South Korean artist Moon Jong Up is known as a singer, dancer, actor, and an innate performer who first debuted as a heavy-hitting member of the well-known group B.A.P – acting as a key member of the pop, R&B, and hip-hop-inspired unit from 2012 to 2019. But after being a team player for nearly seven years, the gifted artist has finally taken the necessary time to recalibrate his creativity as a soloist with the wholesome desire to get listeners dancing.
After the initial dissolution of B.A.P under its previous company, Jong Up celebrated his newfound independence by signing a contract with The Groove Company that same year, becoming a brand new sanctuary for the artist to release his debut single album Headache and an entrancing funk-pop title track in 2020. By the time he then released the follow-up album Us in 2021, it felt as if the artist had really discovered his solo niche with a groovy pop single that delicately catered to his well-developed vocals (including well-placed displays of falsetto and full voice), energized by pockets of entrancing dance beats.
When 2022 rolled around, Jong Up officially stepped into the unpredictable arena known as Peak Time, where fellow dark horse artists each fought to put themselves at the forefront of the industry, with the soloist being the only singular performer to reach the final round. While it might have been easy for the artist to quickly jump back into the studio and ride the wave of his hard-earned Peak Time popularity, Jong Up did something that might have been his most mature, responsible choice to date. A well-deserved break to rediscover his passion.
Now, Jong Up is jumping back into the fray with clearer focus, newly honed skills, and everything required for a prominent return to pop music in the form of his brand-new mini-album SOME – led by the title track, “X.O.X,” a euphoric creation with mesmerizing house-based production qualities. And after combining his riff-heavy skills and smooth choreography, there’s simply no denying Jong Up’s penchant for forging versatile pop hits.
Firstly, it’s such a pleasure to chat with you and I definitely wanted to congratulate you on your new release! What’s been the most prominent feeling that you’re experiencing now that you’re returning to music?
Moon Jong Up: I really appreciate it and it’s a pleasure to be here, thank you. I debuted in 2012 and having worked in this field for over a decade, I believe that constantly thinking about music has become an integral part of my life.
While you’re currently taking the time to show off your solo talents, you’ve also spent a lot of time earning dedicated fans as a core member of B.A.P. How have your experiences in B.A.P helped shape the artist that you’ve grown into?
Moon Jong Up: I believe that I can be a solo artist precisely because of B.A.P. For instance, during my time with the group, I was able to learn my strengths and weaknesses.
Music has obviously been a part of your life for a long time which you’ve explored in several genres or styles. Now that you’ve been able to spread your wings creatively, what are some of the styles of music that feel most true to who you are?
Moon Jong Up: That is a difficult question. On the one hand, I am constantly experimenting with new things. On the other, I want to be an artist who can pull off any genre of music rather than conforming to a specific one.
As a soloist, you’ve already dropped the incredible song “US” which blends a groovy, bass-driven production with some unstoppable R&B vocals. Since you’ve proven to mix genres well, what are other combinations that you’d be interested in executing?
Moon Jong Up: There are so many possibilities and I think all of the combinations can be fun. Someday I’d like to mix EDM with other genres and create something that could be played at festivals, for example.
Your new single “X.O.X” is described as a garage-based house track, and that alone gives you a lot of opportunities to get people dancing! What would you say is the most addictive, high-energy aspect of the single after clocking extensive studio time and rehearsals?
Moon Jong Up: I think the part from the hook, which goes like “Da da ra da da” is a catchy and interesting part of this song.
SOME is mostly comprised of upbeat dance music, which feels like a nice, refreshing way to kick-start a brand-new era. Though, underneath it all, what would you say are some of the core messages or themes of the album?
Moon Jong Up: The main theme of this mini album is “diversity.” My new release is titled “SOME” to show that I tried to showcase “some” parts of me or “some” music genres that I can work with. However, at the same time, because this mini album is only “some” part of me, I would like to also highlight that I have plenty more to show.
The overall vibe of the album goes in a very relaxed, yet focused direction – and that’s typically something that comes with maturity. Considering that you already brought a lot of knowledge and creative insight into this album, what’s something that you either learned in the process or maybe something that you’ve gained from the overall album experience?
Moon Jong Up: It’s still a learning curve. I have learned a lot when I was preparing this mini album, especially during the mixing stage. I paid particular attention to this part of production. I visited the engineer in person, asked questions, and gained many new insights from that experience.
I also appreciate your vulnerability with this album, which takes a beat to recognize the importance of pausing to do a little soul-searching. During that essential off-time, what was probably the best and worst thing about being away from the studio?
Moon Jong Up: First of all, I liked the part where I was able to have some personal time. I could focus on my life rather than thinking about my career or music. However, the drawback was that the longer the break got, the more I felt like I was losing my presence on stage. That made me think that consistency is very important. So these days I would like to perform for as long as possible and be on stage continuously.
You recently impressed so many viewers during Peak Time, which in some ways, reintroduced you to the world through a new lens. How did participating in the popular survival program compare to your initial expectations?
Moon Jong Up: Taking part in the show was a big decision and a big challenge for me, so I was quite worried. Having the title of B.A.P attached to me was a bit overwhelming. However, I think it was a necessary challenge for me. I decided to join the program because I thought I needed to prove myself and show my worth, and it worked. This challenge helped me to meet my current management company that saw what I was capable of and helped me produce this album.
In closing, it feels like you’re still destined to create even more fantastic art and I can’t wait to see what’s next! Do you have any creative ideas or goals you’re setting for yourself in the near future?
Moon Jong Up: My short-term goal is to successfully wrap up promotion for this mini album. Speaking of long-term goals, I would like to release a full-length album and hold a solo concert for my fans. Thank you!