[Exclusive Interview] Anime Weekend Atlanta with from20 and HELLO GLOOM

All Photo Cr. Cheyenne Chong-Hoover

HELLO GLOOM and from20 joined forces a few years ago to create a new outlook for the K-pop/music industry through their company WAY BETTER. With a motto like “We Dream Better, Make Better, Do Way Better,” it is clear that they have big plans to ‘expand the scope and present a new vision for the cultural industry.’

While they each can carry a unique style to the genres of their choosing, there is also a certain magic that happens when they work together. Creating their second collaborative single, “Blue,” they brought a song that sends a message, and musically just makes the soul feel good when listening.

They may have written “Blue” specifically for Anime Weekend Atlanta [2024] but it is just a taste of what is to come from these two incredibly talented and humble artists. KpopWise had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with from20 and Hello Gloom about what their past, present, and future looks like.

Congrats on your newly-released 2nd collab single, “BLUE.” It is truly refreshing to listen to, and the lyrics obviously hold some meaning of connection. The visualizer focuses on the slow movement of life and darker tones of color, contrasting some of the pacing of the song. Was there a particular inspiration that helped create “Blue” or why you went in this direction?

HELLO GLOOM: The basic character of the story was to try to give comfort to people who are in their darkest times. The message of “Blue” is that ‘I will love you not matter what you do or how you look’ but I didn’t want to portray it in a sad manner so I used the specific genre/EDM style of DnB.

You’re both obviously talented in your solo music, but did you have an “ah-hah” moment where you realized how well your styles and talented melded well together?

HELLO GLOOM: From the first meeting. We praise each other’s talents very well and personality-wise we fit very well too. I personally thought that combining all of the strong points that both of us have, the greatest outcome would happen. We really clicked from the first meetup.

FROM20: I think we are great business partners but also best friends, and like a family. 

Diving a little bit more into how you both got to where you are — Who were your musical influences growing up?

HELLO GLOOM: Back when I was in elementary school, I lived with my aunt and when she would go through tough times and turn to music, it started to influence me. When her face would light up even during those tough times, it made me realize the power of music and how it could be a critical influence on people. I want to be an artist who can comfort people through music as well. Artists that have inspired me include Usher, Epik High, Big Bang, and more. 

FROM20: When I was young I listened to a lot of K-pop and international music. It all gave me a lot of inspiration. My name from20 means I started my music when I was age 20; Coming to Seoul and living in my tiny apartment, away from my hometown, I remember putting up a Michael Jackson poster and every time before I would go to practice, I would look at it and remind myself that I want to be like him. Hello Gloom and I always think about how Michael Jackson songs have a message and early on I was doing strong/aggressive songs but this time, with “Blue” we have a message and it’s like we are starting to create our dream music. 

What is the best advice you have ever received?

HELLO GLOOM: Thankfully, I have had the opportunity to come across a lot of great minds and great people. When I was younger, a hyung of mine in the industry told me, “It took me over 10 years to really shine as a producer in the industry and you will be much greater than me because you are [innately] talented. I endured and if you endure too you will go higher places because you have a lot of talent.” I continue to endure and work hard because of that.

FROM20: Hello Gloom was once told that in his life he is going to make one superstar and he told me that he thinks that person is me! So that lives with me even to this day. Every time I am feeling down, I think of it: Hello Gloom’s one is me.

What is something new or different you would want to try in your next solo songs or collaborations?

HELLO GLOOM: I always want to try something new because I can get sick of a genre if I stick to it for too long.

FROM20: I can confirm, I’ve been listening to Hello Gloom’s demos and his next one will be awesome. I, myself, didn’t do too much in 2024 so I am preparing a lot for 2025, with a goal of “solidifying/reinforcing a sexy image.”

With that in mind, do you have any exciting projects coming up that you want to share?

From20 will be releasing his second full-length album, WAY BETTER, as a company, will recruiting new artists and sharing big visions, and overall more music can be expected.

Last but not least, if you could have a theme song for your life, what would it be?

HELLO GLOOM: My life theme song changes almost every day but today I was thinking about Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and how the primary message was that if you change the man in the mirror you will be able to change the world. I want to try to live by that, not just musically. I want to make myself better and then as I achieve that I feel like I can slowly change the world too. 

FROM20: The song I think of is “March“ [행진] by Jeon In-Gwon. It’s actually the last song I listened to! The primary message is to keep marching forward no matter what hardship hits you. When I want to be motivated during hard times, this is the song I turn to.  

LOOKING FORWARD TO A ‘WAY BETTER’ FUTURE

During their Anime Weekend Atlanta visit, the duo was able to perform stages together and solo, host multiple autograph sessions, a special VIP creative session, and two panels recapping their journey and simply hanging out with their fans. 

It is clear that the two artists have grown in their confidence on this independent endeavor, from starting as The Faker Club and building their company, WAY BETTER. This growth has also helped them connect to their music, fans, and goals. Evident from their interactions and performances that from20 and Hello Gloom were meant to share creative space and make a name for themselves. 

Catch up on where they’ve been and where they’ll go, on their YouTube channel. And stay tuned for more Anime Weekend Atlanta coverage, here at KpopWise.com!

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