Bang Yong Guk is a rapper, songwriter, and report producer hailing from South Korea, who’s presently signed beneath YY Leisure. He made his look as a solo artist in 2011 along with his impactful observe “I Keep in mind,” which options Yang Yoseop.
Final Might 2, Yong Guk launched his awaited mini-album ‘THE COLORS OF LOVE.’ The EP contains six songs with the title tune “Experience or Die” expressing the idea of getting somebody who stays steadfast in your life till the very finish. It additionally contains the B-sides “Breath,” “Inexperienced (feat. SOOVI),” “Rain On Me (feat. COE),” “UFO,” and “I DON’T CARE.”
This 12 months, Yong Guk is occurring his solo world tour, aptly titled ‘THE COLORS OF BANG YONG GUK,’ which kicked off final Might with a present in Illinois. It was then adopted by 9 different cities in the US. Afterward, the rapper launched into his European tour with a complete of 5 stops. Proper after is his Asia tour, which incorporates his exhibits in Manila, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, and concluded in Bangkok on July 26.
On July 14, Yong Guk efficiently concluded his present in Manila, the place he impressed the viewers along with his fascinating stage charisma, coupled along with his highly effective rap prowess. The setlist contains “RACE,” “UFO,” “Experience or Die,” “Xie Xie,” and “Goodbye,” amongst others.
Previous to his Manila present (offered by OfficialKEvents and Root Firm), Bang Yong Guk took a while to talk with allkpop within the backstage space. Through the interview, he delved into his musical journey, his solo tour, and different attention-grabbing features of his profession. Learn on to find extra about this proficient rapper!
allkpop: To begin with, welcome to Manila! Is there wherever within the Philippines that you just’d like to go to for those who had the time and alternative to take action? Any bucket-list gadgets you’d prefer to strive within the nation this time round? Perhaps the subsequent time you will be right here because you’re busy together with your tour now!
Yong Guk: As , I am on a fairly tight schedule identical to the final time I got here. I do not actually have that a lot time to stroll round or do any sightseeing as we’ll the subsequent cease fairly rapidly. In order I got here right here, I began to wanna go to Manila for resting functions, not working functions. I’ve by no means been to Cebu!
allkpop: In an interview, you stated that over the previous years, Yong Guk is somebody who by no means modifications. How would you introduce your self possibly in a 3rd POV to somebody who hasn’t heard of you or your music but?
Yong Guk: I imagine that since I debuted until now, I am nonetheless the identical particular person with the identical values. It is fairly exhausting to guess how others would introduce him, so it’s kind of of a tough query to reply. Since everybody might need a special impression of me, alternative ways of introducing myself.
allkpop: You could have a number of albums beneath your identify, however what has been your favourite singing venture or album to this point, and why? The one that you just assume represents Yong Guk essentially the most.
Yong Guk: The primary album I made after I left my earlier label, and it was the primary full-length album I launched as a solo artist. That is most likely the one album I used to be the happiest making. And if I might choose a tune to signify myself as an individual, it could be “Journey,” which is a part of that actual album.
allkpop: You participate in creating your personal music, writing, and producing. What does your day appear like in a recording studio?
Yong Guk: A typical day for me is waking up, making my strategy to the studio. And I are usually held up within the studio till no less than I do one factor proper. Like, sure, I’ve accomplished one factor, achieved one thing at this time. Till that occurs, I am going to keep in my studio.
allkpop: It has been over a decade because you first debuted! How, in your opinion, has the business you are in modified since then, and the way have you ever tailored to these modifications?
Yong Guk: As , I began off as a Okay-pop idol and I used to be doing numerous Okay-Pop actions for fairly a very long time, for an extended time frame. And I’ve seen that Okay-Pop has modified, and it is much more time-relevant now. I can see that Okay-Pop has grown a lot as a style worldwide, that as a earlier Okay-Pop artist, I am very proud and completely happy
allkpop: Being on a solo tour is at all times like one of many issues an artist has on his or her bucket listing. It is a dream for each artist to carry a tour! How does it really feel to lastly go on a solo tour and carry out stay in entrance of your followers?
Yong Guk: A stay efficiency is just not potential with out followers, so I am very very grateful to my followers for making it potential for me to go on tour. It makes me really completely happy that there are individuals, who’re really bodily touring to the venue to return and see me carry out.
allkpop: Talking of stay performances, do you’ve got any rituals or preparations you do earlier than taking the stage?
Yong Guk: I want a little bit of downtime generally to calm myself down, shut my eyes, and consider it like a meditation in a way. I’ve finished numerous interviews, and one factor I at all times say is that I must hype myself up, and get in the suitable mind-set earlier than going to carry out.
allkpop: Getting ready and releasing albums, getting ready to your performances, I wished to ask the way you normally steadiness your private life together with your music profession and such. What do you normally do in your spare time, to unwind after an extended tiring day?
Yong Guk: Besides once I’m making music and I am out performing or doing music actions, I desire to just about do nothing. I barely go outdoors both and I spend numerous my time at house recharging, consider it as my social battery as a musician. Musicians use their social battery virtually 24/7, so once I do have downtime, I recharge that social battery.
allkpop: Is music one thing you wished to do for the remainder of your life since then? When did you notice that you just actually wished to pursue this profession?
Yong Guk: After I was actually younger, I simply tried making music after which uploaded them on-line, and the response was really fairly good, and that is once I was like, “Oh, yeah, I need to do music.” When it comes to till once I wish to do it, I am not that positive. I at all times stay within the current, and I discover the current extra related than the longer term anyhow, you by no means know what is going on to occur. So I would prefer to concentrate on the truth that I am making music proper now and I am pleased with that.
allkpop: As you’ve got been within the business for years now, what classes have you ever realized all through your profession and the way do you assume they’ve impacted you as an artist?
Yong Guk: All through my music profession, I really feel like I’ve gotten to some extent the place it is now a part of my persona to probably not maintain on to no matter’s occurring. I simply stay fairly freely and glide of life. I do not need to concentrate on issues that handed as a result of the previous is prior to now.
allkpop: The place do you see your self a number of years from now?
Yong Guk: I imagine I am going to nonetheless be making music in a number of years. Similar to how I am completely happy proper now, I actually imagine that a number of years from now might be identical to this — making music and being completely happy.
allkpop: Your followers look as much as you, not simply as an idol but additionally as a job mannequin, who conjures up them. Simply to wrap up this interview, do you’ve got anything to say to your followers worldwide? Is there something your followers can count on from you sooner or later? Please go away a message for them!
Yong Guk: My current album, ‘THE COLORS OF LOVE,’ facilities on love and loving your self. One factor I would like to inform my followers worldwide is thanks a lot for loving me, however I would like you to like your self simply as a lot as you’re keen on and honor me. I respect my followers worldwide for additionally loving me.
