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Dyani Robles  Credits: EDEN Entertainment With role models like Taemin and Justin Bieber, it's no wonder rookie sensation ALL(H)OURS is making waves with their second mini-album, WITNESS. Since their debut in January, ALL(H)OURS has quickly built a dedicated and growing fan base. The group, consisting of Kunho, Youmin, Xayden, Minje, Masami, Hyunbin, and ON:N, has each contributed significantly to the album's creation, highlighting their talents beyond just singing and dancing. The B.E.L.U. team recently had the opportunity to sit down with ALL(H)OURS to discuss their journey from debut to now and their aspirations for the future. Check out the member’s answers as they give an insight to what goes on behind the scenes! Do you have any pre-performance rituals that you do on your own to prepare for your performances?
Xayden: It's not a routine, but if I don't control my mindset, I can get overly excited and make mistakes on stage. So, I set my mindset by thinking about things I need to keep in mind on stage, parts where I shouldn't get overly excited, and where I missed a beat previously. I go over these points to minimize mistakes during performances. ON:N: Additionally, they say experts make things look easy. Through practice, we have mastered everything, allowing us to exude a relaxed vibe on stage. Kunho: Personally, it's become somewhat of a routine. When I put on the mic-pack and in-ear microphone, I always take a sip of water. Do you have any songs, movies or shows that have inspired your personal or musical styles? Youmin: Personally, I've been greatly inspired by Justin Bieber. Listening to his songs helped me practice vocalization. Our members know this well because I used to listen to his songs all day. So I would say Justin Bieber's voice has been a major inspiration for me. ON:N: My role model is Taemin from SHINee, and I had the privilege of meeting him when we performed at NGLA in April. I told him he's my role model, and he responded by saying that he should work harder, which deepened my respect for him. I greatly admire his mindset and his dance moves, and I aspire to follow in his footstep Kunho: Also, inspired by the concept of goblins, our album drew inspiration from various anime and movie characters, including those from Marvel and DC movies. Personally, I found inspiration in the movie "Fast and Furious" for its themes of speed and power. What are the moments which made you realize that you really wanted to pursue your career as idols? ON:N: For me, it all began at the age of seven when PSY's "Gangnam Style" became a massive hit. Watching his performances, I was inspired to take the stage like him and experience that joy. It was then that I began dreaming of becoming a singer, and after years of dedicated practice, I finally made my debut. Youmin: It all started for me in fifth grade during a talent show. That's when I began watching idol performances to learn their songs. The first song I covered was "Fire" by BTS, and through dancing to it, I discovered how enjoyable performing could be. From that moment on, I became a BTS fan and began dreaming of becoming an idol myself. As a newer group in the competitive music industry, how do you all overcome or deal with expectations, pressures, or judgments as you embark on your music career as a group? Youmin: I think it is through endless trials and efforts. We're proud to be back with an amazing track, but in case our song doesn't gain popularity, we'll keep coming back with even better songs and diverse genres. Our aim is to consistently improve and present better versions of ourselves to our fans and the public alike. Kunho: Furthermore, with many eyes on us and high expectations, we feel the pressure to consistently showcase a better version of ourselves. This mindset drives us to continually strive for improvement. Coming back so soon after your debut, what has been the biggest difference this time around, beyond showcasing a new color and discovering a new sound? Xayden: For our debut, we focused on showcasing the songs and dances we had practiced so far. With our second album, based on our prior experience, we learned the importance of even the smallest facial expressions on stage. We paid attention to how we would be portrayed through the lens of the camera and made sure not to show our fatigue while performing strenuous choreography. I think these are areas where we've grown. Youmin: I personally think that to pull off the song "SHOCK," a certain level of muscle mass was needed. So all the members worked out diligently not only to lose weight but also to build physical strength and power. All of you are credited for participating in the writing of "ALL OURS" from your last album and "Blah Blah" from Witness. Can you each share what it was like to work on these songs and how you collaborated together on it? Xayden: "Blah Blah" is a song we actually prepared for our debut album, presented to us by our rap instructor with its flow and melody already in place. Our task was to write new lyrics, which initially posed a challenge. With the framework set, our word choices were limited, making it difficult to choose a topic. We decided to brainstorm freely, throwing out any ideas and selecting the best among them. Once the concept of the song took shape, everything else fell into place smoothly. Masami: As I had to write the lyrics in Korean, I faced some challenges. Initially, I wrote the lyrics in Japanese and then translated them into Korean. If I encountered difficulties, I sought help from other members. Kunho: Additionally, for "Blah Blah," we participated in writing the lyrics, but for "ALL OURS," we were also involved in composing. This allowed us to freely express our colors and thoughts through the song. What was the first time like when you learned that you'll be debuting soon? Hyunbin:I thought this is only the beginning, and my mindset has shifted with the news. Xayden: Reflecting on the time we spent practicing together, even though we had only been practicing together for a little less than a year by then, moving towards the same goal has deepened the friendship and strengthened our teamwork. Thinking about this period overwhelms me with fondness for our group. Looking ahead, what is the next milestone that you individually want to achieve? Masami: As I'm Japanese, I'd like to perform in my hometown. I want to perform at a large venue like Tokyo Dome and show my parents our stage. I want to make them proud. Minje: I also want to go on a world tour. I understand that the way people cheer varies by country, and I want to experience that in person. ON:N: As for me, I'd like to win first place on a music show. When we appear on music shows and see other senior artists win, I imagine what it would feel like if we received the award. I know it would be a great honor. Additionally, the Rookie of the Year award is something you can only receive once in your career, so it is a milestone I'd like to achieve. The B.E.L.U. team would like to give a special thank you to the members of ALL(H)OURS, Helix Publicity, and our fellow media outlets that joined us for this round table!
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Glenalyn Ann  Marking 4 years since their last concert in Los Angeles, K-pop veterans, A.C.E graced the stage of the Orpheum Theatre to deliver a memorable performance for both artist and fans. A.C.E, consisting of members Park Junhee, Lee Donghun, Wow, Kim Byeongkwan, and Kang Yuchan, debuted in 2017 with their song, Cactus. They have consistently pushed boundaries with their unique concepts and have been praised for their versatility and stage presence. With the celebration of their 7th anniversary, A.C.E has marked the beginning of a new era with a phenomenal performance that highlighted their incredible growth and versatility.  The concert kicked off with high energy as the group opened with "Goblin (Favorite Boys)," immediately setting the tone for the night. They followed with the powerful anthem "SAVAGE," keeping the audience on their feet. "Changer" brought a fresh, uplifting vibe, while the English version of "My Girl" showcased their linguistic skills and heartfelt connection with their international fans. As they introduced themselves to the crowd, it was as if they were meeting a friend after years of being apart. They began talking to fans, letting them know that there was so much prepared for tonight and they hoped they’d enjoy it.  They continued on with the night performing songs "Facetime" and "Down” that had the ground shaking, while "Higher" and "Baby Tonight" demonstrated their versatility and emotional depth as their vocals sent chills down everyone's spines. After 4 years, you could really feel the excitement in the crowd as they were able to see A.C.E once again. In a touching moment, A.C.E performed covers of Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things," which captivated the audience, "GODS," a track from the League of Legends, and Taylor Swift’s "Cruel Summer," which brought a surprising twist to the night. Soon enough, their last songs of the night had arrived. As they thanked fans for coming to see them and expressed that they wouldn’t be A.C.E without them, fans began cheering at the top of their lungs to show their gratitude towards the hard work the members have put in, not only into this show but into their whole careers. The night came to a close with "Slow Dive" and "Under Cover," both highlighting their impressive stage presence and musical diversity.  Yet, once the boys left the stage you could hear fans chanting for more, but before their fans could be greeted once more, recorded messages were played to their fans thanking them for all their support and staying with them after all these years, which was followed by the members coming back on stage to perform an encore. For the encore, A.C.E returned to the stage with "Talk You Down," followed by the emotional English version of "Angel." "Take Me Higher" was a crowd-pleaser, showcasing their signature style and vibrant energy. They closed the concert with "Story," a reminder of their journey and the new chapter ahead.  This concert was not just a return but a celebration of A.C.E’s incredible journey over the past 7 years. With each performance, the group demonstrated why they remain a force to be reckoned with within the K-pop industry. Fans left the venue with hearts full of joy and anticipation for what the future holds for A.C.E. Photo Credits: Glenalyn Ann |