omonatheydid | B.A.P “EXO isn’t our rival, but an opponent in a well-intended competition" (Reply)

B.A.P, who received the spotlight as one of the best male idol groups last year, have comeback after almost half a year of absence. Through their 3rd mini album, ‘BADMAN’, B.A.P plan to show that they improved a step more with experience gained from overseas touring.

"As long as the absence was, we prepared just as much. While doing the Pacific tour, our eyes and ears were opened more." (leader Bang Yongguk)

In this album, there are many songs with a music color that B.A.P hasn’t done before. They stated, “Since we transformed various music styles into our own style, the anticipation for this album is very large for us as well."

The fact that they released this album with a triple title format was also this emphasize this. Along with the title track that has the same name as their album, ‘BADMAN’, they released ‘Coffee Shop’ and ‘Hurricane’ earlier on.

‘Coffee Shop’ is an jazzy, R&B song while ‘Hurricane’ is a song that mixes electronic and house sounds. Both songs are somewhat different from past B.A.P songs.

"We never tried songs of the jazz, electronic, and house genre. The reason why we pre-released those two songs was to show our widened music spectrum." (Yongguk)

However, it seems like their title song, ‘BADMAN’ will be most similar to B.A.P’s past music styles. The members introduced ‘BADMAN’ as, “The song where we took the most recent trendy genres and made it into our style."

“‘BADMAN’ is the most B.A.P-like song. I feel the most confident when we do a song that’s closest to B.A.P’s style." (Yongguk)

When asked why they don’t promote with songs that use a new music style, Bang Yongguk answered, “We’re content with just people acknowledging that ‘B.A.P can do this kind of music as well’. We like doing our type of music, so we don’t feel sad about it."

- The 2 Reasons Why B.A.P’s Popular, Concert and Fierce Style

B.A.P have lately met with fans through concerts. With their debut showcase that had 3000 seats or their fanclub inauguration with 5000 seats that was laid out in a concert format. Contrasting to this, it was hard to see them on variety programs.

"It’s because we believe that we can show more sides of ourselves through performances rather than variety shows. I think we’ll be showing more performances than variety shows through this promotion as well." (Himchan)

But they still succeeded in their promotions. After a year and six months since their debut, B.A.P have created quite a large fandom. Their fanclub amount exceeds 100,000 members. Their efforts in trying to meet fans as close as they can contributed to this.

"I think this is because fans just like our performances. Also, wouldn’t it give off a friendlier feeling to meet and talk at a place where you could feel the communication?" (Himchan, Daehyun)

If it’s B.A.P, then the strong beat and music along with a strong choreography and styling to go with it, can’t be forgotten.

"Since our debut, we did songs of a strong concept. Because of this, fans like that kind of music and are waiting for us. We plan to come back with a song that has a stronger concept this time as well." (Yongguk)

One of their specialties are lyrics that have messages towards society.

"Ever since our debut, we did songs that have messages in them. Although easy love songs are good as well, we have meaningful messages. I think there would also be a synergy effect for a fan to listen to our songs and then grow up to be a good adult." (Yongguk)

- B.A.P Who Grew a Step More Through Their Overseas Tour

After opening their first Korean solo concert in February, B.A.P had their Pacific tour in the U.S (L.A, San Francisco, Washington, New York), Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong). After just a year and six months since their debut, they stepped foot onto a worldwide stage.

Through the Pacific tour, B.A.P improved a step more, and they wish to show that side.

"If you were to say that we sang and danced to a certain minimum, then I think we were able to become more comfortable and find our own positives through the performances. You will be able to meet a B.A.P that grew through this album promotion." (Himchan)

They also performed and had an interview at the MTV Studio placed in Times Square, New York.

"We performed at a building in the middle of Times Square, but a lot of people gathered and watched it. Many people who live there came as well. There were also a lot of Koreans who came, so we felt proud and had a slight patriotic spirit."

While performing in America, they were quite surprised to see that there wasn’t a lot of an Asian audience. There were many other races that came as well. What could be the reason why B.A.P could gain such popularity among non-Asian fans?

"Well. I think that it’s probably because we do a stronger performance and music among other K-Pop groups." (Jongup)

The members said, “Although our popularity differs for every country, our youngest, Zelo, has the most popularity wherever we go."

"The reason behind our popularity? Uhm…. I think it’s due to our staff members helping us. We’ll work hard." (Laughter)

Zelo also was the youngest idol when he debuted. However, it seems like that title(?) was stolen by another idol only after a year and a half since their debut.

"I believe that’s something that helped inform people of us when we first debuted. Now we can all work harder and personally inform people about us (laughter)." (Zelo)

When asked about anecdotes on how they appealed themselves towards fans, the members looked embarrassed and didn’t talk like they were doing. I asked Yongguk on how he revealed his abs during the concert in Korea in February.

"Because I’m always exercising, I didn’t do anything special to prepare for it (laughter). Because I promised beforehand to our fans that I would show my abs if we won the rookie award, it was to show that I had to keep that promise." (Yongguk)

When asked why Yongguk was the only one to reveal his abs, the members laughed and said, “Because he has the nicest body among the members, Yongguk hyung ended up doing it. If there’s another time for someone to reveal their abs, we’re in big trouble since we need to pick someone else."

- Japanese Debut, Another Challenge

B.A.P are looking towards expanding into the American and Japanese music market, which is a slim happening for idols that only debuted for 2 years. They will be releasing a Japanese album on October 7th, and plan to officially debut as well. What’s the reason for their straightforward overseas expansion?

"Ever since we debuted, the six members had the same dream of ‘wanting to be a worldwide artist’. Since we kept that dream and worked hard, I think that a resonance from other countries have been slowly forming. Our final goal is to do our music in America’s mainstream music industry. I think the time where we go up step by step is really important. This album is also a step towards that goal." (Yongguk)

B.A.P, who have continuously held large performances after their debut. They will be challenging Japan once more. Starting November, they will be holding an arena tour. In large stadiums in Kobe, Aichi, and Tokyo, they’ll be doing a total of six performances, and can have a total of 60,000 audience members.

"For our goal with promotions in Japan… Although charting is important, our goal is to improve more through this opportunity and host a dome tour. Because we had our start with an arena tour, I would like to think it would be the best thing to go higher than that." (Himchan, Daehyun)

For their Japanese debut song, they picked ‘Warrior’. This hip-hop song that has a message to society with strong beats, is B.A.P’s debut song along with being the song that showcases their special points the best. But it also might be a song that won’t easily be accepted in the Japanese music industry that is more for an easier type of song that the public will enjoy. They could’ve gone with a more safer option for their debut song.

"Our concept and styles can definitely be different from the normal Japanese music style. However, rather than throwing away our style and fitting the Japanese music style just because we’re debuting in Japan, we wanted to stick to our music style and inform people of our music."

B.A.P was one of the male idols groups that took home the most rookie awards last year. Also, they released six albums within just a year since they debuted, which is a really scarce happening for a rookie group. What could the reason be for this?

"Wouldn’t it be because the Korean music industry is stimulated and wants things that are fast? Since the industry’s tempo was sped up, we believe that it’s only the right thing to fit that." (Himchan)

There are also fans that worry and think that it would be better for them to gain stability with popularity in Korea before doing overseas promotions.

"I think those worries are right. However, we’ve only just done our first overseas tour, so I don’t think it’s to the point of concern. Although we’re debuting in Japan, we can definitely switch off with Japanese promotions and Korean promotions, so I don’t think they need to be worried." (Yongguk)

- EXO is Our Opponent in a Well-Intended Competition

They, who ran forth without taking a breath since their debut. However, the members seem to exude with strength.

"Standing on stage is fun for us, and that’s why we do it. We never thought that standing on stage is tiring. Although there were times were I felt that going on variety shows was hard (laughter)." (Yongguk)

The group that’s recently been showing a scary rise is EXO. Within 2 years since their debut, they’ve been having continuous big hits with ‘Wolf’ and ‘Growl’. B.A.P debuted in the same year as EXO, and they also competed with each other for the rookie award title last year. Wouldn’t they feel that they’re rivals then?

"Although we debuted in the same year, we think of them as colleagues instead of rivals. When we see them doing well, we believe that it’s something to congratulate them on. Rather than think of them as rivals, we think of them as opponents in a well-intended competition. Through this competition, I hope we both go up step by step. Also, there were many groups that debuted besides EXO. We believe that there are things to be learned from those groups, including EXO. Since they’re our colleagues, while we learn from them, we also feel a responsibility to do just as much as them." (Daehyun, Himchan)

It’s already reached a year and a half since their debut. With their overseas debut ahead of them, it’s an important time to show their positions. However, B.A.P are calmly taking it step by step.

"After debuting, this was the longest absence time. The quality is just that good, and we also placed in things that we learned through these performances. I hope that you look just as forward to the album. If we work hard step by step, then I think we’ll be able to do many things that we dream of. We hope that through ‘BADMAN’, many people will anticipate our songs and give interest in us." (Youngjae, Jongup)

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source: akdongs