ONEUS LEE DO Says, “Contract Renewal Discussions Started Late, but They Were Not Difficult…The Five of Us Were of One Mind” [HT Interview ③]

[Hanteo News = Reporter KANG SUYOUNG] ONEUS’ LEE DO revealed the behind-the-scenes story of the group’s contract renewal and agency transfer process.

ONEUS met with Hanteo News at a cafe in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 21st and talked about its 12th mini album ‘FIRST LIGHT : 井.’ On this day, LEE DO said, “Compared to other teams, I think we talked about contract renewals very late,” adding, “Because we are close with one another, we go on a trip together about once a year, and each time, we would casually talk over meals about things like, ‘What are you going to do if you renew your contract?’”

He continued, “When the actual contract renewal season came around, everyone wanted to continue ONEUS, so it was easy for us to come together around the idea of, ‘We should do ONEUS,’” adding, “It only took some time to find a company, and we only had to think about finding a place that could support ONEUS and recognize us.”

He also calmly opened up about the moment he decided he should continue the team. LEE DO said, “For me, maybe because it had become so familiar, I had seen them more than my family and more than my friends, so there was that familiarity, and while watching them, I also felt that they were good people,” adding, “We were already doing this together, so did we really have to do it separately? Rather, I had never thought about not doing it together.”

HWANWOONG said, “We have been running toward this dream ever since we set our sights on it, and I think all five of us think of the occupation of being singers, this dream, and ONEUS as one complex whole.” He continued, “Since we were young, the members had vaguely said to one another, ‘No matter what situation comes, we will probably do it as ONEUS.’” He also said, “When the time for contract renewal was right in front of us, we had to solve realistic matters, and that made me realize, ‘This is society, and this is what it means to be an adult,’” adding, “We had been living only while looking at vague things like music, dreams, the stage, and TOMOON, but suddenly getting a taste of adulthood made us grow up a little, so last year was difficult.” He continued, “Still, more than the time the five of us spent talking, the moments when we had to resolve external issues and face things we did not want to do actually became good opportunities for us to talk more concretely about the future.”

Their first meeting with producer R.Tee at the new agency was also memorable. HWANWOONG said, “One of the things I was most looking forward to when we moved agencies was meeting producer R.Tee,” adding, “At our former agency RBW, we had worked with numerous producers since our trainee days, so there was stability. This time, it was a meeting with new staff members and a new producer, so there were both expectations and worries.” He continued, “But from the very first meeting, those worries felt unnecessary. He comfortably asked us about our musical ideas, communicated with us, and talked with us a lot. He wrote a song that really suited us well, so we were able to complete music we were satisfied with.”

KEONHEE said, “The first meeting really did not feel like work. He ordered pizza for us, and it was such a casual gathering that it felt like being introduced to a neighborhood hyung.” He continued, “He asked each member how we wanted to promote, what it had been like while doing ONEUS, and what kind of music styles we liked, carefully figuring out the characteristics of the team and each member,” adding, “He found the music we are good at, and R.Tee’s charm and ONEUS’ charm blended well, creating music with a new appeal.”

They also honestly shared their musical tastes. SEOHO said, “Each of us shared the kind of music we wanted to do with the producer, and although all of those tastes could not be melted into the title track, a song that all the members were satisfied with came out.” KEONHEE said, “Each member’s musical taste is so different that it is almost surprising we are active in the same team,” adding, “LEE DO hyung likes hip-hop songs, SEOHO hyung likes pop as well, and I like lyrical music.” He continued, “Even though each member has different tastes, the effort to make each person’s charms blend well has played an important role in creating the color of ONEUS as a team,” adding, “When producer R.Tee wrote the song for us, he made it while calculating things like, ‘This member is good at this, so this kind of part should be included,’ and, ‘This member is good at this, so there needs to be a section where his voice can shine.’” He also said, “I am satisfied with this work because I think we met a good song that mixes ONEUS’ unique color well with R.Tee’s pop and trendy elements.”

They also shared what has changed from the direction pursued at their previous agency. HWANWOONG said, “Because our former company RBW started with MAMAMOO sunbaenims, I think the value it prioritized most was skill, and it placed the greatest importance on musical and performance skills.” He continued, “After moving to our current agency, what I think we are pursuing more is the idea that music does not necessarily have to be musically perfect to be good,” explaining, “Even if it may not be perfect, if we get closer to and focus more on the essence of music, we may be able to become freer and see a different direction in our expression.” He also said, “Rather than thinking that we cannot miss a single note or go off pitch, I think we are thinking more about how we can express ourselves more freely and better than before,” adding, “During recording as well, the members tried singing parts they had not sung before, and different singing styles came out naturally, so various kinds of music are coming out in a freer environment.”

KEONHEE expressed confidence in ONEUS’ identity, which has been built through its previous 11 albums. KEONHEE said, “This is our 12th mini album, but when including full-length albums, singles, and digital singles, we really have worked hard,” adding, “We have challenged many concepts, including Eastern-inspired concepts and vampires. We have also done powerful stages that explode with energy, as well as lyrical and sentimental stages.” He continued, “After trying all of that, I came to think, ‘We are a team that can take pride in having a wide spectrum,’” adding, “In the past, I had many worries about whether I could do something, but based on everything we have done so far, I now have the confidence that we can take on any challenge without hesitation and turn it into ONEUS’ own color.”

ONEUS’ 12th mini album ‘FIRST LIGHT : 井’ will be released today at 6 PM.

grace@hanteo.com