In the ever-evolving landscape of K-pop, few groups have managed to captivate audiences quite like P1Harmony. Formed in 2020, this six-member ensemble—comprising KEEHO, THEO, JIUNG, INTAK, SOUL, and JONGSEOB—has been redefining the genre with their unique blend of musical styles, infectious energy, and thought-provoking themes. With their latest project, the 7-track mini-album “SAD SONG,” P1Harmony delves into the intricate themes of loneliness and heroism, all while maintaining a sound that is as vibrant as it is diverse.
Featuring a compelling mix of genres, including Latin and American rap, “SAD SONG” not only showcases their lyrical prowess but also reflects their growth as artists and songwriters. With addictive hooks and dynamic choreography, the album is a testament to P1Harmony’s ability to connect with fans across the globe. The inclusion of an English version of the title track further demonstrates their commitment to reaching a wider audience, inviting listeners from different backgrounds to engage with their music on a deeper level.
In this exclusive interview for The Untitled Magazine, Indira Cesarine chatted with P1Harmony to discuss their creative process, the challenges and triumphs they’ve faced, and the powerful messages they hope to convey through their art. Join us as we explore the evolution of P1Harmony, their aspirations for the future, and the essence of their latest work, all through the lens of their unique journey in the world of K-pop.
P1Harmony was formed in 2020 through a unique cinematic introduction. How did that experience shape your identity as a group and influence your music?
KEEHO – I think it’s fun because we can play around with the concept that we are “HERO.” In the movie, we are portrayed as “HERO” with these super fun superpowers that come together to save the world. Having that cinematic background gives us a lot of opportunities to implement it into our music and concepts.
JIUNG – It was a great experience to get to know the camera, which might have been awkward at the beginning of our debut. After that, we were able to more confidently incorporate and express the main keyword of our universe and main character, ‘HERO’, in the music.
Your music draws from a variety of genres, including Latin and American rap. Can you share some of the artists or genres that have influenced your sound as a band?
INTAK – It may vary for each member, but personally, when it comes to making and designing music, I think A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar are the two rappers who influence and inspire me the most! Recently, I’ve been really into Brent Faiyaz’s music!
JONGSEOB – I don’t think we’ve been influenced by one particular artist, but we have lots of favorite artists and we’re open to many different types of music, so we’ve naturally been influenced by them.
With each member contributing to songwriting and production, how do you ensure that everyone’s voice is heard in the creative process? (Overall, not only for “SAD SONG”)
KEEHO – A lot of communication is important also trusting each other. When being in a group, each member will have their own musical tastes and desires so listening to that and trusting their input is important in communication and the creative process. Obviously, some people are more vocal than others when voicing their opinions but we try to listen to every single voice.
JIUNG – We approach each of these in slightly different ways, but we listen to each other unconditionally and try to be objective. For part distribution, we share opinions about which parts we want to take or suggest specific members that we think fit best for certain parts. In the case of B-side tracks, we listen to each other’s opinions and freely discuss which songs to include and how to modify them.
Your new 7th Mini Album “SAD SONG” explores various music genres, including Latin and American rap. What inspired you to blend these diverse influences in your music? Can you tell us about the creative process behind “SAD SONG” and how you achieved its fusion of sounds?
INTAK – First of all, P1Harmony always loves to try new things. We’re constantly challenging ourselves to be new and unique, interpreting everything in our own way and changing to our own color. Especially when I was working on “SAD SONG,” I thought a lot about what kind of flow or lines would fit this rhythm! Each member always puts in a lot of thought and effort, so I think we can make any genre unique to P1Harmony!
JONGSEOB – We’ve always said since the beginning of our debut that we wanted to cover as many different genres and types of music as possible. Through “Killin’ It”, we were able to show the true colors of P1Harmony, we were eager to showcase another new style of P1Harmony on this 7th Mini Album. Therefore, we decided to choose Latin music, which is a huge and fresh genre for us. In fact, it was a bit of a challenge in many ways when working on my verse for “SAD SONG.” Since my verse in “Killin’ It” was really strong, I had to come up with something fresh for this song. So I went through over 10 different versions and tried my best to make it work. I think our rap is one of the elements that make people realize that P1Harmony’s music has a variety of sounds.
“SAD SONG” explores themes of loneliness and heroism. How do these themes reflect your personal experiences or the experiences of your generation?
THEO – When I feel empty or lonely, I tend to find something that I personally enjoy doing. I usually play guitar, as I’ve been really into it these days.
SOUL – Dancing, watching funny videos, and sleeping are how I overcome loneliness.
As co-writers and co-producers on this album, how do you balance your individual creative inputs with the group’s overall vision?
KEEHO – This is kind of answered in the previous question, but to add onto that, I think it’s important that we all share the same goal in mind when creating. For example, when “Last Call” was made, we talked about needing another song we could play at concerts, one we can just jump around to, and that idea was formed into “Last Call”. However, the genre, the overall sound, and direction came from JIUNG, where we have to lay our trust on. Trust and communication are key!
JIUNG – I’ve been trying to find common ground between my personal preference and the vision of the group. I believe the shared aspect is that we enjoy the stage and create performances where the audience can enjoy and sing along with us. With that aspect, I am trying to contribute as many ideas as possible and work hard to achieve the best results.
This is your first album to include an English version of the title track. What motivated this decision, and how do you hope it will impact your global fanbase?
KEEHO – Since English is so internationally used, we hoped more audiences could understand the message we implied. Especially, as we perform in so many different countries and cities around the world, we wanted to include a track that could resonate with a larger audience. That obviously doesn’t change our integrity as Korean pop artists but we hope that more people can understand the message we want to portray through our English versions.
JONGSEOB – We decided to release the English version of “SAD SONG” because we wanted to help our international fans better understand the message we want to convey through the album and the title track.
As the first independently-signed 4th-generation male Korean group to chart on US Top 40 radio, what are your thoughts on the growing global influence of K-pop, and how do you see P1Harmony contributing to that?
THEO – I think everything we do is a good experience and a memory that we can build with our fans, and I think it’s a positive influence to be able to share those good memories with a lot of people.
JIUNG – I’m most grateful that K-pop is making more of an impact around the world, and I think it pushes us to work harder to not let that expectation and interest down. As I mentioned earlier, we are trying to live up to the expectations that many people have for K-pop, so we are trying to visit as many cities as possible to spread the charm of K-pop.
What message do you hope to convey to your international audience with “SAD SONG”?
INTAK – I would convey the message that sadness cannot control our emotions, that we should forget all the painful, difficult, sad, lonely memories and thoughts. Let’s listen to songs in our own way—exciting songs if we want, run if we want to run, and just get through it.
SOUL – I think everyone experiences loneliness, and I hope this song can help people overcome it.
K-pop is known for its performance aspect. How do you balance the demands of performance with your musical artistry in your shows?
THEO – Personally, I think this is the hardest part, and I’m still trying to figure it out.
INTAK – It’s always hard to find the right balance, but when we’re performing concerts, I feel like we’re constantly trying to get the timing right. When it’s time to perform live, we go all out, and when it’s time to focus on the performance, there’s a dance break. That’s kind of how we balance everything!
With this being your 7th Mini Album, how do you feel P1Harmony’s sound has evolved since your debut?
KEEHO – I don’t know how to describe it exactly, but because each of our members has such a unique sound, I think whatever track we are given, we can make it “P1Harmony.” I don’t think there is a distinct concept to our music, but whenever we release a track, it’s very “P1Harmony-coded.”
JIUNG – Since our debut, we’ve been working hard to find our identity as a team and as individuals, and I think we’re gradually discovering what makes P1Harmony unique.
With a busy schedule ahead, including tours and performances, what can fans expect from P1Harmony in the coming months? Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for future projects?
THEO – We are always preparing for our tours and comebacks, so I hope you will have fun when you’re with us.
SOUL – I look forward to doing many things and making lots of memories with our fans in the future.
