A.C.E’s five members have tons of experience under their belts, but the same fervor for their career as when they started their journey in 2017. They’ve gained a loyal fanbase (lovingly named CHOICE) from being their authentic and uninterrupted selves. The members sat down with Pop Crave to chat about their new singles, “Anymore” and “Just Better”, and their 2024 “Rewind:US” World Tour.
How did your experience recording your new single just better differ from preparing for your past records?
PARK JUNHEE: I think the overall atmosphere while recording “Just Better” was very different from our previous recording sessions – This was Pop-Rock, which was a genre that A.C.E had never tried before. We’ve had strong desires to branch out to songs like this, so I think the timing aligned perfectly with this single. Also, since we do a lot of tours, we’ve recorded this single specifically catered to a crowd experience. We wanted the fans to sing along with us and experience this together.
What is one word to describe your two new singles – So, one word for “Anymore”, and one word for “Just Better.” How would you describe them?
KANG YUCHAN: Vocal kings, and vocal kings again!
PARK JUNHEE: “Anymore” is Fall/Autumn, and “Just Better” is enjoying.
LEE DONGHUN: “Anymore” is emotion, and “Just Better” is a present (for our fans).
WOW: “Anymore” is acoustic.
KIM BYEONGKWAN: You’re just listing off the song’s genre (Laughs).
WOW: Ok, then “Just Better” is electric.
KIM BYEONGKWAN: Okay, “Anymore” is loneliness. “Just Better” is craziness.
What is a way that you all as a group stay connected? Do you have anything outside of work that you can bond over besides music?
KANG YUCHAN: Since some of the members – including me – have a home far away from Seoul, we’d usually crash at each member’s family homes in Seoul whenever we get a break. Throughout the time, we got to know each other’s family and established deeper connections as their families accepted us as their own. I think this type of bond between our members makes our relationship much more valuable and real. I think each member really bonded with each other through this.
All of you have contributed to your music at some point or another. Is there anything specific that you all would like to have a part of in terms of the creation of your future releases?
KIM BYEONGKWAN: We really want to create our own title song from the ground up. We want to delve into each specific aspect of the song as A.C.E. We want to partake in production of the song, the choreography, the music video, and other creative aspects – to build things with our own hands.
Completely A.C.E, any and every single thing A.C.E.?
All Members: Yes.
This summer you completed the US leg of the “Rewind:US” tour. How was it seeing US fans for the first time since 2019?
KIM BYEONGKWAN: A.C.E had been on a long 4-5 year hiatus until recently, due to COVID pandemic and our mandatory military services. So, due to being left out of action for so long, I think all of us were quite nervous about going back on tour. I think this was the first time in a while that we’ve felt this type of anxiousness, and it brought back memories of our early days. In an odd way, I think this nervousness reminded me of the joy and happiness of being able to go on tour again. The fact that we were setting foot back to a foreign land itself is thrilling on its own, if I’m being honest.
Who are your inspirations either musically or just in life?
PARK JUNHEE: That’s a hard one.
KANG YUCHAN, LEE DONGHUN: CHOICE (The fandom name), our fans.
LEE DONGHUN: Also, for me, I personally get a lot of inspiration from our members. I think we really feed off of each other’s talent and work ethic. Watching their own unique talent and skills, I reflect on myself and think about what I could improve. Similarly, through them, I can also find my strengths and talents as well. Since we’re surrounded by each other all the time, we pick up on each little talent that each other members have, and we look at each other as a benchmark that we can build and improve upon.
What do you all like to do when you have a day off? I know there are few and far between, but whenever you do have a day off, what do you like to do?
KIM BYEONGKWAN: As you may know, we have a European tour coming up, which will take about a month. And since we’re frequently on tours or performing, we’re away from our families and friends for long durations. Because of this, we try to connect with them whenever we get the chance to do so. We try to spend as much quality time as we can with our loved ones. For example, during this weekend, we’re about to head over to our families and have dinner with them before leaving for our tour.
What’s the most memorable moment in your career so far as an A.C.E member? What sticks out to you as, “Oh my gosh, that day was amazing.”
KIM BYEONGKWAN: For me, it was the moment that we performed at the Oscars after-party for the movie ‘Parasite’. I think it was one of the greatest moments that we’ve accomplished as A.C.E thus far.
PARK JUNHEE: I have two moments. The first one was when we first charted on Billboard for the song, “Undercover.” The second time was when we collaborated on a track with Steve Aoki, which also charted on Billboard’s dance chart.
(Byeongkwan leaves the room to grab and show off the Billboard Plaque that A.C.E has in their company’s office.)
What are you all obsessed with lately? So, for Pop Crave – it’s all about pop culture. Is there anything that each of you are super obsessed with right now?
KIM BYEONGKWAN: I’ve been obsessed with listening to the songs of my childhood, such as songs from Ne-Yo. Throwback songs are all I crave nowadays whenever I’m building my playlists.
KANG YUCHAN: I’m getting obsessed with dancing nowadays, watching films about freestyle dancing. I want to be able to express the form of Hip-Hop dancing more fluidly and naturally.
LEE DONGHUN: You know that phrase, “Classics last forever”, right? Although K-Pop market is very trend-oriented nowadays, I’ve lately been obsessed with art and media that’s far away from trends – classic and retro. I used to try to embody trends, but nowadays, I feel myself reverting back and studying the ‘classics’ of our industry.
PARK JUNHEE: Since we get a lot of demos from producers and composers all around the world, I’ve developed an obsession with listening to these tracks and analyzing them – getting inspiration from them non-stop. I want to try A&R [work]. I truly want to keep getting inspired by these tracks that were sent to us from all around the world, and eventually branch out to something more niche and experimental as well.
That’s so fun. I used to want to do A&R, so that’s cool! Yuchan, at the LA concert, my friend and I were like, “He cannot stop dancing! He’s just been dancing this entire time!” during the ment portions of the show. So I’m not surprised that you’re obsessed with freestyling right now.
KANG YUCHAN: (Laughter) Hahaha, that was my style.
Artist A.C.E
Publicist & PR Manager Demian Kim
Media Design Kwak Myungseon
Creative Director Demian Kim & Hanizo for MYSTERY FRIENDS
Images Courtesy of BEAT INTERACTIVE
