The K-pop boyband Golden Child (@official_gncd11) from Woollim Entertainment has been together for over five years as of 2022, and throughout their eras, the group has manufactured a consistently enticing spectacle. Now, after exceeding more than 700,000 album sales worldwide (and likely many more to come), Golden Child’s impassioned-pop music is back to diversify their rather eclectic, colorful regard for musicality.
Throughout their past releases, Golden Child has already proven to facilitate main-stage level energy to K-pop, after successful songs like “ONE (Lucid Dream),” or “Without You,” which both add depth to a group complexly layered with several noteworthy voices. Other smash-hit dance tracks such as “WANNABE” additionally tapped into Golden Child’s magical club-banger potential and put them on the map for listeners who hadn’t discovered their already prominent impression of music upon debut – as well as the allure of their captivating single “Ra Pam Pam” just last year. As a result of the story-driven music video and addictive style of their aforementioned 2021 single, Golden Child gained an even larger following from that game-changing pivot with more than 30 million views to accompany the concept-based production.
After the overwhelming love for “Ra Pam Pam” properly set in, Golden Child opted to take the time to make an ambitious Japanese debut, filmed a few group-centric programs, and even the occasional festival appearance to keep themselves active while inevitably figuring out their next move.
On the recent EP Aura, the group kicks off this modern comeback chapter with the title track “Replay,” a nostalgic K-pop boyband sound that powerfully repositions their sound and image with a somewhat sci-fi-like twinge. So at this point, we’re expecting a detailed and cinematic-inspired discography for many years to come.
Having released Aura to take aim at a brand new style, the entire roster of Golden Child is now opening up to Vanity Teen about their collective career, new music, and more as our next digital cover group.
It’s been more than five years since you debuted together which is pretty wild to think about! What would you each say is the most significant change you’ve undergone in that period of time?
Y: I think I gained the strength to change negative thoughts positively.
Something that’s pretty interesting is that you’ve maintained top-selling albums throughout your career – but your growth in sales, streams, and the number of fans also goes to show how the scope of K-pop has changed! How different does the global recognition of the K-pop industry feel in 2022 as opposed to your 2017 debut?
Joochan: I think we were able to receive more attention thanks to all the K-pop artists who worked hard to spread the K-pop genre all over the globe. Also, I am glad that the easy access to the internet and online videos allowed us to show our fans our many talents.
Your previous Game Changer era introduced the massive hit, “Ra Pa Pam” which hit over 30 million views on YouTube – and the album itself charted at No. 2 on Gaon, moving more than 150,000 copies to date! Outside of commercial performance, What’s something from that release that some of you look back at and feel the proudest of?
Bomin: I was proud and thankful for the result because we tried hard in every aspect, including the music video and choreography.
If you had the ability to go back and revisit any previous release to make a change or upgrade with any of the impressive skills you’ve attained over the years, what would you choose?
Jibeom: I want to go back to the times when we recorded ‘Dam Da Di.’ I believe I can upgrade my vocal skills to create a better result.
Aura really adds new colors to Golden Child too, which is a really difficult accomplishment for an artist that’s been in the industry for as long as you have. How would you say your mindset changes from album to album at this point in your careers?
Jangjun: I think the fans will be able to see our new style if we show our colorfulness with the mindset of starting over again.
This new album gave you the chance to each get involved in co-writing music, as well as co-producing! How different is it to work together in these processes as opposed to the performance elements that you’ve already mastered?
Donghyun: TAG participated in composing, writing, and arranging the song ‘Purpose,’ and all the other members put a lot of thought and consideration into the order of the tracklist with our company staff to satisfy the listeners.
Because you’ve been in the industry for such a significant amount of time now – people generally feel like they know everything there is to know about Golden Child! What would you say is the biggest misconception people have about some of you individually, or the group as a whole?
Seungmin: Well.. the Goldenness fans might already know this, but we are not just a funny group of guys as shown on various video contents, but a group with exceptional talent as well!
What’s something you learned from Aura that could potentially become beneficial to future Golden Child releases?
Y: I mainly focus on development and showing better performance for the next album. I also tend to grow through the feeling of disappointment, since I always want to get better.
Jangjun: Due to the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions, we were able to perform in front of the Goldenness fans in a long time. We would like to meet Goldenness fans more often with a lot of support as our driving force.
TAG: I was very happy to release the album with our fans, and I have learned the importance of our fans to us.
Seungmin: As much as it’s been a while since we made a comeback, we worked very hard. After the album was released, we received as much support as we worked hard, so I think we’ll do our best to show you better performances.
Jaehyun: I thought to myself that I had to challenge myself to show new images.
Jibeom: We did a comeback in Korea after a long time, and thanks to the long waiting and support from our Goldenness fans, we are highly motivated, and we are able to perform with high energy.
Donghyun: It’s been a long time since we have faced our fans on stage, and it made me think that we need to repay our fans with good performances.
Joochan: The preparation of the album was rather rough due to busy schedules, but our members have developed concentrations skill as well as adaptation to shifting conditions, so we were able to practice flawlessly.
Bomin: It’s been so long since we met our fans, so we will work harder to leave great memories together.
During your photoshoot with us, who would you each choose as the MVP, and what in particular stood out about them?
Y: Joochan – Because of his fierce eyes that look through the camera lens.
Jangjun: Seungmin – It was as if I was seeing a wild tiger!
TAG: All the members – they are just so good-looking!
Seungmin: Jibeom – The pointing feet that he does every time we do a photoshoot.
Jaehyun: All the members – They each expressed their selves very well.
Jibeom: Jangjun – The deep face expressions!
Donghyun: Seungmin – for his witty pose!
Joochan: Y – His mellow half-closed eyes.
Bomin: Y – Charisma of the leader.
Check out Golden Child’s new single and music video “Replay” included here!