It’s only been a few months since the debut P1Harmony, however, the next-gen K-pop group radiates a wonderful sense of promise for the future of the industry.
From their cinematic debut to their second veteran-like sound on the new EP DISHARMONY: BREAK OUT, P1Harmony has revealed major respect for bold concepts that fuels each step of their creative trajectory. The group has carefully presented some of the most in-your-face tracks in recent years, with “That’s It” (from their debut album) being a song that remains untouchable for its uninterrupted flow. The fast-paced verses, blended talent, and group unity introduced by P1Harmony helped manufacture their perceived work ethic, and the group now aims to expand on that with new and exciting content.
While it might be the safe choice to keep music limited to pop-music constructs, P1Harmony has proven they aren’t in this for the lifestyle – but the six-member groups desires to leave an impression on the world through music. The group has openly stated they would ideally spotlight societal flaws and honesty through high-energy tracks, or softly delivered somber songs, because of an authentic penchant for narrative-building.
The group’s newest release DISHARMONY: BREAK OUT polishes their trademark sound, still managing to begin an exploratory trek. On the new EP, there’s such a strong coalescence of rap, R&B, and pop music components in P1Harmony, that the group has grown in spades with just two releases in a matter of months. On tracks like “If You Call Me” the singers have a melancholy approach to a high-caliber R&B energy. Others on the EP like “Pyramid” or “Scared” play up the group’s self-assured state, offering a look at the confidence required to take on such a changing industry.
The group’s vocal prowess plays a pivotal role in their new music, getting a chance to not only push their own limits as artists but to push the context in which their music is received. To attentively show such a dynamic range with their sound this early into their careers suggests that the group has taken an unflinching approach to their craft. With momentum like that, there’s reason to believe that P1Harmony will continuously push limits as they explore their potential legacy.
With their new album out now, we were able to speak to P1Harmony about who particularly impressed the group this EP, their favorites tracks, their relationships with one another, and much more – because there’s a lot to break down.
We first met you through a film that leads into music, which was a first for a group. What was that transitional period like leading from a film to a debut album?
KEEHO: We started preparing for our debut album right after the movie, so we just trained a lot.
JIUNG: It was an exciting time because we were all very curious as to what the response would be like since it was a unique & interesting way to debut as a K-pop group with a full-length movie.
INTAK: We spent a lot of time training and practicing for our debut album. It was probably one of our busiest times.
SOUL: We did nothing but prepare for our album!
JONGSEOB: I think it was an interesting way to introduce ourselves as a group and our worldviews. During the time in between, all we really did was prepare for the album
You then dropped your EP and debuted in the top 5 on Gaon with over 35,000 albums sold. To debut so strong must have been an exciting kickstart to your careers! Did that add any pressure to you with this second album, or did it give you more comfort in knowing that you already had an audience who understood your music?
KEEHO: It’d be a lie to say that we didn’t feel any pressure. We have full confidence in our music and work, but there were some concerns as to whether or not our fans would like our music. We also felt a bit pressured knowing that there may be a chance that more people would hear our music this time around, so we definitely worked harder to make sure we had high-quality music and visuals.
THEO: I think our 2nd EP really shows how much effort we put in, and the quality of our music proves it, so I felt more confidence than pressure.
JIUNG: I think it was both for me. I wanted to show how much we’ve improved since our first album, so there was definitely pressure while working on the album, but I was also excited to give our fans something they would like and find comfort in.
INTAK: I was a bit pressured but confident at the same time!
SOUL: I didn’t feel any pressure. I just wanted more people to hear our music, so I was only focused on training harder.
JONGSEOB: To be honest, I felt less pressure for our 2nd EP than I did with our first. I was rather more calm and excited that more people were listening to our music and recognizing us.
This newest album was such a spectacular showing of what you can do and totally well-represented your group’s sound. However, if you each had to pick a single to represent your own individual DISHARMONY: BREAK OUT vibe, what would you choose?
KEEHO: For me, it’s “If You Call Me.” I love the vibe and ambiance of this song very much.
THEO: I would pick “Scared.” Not only is it our title track, but also because I think it’s a song that best represents the album.
JIUNG: It’s “Scared” for me too. I think as a lead single it carries the all-around, general message of the album very well, and the vibe of the song is really addicting.
INTAK: I would say it’s “Scared” too because it really delivers the message we want.
SOUL: I would say it’s “Pyramid” and “Scared.”
JONGSEOB: I agree with Soul!
I firmly believe that “If You Call Me” is one of the best tracks of 2021 so far, so is there any special memory about that track’s creation that stands out to you?
KEEHO: Thank you! It’s a very meaningful song for us because it’s based on what we felt and heard while we were doing charity work.
THEO: I agree with Keeho. We tried to convey exactly what we felt while we were doing charity work.
JIUNG: Thank you! Honestly, the process of making this track wasn’t easy and there were a lot of edits, especially while we were making the chorus because we couldn’t really figure out the melody line. I remember being in the studio, and we just had the song on repeat while Keeho sang [impromptu] until we finally figured it all out.
INTAK: I wanted to write something that would last in peoples’ hearts, so I looked up a lot of videos on people that are volunteers for all kinds of non-profit organizations. I was so inspired that I think I was able to write lyrics that were truly touching and meaningful.
SOUL: For me, it’s special because it’s a song that we all worked on together as a team.
JONGSEOB: First and foremost, thank you so much for selecting this song as the best track of 2021! I think the song turned out to be one of the more impressive songs, because we all worked on it together. What is really special about this song is the creative process; we all brought melody lines that we personally liked, and from there we as a team worked on what would be our individual parts and made edits together to complete the song.
Was this EP something that had been worked on prior to debut, or was it right on the heels of your debut EP?
KEEHO: There are songs that we worked on even before our debut, so I think we worked on it for quite some amount of time.
THEO: We worked on it for a long time.
JIUNG: We worked on our 2nd EP even before our official debut, so it took longer than we had anticipated because we wanted it to be flawless.
INTAK: It took some time because we also had to prepare and create performances for each track.
SOUL: We spent a lot of time working on the album, but we also spent a lot of time learning the choreography for all the tracks.
JONGSEOB: We started actually preparing for our 2nd album right after our debut promotions ended, and spent a lot of time editing [lyrics], and creating and training our dance performances.
If you each had to name a member who surprised you most while working on the new album, who would you pick?
KEEHO: I pick Soul! I think Soul really evolved during this album-making process and his efforts really stand out. His solo, freestyle performance for “Scared,” is so amazing and it’s a must watch!
THEO: I’d say it’s Jongseob because the melody line he crafted for “If You Call Me,” is the best.
JIUNG: I say Soul. His freestyle performance for “Scared,” is shocking, in a good way, because it’s so impactful [in a short period of time]. It’s hard to pull off a dance move that intense and impactful at the same time, but somehow, he always nails it.
INTAK: I would say Soul, too! If you’re curious to why, then please watch our “Scared” performance and you will see!
SOUL: I was surprised by Theo’s dance moves.
JONGSEOB: I pick Soul as well! The solo freestyle performance for “Scared” is very short but has a lasting impact.
You’re still so fresh in the industry that you have a lot of time to get to adapt and evolve! What are you most looking forward to discovering together as new artists?
KEEHO: I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to perform in many different countries! It’d be awesome to be able to perform and have a lot of people listen to our voice.
THEO: I really want to launch our own world tour and want to perform on a big stage.
JIUNG: I am looking forward to doing our own tour. I want to be able to feel the energy of a live audience and feel what it’s like to be able to engage with our fans in real-time.
INTAK: I am looking forward to doing our solo concert as well. I think it’d be an amazing experience to be able to engage with our fans in person.
JONGSEOB: I am looking forward to every single one of our live performances!
Because you debuted during the pandemic, you probably got to spend a lot more time together without the distraction of others, or day-to-day events that come with launching your careers. Did that time give you a chance to get closer in-between projects?
KEEHO: I think we got closer because we spent so much time together. But even if we weren’t under social restrictions, I think we would have gotten closer no matter what, because we just get along so well.
THEO: I think we are too close! [laughs]
JIUNG: We were close even before the pandemic, so I don’t think we got closer. We do spend most of our time together, almost every day, so I think we get closer as we spend more days together.
INTAK: We are family, so I don’t think there is a particular reason as to what made us close or a special occasion that made me feel like we got closer.
SOUL: I agree with Intak, I think of my members as family.
JONGSEOB: Because we work and live together, our bonds and friendships are inseparable.
Your dance covers, teasers for the new video, every visual presentation you deliver is so precise that I can only imagine the rehearsals are rigorous! Is it safe to assume that studio time is an everyday occurrence for P1Harmony?
KEEHO: We feel a lot of responsibility for our work and output. We really try to be as perfect as we can be, so we are always practicing and refining our skills.
THEO: We do spend a lot of time practicing because we all want to improve.
JIUNG: Like Keeho said, it’s a profession that requires a lot of responsibility, so we try to focus and spend our free time practicing.
INTAK: We are ALWAYS practicing.
SOUL: Yes!
JONGSEOB: I think our everyday routine includes practice. It’s our main focus.
If you had to characterize what you’ve learned about your growing fandom so far, what would you say you’ve discovered?
KEEHO: I think our fans are particularly funny and want to engage a lot, so we have so much fun connecting with our fans. Seriously, they’re so fun to talk to, and we get a lot of energy from P1ece.
THEO: I think it’s beautiful how supportive they are!
JIUNG: I think our fans are amazing because they love us just for who we are and always trying to be more supportive than they already are! I am so grateful for them.
INTAK: I think P1ece finds us cute [laughs].
SOUL: I have so much fun talking to our fans! They really are the best.
JONGSEOB: I am always grateful for our fans because not only do they love our music but also love us for exactly who we are.
P1Harmony’s new EP, DISHARMONY: BREAK OUT is officially available now!
