Back with a bang might be a tiny understatement when it comes to 82MAJOR'S latest comeback. Their third mini-album, [SILENCE SYNDROME] , delivers such power and is of such high calibre that you’d be forgiven for thinking that this has come from a group that has been in the game for a very long time. Particularly with the title track TAKEOVER – they knew what they were doing when creating such a high-energy, almost anthemic number that, quite frankly, will start the sirens and is impossible to ignore.
Success has come fast for the six members of the group: CHO SEONG IL, YOON YE CHAN, NAM SEONG MO, HWANG SEONG BIN, PARK SEOK JOON, and KIM DO GYUN. Since their debut in 2023, they’ve made impressive steps, placing on the Billboard charts, reaching 45 in top album sales and emerging artists. If all this wasn't enough, their recent showcase, 82MAJOR BOOM, sold out three shows, with fan demand prompting additional shows.
For those out there that love the colour pink, it once again makes a striking visual aesthetic in their concept photos. A mirror to their album, with moody dark tones on title tracks, yet it pairs beautifully with Promise You, a softer alluring track dedicated to their fans, who even voted the song's title. “Involving our fans is as important as eating,” says SEONG IL. “That’s how essential it is to us.”
Evident throughout this comeback, the boys' strong focus on their craft shines, having written the songs for the album. Not only are they aware of who influences them, but once again, it's the fans who remain at the heart of it all, even serving as a source of inspiration found in their letters. In the midst of a comeback, the members of 82MAJOR took time to talk about the excitement of comebacks, the tracks they recommend to new listeners, and much more!
KpopWise: Your new album [SILENCE SYNDROME] is out now. Comebacks are always packed with excitement. For each of you, what is your favourite part of preparing for a comeback – from choreography to vocals to concept creation?
CHO SEONG IL: When we’re creating songs for the next album! That’s when it really starts to feel like a comeback, and it’s so exciting.
PARK SEOK JOON: When we first see the music video concept proposal. Every time, the story and concept are different, so I always look forward to seeing how everything turns out.
KIM DO KYUN: It’s hard to choose just one; as I enjoy every part of the process. Thinking about showing it all to our fans makes it even more exciting.
KW: Pink once again has made another appearance in your new concept photos. Is it a conscious decision or just a signature colour you all love to have featured?
CHO SEONG IL: I think it naturally became our signature colour. We were searching for a colour that really expresses our wit and personality, and somehow pink just kept showing up.
 |
| Photo Courtesy of Great M Entertainment |
KW: With this album, the track list reveals that you’ve all had a hand in song writing. What inspires your writing process? Do you take from your own experiences or prefer to create stories based on things that you’ve been inspired by?
CHO SEONG IL: I sometimes get inspiration from movies or dramas, and sometimes I just use my imagination.
NAM SEONG MO: I’ve drawn inspiration from poetry and letters written by our fans.
YOON YE CHAN: Since we participated in composing as well as writing the lyrics, that helps us build a sound that’s truly ours. I get inspiration anytime, and anywhere!
KW: Your last album was incredibly well-received. How does [SILENCE SYNDROME] differ from [X-82]? With each release do you find yourself taking notes from what you learnt and applying those lessons for the next?
HWANG SEONG BIN: [X-82] had mostly intense tracks, but this time for [SILENCE SYNDROME] we’ve included both powerful songs and softer ones, like our fan song Promise You.
PARK SEOK JOON: We always try to improve on areas we felt we were lacking. We monitor our performances and reflect so we can continue to show our growth.
KW: Your title track TAKEOVER will once again keep to what you’re great at, and that is your hip-hop roots, but adds a twist of UK drill trap. What made you want to explore this sound, and were there any artists that influenced it?
NAM SEONG MO: We’ve been trying out different genres since our trainee days, so this album felt like the right time to express that side of us with a sound that’s still uniquely 82 MAJOR.
HWANG SEONG BIN: For me, it was XINSAYNE. I saw him on Show Me The Money and thought he was amazing. Working with him taught us a lot and really influenced this title track.
KW: Promise You is a special song created with fans of 82DE (Attitude) in mind, and they even voted for the title name. How important is it for you to connect with your fans in not only relatable ways but also through creative processes too?
CHO SEONG IL: It’s as important as eating. That’s how essential it is to us.
HWANG SEONG BIN: It’s incredibly important! If we can’t connect with our fans, we can’t connect with the audience on stage either. Our performances aren’t just about us; they exist because of our fans. That’s why we try to communicate with 82DE in all kinds of different ways.
KW: For new fans experiencing their first comeback, what can they expect from you that has been different in the past?
YOON YE CHAN: Our visuals! We always come back with bold new looks, and we put a lot of thought into how to make ourselves look our best this time. Just like the theme of [SILENCE SYNDROME], which is breaking free from set patterns. We’re showing a side of us no one’s seen before.
 |
| Photo Courtesy of Great M Entertainment |
KW: Which track would you recommend to new listeners to really get an all-round idea of you guys as a group?
CHO SEONG IL: Definitely our title track, TAKEOVER. The song, concept, styling, and choreography all show off our intense energy.
NAM SEONG MO: Heroes from this album. It really captures our mature and charismatic side.
KW: When you release a track, do you ever predict which songs fans will react to the most? And which song from your catalogue is your favourite to perform live?
NAM SEONG MO: I predicted that fans would love the song Promise You from this album. It’s our first song, and since we made it with only our fans in mind, I was confident that they would love it!
KIM DO GYUN: My favourite song to perform is FaceTime from our second mini album [X-82]. It’s a great song to listen to on its own, but the stage setup is really fresh and cool as well.
HWANG SEONG BIN: My favourite song to perform is Passport from our new album. Not for a big reason or anything, but the chorus is so much fun, so I like it!
CHO SEONG IL: Above all, it would be the title track of every one of our albums. The songs and choreography are not easy to perform live, but I love how we can put on a cool performance for our fans with the title tracks.
KW: Speaking of live shows, you just wrapped up your sold-out 82MAJOR BOOM concerts. Besides connecting with fans, what is the most rewarding part of performing?
NAM SEONG MO: The most rewarding moment is when fans sing along to the lyrics that I wrote!
HWANG SEONG BIN: There are moments when our fans get this glint in their eyes. Whenever I see their eyes shine while performing, it’s really rewarding and fulfilling!
CHO SEONG IL: It’s when we create performances with our fans. When we shout “Let’s jump~” and the fans start jumping, it truly feels like we’re having a blast all together. At the encore performance of our recent concert 82MAJOR BOOM, the fans all jumped and had a great time with us. That scene was an unforgettable memory.
KW: You debuted three new songs during the concert. What made you decide to take a different route and introduce them live, and what has the reaction been like?
PARK SEOK JOON: I think revealing new tracks at 82 MAJOR concerts for the first time has become a highlight. And I think fans look forward to seeing what we’ll perform at our concerts! We’re really thankful that the fans love it when we introduce new songs live!
CHO SEONG IL: We wanted to do something special for the fans who came to our concerts. Our fans always have passionate reactions even though they’ve never heard the songs before, and we feel so grateful for that.
KW: Since your debut, how would you say working as a team has evolved over the years? Do you find you constantly learn new things about each other?
CHO SEONG IL: Definitely! Our teamwork keeps evolving. When we first debuted, there were times when we couldn’t agree on things, so there were a few disagreements. But over time we came to really depend on each other. We have a lot of conversations and try to find better directions, which helps make our teamwork more solid!
PARK SEOK JOON: There are things we learn from other members. I have learnt a lot from SEONG IL, who always guides the members and sets an example!
KW: You’ve achieved so much since your debut in 2023, from Billboard charting to emerging artist recognition. In moments like this, how does it feel to see your hard work paying off, and what is the next big goal you’d love to achieve?
PARK SEOK JOON: First of all, thank you; it’s a great honour! I was so proud to have achieved this under the name 82MAJOR and to have done it together with the fans. We will always try to create even better music moving forward!
YOON YECHAN: I would love it if we could go on an 82MAJOR standalone world concert tour! And I’d love for us to win a Grammy Award!
KW: With appearances in various fashion magazines too, what other crossover types of media would you love to explore next?
YOON YE CHAN: I want to be a model, and I’m open to any field!
CHO SEONG IL: For me it’s acting. When I was in my senior year of middle school, I joined a musical theatre club by chance and was cast in the lead role. We got a roaring response at the school festival show, and a lot of people around me told me I did a good job, which naturally made me dream of becoming a musical actor! Someday I hope to learn acting properly and expand on that childhood dream.
KW: Finally, besides the album, what's next for 82Major in 2025? Can European fans perhaps look forward to seeing you soon?
YOON YECHAN: We’re preparing to show you our versatile charms! Like SEONG BIN and DO GYUN, who collaborated with other artists, we are going to try to make opportunities for collaborations with various artists, so please look forward to that!
KIM DO GYUN: We’re going to try our best so that we can meet our fans in Europe as well! Thank you so much for your love.
Be sure to follow to KpopWise for all the latest on your favourite idols!