Releasing “RECORD OF YOUTH”, GreatGuys Are Grateful To Be Here
In this exclusive interview, GreatGuys reflect on their six years together, their new single “LUV LUV LUV” and their debut. Photo: DNA Entertainment
GreatGuys returned with the excellent new mini-album “RECORD OF YOUTH: EP 1” this week in celebration of their sixth anniversary.
The EP contains two new songs: “LUV LUV LUV” and “Only U”, a track dedicated to their fans known as GRACE. Members DONGIN and HANEUL both contributed to the creative direction of this EP, something they told me in an interview this week that they were honored to do. The members have worked hard to hone their skills as idols and performers, which is reflected in their growth.
“I was able to release a song with my name [credited] on it from our special album ‘AGAIN’ in 2021,” DONGIN, who wrote “LUV LUV LUV” in collaboration with NUVO told me. “CEO Lee Jae-sung of DNA ENTERTAINMENT said, ‘Whatever the result comes out, let's work on the title song [on the next EP].’ He encouraged me to work on it.”
Before DONGIN released his first written track for GreatGuys, he was uploading music he wrote to SoundCloud. “When I look at the stories of the music I make,” he said, “I like to talk about myself and the time I spend with everyone around me.”
HANEUL was tapped to create the choreography for the single, an honor that came from his time recording dance covers. “I like dancing, so I did a lot of K-Pop dance covers,” he told me. “When I saw that the CEO suggested that I make the choreography for the title song, "LUV LUV LUV," a first, I said, ‘I can't do it.’” But CEO Lee was encouraging to HANEUL and allowed him to create what he wanted with no worries. “He said, 'I'll be responsible for the results, so let's try it,’” HANEUL remembered.
HANEUL created the choreography for “LUV LUV LUV” with an emphasis on the song’s message. “I melted the ‘L’ in ‘luv” to make it look lovely,” he said, and emphasized that he wanted the choreography to be easy for others to follow along. “We worked on the choreography so that anyone can follow along.”
GreatGuys didn’t meet until they were trainees at DNA, but they all share similar experiences as to when they first became interested in middle school.
“When I was in the 3rd year of middle school,” DAUN recalled, “I happened to watch a music program and saw singers dancing and singing on stage so I dreamed of becoming an idol.” HANUEL started dancing early: at an academy. “After that, I became greedy to sing,” he said, “and greedy for the stage.” BAEK GYEOL also attended a music academy at the recommendation of his 6th grade homeroom teacher after hearing him sing. “I've wanted to be an idol since I was in high school,” he said. “I started singing and dancing while attending a music academy.” In contrast, HWALCHAN was originally interested in sports. “I was an athlete when I was in middle school, but I listened to music a lot while exercising, I realized I liked music more than sports,” he said. “and I became interested in singing.”
DONGHWI, HO RYEONG, UI YEONG and DONGIN were exposed to music through traditional training. DONGWHI started studying music after he received a guitar from his father’s friend. “I liked singing since I was in middle school,” he told me. “I thought about a career after entering high school. I thought that I would do well if I sang and did music.”
DONGIN remembered learning piano from a young age before transitioning to participating in a high school band. For UI YEONG, his exposure came from a broadcasting club where he was a conductor. But HO RYEONG’s experience with music transitioned the most from high school to adulthood. He began in the wind instrument club in high school. “Since then, my skills have gradually improved, “he said. Since then, his interest gradually increased. In the military, he HO RYEONG participated in the military band which was a valuable experience for him. “I think music has influenced my life a lot in many ways,” he surmised.
When GreatGuys think back to their debut, they recall, first, how lucky they were to have been selected for the group. “There are so many trainees in Korea,” they told me. “Among them, trainees who couldn't debut and gave up their dreams. But we spent every day feeling very thankful that we were practicing with our debut date set.”
GreatGuys debut was not on a variety show stage, like some groups experience. Instead, their single “Last Men” was released digitally on August 25, 2017 and their first performance was not until January 2018 in Japan. “When I first debuted, there was no one in Korea to find us cool guys and no stage to stand on,” HO RYEONG remembered. “So I moved to Japan and started performing, and I did my best to promote the group by performing eight times a week for three months. As a result, by the end of our last concert, all of [the venue’s] seats were filled.”
The members remember how difficult it was at first, though. “Contrary to the expectation that everything would work out well if we debuted, there were no people or broadcasting stations waiting for us,” they recalled, referencing how many groups debut on variety shows. Things felt bleak for a while, but then they were given an opportunity to live and promote in Japan for two months. “We started with only 20 audience members and we filled up the seats two months later.”
The hard work paid off. The following year the group was awarded Rookie of the Year at the Asia Model Awards, and they continued to tour in Japan, Thailand and Europe. “After that, we were able to perform on big and small stages because of the people who came to see us,” HO RYEONG said. “All the time we spent with our fans remains precious memories for us.”
In 2018, the group released GANDA, a tropical dance track, and the members participated in songwriting for the first time, with DAUN writing the lyrics and DONGIN writing the rap portion. The group continued to release new music, including a highly successful crowd-funded single called “Dang!” in 2019 which was raised over 400% of the necessary funding.
When I asked the group if there was a single that they were most proud of, they named “TOUCH BY TOUCH.” That song, which was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was created “with our hearts to encourage everyone in the world.” The members specifically remembered seeing a comment from a GRACE that said the song gave them courage to get through the hardest part of the pandemic. “We were so proud that we became a group that could give courage to someone,” they said.
Like many idol groups, GreatGuys have their share of hard times. But they retain a positive mindset throughout their time. As they’re aware, so many people try to become idols in Korea and only a select few debut. An even smaller number of idols are still in groups after five years. And GreatGuys are in their sixth year together.
“When I think about someone who has a harder time than me, I can say that I’m a happy person,” HANEUL said. DONGHWI added that he believes “if I live a diligent life, then I will see great improvements in the future.” But DONGIN’s comment stuck with me the most. “[I know] tomorrow will be harder than today,” he said. “And I promised myself that I would get the world I wanted.”
Super Junior is a group that GreatGuys admire, and who they want to emulate as they grow older together. “The reason is that even though they’ve been together a long time, we respect that all the members have not broken apart and that they are working as a group and doing their best in their respective fields,” they explained.
The group is especially grateful for their families and GRACE who have stood by them since their debut. “The people who supported us are our parents who trust us and wait until the end,” they said, “and GRACE who always supports and loves us.”
The video for “LUV LUV LUV” is a pastel colored treat. HANEULS’s creative, fun choreography complements the bright message of the song. “LUV LUV LUV” is possible because of the support of GRACE, many who are from countries that GreatGuys have not had the opportunity to visit yet.
The guys promise a few surprises for international fans. “We're going to talk about sending letters and gifts to Korea from a country we haven't been to. I'm so thankful that they think we deserve this kind of love even though we haven't been to their countries to perform yet.” They continued with a message for GRACE. “Thank you for supporting us for the past 6 years since our debut,” the guys said when I asked if they had a message for their fans. “When we see the fans, we’re so thankful and it's a series of touching moments together.”
RECORD OF YOUTH EP. 1: DESTINY is available from retailers including: Choice Music LA, KTOWN4U, Yes24, and Aladdin, amongst others. For a full list with links, clickhere. The album is available for streaming on all major platforms.
