Photo = MODHAUS

 

[Hanteo News = Reporter KANG SUYOUNG] ARTMS revealed that they have returned with a new side for their comeback after one year and two months.

 

ARTMS met with Hanteo News at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 6th, one day before their comeback, and talked about their 2nd mini album 'Hyper-Ego.' On this day, HEEJIN said, “Since we are making a comeback after a long time, one year and two months, I feel very nervous and excited,” adding, “We worked hard to prepare a very diverse album composition, and we have returned with a title track with a new feel that ARTMS has not challenged before.” JINSOUL said, “Since we waited so much, and OURII, the fandom name, waited so much as well, we are confident that we will work hard on anything, whether it is Reels, content, or all music shows,” adding, “Even among ourselves, whenever we got too tired and exhausted, we reminded one another of the hiatus and promised to keep going.”

 

This album contains a new message. HEEJIN explained, “If the message of our previous activity, 'Club Ikarus,' was like a gathering of wounded people, where we existed like a crew and offered the message that if there were people who were struggling or hurt, they could feel energy and receive comfort together with us, this album is about those wounded souls finding a new ego, breaking out, spreading comfort widely to the world, and expanding into a new world,” adding, “I think you can see this album as continuing that expanded worldview.”

 

There were twists and turns behind the attempt to make a clear change from their previous songs. KIM LIP said, “The CEO gave us this song and said, ‘This is your title track,’ but honestly, when I first heard it, I wondered whether this matched our color,” adding, “We even requested a meeting with the CEO, and it was a song with many twists and turns. But because we have spent so much time with the CEO, we decided to trust him and give it a try, so we prepared hard.” She continued, “It has not been released yet, but the hair and makeup staff and other staff members told us, ‘This one is pretty good,’” adding, “It feels like it targets the public, so I think the parts of us that had been too niche have developed a bit more.” JINSOUL also added, “We were honestly anxious and wondered, ‘Can we do this?’ But we have always had trust in the CEO, so we decided to trust him again this time,” adding, “Instead, we tried to include our color in the performance, hair, makeup, and styling.” HEEJIN said, “In the end, I think we had prejudices about ourselves,” adding, “After trying it, it felt like wearing clothes that fit us really well.”

 

They also honestly opened up about the dilemma between public appeal and conceptuality. HEEJIN said, “Because we include storytelling and visual enjoyment in our music videos, there are many times when it feels like watching one film in a series,” adding, “But I always had the thought that this may not resonate with many members of the public.” She continued, “I think the song that complements that is this 'Born Stunner,' so I feel that this album satisfied both sides.” KIM LIP also explained, “We had been thinking a lot about what we should choose between public appeal and music for our core fandom,” adding, “After seeing this song, I think we discussed it a lot, and that is how this album was born.”

 

They also honestly expressed their disappointment about results. HEEJIN said, “The music is so good, but I have always felt a lot of disappointment that it was not known to the public,” adding, “I feel like the answer to that concern came out as 'Born Stunner,' and this time, I hope the music 'Born Stunner' spreads widely so that more members of the public can know the name ARTMS.” She continued, “I hope it becomes music that is so addictive people unconsciously hum it, and that it remains as a good memory for each person.”

 

Through this album, the members also discovered new egos. KIM LIP said, “All five of us are vocal members, but for the first time, every member challenged herself with rap,” adding, “I am a member who likes R&B and emotional ballads and wants to highlight that kind of vocal tone, but while trying to rap, I found a voice of mine that I did not know.” She continued, “I discovered many new sides of myself while thinking, ‘I can make this kind of sound too.’”

 

ARTMS’ 2nd mini album 'Hyper-Ego' will be released today at 1 PM through various music sites.

 

grace@hanteo.com