MIRAE might be in the process of learning what they’d like to accomplish through music – and considering that they have plenty of time to learn, their second EP SPLASH feels ahead of the curve. 

It wasn’t long ago that we were relentlessly listening to the debut single “KILLA” by DSP Media’s rookie boy band MIRAE, with a nagging feeling that the group would be returning as changed artists. Sure, that time has been in under a year, but in that time, MIRAE’s members have developed close-knit bonds with one another – and in turn, a seamless musical platform for the synchronized roster of young talent. 

Those natural (and accelerated) changes are the DNA of MIRAE’s EP SPLASH, forging the group’s newfound confidence to display their intentional duality. With SPLASH, MIRAE gives us a “Hot and Cold” concept behind the physical album itself – but in many ways, the playthrough as well. It’s on SPLASH that we first see the group design their work to add unexpected impressions of their own musical taste, ranging from trap, EDM, pop, and even rock, which can be a formidable task – regardless of an artist’s stature. 

When a group experiences that rookie introduction, it can sometimes give listers a very one-sided perception of sound – but a second era can display artistic expansion. Now that MIRAE is using their SPLASH EP to unveil that aforementioned dichotomy of “hot and cold”, fans can acknowledge that the group is flourishing in this intentional moment meant to alter any preconceived notions. 

With peers like the adept talent of KARD to look up to (also under DSP Media) MIRAE is stepping back onto the scene to utilize their newfound success and reframe how we view the group’s intended style – so we took the time to discuss the next phase of MIRAE to celebrate an edgier, unmistakable solid sophomore comeback. 

Hello again! It wasn’t too long ago when we were discussing your impressive rookie accomplishments, and now you’re back with SPLASH to show off a new MIRAE! After your first EP, what did you collectively hope to achieve with your sophomore comeback?

KHAEL: I want MIRAE to make our ‘Splash’ stage legendary before finishing ‘Splash’ promotions!

Douhyun: I hope that I would improve in every way during these promotions and I want to communicate more with NOWs. I’ll do my best that I will present happy memories to NOWs.

Junhyuk: I hope that ‘Splash’ music video will get more views on our YouTube channel than ‘KILLA’. We prepared ‘Splash’ to the best of our powers!

(MIRAE’s ‘Splash’ MV reached over 15M views on Sep. 1st. Which was faster than ‘KILLA’s)

When we last spoke, you also said that one of your strengths was coming from different experiences to form MIRAE – now that you’ve been together longer, have you realized anything that members had in common that you didn’t realize during your debut era? 

Dongpyo: All MIRAE members are usually very energetic, so I always feel like I have fun when I’m with them.

Siyoung: I think MIRAE members have understood each other more over time, and it makes us closer.

Yubin: We formed really strong teamwork during the last promotions. We share our positive energy with each other every day!

The single “Splash” bounces around between some hip-hop, trap, and R&B inspirations which very much deviates from your first EP! Of those particular sub-genres, which was the most difficult to bring to your new music?

Lien: I think that it wasn’t difficult but more interesting. It is my personal favorite song style, so I enjoyed our time recording the song!

Junhyuk: I like both hip-hop and trap genres actually, so I like to listen to those style songs and then write lyrics. But R&B was quite new to me!

“New Days” is a total dance track because the production, your delivery, all of the components together creates the impression that you’ve been able to focus your energy. Considering there’s a lot of strong elements to choose from, is there any important detail that made this song feel complete? 

Dongpyo: As I was requested that I sing ‘New Days’ more moistly, I tried to express that feeling of the song.

Douhyun: The keyword of ‘New Days’ is ‘With NOWs’. So I thought only NOWs when I recorded the song. It made me more concentrated and improved the perfection of the song.

“Bang-Up” is an EDM song that creates a great stage presence in your mind upon first listen, which makes me curious, what songs are you most eager to perform for fans when you’re able to experience your debut tour? 

Lien: Debut song ‘KILLA’. I felt too sad that we couldn’t perform the ‘KILLA’ stage with NOWs directly because of Covid-19.

Junhyuk: As you said, I also want to make the stage ‘Bang-up’. At the concert, we’ll be just as excited as the audience!

Douhyun: For NOWs, ‘New Days’. ‘New Days’ means ‘We want to be with NOWs’. I will feel happy if we can sing ‘New Days’ with them one day.

KHAEL: ‘Don’t stop’. I want to sing the rap part of the song very lively for our concert!

Dongpyo: When we hold the concert, I want to sing ‘Bang-up’ together. ‘Bang-up’ is an exciting EDM song, it makes everyone cheerful.

Siyoung: I also like ‘Bang-up’! It is so exciting for me when I listen to the song!

Yubin: ‘Bang-up’, too actually. Its performance is really hard but it fits the concert! It would be fun for MIRAE and NOWs to sing together hand-in-hand!

Because of the fact that there are a few different dance tracks on the EP, what song would you say has the potential to be your most difficult choreography yet?

Siyoung: I think the ‘Bang-up’ choreography is the most difficult. A lot of movements help make the ‘Bang-up’ choreography and they each feel different from each other. 

Yubin: I think people watch ‘Bang-up’ performance and they can think choreography isn’t hard – but it’s really difficult choreography and it typically makes me exhausted!

“Don’t Stop” is a cool moment on Splash because it’s got that underlying rock core with some familiar band sounds to it! Was that an exciting task to take on, or were there any reservations about this new lane for the group?

Lien: I think that ‘Don’t stop’ is a perfect challenge because we didn’t try that genre before. We get to show listeners a new style of MIRAE.

Junhyuk: I also thought that ‘Don’t stop’ was a tough challenge for us. But I listened to it repeatedly, and I fell in love with this song. Recently I ask our managers to play ‘Don’t stop’, more often and I now sing the song in the car!

I really like that you give some respect to hip-hop, and conversely, rock music – if you each had to pick one of those two genres as your favorite style, which would you choose? 

Junhyuk: I love to listen to hip-hop music. ‘Don’t stop’ also included Rock style, so I started to enjoy Rock music.

Yubin: I like both hip-hop and rock music. ‘Don’t stop’ is an enjoyable and thrilling song. I like ‘Don’t stop’ itself.

KHAEL: I am lost in electronic guitar sound lately, so I prefer Rock style these days.

“SUGAR” is the final song on the EP, and it feels like it has the potential to be the most summer-loving song this era. When you think of what it takes to feel “final song” worthy, what do you think is something to consider? 

Lien: There are a few hot-spicy tracks in SPLASH, so I guess that sweet track ‘SUGAR’ is the perfect last track for NOWs!

KHAEL: I think that lyrics are the most important thing for the last track! It’s important that the last track has a meaningful message to MIRAE and NOWs!

SPLASH has two concepts: HOT described as “wild and sexy” as well as COOL, which is described as “pure and fresh.” Which concept would you each fall into if you had to choose your own preferred SPLASH label?

Junhyuk: I prefer the ‘Cool’ version. COOL version photos are better than HOT version [laughs].

Lien:  I also like the COOL version. My sexy attractive point is expressed!

Douhyun: Both HOT and COOL versions are fabulous but I prefer the HOT version. The title song ‘Splash’ and the HOT version are in harmony. Of course, every photo is all great. But we had twists and turns when we took HOT version pictures, so I became attached to this version.

KHAEL: I choose the COOL version! There are many boyfriend mood photos in COOL version.

Dongpyo:  It is a too difficult question for me. I love SPLASH so I can’t choose the one! I can’t give up either option.

Siyoung: I think that the HOT version is matched to the title song ‘Splash’. ‘Splash’ is a dynamite song, so the HOT version is suitable.

Yubin: I like the COOL version because I am the youngest, [Maknae] so I think I am cuter than hot!

Considering there are challenges with performing live for the foreseeable future – do you have any special ideas or plans to connect with fans in the coming months? 

Dongpyo: It should be NICE to meet fans directly, but everyone knows we can’t because of the pandemic. I feel sad as you! MIRAE and DSPmedia aim to devise a few methods together. We’re making efforts to meet, so thank you for your patience!

Douhyun: We have lots of video call events and will hold *Movie-fanmeeting with CGV like ‘KILLA’ promotions. I am expecting which movie to watch with NOWs. And We prepared various contents, so NOWs keep your eyes on MIRAE! Always thank you for your supports!

Siyoung: We will meet by video call events. I hope we will really meet soon when Covid-19 is gone. We miss you all!

(*Movie-fanmeeting is a film premiere with fans. MIRAE and NOWs watch the movie together which isn’t released yet and MIRAE will perform the title song ‘Splash’).

MIRAE’s second mini-album SPLASH is available now, along with their new music video which can be seen above!