One hot night in August, popular K-pop group KARD made a stop in Atlanta as part of their “2022 WILD KARD TOUR IN ATLANTA.” Before the concert began, KARD sat down with the What The Kpop (WTK) team to discuss the tour, talk about what it felt like to be back in Atlanta once more, and share about their upcoming activities from acting gigs to solo releases.
The four members— BM, Jiwoo, J.Seph, and Somin— came into a small room backstage, looking stylish and well-dressed as the time to go onstage was not too far off. Although the KARD members are known to be friendly and open, it might come as a surprise to fans to know they are also somewhat larger than life behind scenes and both chic and professional in their persona.
As time was limited before the quartet needed to be onstage, WTK quickly got down to the business at hand to find out just what everyone’s favorite co-ed K-pop group has been up to of late. Read on to find out more!
WTK: How’s the tour been going? What’s it like being back in ATL?
Somin: Atlanta is like an old friend. Not only this time, but the previous times we’ve toured here. It’s really nice to meet all the fans like friends again. We’re happy to be back, and we’re looking forward to it, so we hope the fans enjoy it as much as us.
WTK: What’s the best part about touring? Any special memories?
Somin: I think the best part about touring is the fact that we can visit so many of our fans in so many different places/cities.
BM: I can speak in English, right? (Waits politely for everyone to agree.) I feel as though [touring] is the most rewarding part of this job. Behind the scenes, behind the cameras, there’s a lot of struggles of being an artist. The moment you step on stage, and you see everyone who loves and supports you, it really makes everything worth it. [As far as special memories], it’s the same for every city, we feel an immense amount of love and energy… and the food! The food is really good too!
WTK: Is there any food you eat specifically when you come to the U.S.?
BM: When in Cali, we always have to hit In-&-Out, good Mexican food, and Boiling Crab.
J.Seph: I really like Boiling Crab!
WTK: Do you guys not have it in Korea?
KARD: Noooo! We don’t have it there!
BM: J.Seph is a shrimp killer.
WTK: Are you a big fan of shrimp?
J.Seph: I like shrimp, but the best part is really the sauce! There is really nothing like it in Korea, so I have to get my fill while I’m here.
WTK: So, every time you all come to America, you have to eat it right?
KARD: Yep, every time we come!
WTK: I happen to like Boiling Crab as well
BM: There’s no way to not like it!
WTK: It’s been five years since you debuted. How has KARD matured since then? What has changed the most?
At this point, BM breaks into English again, explaining that this is something he actually wanted to talk about onstage— which he did, in fact, go on to do later in that evening’s concert.
BM: The biggest thing is that now we are really able to be in the moment more than before. Before we had this subconscious fear that our best would not be accepted. So when onstage before, the adrenaline and worries were all there with us onstage. But this time around, we feel we can really enjoy the moment and energy of the fans. That was the biggest change for me, and I feel as though that’s a huge step or hurdle to overcome.
Jiwoo: Rather than before, I think now I have a better idea of what KARD can do to try to show our best selves. Considering we were one of the ”first ” co-ed groups (referring to being one of the only major co-ed K-pop groups of this generation), there were a lot of hurdles we had to overcome. However, now we’ve come a long way and done many concerts, released a lot of music, etc. So, I feel that we have a better grasp of our group’s identity and what we can do to show our best selves.
WTK: Which MV has been the most fun to film?
BM: As you know, MV filming is really long and sometimes it can take over 50 hours. Although it was not easy, I think our latest album MV was the most fun. [We enjoyed the filming] considering it was the first one after so long.
J.Seph: Yes, our MV “Ring The Alarm” was one we really enjoyed. Usually while filming, we can’t help but think, ”Omg, will this ever end?” However, with this one, it wasn’t that exhausting. I feel as though we did as much as we could. We had some “hiatus” [in our career], and I was in the military. So, everyone was really anticipating this comeback.
At first, it felt like it would be a bit difficult after so long, but once the time came, it was a bit more lively. Rather than resting after shooting a scene, we were always monitoring ourselves and the other members [through playback of the scenes onscreen]. I think the relaxed vibe and happy spirits we had this time really came out this time around.
WTK: Is there another MV concept you want to try someday?
BM: Hella sexy concept! And a big scale [concept].
J.Seph: A really big-scale filming with a lot of moving parts involved.
WTK: Do you have any special rituals you do before performing?
KARD: (looking at each other while talking and nodding in agreement) We don’t really have anything we do before going on stage together.
Somin: It’s not really a ritual, but I have a habit of stretching and rotating my wrists and ankles.
J.Seph: This isn’t really a ritual or habit either, but I tend to practice my key parts a lot before going onstage, and it somewhat acts as a way to warm up my voice as well.
BM: Although it’s not before every performance, sometimes I pray before going onstage.
Jiwoo: Personally, I always spray perfume before going onto the stage.
At the mention of perfumes, this led to a short conversation about fragrances where Jiwoo revealed that she likes stronger scents when looking for perfumes. She then went on to state that two of her favorite brands are the ultra-luxurious label Frederic Malle and the popular, high-end brand Kilian Paris.
WTK: Speaking of your favorite things, is there anything you like to buy specifically when you are abroad?
Jiwoo: It depends really…
J.Seph: I don’t buy this every time, but this time, I happened to purchase some laundry detergent! America’s Downey is really famous as the scent infuses really well into the clothes [in a way that is better than perfume or maybe Febreeze]. There’s a Korean e-commerce site called Coupang, and I purchased it on there previously. However, since I am here, I can smell all the scents and more adequately choose which ones I want. So, I was happy to be able to purchase it here this time.
BM: Hot Cheetos for me!
This leads to a good-natured discussion of many Koreans and their love of Hot Cheetos between BM and the WTK staff doing the interview. After going down a lively rabbit hole, BM suggests that the staff member open a business exporting Hot Cheetos to Korea, bringing a laugh to all. Although the idea was said as a joke, it still sounds like BM would be the number one customer if the business truly opened!
WTK: Getting back to the real business at hand… when was the moment you finally felt like “we made it”?
BM: I feel as though that feeling comes a lot. [For example], when we finish recording a song for our album, when we finish filming our MV, when we came down [off the] stage after our first performance— I feel like there’s a lot of moments we feel that [we made it]. It’s one of the rewards of the job. If you didn’t feel that sense of reward, it wouldn’t be as fun. I personally feel it a lot.
J.Seph: When I was young, I only just heard about places like New York, D.C., or Atlanta as baseball teams, and it gave off the vibe as such faraway places we could only dream of. However, when it dawns on me that I am here performing for people who love and support me in the places I only dreamt of as a child, it’s amazing.
WTK: Is there a U.S. variety show or talk show you would like to appear on?
BM: I think some of the good ones would be the morning talk shows. I think it would be a good opportunity to show there are girl groups and boy groups, but also that there are unorthodox co-ed groups that I feel like the country could be updated on as well. Besides that, I think maybe a Netflix series or HBO or something. I think all of us have acting in mind as the next step as well— so that would be really cool—maybe even dabbling in the Hollywood side [of things].
WTK: That was actually the number one question fans wanted us to ask during this interview— do any of you have plans for acting?
BM: Yeah, a lot of us have acting in mind as one of the bigger next steps we’re preparing for. [So], catch us on a show sometime.
WTK: Is there anything else we can look forward to from KARD?
Jiwoo: After this tour, we have a few more international performances, and then we will be preparing for our next album!
WTK: Fans had some individual questions for you all as well too. Jiwoo, one of the things fans wanted to know is if you have any thoughts on making a YouTube channel?
Jiwoo: Nope! (smiles cutely)
WTK: BM, for you, fans wanted to know what was the most challenging part about doing things as a solo artist? Also, what do you find easier to do with the members versus on your own?
BM: The most challenging part? I think it’s really that someone like me wants to dabble in so many different genres. Because growing up until now, everything I’ve heard and everything I’ve experienced is what makes my preferences, right? And a lot of my preferences go into my solo songs. So, for me, the biggest challenge is choosing what I want to do at that time. I have a catalogue of music and there’s over 50 songs in there that are unfinished. The reason they’re unfinished is because as soon as I’m halfway done, something clicks in my head and I’m on to a new interest or new song. That’s my biggest challenge! But as for the second [part of the question], it’s definitely easier onstage having your members. Because a full three minutes as opposed to having to fill out maybe 30 or 40 seconds of a song is definitely a lot harder of course.
WTK: Somin, many fans want to know if you have any plans for a solo release soon?
Somin: At the moment, there is no official plan for any solo release. However, I believe there will be some opportunities in the future. I have been collecting my solo songs and creating solo guides, so I’m sure there will be an opportunity to show them in the future.
WTK: J.Seph, has anything changed for you since you came back from the military?
J.seph: Originally, I was not the type to wear extravagant or flashy accessories. However, I was gone in the military for over a year and a half, so with an intention to somewhat change my image, I dyed my hair blue and made a habit to wear a lot more accessories when filming and performing. However, I think I am going to go back to my original style!
WTK: We’ve come to the end of our interview for today, and we want to thank you so much for your time today. Any last comment for the fans reading this interview?
BM: Shoutout to everyone who came to WTK to come check out this article. Thank you so much for your love and support, always with KARD. If we’re touring in a city near you, come through, and come party with us!
After the interview was concluded, KARD took to the stage and performed fan-favorite songs like “Don’t Recall,” “Hola, Hola,” “You In Me,” and more. With their trademark high energy, they brought the house down with their live performances of “Dumb Litty” and “Ring The Alarm” as the members sprayed water across the crowd and hyped the audience up to a near fever pitch.
All of the members spoke to the crowd throughout the night, showing off their English skills and fan service to the audience, as well as displaying their epic dance skills and great vocals.
J.Seph spoke to the crowds by saying, “Every time I think about this city, I always have this thought that it feels like a dream to be able to perform here. But it is already our second time here now, and you show us such big love, so it’s even better [than before]. I imagined seeing you again when I was in the military, but now that I got to see you in person, it’s even more beautiful!” BM also spoke about looking to the past and realizing how far they have made it until now, congratulating everyone for making it until now.
Somin and Jiwoo also addressed the crowd with Somin first saying, “We get such energy from you, and we hope we bring it to you too. We promise to bring even better energy next time!” Jiwoo also stated, “Today, I felt such an outpouring of love from you guys, so I’m so thankful. Thank you for much for coming to watch our performance… we promise to come back and give a lot back to you guys as well!”
Scroll through some more photos of KARD’s electric performance from their “2022 WILD KARD TOUR IN ATLANTA” show below!
In the meantime, you can keep up-to-date with KARD on their YouTube channel found here, or follow them here on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Thank you to KARD (BM, Jiwoo, J.Seph, and Somin), DSP Media, and Trend PR for the interview opportunity and press coverage of the event!
Readers, let us know your thoughts by tweeting to us @whatthekpop1 or leaving us a comment on Facebook and Instagram.
Media: WTK
Production and Coordination by Amy Leigh
Interview and Translations by Neel Padhiar
Photography by Solita Delacruz
*This interview has been edited for clarity.