Location: Blue Square MasterCard Hall

Emcee: Comedian Park Seul-gi

Emcee: Comedian Park Seul-gi

* ATBO performs B-side track “Bounce” on stage.

How does it feel to drop new music?

Yeonkyu: We’ve been active recently [on JTBC’s competition show ‘Peak Time’] but it’s been six months since we dropped music. I’m nervous and excited. We’ll show ourselves head to a higher spot, just like the title of the new EP.

Rakwon: This marks the end of “The Beginning” trilogy. “The Beginning : Soaring” contains six tracks of various music genres showing our determination to fly higher based on our experience so far,

Introduce the new lead track to us.

Junmin: The lead track “Next To Me” shows our determination to soar. “Just Dance” shows our unique positive energy. “Love Me” is about us asking for love in our own way.

Won Bin: “Good Thing” shows our fill to keep going forward at our own pace. “Just For Me” is a song for which all seven members participated in lyric-writing.

Yeonkyu: “Next To Me” is an old-school new jack swing track that incorporates our ambition of “soaring” in its lyrics.

Seunghwan: The highlight dance move of “Next To Me” is what we dubbed the “trance dance.”

*Hyunjun, Rakwon and Junseok demonstrate the key dance moves.

Hyunjun, you’ve been working really hard, participating in rap-making for all of the tracks. How was it?

Hyunjun: I was thankful to get a chance to work on many songs. I’m shy to say it myself, but I found myself “soaring” while rap-making. I’m excited to show my growth to fans.

Junseok: His rap lyrics are so difficult [to perform]! When we first heard it, we said this is not bisang (Korean word for ‘soaring’) but bisang (also a Korean word for ‘emergency’) for us.

Tell us about the music video.

Yeonkyu: It was all filmed outdoors. I remember filming the scenes which show the Han River. It looks so cool on camera and goes well with the song. Please look out for the great scenery.

*Premiere of “Next To Me” music video.

*Premiere of “Next To Me” stage performance

Q&A session with reporters

How was your appearance on “Peak Time”? Did it help your team grow and prepare for a new release?

Junmin: It was our first survival show as a team, just six months after debuting. That made us nervous. But while performing missions together, we grew even closer as a team and enhanced our teamwork. Our live vocal performances and dancing also improved through the missions. We were so motivated to see other groups on the show, realizing that there are so many talented people.

Junseok: As Junmin said, our teamwork improved. Before that, we were busy trying to get the singing and dance moves right. This time, we could take care of each other and look out for what each member is struggling with the most.

Your new lead track shows a dramatic change compared to your previous songs. What did members think about it?

Yeonkyu: Our fans used to say they’d love to see a brighter side of ATBO. We wanted to show them that we can also present a happy vibe on stage.

What’s your favorite B-side track of the EP?

Rakwon: Out of the six, it’s “Just For Us” for me. It was the first time all members participated in lyric-writing, and we wrote it thinking about our fans. So we feel a special attachment to the song. I like the calming piano and guitar sounds in the track, and it expresses out love for [our fandom] BOAT. I hope they like it.

Are you guys satisfied with the change? Or would you rather go back to the charismatic concepts?

Jumin: We wanted to try brighter songs since a long time ago. Members had been talking about that, and fans wanted it too. I think this kind of concept maximizes what we’re good at, and it can also make good memories for us.

Your performance of the song “Text Me” on “Peak Time” saw good reviews. Do you plan to officially release or perform it in the future?

Rakwon: “Text Me” kind of sounds like “Next To Me,” and the songs have a similar vibe. So I think we’re going to focus on our new lead track now. But if we get a chance in the future, we hope we can perform “Text Me” on stage again.

You guys had a big change in your visuals.

Yeonkyu: We changed up our hairstyles drastically. I used to have long brown hair, but now it’s short and black. Other members also changed themselves to striking hair colors they haven’t tried before.

What are your thoughts on the new key word “soaring”? Junmin: This is the end of our “The Beginning” trilogy, which we started our career with. And during this trilogy, a lot has happened to us, and we’ve grown a lot. We’ll show ourselves continue soaring.

What do you want fans to say about this new concept?

Yeonkyu: I want them to say, “I knew they could pull off this concept! You guys can excel at any stage performance!”

You guys say you want to soar to a higher place. What is that higher place?

Junseok: People have given us the nickname “godformance” (a portmanteau of god and performance). We want to solidify that moniker through this EP.

Junmin: This kind of bright songs suit the summer season. So I hope “Next To Me” becomes the most memorable summer song of this year.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]