with lots of floor moves, so it’s tough.
HYUNBIN: It’s hard to pick just one because they’re all challenging. But we always give our best since it makes our fans smile.
JUNGBIN: "Valentine" was the hardest for me to learn. You really need to listen to the music carefully to get the right rhythm and details, which makes it hard.
DONGYEON: It would be "Amazing." It’s all about energy and charisma, so it’s physically more demanding.
HONG: "Amazing" was tough. Getting the facial expressions and the detailed dance moves right was not easy.
Today’s TMI? (@xujayhao)
YORCH: I ordered Korean pork backbone soup today, but the rice didn’t come with it, so I had to go buy one from the convenience store!
HYUNBIN: I drank chocolate milk as soon as I woke up.
JUNGBIN: I usually only drink Americano, but today, I also had watermelon juice.
DONGYEON: My hair is naturally wavy, so it forms curls even if I just blow-dry it without styling.
HONG: I ate pork belly, and it was so delicious!
Are there any plans for a North America Tour, or even a world tour?
POW: We believe that when the opportunity comes, we’ll be ready to grab it. We’re sharpening our skills together for bigger stages. With the love our music receives from fans worldwide, we're confident the chance to visit them will come. We can't wait to create unforgettable performances with our fans.
Any new projects that you're working on?
JUNGBIN: We’re working on new songs and preparing for performances for POWER fans. You can look forward to it!
Since they asked about new upcoming projects, let's take a look into your upcoming 2nd EP, 'Boyfriend' that is releasing on October 21st! What can you tell us about your upcoming EP and pre-release?
YORCH: Our second EP is packed with songs that show POW’s unique vibe. The title track especially shows off our energetic side, and I’m sure fans will love it. And "Sunset," the pre-release track, was written by me and the members. We poured all our feelings of missing fans during the long hiatus into this song. Through this song, we want to show our emotions truly.
JUNGBIN: The title track will be a familiar sound for everyone. I'm really happy that we could reinterpret Avril Lavigne's hit song "Girlfriend" and show it in POW's own color. We'll showcase an energetic and confident youth narrative in our high-teen style. While preparing for this album, we worked so hard to improve ourselves, physically and internally compared to our first EP. I hope everyone can feel energized and enjoy our music wherever they are.
Last time we spoke, we discussed the differing sounds of “Favorite” and “Valentine,” with each member acknowledging that “Valentine” showcased a more mature side of POW. How do you think "Boyfriend" compares to your previous releases?
DONGYEON: In our previous albums, I think POW had more of a youthful image. We may not be fully grown mature men yet, but we’ve worked hard to emphasize a more masculine charm this time. Before, we were shy boys who hesitated to express our feelings, but now we're brave enough to express feelings of jealousy. There is more energy in the sound and performance because of this.
What do you think is the highlight of "Boyfriend"?
HYUNBIN: The song has a catchy hook and a fun rap bridge. YORCH and HONG sang those parts, and I don’t think anyone would have expected POW to sing lyrics like this. We wanted to bring that fun element.
HONG: Instead of repeating difficult choreography, the performance is filled with movements that radiate energy. I think it’s a song that will make everyone feel like they’re part of the cheer.
Can you walk us through how you prepared for this comeback?
YORCH: For "Boyfriend," I wanted to show a more mature and masculine vibe. While preparing for the stage, I watched a lot of high-teen movies to figure out how to portray the emotions.
HYUNBIN: I worked out a lot to show a more masculine look visually. I used to hate working out, but I really want people to notice a difference this time.
JUNGBIN: I read philosophy, poetry collections, and essays. I think reading about things I hadn’t experienced or considered before helped me mature.
DONGYEON: I re-recorded some parts several times to make sure the best version is out there. YORCH, who composed "Sunset," personally participated in the production, preparing the comeback and the album.
HONG: Same with HYUNBIN. I also worked out hard like him to give off a more manly vibe. I’ve always been self-conscious about being skinny, so I wanted to improve on that.
For listeners who aren't familiar with your songs/sound, what message do you want to convey through this EP?
YORCH: Our songs are easy to listen to anytime, anywhere. We hope this EP also puts you at ease. POW’s showing a more mature side this time. We hope you feel the excitement in our music.
From this EP, which track is your favorite, and why that track?
YORCH: My favorite track is "Sunset." Since I made it with the members, it holds a lot of meaning.
HYUNBIN: Actually, I love all the songs, but if I had to pick one, it would be "Bae" because the hook lyrics are beautiful.
JUNGBIN: I love the dreamy mood of “Bae."
DONGYEON: I like the title track "Boyfriend" the most. I already loved the original song, and I especially enjoy the choreography. All the songs are great, but the energetic choreography for "Boyfriend" is lots of fun.
HONG: My favorite is "Boyfriend!" When you listen to the upbeat drum and bass, it just naturally lifts your mood.
Unfortunately, it's time to wrap up our interview. Thank you for taking the time to catch up with us here at K Fuse! But before we wrap up, is there a message that you would like to leave for POWER?
YORCH: A lot happened during our long hiatus, but I believe we’re still together because we believe in each other. I wanted to express all the emotions we felt during that time in "Sunset." Under the same sky, with the same feelings, our music, and voices, POW will continue to bring you energy. Please stay close to us, POWER!
HYUNBIN: I want to be an artist who always gives POWER happiness and warmth. For those tough and tiring days, I hope just listening to three minutes of our music can be like a fast recharge. Like I always say, when I’m tired, POWER is the source of strength for me. Let’s stay together always. I love you.
JUNGBIN: While releasing "Sunset," I read through all the comments and reactions, and it made me feel warm and emotional. I don’t think you realize how big your love means to us. And, I don’t want to lose to that love! We’ll love you even more and give you our very best! There’s no need to wait anymore. It’s time to get excited for what’s coming next!
DONGYEON: When I think about the love I want to share, it’s all about giving you my whole heart and pouring my passion into everything I do. After our long break, we’ve been working hard to bring you amazing songs and moving performances. Can’t wait to see you soon!
HONG: I love all things fun! Since my debut, performing has been the highlight for me. But the best part is when POWER fills my view when I’m up on stage! Those moments with you are so important to me. I hope you feel the same. Here’s to a future full of more amazing memories together!
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