[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] ONEUS On New Mini Album 'La Dolce Vita', Upcoming Europe Tour, And Their Future Goals

 

It's no secret that ONEUS are known as the "Concept Kings" of the Fourth Generation of K-Pop. With the latest release of their 10th mini album, 'La Dolce Vita', ONEUS have introduced us to a new world in which they become mermaid princes and tell the story of a tragic fairytale. 

Earlier this year, ONEUS made the Recording Academy's list of "K-Pop Boy Groups to Watch in 2023", and we totally agree. With their latest mini album, 'La Dolce Vita', ONEUS has reached new milestones, debuting on Billboard's Emerging Artist Chart and achieving 300,000 preorders, making it the group’s best-selling physical album.

ONEUS’ title track, 'Baila Conmigo', showcases the group's musical versatility as it seamlessly weaves together moombahton sounds and the dance piece 'Hungarian Dance No. 4', making it one of the most addictive K-Pop tracks of 2023. The track was released in Korean and Spanish, demonstrating the group's efforts to transcending borders. With captivating music, exceptional performance skills, and unique concepts, it's not surprising that ONEUS continues to grow their fanbase around the world.

After partnering with SOKOLLAB to host video call events, ONEUS are about to embark on their first Europe tour, (which kicks off in Tilburg, Netherlands next month). The five member group consisting of Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong, and Xion sat down with SOKOLLAB to discuss the recent release of their album 'La Dolce Vita', touring, and future goals.

Read on for ONEUS's special message to European fans!

SOKOLLAB: Could you please introduce yourselves to our UK and EU readers?

Seoho: Hello! This is Seoho, the main vocalist in ONEUS.

Leedo: Hello! I’m Leedo, the main rapper in ONEUS.

Keonhee: Hello! This is Keonhee. I’m happy to greet you all like this!

Hwanwoong: Hello! This is Hwanwoong, the main dancer. I’m really happy to meet the readers! 

Xion: Hello! I am the youngest member, Xion.

SOKOLLAB: First off, congratulations on the highly anticipated release of your upcoming 10th mini album, 'La Dolce Vita'. What makes 'La Dolce Vita' different from your prior concepts, and what message do you hope your listeners take away when they listen to 'La Dolce Vita'?

Seoho: In terms of genre, this is an album that takes on a different challenge. I think will be more fun if you empathise emotionally with this song and listen to it with sincerity. 

Leedo: Because this album carries the message of a ‘sweet life,’ I wanted to give sweet moments to those who listen to this album. Life is full of sweet moments, even if they are fleeting, so I hope everyone can keep those moments in mind and live happily.

Keonhee: Thanks for congratulating us! This album allows listeners to feel ONEUS’ more mature appearance and depth as artists. I hope that through this album, each person can live a sweet life based on their own standards.

Hwanwoong: If the last album was an album that expressed ONEUS’ identity, then this album represents our range. It is a challenging album that broadens our spectrum and at the same time allows us to express our confidence. 

Xion: The title of this album contains the meaning of a ‘sweet life’. It differs from the previous album because it tells the story of how we escape from the current paradigm and enter into a fairy tale to become mermaid princes. Since it’s a new genre I’m trying for the first time, I hope everyone who listens to this album has a sweet moment. 

 

 

SOKOLLAB: Speaking of 'La Dolce Vita', it’s a famous Italian expression that describes life’s simple pleasures. What are some of your recent hobbies that you have found fulfilling?

Seoho: I recently caught a legendary Pokémon in a game after many challenges and felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Leedo: I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I see my body change while exercising and when my fans like the songs I write and compose.

Keonhee: I tend to fill my energy by meeting people. So talking to good people and sharing emotions with them makes me happy. There are so many good people and fans around me, and I'm thankful for that.

Hwanwoong: I recently started PT exercise, and although it’s only my second time, I feel very proud because I’m seeing changes in my body

Xion: I’ve been preparing for a concert recently, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment every time I complete each song while preparing for the concert. Even though it isn't a hobby, I think it carries the greatest sense of accomplishment.

 

 

SOKOLLAB: Were there any memorable behind-the-scenes moments at the music video shoot?

Seoho: I remember how all the members worked together to splash the youngest member Xion on the set with shallow water.

Leedo: There is a section of choreography in the first verse where we lie down, and it felt like all the filming was done lying on the floor. It was difficult because dirt, water, and glitter got all over my body, but I was very proud that the video came out pretty.

Keonhee: Earlier this year, some of the younger members weren’t able to go to the swimming pool with us, and I was able to overcome that regret by playing with them with the water on set. While filming, we showed a great performance on the water, but after filming, we joked around with the members and had fun.

Hwanwoong: Although I couldn't join the members at the swimming pool this summer, I made up for it by playing around with water on set in my spare time. I had a lot of fun filming it!

Xion: I filmed in glitter and water for this video, and it felt like it's been a while since I've struggled with something like this. I think it was because I was focused on trying to convey the Mermaid Prince concept, but I still enjoyed filming with the members!

 

 

SOKOLLAB: It was great to see the response from TO MOON after we revealed your fansign event in the UK and Germany. How did you react to having such enthusiastic fans in Europe, especially after your appearance at HallyuPopFest London?

Seoho: I was so surprised by the response. During this tour, we will create a great performance that will make you fall in love with ONEUS once again!

Leedo: It hasn’t really hit me yet, but I’m so thankful and honoured that fans love me from such a distance. I want to quickly go on the Europe tour and feel their precious enthusiasm.

Keonhee: Once again, I felt that many people had loved and waited for us for a very long time, and I wanted to repay them. We will show you a great stage on our upcoming tour!

Hwanwoong: We are so thankful. We want to show our passion and energy to European TO MOON through our solo concert as soon as possible!

XION: To begin with, we are very thankful to have your support from such a distance. While on tour, we also prepared a fan sign event as a way of repaying this great love. I hope that many TO MOON will come visit us and make good memories.

 

 

SOKOLLAB: We’ve heard a lot about how the ONEUS members are big foodies! What British foods did you try the last time you were in the UK, and what were you looking forward to trying this time?

 

SOKOLLAB: We know how much ONEUS was looking forward to their upcoming schedules in Frankfurt and London. How did you feel when the festival was cancelled? Do you have any messages you’d like to pass along to your international fans who were excited to see you?

Seoho: I also had a lot of regrets. With this tour, we plan to make up for that regret!

Leedo: I had been preparing hard for the stage, so I was very disappointed when it was suddenly cancelled. If I get the chance next time, I would like to meet my fans on stage.

Keonhee: I felt so sorry for the fans who waited, it was a disappointment. While I wait for the day we can meet again, I promised myself I would prepare to be even better. I’m so excited to meet TO MOON on our tour, see you soon!

Hwanwoong: We heard that many people commenting online were upset, and we were just as disappointed. Because we were preparing hard to show a new style of ourselves. We’ll work hard to make sure we go next time, so please wait a little longer!!

Xion: We were in the middle of preparing when it was cancelled, so we were so upset. I wanted to repay you with a great performance, but there will be more to come! We will definitely see you again.

 

                

SOKOLLAB: With your upcoming world tour, La Dolce Vita, European TO MOONs will be able to see you at your own show for the first time. When packing for a tour, what are three essential items you never forget?

Seoho: A cell phone and lotion are necessities for modern people, as well as slippers! These 3 are a must-have.

Leedo: Since I don't pack much, I pick what I can find locally, so there's nothing specific.

Keonhee: Pretty outfits with my own style, hair essence, and a selfie stick for lives!

Hwanwoong: Boom Boom (my favourite speaker), pretty clothes so I can film dance covers at any time, and a swimsuit!

Xion: Charger, perfume and a heating pack.

 

 

 

SOKOLLAB: ONEUS celebrated their 4th year as a group in January. As we are approaching the end of the year, what do you think has been key to maintaining your great dynamic and brotherhood as a group?

Seoho: I think it’s maintained well because I’m the eldest member.

Leedo: ONEUS had gone through a crisis in the past, but the relationship between the members has become stronger since then. It seems like we were able to seize the crisis as an opportunity.

Keonhee: I just met good people in a very good environment. I am grateful to be able to work with passionate and kind members.

Hwanwoong: I think we can continue to work together because of our unique personalities and great love for music and the stage. There are so many things I couldn’t have done if I were alone.

Xion: There was a lot of hardship and adversity. There were many really difficult moments that made us wonder why they happened to us, but each time, the members and the company did not blame anyone and instead supported and encouraged each other a lot. I think that’s why I’ve come to this point with more persistence and without getting tired.

 

SOKOLLAB: To wrap this up, what are some short-term and long-term goals you want to accomplish together as a group?

Seoho: My short-term goal is to deliver more good songs. In the long-term, I want to be with TO MOON for a long time!

Leedo: Our long-term goal is for all group members to be healthy and active for a long time. As a short-term goal, I hope that the members will get through this world tour in good health.

Keonhee: I want to remain as ONEUS with our fans for a long time. I want to create a lot of good memories with more TO MOON on a bigger stage!

Hwanwoong: In the short term, we want to prove what kind of group ONEUS is by standing on as many stages as possible before the end of the year, and in the long term, we plan to work hard to preserve our time with the TO MOON! 

Xion: My short-term goal is to finish this world tour safely and in good health. Until then, we will perform well on stage without missing a single point! My long-term goal is to remain active as ONEUS with TO MOON for a long time. Please stay with us for a long time.

 

Support ONEUS by purchasing their albums on our UK or EU store.

 

(Responses have been translated to English from Korean)