[INTERVIEW] A.C.E Dishes on Their Return, My Girl: “My Choice”

The Seoul Story had the pleasure of meeting with A.C.E to discuss their latest mini album, My Girl: “My Choice”. Members Lee Donghun, Park Junhee, WOW, Kim Byeongkwan, and Kang Yuchan shared their thoughts on the comeback, what’s changed since their hiatus, and much more!

Q: Apart from the title track, which is your personal favourite song and why?

WOW: From the start, Effortless caught my attention. Although I can’t pinpoint a specific reason, the more I listen to it, the more I appreciate its charm. It’s so memorable that whenever someone asks about my favourite track, I always mention Effortless.
Byeongkwan: My Girl is the title track of the album, and I’m more fond of it than other B-side tracks.
Junhee: My usual answer would be Angel, but today, I choose Facetime because we have the producer of the song, WOW, here with us and he has gifted us with the opportunity to sing the song. I’m really thankful for that, and I wanted to compliment his songwriting skills.
Donghun: I usually choose Facetime but the producer of the song, WOW, did not give me a lot of lines to sing. So my favourite now would be My Girl. From the moment I heard it, I believed it had the potential to make it to the Billboard charts, which got me really excited. It’s quite unfortunate that this didn’t come to pass.
Junhee: We’re counting on all of your support to get My Girl listed on Billboard.
Byeongkwan: I’m sure that My Girl will rise again when we go on our next tour. Help us with it!
Yuchan: My usual answer would be Facetime, but I’ll go with Angel today. This is because the performance of Angel was what really resonated with me when I saw other members perform on stage.

Q: Can you share a fun TMI from the album preparation process?

Donghun: For this album, our recording process took a unique approach. We aimed to showcase A.C.E’s vocal skills, so we paid meticulous attention to details during the recording. Each of us pre-recorded a guided version of the song, and we then put them together into one. Based on this, we divided lines and proceeded with recording. This method significantly enhanced the album’s quality.
Byeongkwan: The pre-recording process was really fun.
Donghun: I think it was an opportunity for all of us to grow even more.
Byeongkwan: Let me add on. The songs on our EP had both the English and Korean versions of the song, which was interesting. For the track, Facetime, WOW composed the song so we were calling him “the producer,” a nickname that he really liked. During the recording of the guided version, he would joke around saying that his version was the original, that he got the ‘original sound.’ It was very funny.

Q: How was the experience preparing for this comeback as compared to the earlier comeback? Is there any incident or story that you would like to share?

Byeongkwan: It was unfortunate not to have Yuchan with us during the process. Additionally, our past performances were intense and left us sweating a lot. But with this comeback, I didn’t even sweat that much after we pre-recorded 2 or 3 times. It felt as if the sense of achievement was not as strong as before. Rather, I sweated while trying the challenges of other groups.

Q: For this comeback you worked on the MV with fans, which some comments are saying that A.C.E has started a new trend. What are your thoughts on this?

Junhee: I’m deeply grateful for the positive feedback we’ve received. Our goal wasn’t to pioneer something new or set a trend; rather, we aimed to make this music video meaningful as it marked our comeback after a long hiatus, and we wanted to create lasting memories for our fans. The response has been incredibly gratifying, with our fans expressing immense enjoyment and considering it a memorable gift. I’m simply thankful for all of this.

Q: Could you describe the experience of teaching CHOICE the choreography to My Girl and filming the music video with them?

Byeongkwan: It is something we have never tried before. All of us enjoy spending time with our fans, whether it’s at a fan signing event or a concert. Teaching our fans the choreography of our title track up close and filming the music video together was an incredible honor and a cherished memory.

Q: In the music video for My Girl you represent office workers. If you were an office worker, what department would you work in? Like Sales, Marketing, Accounting, etc.

Byeongkwan: I would choose the sales department because I talk well with people.
Junhee: I think the marketing department suits my style because I have a lot of ideas that can intrigue and spark interest from other people. It is quite unfortunate that I’m not able to experiment with those, but if I were in charge of that job, I would be very passionate about it.
Donghun: I would also be in the marketing department.
Yuchan: I want to be a son of the CEO.
WOW: I want to be the CEO.
Yuchan: I’ll be the son!

Q: Aside from referencing space in the Korean version, you also mention the ocean in the English version of My Girl. If you had the chance, between the two, would you choose to explore the ocean or the galaxy? And what would you hope to find?

Junhee: My Instagram account is “ocean_park”, but I choose the galaxy. While I love the ocean, I do not think that many people will get a chance to visit the space in their life. I want to experience emotions that can’t be felt down here on Earth.

Q: Angel is a track that brings a lot of comfort and is close to the hearts of CHOICE. For A.C.E, when things get difficult, who do you often turn to for comfort or advice?

Yuchan: Living far from my family makes it challenging to visit them often, but I’m grateful to have other family members here with me. I turn to my fellow members and share my concerns, getting their advice and support. They’ve faced similar life experiences, so I trust their insights and empathetic understanding. I consider them my ‘angels’ and rely on them greatly.

Q: Reflecting on your journey as a group, what do you think has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned during your hiatus?

Junhee: I’ve come to appreciate the significance of small things and the value of our members. Before, we were always together, working, eating, and hardly spending any time apart. However, during the hiatus and being apart, I realized how precious those moments were. I was so happy to be back together, and I’m incredibly grateful that we can perform together again.

Q: Personally, as an artist or an individual, what changes did you see in yourself during this hiatus?

Byeongkwan: Initially, going into the recording booth right after our debut was nerve-wracking for me. I worried about showcasing everything I’d prepared in the limited time, considering we were several members with time constraints. Coming back from military service, I’ve noticed a more relaxed approach to recording, which reflects positively in the final outcome.
Donghun: To add, this album involved more member participation in the production process, giving us a deeper understanding of its creation. With increased experience, each member gained confidence in their singing and developed unique opinions. This boosted our ability to comprehend and convey emotions in our songs more efficiently, resulting in a higher-quality outcome.

Q: What was the hardest thing about returning to K-Pop after military service?

Junhee: It was quite challenging to adapt to the ‘challenge’ culture. During our early debut stages, this culture wasn’t prevalent. However, nowadays, when we visit the waiting areas at broadcasting media, artists are constantly filming challenge videos with members from other groups and artists, leaving little time for rest after performances or rehearsals. This new culture requires everyone to learn the dance moves of other groups, which was difficult for us to keep up with. Yet, our fans love seeing these videos, so we are quite satisfied with it.

Q: What is the secret to maintaining good teamwork?

Donghun: We’ve had our fair share of disagreements, but we’ve learned to prioritize understanding and thoughtful actions. Reflecting on past experiences has taught us the importance of clear communication and resolving misunderstandings promptly. Mutual respect and care have become our guiding principles for maintaining close relationships. With time and maturity, these values have become ingrained in our teamwork, which have brought a harmonious dynamic among us.
Byeongkwan: Also we don’t keep anything to ourselves. We try to talk it out.

Q: With My Girl, A.C.E is back with a bright concept that is quite different from most of your previous releases like Under Cover or Goblin (Favorite Boys). In the future, what kind of concept would you like to try next?

Byeongkwan: We’ve already begun preparations for our upcoming album. In My Girl, Yuchan couldn’t participate, leaving just four of us. Our main goal was to reintroduce ourselves to the audience after a hiatus. As for our next album, we’re aiming for a more intense and sexier vibe than Under Cover or Savage. It feels like it’ll be the best one yet. I might be revealing too much about our next album, but please look forward to hearing it! I can guarantee you all!
Junhee: Exploring a super sexy concept is something we haven’t delved into yet, despite experimenting with powerful, cute, and other themes. It’s a direction we’re considering, given our maturity, and I believe it’s a concept our fans are eagerly anticipating.

Q: As a group known for your versatility in music, how do you approach experimenting with different genres while still staying true to A.C.E’s signature style?

WOW: All of us share a deep love for music, which has allowed us to maintain our unique style. This passion for music also emboldened us to explore new styles and genres, finding value in pushing our boundaries and remaining versatile. We are committed to continuing this journey of exploration and embracing new genres in the future.

Q: In your most recent album My Girl: “My Choice” there are English versions of some tracks, are there any of them that you would like to make versions in other languages? How about a Portuguese version?

Byeongkwan: Portuguese is definitely very attractive language. Even though we do not have a specific plan to release any songs in other languages, I find the Latin-based language pronunciation to be quite attractive so I would love to release a song in Spanish. We also enjoy listening to Latin pop, and we have tried creating choreographies to before, so it is something we are willing to try. Though I do imagine that listening to a Spanish or Portuguese song would much easier than actually singing it.

Q: When recording the English versions of the songs, was it more difficult to portray the same emotions and vibe? How did you prepare for the English recordings?

Byeongkwan: We recorded the English version before the Korean version, so when we later recorded the Korean version, we aimed to maintain the same vibe as in the English recording. Each member provided feedback on pronunciation while one member was in the recording booth, and we all listened and offered input. I believe this collaborative effort is evident in the final result.

Q: If you could pick one song to introduce A.C.E to anyone, which song would it be and why?

Yuchan: I chose Under Cover because it’s a song that truly showcases the intensity and power of A.C.E’s performance. Among our songs, there’s no other song like Under Cover that pushes our limits so boldly. I believe it’s a perfect introduction to our group.
Donghun: For me, it is Goblin (Favorite Boys) because it embodies the essence of K-Pop. It not only represents Korea but also the broader K-Pop culture. The song’s performance is captivating, and overall, it implies a lot of things.
Junhee: I choose the song, Stand By You because it is my favourite A.C.E song. Also, the lyrics are very sentimental and I love it.
Byeongkwan: I would recommend Under Cover, but I believe Cactus truly embodies the essence of A.C.E. It represents our identity as a group.
WOW: I choose Savage because it is the first hip-hop song that we released, which was meaningful, and I enjoyed promoting this song.

Q: What is your favourite song to perform live and what about it makes it so special?

Byeongkwan: I choose Savage. When we perform it is great to perform songs that are more impactful but as this is a hip-hop, I see the audience enjoy our stage which made it more special.

Q: A.C.E is a very popular group, internationally. Do you already have any international activities planned?

Byeongkwan: We’re kicking off with a fan concert event this month in Korea, then heading over for a Japan tour, and finally, the U.S. tour scheduled starting this June. We’re genuinely curious about the immense love we receive from international fans. Your support means everything to us, and we’re eager to keep traveling abroad to meet our international fans face-to-face.

We’ll be on Immortal Songs this Saturday so you’ll be able to see that on KBS.* We also have something special from Yuchan, which we cannot share the details about, but you will be able to see for yourselves very soon. Next month, maybe, we might be able to release our new album so please look forward to that as well.

*Note: This episode was aired on April 6, 2024

Q: For this tour, you are going to a lot of places you have never visited before. What are you most excited about when it comes to seeing those new places?

Yuchan: There’s a specific blend of emotions, atmosphere, and vibe unique to each city. While I look forward to discovering new cuisines and cultures, it’s the distinctive energy of a new city that truly excites me.
Byeongkwan: The United States is a very big country, so even in the same country, each state is very different. They have different weather, culture and vibe from the fans. We will be going to places we haven’t visited yet so I want to ask our fans to come to our concert.
Donghun: When we tour a new city, our time is mostly spent at the show venue. So we remember the city by the energy from our fans and the ambiance of the venue. I’m looking forward to creating wonderful memories with our fans during this tour as well.

Q: What has changed most in the group, or individually since A.C.E’s debut with Cactus in 2017, and what has changed the least?

Yuchan: I’ve noticed that they’ve all become more attractive. Watching them promote My Girl, I couldn’t help but think that everyone has become better looking overall. Additionally, emotions like our love for our fans and passion on stage remain constant and unwavering over time. I do expect the members to become even more handsome over time because they are my ‘angels.’

Q: What has been the most touching moment between A.C.E and CHOICE since returning from hiatus?

Junhee: Filming “Petflix,” the music video, required three days of choreography practice. I was initially concerned because we needed to teach the choreography to our fans, and they had to fully learn it within a week for the shoot. Despite the tight timeline, our fans dedicated themselves to practicing the choreography with utmost effort. I was pleasantly surprised by their commitment and it was heartwarming to see the love they have for A.C.E. It was truly a touching moment for us.

Q: As artists, what impact do you want to have in your fans’ lives?

Junhee: I hope our fans see us as proof that with determination and effort, one can achieve their goals in life. We have started from the bottom and we had a goal to succeed which has brought us where we are now. I want our fans to feel inspired and believe in their own abilities, knowing that they too can accomplish great things with faith and determination.
Byeongkwan: We also think that as time goes by we are growing together with our fans. We think that is the most important part of our journey.

About A.C.E

A.C.E is a South Korean boy group under Beat Interactive consisting of 5 members: Lee Donghun, Park Junhee, WOW, Kim Byeongkwan, and Kang Yuchan. They debuted on May 23, 2017, with their first single, Cactus. A.C.E stands for Adventure Calling Emotions, meaning that the group wants to cause emotions that urge people to go on adventures and make their dreams come true.

In 2019, they won the Fan Rising Star Award (The Fact Music Awards) and the Next Artist Award (Soribada Best K-Music Awards). The following year in 2020, they won the APAN Choice Global Hallyu Star (APAN Music Awards). On January 5, 2021, they collaborated with renowned DJ, Steve Aoki, to release a remix of their track Goblin (Favorite Boys) called Fav Boyz (Steve Aoki’s Gold Star Remix). The song reached #4 on the US Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart and #12 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales Chart. They are the fourth K-Pop artist in history to enter this chart after BTS, Monsta X, and BLACKPINK and the third highest-ranking after BTS and BLACKPINK.

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The Seoul Story would like to thank Beat Interactive and A.C.E for this interview opportunity!

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