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In early December, KPOP soloist WOODZ (real name Cho Seungyeon) brought his highly anticipated “OO-LI AND” tour to North America. Despite being on the scene for years now, this is the first time that the singer has toured in the states, where many Moodz (his fandom name) were waiting. “OO-LI AND” expanded into five states and six cities before ending in the Big Apple on December 12. Despite this being the last stop of the tour, Woodz’s energy never seemed to decline as he danced around the stage, interacted with Moodz, played the guitar, and even walked through the crowd! The show started with a live band playing the first notes to “Busted”, gaining the anticipation of the crowd as the lights went down and Woodz came onto the stage. At the beginning of the show, he performed many of his rock related songs such as “ Hijack ”, “Who Knows” and "Dirt on My Leather” which did a great job at hyping up the audience. After five songs in a row, Woodz finally took a break to talk to the audience about Christmas time and to discuss some sad news that had been relayed a few days prior to the show. On December 10, it was announced that Woodz would be enlisting in the military at the beginning of 2024. He assured Moodz that he would be coming back and that they needed to wait for him. In order to bring the mood back up, Woodz stated that he had prepared a special song just for the stop. The lights on the stage turned red and green as he went into a live band rendition of Michael Buble’s iconic Christmas song, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.” Shortly after, he did a small segment where he read Moodz signs, had small conversations with them, took selfies, and even had a singing battle with one lucky fan. He even took song requests for songs that were not on the setlist and sang acapella versions of “ Accident ” and “ Rebound .” The concert continued on with many of his fast paced songs before slowing it down with “Multiply” where he personalized the song by changing a lyric from “LA” to “New York”, which excited up the crowd. Near the end of the show, he surprised the audience by bringing out a guitar and singing his new single “Amnesia”, which had not yet been released. The last shock of the night came as he performed “Bump Bump” and jumped off the stage before walking through the crowd and taking selfies, waving, and interacting with as many Moodz as possible, which served as great memories to end the tour. Even though the tour is over, fans have many things to look forward to, such as two new singles, new merch, and an “OO-LI Land” encore in Seoul at Jamsil Stadium. The next year and a half may be a bit difficult, but Moodz will be waiting patiently. Written by CeCe B.

On Sunday, February 18, MCND, the K-Pop group, made their last stop on their ODD-VENTURE Tour 2024 in Los Angeles, California, just nine days before the anniversary of their debut on February 27. Four years since the group's debut and two years since they toured in the U.S., created much anticipation for the occasion, a sweet time for both the group and GEM (MCND's fandom name) on the last night of their tour. But this wasn't just the second time MCND has been to LA as the five-members group -- consisting of CASTLE J, BIC, MINJAE, HUIJUN, and WIN -- counted in their beginning speech that this was their, "... fifth, sixth, or actually seventh time coming..." as they were thinking of the memories here shooting a music video, touring, and more. The energy was palpable from the moment the opening video flashed across the screen showcasing each member, and the beats of their first three songs filled the air. After releasing their 5th mini-album, " ODD-VENTURE ," in November 2023, they kicked off the night with two songs form the album -- " ODD-VENTURE " and " Cruise ." In between the second and third songs, the group introduced themselves --- and played Rock-paper-scissors ("gawi-bawi-bo") to see who would do the dance break for their song " Crush ." ** DRUM ROLL ~~~ " HUIJUN stole the performance with his dance break and then the members smoothly joined him from the left of the stage as Win started up his rap. After the performance of "Crush ," Castle J complimented Huijun's dance break by letting him know, "Huijun, your dance break, you ate that!" Already off to an electrifying performance with the high intensity of the previous song. MCND went onto the light-hearted “Pop Star.” Throughout the night the members would tease the following songs and make fan’s hearts flutter as Castle J explained that the fifth song of the night was for Gems and that while writing the song they thought of Gems because they are MCND’s “Treasure.” Fans waved their arms from left to right and soaked in the moment of the heartfelt song. Each song was accompanied by pretty visuals (abstract shapes, bursts of colors, etc.) on screen that matched the song’s vibes from a swirling vortex for “Treasure” that allowed you to dive more into the trances of the song to the beginning of “Back to you” where the screen looked like yellowish-orange bokeh moving.  It was "Back to you" that stole the show, a breathtakingly beautiful slow ballad that showcased the members' vocal prowess. The piano ending and the lights that shone down on each member left the audience in awe. As Castle J and the members exited the stage just before the brief intermission, he leaped into the air, forming a heart with his arms raised high above his head, eliciting laughter and cheers from the audience.  Each intermission kept the fans engaged as videos of MCND indulging in each others’ convenience store food combinations (noodles with sausages, different flavors, snacks, etc.) and tour interviews would play. Returning from intermission, the energy skyrocketed with "Player" as fans sang along “bang bang bang” and the stage bathed in flashing red lights as Bic led the crowd in jumping and smiling along. The excitement peaked during "nanana," with powerful orange lights shining on the stage, and the crowd hyping the members up with chants of "aye aye aye." Ending “nanana” the members looked drained as they drank their water and sat down after giving it their all during each song but didn’t want to show it as much. The members joked around about being tired as Minjae said the members were down (like man down) but Castle J got right up like ‘no, I’m not tired’ as he exaggeratedly shook his legs walking towards Minjae.  The members teased the song “Juice” by asking the crowd if they liked juice and then saying what their favorite juices were like apple juice. A fan in the crowd said soju but Castle J thought the fan said “Seong Jun” which sounded like his real name therefore creating the joke of the night and laughter all around. Right at the beginning of “Juice” the members do a hip thrust and fans in the crowd all collectively look at each other in disbelief and say, “Oh Ooh!” Later in the song Minjae teased a shirt lift that would be a foreshadowing of events to come. At one point the members were lifting their shirts showing their abs and messing with Castle J exposing his abs for a good minute. During the chorus of “Play Pungak,” the members moved to the rhythm of the song with smooth body rolls. The energy of “H.B.C” had both the crowd and the members jumping, culminating in a moment where Castle J, caught Minjae taking a sip of water, which led to them both playfully splashing the crowd with their water bottles at the song's peak, eliciting ecstatic screams from the audience.  MCND went through four different outfit changes starting with the biker rock style then going to the sporty and playful jerseys to blue denim outfits and lastly to their tour merch. During the performance of “Run” the lights dimmed down as they got into formation. As the lights flickered back on they danced around as echoing screams started to come from different areas of the crowd. Castle J, now more visible, flashed a knowing smile as the cheers intensified. Not only did he become visible, so did his upper body between the denim vest. Smiling as the cheers grew louder, he knew what he was doing, Bic had to glance behind him to catch on to what was going on, breaking out into a big smile and laugh.  Going back and forth all night this concert was filled with so much energy and humorous personalities and showcasing each member's talents in rapping, vocals, and dance. Huijun hit a high note during his solo of “W.A.T.1,” witnessing his vocal strength. Nearing the end of the show the members made the announcement that two songs were left and the fans all simultaneously let out a devastating  and long “no.” Always coming back for an encore, phones were out in full force, capturing every moment of the encore for fans to relive again and again with songs like “#MOOD”, “Not over,” “TOP GANG,” and lastly a much-anticipated “ICE AGE” from their debut album into the ICE AGE. Grabbing the water bottles as if they were determined to drain every last drop from them. Splashing, pouring, and spraying water on each other, they also doused the crowd. Erupted into a deafening roar as the concert reached its epic conclusion. From watching the dance cover series on MCND’s YouTube page titled “Play Music Ground,” they were bound to show their dancing at the concert especially when “ODD-VENTURE,” “JUICE,” and “Not Over,” played. Not only their dance skills but their upbeat and powerful songs gave an infectious energy and fans sang along to the lyrics and mimicked the moves in the crowd. Each member appeared to have a blast on stage, creating a memorable moment that both fans and the group alike will cherish, filled with smiles and laughter. Castle J not only dazzled fans with his stage presence and rapping skills but also literally sparkled, sporting shiny gems below his eyes and near his tear ducts. Win gave powerful and smooth rap verses as Bic showed his versatile fast rapping and vocals. Huijun and Minjae blew the crowd away with their vocal range and dance moves. Experiencing the music, crafted by Castle J and the group, was a mesmerizing experience. Every member stole each fan's attention with their infectious smiles, performance, and talent.  As the group’s name stands for “Music Creates a New Dream” Huijun expressed disbelief at already sharing his final thoughts of the tour as it was coming to an end. He acknowledged the unwavering support of U.S. Gems, despite not having seen them for a while. Win reflected on the tour’s journey starting in Japan then traveling to Europe and concluding in the U.S. The members thanked everyone involved and the fans. Minjae yelled through the microphone “I love you GEM” creating cheers all around and as the venue went silent a fan yelled “I love you” and Minjae reciprocated that with a strong “I love you too.”  Ready to embark on their next journey, whether that be new music or promising to return with even more passion and energy for their devoted fans, we look forward to what MCND has in store for the near future. X (TWITTER)  | INSTAGRAM  | TIKTOK  | YOUTUBE Written and Photographed by Aliyah H.

#SoundLovers!!! We are back with another exclusive interview! In honor of their 100 days since debut --- We are beyond thrilled to introduce you to a fun and energetic group called CATCH THE YOUNG !   This is a group that is sure to grab your attention, as their bright and youthful sound feels like a breath of fresh air. Catch The Young has already created their own unique sound of Youth Pop-rock by capturing the essence of the 80s and 90s musically and creating a song for the listeners of today. The five-member boy band consisting of Sani, Jungmo, Kihoon, Namhyun, and Junyong, made their official debut on November 1, 2023, under EVERMORE ENTERTAINMENT with their first mini album titled, ' Catch the Young : Fragments of Youth.' For those who are just now meeting the group for the first time, take a moment to get to know them more with our interview below as they talk about how they started, their dedication to their creative process, their first fan meeting, and their goals for 2024! K Fuse: First, and foremost, we want to thank you for taking the time to talk with us here at K Fuse, and to share your story with our readers. K Fuse: Catch The Young is a rather unique name. Is there a special meaning behind your group name? What inspired the group name choice? Kihoon:   The name " Catch The Young " literally means telling the story of youth and conveying the energy of youth. It represents the intention to make music that allows people to feel various emotions and energy related to youth. K Fuse: Some of our readers may be discovering Catch The Young for the first time, and may not realize that Catch The Young did start out as the five piece quintet that we see before us. For Kihoon, Sani, and Namhyun , you have been with each other since 2021. Was there ever a time you were anxious about debuting? And what motivated you to continue to pursue a career in music with all the member changes that occurred? Kihoon : I was the first to join the company. There were definitely moments of uncertainty with each change that occurred. However, the anxiety of not debuting was overshadowed by the anxiety of going through the process of harmonizing again. Having new colleagues to make music together with was significant source of strength for me. Sani : If I said there was no anxiety, that would probably be a lie. It was likely a bit different for me, with the anxiety being more about the process of making music and being in a band rather than the uncertainty of debuting or not. K Fuse: For Jungmo and Junyong . Were there any challenges joining into a group that had already been training alongside each other for the last two years? Or did it seem to be a smooth transition for everyone? Jungmo : When I joined the team, it was right before the first concert (March 2023) which was held even before the debut. To be honest, I didn't have time to think about the other members in detail. I had to complete the songs prepared for the concert immediately upon joining. Catch The Young is a team that turns every cover song into our style, so the focus was on doing that together and feeling the pressure to do it perfectly, leaving no room for other concerns. Junyong : I joined shortly after Jungmo, and since I'm still a student and the youngest, the older members took care of me in various ways. So, I didn't feel an significant difficulties. K Fuse: There are a lot of references to the term "youth" in your songs. Could you share with our readers what significance the term "youth" holds for you? Sani : The term "youth" hold significance for us because we wanted to create songs that everyone can relate to. Youth is a universal experience, and it encompasses not only the challenges and anxious emotions but also the positive ones -- like overcoming challenges and exuding energy. By incorporating the them of "youth" in our music, we aim to connect with people of all ages, providing a source of empathy and strength through shared memories and experiences of the past and present. K Fuse: " My Own Way" talks about moments of growth by overcoming the fear of the vague future. Are you the type of person who worries about the future? Or are you ready to take on whatever the future has in store for you? Jungmo : There are times when the uncertainty of the future can be daunting, but I try to approach it with a positive mindset. I believe in facing challenges head-on and overcoming them. Even though worrying won't change anything, I think it's essential to quickly identify what I can do and make the right decisions. I've found that taking action rather than being paralyzed by worries is a better way to handle things. K Fuse: At what point did you start writing and creating your own songs? Sani : All of us have been interested in music since we were young. For me, it started around the age of 14 when I discovered a Japanese band called One OK Rock. I was captivated by their music, and that inspired me to start playing instruments. As I delved into playing instruments, I naturally began writing songs. Kihoon : My interest in band music sparked when I coincidentally watched a drama as a child. lather, when I decided to stop playing sports, I picked up the guitar seriously and naturally started writing songs. Namhuun : When I was young, listening to songs of Park Hyo Shin gave me comfort. I used to think it would be great to create songs that could provide solace like his music, and during my preparation for university of music, I officially started my journey in music. K Fuse: All of the member participated in composing the title tracks. What was the writing process like for you? Did you ever have a difference of opinions? Sani : The writing process was a collaborative effort where all members' opinions needed to be considered. Since we didn't have a strict time limit for completing each song, we had the flexibility to continuously refine and adjust the songs. The album creation wasn't a short-term process; instead, it involved working on songs we had started earlier, refining them through rehearsals, modifying sounds, and aligning harmonies. The variety of opinions naturally came into play, and we spent time coordinating and discussing different perspectives. Namhyun : In this album, except for "YOUTH!!!," most of these tracks were not created recently; they were songs we had been working on earlier and consistently refining over time. Since there isn't a definitive answer for the final outcome, ongoing adjustments were necessary to strive for the best, making that aspect a bit challenging and demanding. Jungmo : The process of refining the songs involve some steps such as arrangement and modifications, but as a band, aligning our instruments and vocals plays a crucial role. We spent a significant amount of time rehearsing together, fine-tuning the songs through the interplay of instruments and vocals. Rather than encountering differences in opinions among members, our focus was more on merging our individual thoughts into a better direction. K Fuse: Let's talk about your most recent event. On December 24th, you held your first concert since your debut -- Santa The Young. Were there any special moments you shared with your fans? Namhyun : The entire performance on that day felt like a special moment. It was our first solo concert after debut, and being on stage on Christmas Eve made it even more extraordinary. Everything about that day was special, especially the fact that we could connect with the fans at eye level and even make eye contact while singing. Junyong : Oh! And it was a White Christmas Eve. Performing on Christmas Eve when the whole world is covered in snow is not an experience you can easily have. So, it was a special moment shared with our fans on a special day K Fuse: Do you have any pre-show routines that you have already developed? Jungmo: We gather and shout words of encouragement to each other, saying, "Let's have a great performance!" Of course, new routines might develop over time? Sani : While what Jungmo mentioned is a routine we do right before a performance, there's also another routine related to the performance itself. before the show, we not only rehearse, but also have as many run-throughs as possible. That way, we can deliver a more flawless performance. K Fuse : Although you just made your debut in November, we are curious if you have any plans to release a full album? Sani : We haven't discussed the idea of a full album, yet. While we are preparing for the next album, the current trend in K-POP seems to favor frequent releases of mini-albums for continuous activities. However, for us, it's not about engaging in activities frequently, but rather, the most crucial aspect is whether we have created music that satisfies us. I think the transition to a full album will occur after we've prepared music that satisfies all of us to a certain extent. K Fuse ; Who are some of your role models? Sani : I discovered the Japanese band ONE OK ROCK when I was 14, and they became my first love-like band that captured my hear instantly. Later, after starting to play instrument, I also came to like The Charm Park, an their music style resonated well with mine, so I respect and have been influence a lot by them. Namhyun : My role model is Park Hyo Shin. The starting point of my music journey was listening to Park Hyo Shin songs, where I received a lot of comfort. Wanting to convey comfort to others through music led me to start singing. Junyong : My role model is Crush. Even though he is a solo artist, I was impressed with his performances where he takes control of the stage during concerts. I aspire to create such captivating performances. Kihoon : As I started playing instruments, I began to like guitarist John Mayer, which sparked my increased interest in playing instruments. However, my current role model is Ritchie Kotzen. Jungmo : Being a drummer, I have been mostly influenced by drummers Larnell Lewis and Aaron Spears when it comes to drum sounds. K Fuse: Are there any other instruments that you would like to learn to play / or a skill you would like to master? Kihoon : I've always wanted to try dancing and acting. Currently, I am learning dance as I prepare for our album, and I would like to explore acting as well. If the opportunity every arise, I might even consider appearing in a drama. Above all, learning acting could be beneficial, especially when shooting music videos. Sani :I have learned various musical instruments, but I haven't properly delved into the world of wind instruments. I'm interested in learning instruments like the trumpet to add more diverse sounds to our music. Junyong : I still feel that my skills are lacking compared to other members, so I'll put more effort into polishing and improving my piano skills. K Fuse : What goals would you like to accomplish in your first year as "Catch the Young?" Sani : I aspire to win the Rookie of the Year award at music award ceremonies and acquire the title of "Super Global Band." Kihoon : I'd love to hear people saying, "A new global band has emerged: Super Global Band - Catch The Young!" Also, we aim to make it into the Billboard Hot 100, while achieving this may not be possible with just one album. Namhyun : Although it might be challenging right now, I dream of standing on global festival stages like Lollapalooza. Before gracing such stages, within one year, I want to hold our own concerts in Asia, Europe, Central America, and South America. K Fuse : Thank you, again, for taking the time to talk with us here at K Fuse. We are looking forward to watching you grow as individual artists, and as "Catch the Young!" Before we go, is there a message that you would like to leave for your fans, and our readers? Catch The Young: Catch The Young is dedicated to creating music that resonates with youth and exudes vibrant energy. We strive to deliver performances that transmit this energy to our audience. While we acknowledge there are many fantastic songs out there, we believe that we bring something unique that can awaken the youthful spirit within your hearts!   SO DON'T HESITATE! JOIN US IN EMBRACING THE ENERGY THAT CATCH THE YOUNG CONVEYS THROUGH OUR MUSIC! LET'S HAVE A GEAT TIME TOGETHER! Thank you to Evermore Entertainment and the members of Catch The Young for this fun experience! Join us in wishing Catch The Young a Happy 100 days! By using the following hashtags: #캐치더영 #CatchTheYoung #캐치더영과캐쳐가함께한100일

Event Date : 24th December, 2023 |Venue : Seongam Art Hall, Seoul, Korea Titled 'Santa The Young,' Catch The Young prepared a special performance under the concept of becoming the Santa of 'Christmas Eve' to gift fans with a stage and songs. The show began with tracks from the debut album, ' My Own Way ' and 'The Way To You,' heightening the audience's anticipation. In the first surprise segment, Catch The Young specially prepared a Christmas song, requested several times by fans during Instagram Live sessions, featuring ' Take Me Home For Christmas (Original. Dan + Shay) ' in Catch The Young's unique rendition. Following this, the group performed the much-requested live version of ' A Rose Bloomed Between Buildings . (Original. H1KEY)' Subsequently, a Christmas medley unfolded, including songs like 'Talking To Myself,' 'White Christmas (Original. Bing Crosby),' 'Santa tell me (Original. Ariana Grande),' 'Last Christmas (Original. Wham!),' 'All I Want for Christmas Is You (Original. Mariah Carey),' and 'It's Christmas (Jelly Christmas 2012 HEART PROJECT),' creating a festive atmosphere. The next segment, named 'Santa The Young's Gift Time,' allowed Catch The Young to fulfill fans' written wishes. This included various requests, such as SANI and JUNYONG’s slick back challenge which is popular on SNS, KIHOON's three-pose photo time, and JUNGMO's aegyo. To fulfill the desire to give fans a solo stage, NAMHYUN played and sang 'Snowman' by Jung Seung Hwan on the keyboard, followed by a performance of 'If You Love Me' with JUNYONG and KIHOON. Before the hard performance of the day, the members took a moment to catch their breath with the song ‘First Crush.' The energetic stage, a trademark of Catch The Young, continued with 'The Living Daylights (Original. A-HA) + Black or White (Original. Michael Jackson),' 'From Now On,' and 'Addicted To That Rush (Original. Mr. Big),' exuding electrifying energy. During the performance of 'Addicted To That Rush,' SANI, who was playing the bass, jumped down to interact with fans under the stage, showcasing an unprecedented level of passion and energy. Approaching the final song, the members shared their thoughts on their first solo concert after the debut, expressing gratitude for the support and revealing their hopes for more concerts and delivering better music in the future. For the last song, ' Cactus Boy ,' Catch The Young gifted fans with an emotional performance, concluding the show with an encore of the live stage version of 'YOUTH!!!' After the performance, during the photo time and farewell session with the audience, Catch The Young created unforgettable memories with the fans. BE SURE TO FOLLOW CATCH THE YOUNG FOR FUTURE ACTVIITES AND STAY TUNED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS AMAZING ROOKIE BAND WITH OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! We want to give a big thank you to EVERMORE Entertainment for this amazing opportunity to work with such a uniquely fun group! Cr: Evermore Entertainment

Welcome back #SoundLovers to our latest #k_fuse_koverage as we were able catch a moment to talk with some of FNC's Rising Stars. Check out our latest interview with the members of AMPERS&ONE below. K Fuse: Thank you for taking the time to catch up and talk with us here, at K Fuse Could you please take a moment and introduce yourselves (as a group and individuals, what is your role / position within the group)? KAMDEN – Hello, I’m KAMDEN! I am the eldest member and rapper. Great to meet you all! BRIAN - Hi I'm BRIAN, and I am a vocalist. JIHO – Hello everyone, I am JIHO, the leader, and I am a vocalist as well. SIYUN – Hi, I’m SIYUN, and I am a vocalist. KYRELL – Hi, I’m KYRELL, and I am a vocalist, too! MACKIAH – Hi everyone, I am MACKIAH, and I am a rapper. SEUNGMO – Hello, I am SEUNGMO, the youngest, and I am a vocalist. Nice to meet you all! K Fuse: What was your first impression of each other when you first met? Was there a member with whom you had trained with before? Was there a member that you instantly connected with? BRIAN – First, when I met KAMDEN, I thought he always looks so uncomfortable because he always scratched his elbow. I thought he had a mosquito bite. I met JIHO for the first time during the Boys Planet, so I thought he was a cool guy. SIYUN, when I first met him, I loved his voice and was kind of jealous of him that he has a really charming voice. KYRELL’s first impression was that he was the nicest guy I have ever met! In case of MACKIAH, we both just instantly clicked because he was the first one to greet me in English when I first came to FNC. Lastly, I thought SEUNGMO was a really calm and quiet person, but now, as I know him more, and I feel like he is the craziest one in the group. SEUNGMO – For me, JIHO had the strongest first impression as he came to me first and talked to me and taught me to dance. When I first came to FNC, I was nervous and didn’t have anyone I knew. I got instantly closer with MACKIAH as we are the same age, and he was nice and friendly -- so he was always fun to be with. K Fuse: What do you think is going to be your biggest challenge transitioning from a trainee to a rookie idol? BRIAN – To be honest, it still hasn’t hit me that I’m actually an idol right now. It kind of feels the same as when we were on Boys Planet, so I am not really sure yet. SEUNGMO – I believe the biggest challenge would be that we need to practice more with more lessons compared to when we were trainees. Since we are debuting, we need to take a lot more time to practice so that we can show the public a perfect performance, which means we need to try much harder. K Fuse: What was the most memorable moment that happened during your debut showcase? BRIAN - Seeing the fans for the first time! SEUNGMO – I had to dance for the introduction at the debut showcase, and since it was our first time to see our fans, I was super nervous of doing it. KRYELL - Like Brian said, it was really interesting to finally meet our fans K Fuse:  What was the most difficult part about preparing for your debut? What made it difficult? BRIAN - I caught COVID during the recording of the album, so I wasn't in my best condition. SEUNGMO – It was hard to record the first title song, as it was my very first time recording in my life, so it felt awkward, and was difficult to get used to. KAMDEN - Since I started training when I was 19, I thought I would have a disadvantage of debuting because at that time, there were many K-Pop sunbaenims that debuted when they were pretty young. So, I thought I would go back in a few months. K Fuse: [BRIAN, SEUNGMO] Were there any funny, or memorable moments that happened during the filming of ‘On and On?’ Could you share some of those moments with our readers? BRIAN – While filming ‘On and On’ M/V, we had to do a lot of acting, but we were not that good at it, so it was awkward. However, thanks to the staffs, they helped us a lot with it, and I am glad that from the great editing, we can’t feel the awkwardness. SEUNGMO – There was a scene that the professor chases after us, and I was so scared of him that I rushed to escape from him. K Fuse: Between ‘On and On,’ ‘Sweet & Sour,’ and ‘Sheesh,’ which one was your most favorite to prepare and record? Why? BRIAN – My favorite to record was ‘Sweet & Sour’ because I think it fits my soft voice a lot. SEUNGMO – I guess it would be the title track, ‘On and On,’ because I put a lot of effort in it as it was our title track, so it was the most fun to record! K Fuse: What is the first thing that you want listeners to think of when they hear your songs? BRIAN – I want the listeners to feel warmth and energy from our songs. SEUNGMO – I want the listeners to feel our energy. Our song is really energetic and powerful, so I hope people can get energy and cheers from it! KYRELL - Ready for no breaks in the moment haha but in all seriousness I hope our music is the kind where you stick your earbuds in, close your eyes, lean your head back, and smile a little, you know? K Fuse: Is there a message you are trying to convey to your listeners with this album? SEUNGMO – I want to convey the message to not give up even if they face some obstacles and continue what they are looking for, and achieve their goals. K Fuse: Several of you have participated in survival shows in the past.  How does it feel to go from being on a survival show to finally being able to make your debut? BRIAN – It feels great to make a debut! The survival show lit a fire in me to do better and try harder in our new group. KAMDEN – I'm so happy to perform on more stages after experiencing it.. and the camera work is kind of fun, no? I wanna see more expressions of myself in the future! K Fuse: Every group has a mother and father type figure, who do you think is going to take on those roles? Or is there a member that has already taken on the role of the mother-figure and the father-figure? BRIAN – I think the mother in the group is definitely KAMDEN, and the father would be KYRELL as they are the cleanest in the group and order us around to do chores sometimes. SEUNGMO – I feel like as KAMDEN is the eldest in the group, he always does the parents’ role because he is always the one to tell us to do the chores and recycling and helps us to wake up in the morning. K Fuse: Is there a member that you think looks out for you the most? How so? BRIAN – I think JIHO looks out for me the most because whenever I am sick or tired, he always tries to comfort me to feel better. SEUNGMO – For me, it is SIYUN because he listens to me a lot helps me to wake up in the morning. K Fuse: . Is there a member who learns choreography quicker than the others, and then teaches it to the rest of the group? BRIAN – JIHO learns the choreography the fastest in the group. I sometimes feel like he is a printer. He prints out every movement really fast and with precision. SEUNGMO – I think it is JIHO. He is really good at dancing, and actually loves to do freestyle dance. K Fuse: Who are some of your role models? BRIAN – My role model is Jungkook from BTS because I love his angelic vocals. Yeonjun from TXT is also my role model because I love his clean dancing. SEUNGMO – My role model is Baekhyun from EXO because I believe that I can learn from him. Although, it’s been a while since his debut, he still takes vocal lessons and always tries his best. Also, I have always loved that he clearly shows that he loves his fans a lot. KYRELL– One of my biggest role models is Na Kamden! Just kidding he is my role model but among other artists in the industry I admire BTS's V for his unique voice and cool vibes K Fuse: What made you decide to pursue a career as an idol? BRIAN - A long time ago, I was hit by a car, and I almost died that day. After then, I decided to live life without regrets because I realized that we only have one life to live. I was always interested in singing but was too scared to try, but after the accident, I decided to give it a try. From then on, I suddenly discovered BTS and slowly started to like K-Pop, so I decided to pursue a career as a K-pop idol and to live without regrets. SEUNGMO – I got casted on the streets and started training from then. As I kept on seeing some of my trainee fellows make a debut, I thought they were cool. So, I started to think that I want to be just like them, so I decided I too wanted to be an idol. KYRELL – While watching YouTube I stumbled across some K-Pop music videos and I found music that I thought was really fun to listen to and watch performances of. I thought to myself: that looks like the most fun job ever! And there’s a whole long story after that but that’s how it all started! K Fuse: What are some of your hobbies? BRIAN – My hobbies are playing basketball, games, and drawing. SEUNGMO – I love to play games, so I often play an online soccer games with KAMDEN. KAMDEN – Recently, my hobby has changed to sleeping because of the busy schedule. K Fuse: What special talent do you have? BRIAN - I can flip my thumb backwards. SEUNGMO – My left second finger is so flexible that it can reach on the back of my left hand. K Fuse: What are your goals during your first year – both as a group and as individuals? BRIAN – My goal for the first year is to have no regrets! SEUNGMO – My goal for the first year would be winning the Rookie Award or to win the first prize at the music show. K Fuse: Have you all talked about any ideas for a fandom name? BRIAN - We have but, it is still not confirmed yet. SEUNGMO – We have talked about it a lot, but we couldn’t come out with a great idea. We’d love to get some ideas from our fans. K Fuse: What has been the best piece of advice you have received that you felt has helped you better prepare for your debut? BRIAN - Stay humble and keep working hard. SEUNGMO – My family always told me that they always trust me, so I have to trust myself and keep trying hard. This helped me to better prepare for the debut. K Fuse: Before we say our goodbyes, is there a message that you would like to leave for your fans, and our readers? BRIAN - Thank you all so much for reading and please look forward to more exciting content! SEUNGMO – Please look forward to our future performances and exciting moments. Thank you.

Photo Credit: Great M Enterainment Welcome back #SoundLovers 🎶!  We were presented an opportunity to attend a roundtable interview with the members of 82MAJOR   – where they discussed what their group name means to them, and also leave a message for their fans.  82MAJOR is a six-member South Korean boy group under GREAT M Entertainment   who made their debut on October 11, 2023.  The group consisting of Nam Seong Mo, Park Seok Joon, Yoon Ye Chan, Cho Seong Il, Hwang Seong Bin, and Kim Do Gyun was making waves in the industry during their time as trainees, Rare House .  With each release of new content, the group continued to gain worldwide recognition for their fluid dance skills, powerful rap skills, wide vocal range, and diverse personalities.  Fan recognition took off with their project track, “Illegal,” – where fans swooned over Seok Joon’s low vocal range and discovering that Ye Chan was related to an already active idol.  With the release of their debut announcement in September, the group shared that their name was inspired by South Korea’s country code, 82, and the group’s aspirations to introduce a new direction to K-pop and establish themselves as a major presence globally. The group released their 1st single album titled, ON , featuring their two title tracks, “ Sure Thing ” and “ FIRST CLASS .”  The first song, “Sure Thing,” has a refreshing and cheerful sound that encapsulates the group’s excitement about meeting their fans in the future.  South Korean producer and songwriter Ryan Jhun , platinum-selling songwriter Wyatt Sanders , and multi platinum & Billboard #1  K-Pop Charting producer and songwriter Charles Frank Rhodes Jr . came together to create the composition.  The second title track, “FIRST CLASS,” showcases the group’s determination and confidence towards relying on each other in order to reach new heights together.  Members Seong Mo, Seong Bin, and Ye Chan also took part in writing lyrics for this song along with K-Pop singer-songwriter Roydo .  In addition, platinum-awarded producer and topliner Frederik Jyll  participated in helping compose it.  82MAJOR  also worked with reputable video directors Woogie Kim  and Hyunji Lee Kim  is known for his work for artists such as BTS, IU, and HYUNA , and Lee  is known for creating commercials for brands such as Samsung Galaxy, Hyundai, and Kia.  82MAJOR ’s track, “Sure Thing” has gained over 3 million views while, “FIRST CLASS,” has gained over 4.1 million views to date. Let’s take a moment to see what the members had to say about what their name means to them and the message they wanted to leave for their fans: K Fuse:  When your debut was announced, you mentioned that you wanted to establish yourselves “as a major presence globally.”  What does a “major global presence” look like for you? Seong Il:   Being a “major” for me means worldwide recognition and fame.  It’s about being so well-known that when asked, people on the street could easily respond, “Yes, they’re 82MAJOR!”  Plus, it’s about being a group that inspires others. Do Gyun:   “Major” to me means being a group that brings comfort to people, whether they’re sad or happy.  It’s about being a constant presence, providing support in their daily lives.  Seong Mo:    Being “major” also means being a source of learning and a positive influence for others. Ye Chan:   For me, it would be going on tour with sold out arenas not only in Asia, but also internationally – so tours in Europe, South America, North America, Indonesia, and just worldwide. K Fuse :  Do you have a message that you want to leave for your fans? Seong Bin:    Thank you so much for supporting us.  You are the reason for our existence.  We love you! Ye Chan:    All of us are of the same mind and same heart, so to all of our fans – even those in other countries – thank you very much. We are reading your comments and we are watching all of your TikTok videos that you upload.  So please don’t feel left out.  We love you guys, too! Seong Mo:   To our international fans, I hope to see you in person someday through a tour.  We will work our best and try to make it happen. CONNECT WITH 82MAJOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CONTENT AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES: X (Twitter)  | Instagram  | YouTube  | TikTok We want to take a moment to give a big thank you to the Helix Team, the team at Great M Entertainment and the members of 82MAJOR for allowing us this opportunity to provide coverage for 82MAJOR’s debut .  And once again, a MAJOR congratulations to the members on their official debut!

On November 10th, K-Pop rookie girl group, Purple Kiss, made their Kentucky debut at The Art Sanctuary in Louisville! Members Goeun, Dosie, Ireh, Yuki, Chaein, and Swan all came together to greet their Louisville PLORY! The girls brought the house down from the jump opening with fan favorites, "Nerdy," and "Pretty Psycho."' After the members introduced themselves and the tour, they kept the hits coming with their iconic title tracks, "'memeM," and "Zombie!" Members Chaein, and Ireh left the stage, and left us with Swan, Yuki, Goeun, and Dosie to entertain fans. Swan addressed the crowd on the correct pronunciation of Lousiville, stating how hard the members tried to get the pronunciation right, PLORYs assured the girls they were doing it correctly! The members mentioned that Lousiville was known for their whiskey and that some of the members had a drink the night prior. Fans got a laugh out of maknae Swan pouting that she is still too young to drink in America but assured us that the next time they come to Louisville she will be old enough and she'll have a drink with her fellow members and PLORY! Ireh and Chaein come back out giving fans a phenomenal unit performance of Charlie Puth's, "We Don't Talk Anymore," showing off the Main Vocalist and Main Dancer's charms. After that, they brought out chairs and gave fans a sizzling performance of Michel Buble's "Sway, making fans swoon. Ireh later pointed out a fan's sign that said, 'I'm Chaein's Girlfriend," and Chaein giggled saying she was super nervous to be performing in front of her girlfriend! Swan, Goeun, and Dosie then lit the stage up with their cover of Charlie Puth's, "Lightswitch," followed by a show-stopping performance of Lady GaGa's "Rain On Me." After all units finished the girls told us how they all were super hands on with choosing the units and which songs they sang! (Member Yuki didn't participate in Unit stages, as she was promoting with her project groups ELzUp during concert preparations, please support Yuki in both her groups!) We got to know the members a little better during their segment "Ask Purki," where fans got to ask the members their undying questions via post-it notes! Fans asked Yuki to teach them something in Japanese, she taught them how to say, "That's awesome," which quickly became the motto for the night. Another fan requested the group sing their song, "Biscuit," which they happily obliged with an acapella version of the song. Another question involved Swan once again mentioning wanting to drink with her members and stating that she was going to that night, causing Dosie to look at the crowd ans exclaim, "She is crazy!" After all the fun and games, the members of Purple Kiss and Louisville PLORY felt much closer after this! Like all good things, Purple Kiss' first time in Louisville had to come to an end! Putting on an adorable encore, fitted with cute headbands, hats, and keychains, the members of Purple Kiss bid their Louisville PLORY goodbye! What an amazing first meeting between artist and fan, sealed with a pinky promise to meet right back there where they first met! You can still catch the girls as they wrap up their tour: 2023.11.26 | Phoenix at Stage West at Herberger Theater Center 2023.11.28 | Los Angeles at Palace Theatre You can find our full galleries for Louisville and Nashville stops, here . Follow Purple Kiss For Updates and Future Activities X (Twitter) | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Weibo | Fancafe | Facebook Written and Photographed by McCayla M. Huge thank you to the team at Leo Presents, RBW, and of course the members of Purple Kiss for this opportunity 💜

On the night of November 11, 2023, ABNEW lined the block of Lower Alabama street that is more commonly known for its live event and music venue, “The Masquerade.” Although the day and night were quite chilly, that did not stop fans from arriving early to check-in and enjoy the benefits that Studio PAV introduced to cities other than LA. Fans were now able to participate in not only a fan-sign, high wave, and group photo session before the venue opened for the show, but this time they were able to participate in a fan-meeting with the members of AB6IX – a conversation between fan and artist. Fans got to express their gratitude, excitement, and appreciation for the members without the fear of being rushed to tell them. This was the major highlight of the early evening hours as fans met with Woong, Woojin, Daehwi and Donghyun before they took the stage for an unforgettable night! As fans lined the lower level of The Masquerade Heaven venue, they took time to get merch, pick up their snapshot tickets, and get their lightsticks ready for AB6IX to take the stage. Screams filled the venue as AB6IX opened with ‘ Resonance ’ and their latest title track, ‘ Loser .’ As the second song came to an end, the infamous chants began to fill the venue, “hoo hoo hoo!” before the members took a moment to introduce themselves, “Hello! We are AB6IX!” This was then followed by individual introductions from Donghyun, Woong, Dahwi and Woojin, some short laughs, and fans sending Woojin birthday wishes before a stunning performance of ‘ Weightless .’ Throughout the night, the group kept the energy rising and the emotions flowing with a setlist filled with nothing but fan favorites, including: ‘BLAZE,’ ‘SUCKER,’ ‘ EINSTEIN ’ – which kept fans’ energy and dancing going, ‘ THE ANSWER ,’ ‘Complicated’ – AB6IX's confirmed favorite song, ‘NOTHING WITHOUT YOU,’ ‘ A LONG WINTER -- personal favorite,’ ‘SAVIOR,’ ‘Crow,’ ‘BE THERE,’and the high energy song that kept ABNEW jumping – ‘ 1, 2, 3 .’ As the members neared their individualized ending moments with ABNEW, they talked about being able to meet Atlanta fans again, and their hopes for ABNEW to return if they come back in 2024! We hope that veteran ABNEW, and new fans alike continue to follow and support the group as they wrap up their tour on November 12 in Los Angeles. Stay up to date with AB6IX on social media X (Twitter) | Members' X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube View our full gallery here A big thank you to Studio PAV, BrandNew Music, and the members of AB6IX for the stunning show and opportunity to provide coverage.

On November 13th, FOREVERs (Everglow fans) of Louisville all gathered in the beautiful Palace Theater to see their favorite girl group Everglow. The 6 member group consisting of Sihyeon, E:U, Mia, Onda, Aisha, and Yiren had previously been on a hiatus for nearly two years before making big news with their comeback, “Slay,” and making an official stage comeback at KCON LA! The girls started their US tour at the beginning of November, marking Louisville as a halfway point before reaching the end! The show was put on phenomenally, in true Everglow fashion! Starting off with their hard-hitting title track, “Pirate,” the girls really set the tone for the rest of the set. Fans cheered loudly as each member introduced themselves and joked around with FOREVERs in the crowd. After a few fan favorites were played like, “Don’t Speak,” “DUN DUN,” and “Hush,” the girl broke off into their unit stages. Leader Sihyeon put on a show-stopping performance of Beyonce’s, “ Love On Top.” Next, main dancer Mia showed fans her incredible dance moves with a blindfolded dance cover of, “I Shot Cupid,” by Stella Cole. Lastly Onda, E:U, and Yiren, otherwise known as the groups performance unit, did a fun and flirty dance to, “Physical,” by Dua Lipa! Sadly, member Aisha was injured and couldn’t participate in this section of the show, but fans still showed her lots of love and cheers when she was on stage! Everglow also made the show interactive! The member set up a portion of the show they called, “Dance With Everglow,” where they taught audience members the point choreography to the chart-topper, “DUN DUN,’ and even filmed a video with the crowd dancing. Also, they set up a section entitled, “Singing With Everglow,” where they instructed the crowd on a crucial part of their song, “LA DI DA,” for fans to sing as loud as they can when they perform it. That part of course being the iconic, “Everglow Forever, Let’s Go!” The last sort of interactive section of their show, and an obvious crowd favorite, was their, “K-pop Dance,” section! The member performed covers of hit K-pop songs “Super,” by Seventeen, “Queencard,” by (G)-idle, “Super Shy,” by New Jeans, and “BOOMBAYAH,” by BlackPink. This interactive part being a pre-show thing where fans got to suggest a song for them to perform and ultimately, “Queencard,” was the song fans voted they wanted to see Everglow perform on tour! Sadly, like all great things, the night drew to and end with the girls’ final performances and ending moments. The members discussed how happy they were to be able to connect and have fun with FOREVERs on this tour and especially getting to see Louisville FOREVERs! Members and fans alike promised to meet in Louisville again and share many more fun and great memories. Ending the show with a bang, Everglow performed their debut track, “Bon Bon Chocolat,” and even threw signed balls into the crowd for lucky FOREVERs to take home. What an amazing experience for both the members of Everglow, and the FOREVERs of Louisville to share together! Follow EVERGLOW on Social Media to Stay Up-To-Date X (Twitter) | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube You can find our full gallery, here Written and Photographed by McCayla M.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 Written and Photographed by Don M. "I was so happy to receive the news from KFUSE that I was approved to cover and photograph the 2023 OC JAPAN FAIR. As a long time fan who has always had something that prevented me from being able to attend, I was looking forward to seeing and capturing some charming moments of this year's lineup, particularly NEO JAPONISM, EPITHYMIA -- a Japanese dance and vocal group that we covered at Rising Japan MusicFest that made their debut shortly after --, and this year's headliner and fan favorite, TRAVIS JAPAN!! Although I was unable to attend the first day of the event, I was planning on attending the remaining final two days on Saturday October 28, 2023, and Sunday, October 29, 2023. I was looking forward to experiencing the various foods and the culture of Japan so much that I had planned on photographing the music event on Saturday and trying out the different foods of Japan on Sunday -- alongside of checking out some of the other cultural events. However, due to high winds that occurred on Sunday, October 29, our plans were foiled as the event was cancelled. The first performance we caught was KENBUKAI EDGE SHIDEN-RYU, a performance that emphasizes on the Art of JAPANESE SAMURAI SWORD fighting. The two performers were Hiryu Shiden and Naoto Nishimura. Their acting skills displayed on stage, along with their performance and technique in handling a Samurai sword was truly fantastic. They danced eloquently while pretending to kill and defend one’s life with their Samurai swords in a truly beautiful and scary manner. We can only reiterate what we have been told as children, an that is "Do not try this type of act with another person unless trained properly and professionally." After that act I decided to walk around to see the event. One of the best parts of this event are the people you meet and the people and catching up with those you have met in the past! I saw and interacted with several different fans whom I met at The Rising Japanese MusicFest that occurred in Long Beach in August. as well as this year’s MC, Tiffany -- who I also met in Long Beach -- during which we shared some laughs. Then as I continued my way through the fair, I met and began talking to two members of NEO JAPONISM, Hinano and Sayaka and introduced myself to them. It was great to see the turn out of fans, supporters of this event, musicians, and food and music lovers at this year’s OC JAPAN FAIR. The next event I saw was AWESOME and different at the same time. A TUNA CUTTING SHOW. The young gentleman showed us how to cut a $5K TUNA on stage. He showed us different techniques and at one point even boasted that he was better than his father who taught him how to cut a Tuna. What a treat that was. It definitely made me hungry for sushi. The next performance I saw was the LA KOTO ENSEMBLE GROUP. It was a group of young performers as early as 7 years old to adult performers with with far more experienced. They plucked the strings of this beautiful instrument called The KOTO. They performed some beautiful music to all of us and even gave a little history about this traditional instrument. Such a delight watching them perform. One word describe this performance: MAGICAL. As a lover of JROCK MUSIC, the next group of performers were the super talented all female JPOP Group called NEO JAPONISM. I was very excited for this group since I was recently introduced by one of my followers on Instagram to their music. Although they are categorized as JPOP, I believe their music is better described as a fusion of JPOP and JROCK because their sound and dance does not align with that of your typically JPOP groups. These ladies ROCKED the stage with their music as they danced, head-banged (as JROCKERS do) and sang with such pure passion that anyone would be able to hear their heart. I then had the chance to get to know a little more about them where I found out just how very gracious and kind they truly are. We met for just a little bit after their performance to capture some very cute and cool group photos. They then told be that they were so ecstatic to be here in America for their first American tour. What more can I say about NEOJAPONISM except this…AMAZING MUSIC AND AMAZING PERFORMANCE. After their performance, I made my way through the fair back towards the ASAHI beers vendor table -- what a great way to re-energize myself! After taking a breather and catching up on a few more laughs and share stories with new friends and fellow #SoundLovers, I returned just in time to capture the performance the great Ai Haruna. The FANS LOVED Ai Haruna, who at one point invited a few audience members on stage to perform and dance alongside her. What a treat for these fans of all age group. Next up was Stephanie Yanez. Stephanie is an American JPOP singer who has traveled all over The United States and Japan performing cover songs as well as her own original songs. Stephanie was joined on stage by her guitarist and DJ track artist, Shinkawasaki. During her performance, she invited J-RAP artist Pepper Osaka and friend Koz to join her. I also had the chance to learn a little bit about Stephanie as we talked after her performance to find out that she loves anime -- where one of her favorite characters is Sailor Moon. She performed a famous cover of Sailor Moon’s theme song with her own rendition that was produced with her friend SOTUI, and she has also released her own rendition of this song with a Japanese singer Misono. Great performance by Stephanie and company. The best thing about this event is that there’s variety in performance from Tuna Cutting to JPOP music to traditional Japanese musical instruments such as The KOTO. For the next performance we had a DJ, The Arcane Maid and a COSPLAY contest for best COSPLAY COSTUME. There was also a comedy show by the great Japanese comedian who was a little “overdressed” for this event (if you know you know and if not just Google “Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura” and find out for yourself by the meaning overdressed. Great laughs with TONIKAKU. At around 6pm, OC JAPAN FAIR also featured a Live Audition Season 2 with talented artists and musicians who delighted us with their presence by either playing an instrument or singing for us or doing both. Great times were had by all. Next up was the dance and vocal male group called EPITHYMiA -- who I had the opportunity to cover and photograph during The Rising Japan MusicFest this year. These guys show how hard they have been working with their dance routine and singing that all kinds of HOPE (their fandom name) from all over the world came back to support them. I got to meet some new HOPE this year. One HOPE from Brazil who I befriended from the RJM unfortunately couldn’t make it for the 2023 OC JAPAN FAIR. But because of technology, a HOPE member live streamed the event so that she could see EPITHYMiA’s performance. Another JPOP dance and vocal group who is on the rise. This is definitely a group to keep your eye on! Three Singer Songwriters also sang their hearts out with some beautiful music that soothes our hearts and ears. Kaoru Miyazaki, Chris Hart, and AISHA. All three were on the softer side of music. Well except for AISHA who also had a lot of electrifying energy music reminiscent of today’s American Pop music except it was Japanese. The last performance of the evening was the headliner. Travis Japan (トラビス・ジャパン) -- who was actually celebrating the one year debut anniversary at the OC Japan Fair with their U.S. fans! Travis Japan made their debut on October 28, 2022 with their debut song, "JUST DANCE!" The group is also known for having appeared on several dance competitions, including the 17th season of America's Got Talent The group performed with so much energy with acrobatic flips , high energy dance and soulful singing as if they were singing and dancing just for you. What a true joy to see and capture some moments of Travis Japan. I am excited to see of where they take their career in the future. Overall, this event was truly spectacular. A long but very fun day for me. Hopefully for next year’s OC JAPAN Fair, I’ll get to try the different types of foods from many different vendors. But hey, at least I got my fill of Two ASAHI BEERS. As they say in Japanese, “Kanpai." Be sure to check out our full gallery, here

Introduction Upon sharing the stage with the Asian American content group, Northstar Boys, during their exhilarating "The Party Never Ends Tour," the supremely talented Justin Park took center stage at Houston's Starry Nite Art Festival. Justin delivered a sensational performance featuring some of his biggest hits, including "On the Low" along with tracks from his recent album, "I Can See The Stars From Here." At just 27 years old, this Korean-American producer and R&B solo singer has been making waves since his debut on June 15, 2017, with the single "Dates in LA." Justin Park has garnered global recognition not only for his exceptional musical talent, but also for his amiable personality. One of the highlights of Justin's journey to stardom was when BTS' Jungkook publicly acknowledged him, sharing a screenshot of himself listening to Justin Park's " On the Low ." This endorsement introduced many BTS fans to the captivating world of Justin Park, illustrating the artist's growing influence. Before taking the stage, Justin Park took time to immerse himself in the festival atmosphere, meeting and greeting fans who had attended the festival to see him perform. Adding an extra layer of excitement to the evening, Justin Park surprised the audience by inviting a very special guest, LUC-iD, to join him on stage, where they delivered a mesmerizing collaborative performance. LUC-iD (Lucid Shinobi) is a civil rights activist turned Pop-Punk star. He leverages his platform to give a voice to the voiceless and a purpose to the purposeless. LUC-iD has been making music since the 7th grade and draws inspiration from his diverse cultural roots. His fluency in three languages—English, Korean, and Vietnamese—adds a unique depth to his artistry. Amid their busy night in Houston, both Justin Park and LUC-iD graciously spared time for an interview with K-Fuse, providing insight into their journeys and sharing their passions with SoundLovers everywhere. Interview Hi, Justin and LUC-iD! What an honor it is to be able to connect with you here in Houston at the Starry Night Festival. We first want to say thank you for taking the time to talk with us here at K Fuse. We love your work and we are big fans of yours! Could you please take a moment to say hello and introduce yourself to followers/readers (We proudly call them #SoundLovers as most are fans of multiple artists and genres)? LUC-iD: Hey Sound Lovers my name is LUC-iD. I am a black mixed artist straight from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and I am coming to bring you my music. Justin Park: What's up y'all? Some of y'all may or may not know my name. My name is Justin Park from Los Angeles. I’m a R&B singer and performer. Shoutout to K-Fuse! Who / What influenced you to pursue music as a career? LUC-iD: First, I would say my mom, because she would sing me lullabies. As for someone in the music industry, I would say T-Pain. Justin Park: One of my main inspirations is my father. Next, I would say Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is definitely one of the founding fathers for my understanding of music, and Chris Brown! Do you have a specific message that you want to deliver across to your fans with your music? LUC-iD: Anything that you are going through in life, I know life may not always be as light as we want it to be and there is a lot of darkness, I promise that through all that pain and suffering there will be something bound to fulfill. So, anything you want to pursue in life, I promise you that as long as you ten toes down, stick with your team, and stay loyal and faithful in the things that you do, I promise you that you will succeed! Justin Park: I would say to all the people reading this on K-Fuse, to just stick with your dreams and don’t forget who you are in the process because sometimes the process can be long. I started my music career when I was 17. I am 27 now, turning 28 next year, and I will never ever say that this journey is easy. But if someone ever asked me, “Was it worth it?” Hell yes! I would do this ten times over in a lifetime for any of the lifetimes. So, I am thankful for everyone out there listening to my music, listening to what I have to say about life, because if it weren't for y'all, there would be no journey. So, thank you all! Thank you K-Fuse! What has been the most encouraging message you have received in your career - whether it be from a fan, family member, or another artist? Justin Park: I’ll go first! As someone who deals with a lot of personal issues, a lot of confidence issues, and self-doubt that often keeps me from getting to the goal of being the person that I want to be, I am here fighting and working every day of my life to be one of the best artists in the world. My fans and everybody rocking with me right now, that’s where I find my motivation. It’s always going to be a rocky road, but you have to follow your dreams because you only get one chance at life. LUC-iD: I am going to say the message that Justin Park just gave right now. That was very encouraging haha! Lastly, is there a message you would like to leave for your fans and our #SoundLovers? LUC-iD: SoundLovers, when you are feeling down, just remember that the day is almost done and tomorrow will be a brand new one, so don’t give up on anything you’re working on. Not every day will be a sunny day, but at the end of the day, everything you do is your choice! Justin Park: I think many of us expect life to be perfect and painless, but you will come across many hardships and pain. However, in those hard times you must seek the light and you will find yourself where you belong. I feel like I get lost all the time, but God and the right people bring me right back where I am supposed to be. So, thank you to my family, thank you to my friends, thank you to LUC-iD, thank you to God, and of course, thank you to KFuse for this lovely interview. This has been Justin Park and LUC-iD! You can find our full gallery of their performance, here Be sure to keep up with Justin Park and LUC-iD on social media for updates! Thank you to AZA Entertianment, the team at Starry Nite Arts Festival, Justin Park and LUC-iD.

Get to Know the Actor, Musician, & Writer Alan Z Introduction Following an electrifying performance at Atlanta's Korean festival, the sensational artist Alan Z made a remarkable appearance at Houston's Starry Nite Art Festival . Alan graced the stage, captivating the audience with an energizing showcase of his latest two-track single, "Libra Energy" and "No Way." Before his electrifying performance, the artist generously shared moments with his adoring fans, who had traveled more than three hours to be in his presence. He graciously posed for photos and signed autographs, making the festival experience unforgettable for his dedicated supporters. But the surprises didn't end there. Alan Z, known for his approachable and genuine personality, made time for an exclusive in-person interview with K-Fuse. A momentous interaction that offered deeper insights into his music and artistry. Dive into the exclusive interview below and delve into the world of Alan Z. K-Fuse: Hi, Alan Z! What an honor it is to be able to connect with you here in Houston at the Starry Nite Art Festival. We first want to say thank you for taking the time to talk with us here at K Fuse. We love your work! Our founders are big fans of yours and covered your recent performance at the Atlanta Korean Festival on September 30th. K-Fuse: Could you please take a moment to say hello and introduce yourself to followers/readers (We proudly call them #SoundLovers as most are fans of multiple artists and genres)? Alan: Hey Sound Lovers my name is Alan Z. I'm a rapper, singer and actor based in Atlanta, Georgia and I am happy to be here to share my story with you guys. K-Fuse: Who / What has had the greatest impact on your choice to pursue music as a career? Alan: I would say the ultimate inspiration for me since childhood would definitely be Eminem, but I also have a lot of influences outside of him. I am really into 90’s and 2000’s hip-hop. Some names I can come up with are Nas, Jay Z, 50 Cent, Tonedeff. But also, because I sing too, I would say Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, The Weeknd. So, I’m a blend as far as my influences. K-Fuse: Not only are you a musician, but also an actor. Tell us a little about how you got into this role. Alan: I first got interested in acting through high school. I did improv and theater, and I minored in acting in college. I always wanted to act and I knew I had the ability but when I was younger, I didn’t know it was possible because every role I saw that was for Asian people, especially Asian men was always negative, so I put it on the back burner. I was like, “I’m going to do music first,” because it seemed like I would be able to express myself the way I wanted to. However, 2018 happened and Crazy Rich Asians came out and all of these big movies with Asian casts happened and it made me realize it was possible. I was like “I really want to do this.” Now acting is my primary passion. I still love music of course, but I can see myself acting long term more than anything else. K-Fuse: As an independent artist, how do you feel that social media has impacted the music industry? Alan: I think there are pros and cons. For example, you don’t have to be reserved to just your city. You can go out digitally and meet different people. It’s a good tool if you know how to use it. However, one thing social media has done is made everyone feel like they can do it. Not just music but anything, so now it is an oversaturated market for anything you wanna do, and finding a star is like finding a needle in a haystack. You have to go really hard and go above and beyond to stand among everyone else and that’s a challenge. K-Fuse: Among listeners, you are well-known for having developed your own unique sound by fusing hip-hop with R&B melodies and pop. What was that process like for you to find and create your own unique sound that set you apart from other artists? Alan: I think it was really finding out who I am as a person. I am still discovering that but I would say because I mix all these genres such as hip-hop, R&B, and pop primarily it helps me identify who I am and what I am. I'm a person that isn’t just a one trick pony, which is why I like to incorporate different sounds into my work. But also the way I write is different from everyone. People who really listen to my lyrics know that I incorporate a lot of pop culture references, a lot of wordplay, alliteration, and a lot of nerdy stuff that a lot of people who are not rap nerds would not care about. However I do it because it's a quirk. It's part of my personality. So, that part of me I think is very unique. K-Fuse: You just recently released "Libra Energy." Could you talk about the creative process, inspiration/s and meaning behind "Libra Energy?" Alan: I'm not the biggest connoisseur of zodiac knowledge. However, I am really into my own zodiac sign; I am really into being a Libra. I wanted to write a song that captures that energy, no pun intended, because I understand my zodiac very well. I also thought it would be a very fun song to release which is why I released it on October 6th, two days before my birthday as a celebration to myself. If you guys listen to “Libra Energy,” either on Spotify or Apple Music, you will notice that there is a bonus track called “No Way.” You know, us Libras have the scale, the balance, so we have the lighthearted song “Libra Energy,” and “No Way,” which is more trap-melodic and darker. So it is a two-track single. K-Fuse: Well, Happy Belated Birthday! What was it like working on "Spends Like Money" for the 3rd season of HBO's "Warrior?" Alan: Thank you! It was great! I’ve been trying to get on Warrior for like 3 seasons now, so I am glad I got to go on this 3rd season. Third time's the charm I guess. I was really honored. I think Warrior is a great show to be a part of, especially because I am a huge fan of Bruce Lee and when I released that song, the Bruce Lee estate reposted my song on their Twitter and also on their Instagram. It was like getting that validation. Also, being part of the legacy of a platform like HBO Max is cool because I grew up watching The Wire, and Game of Thrones. To be part of that network is awesome. K-Fuse: What's the best advice you've been given as a singer? Alan: Don’t listen to everyone’s opinions if they’re not qualified. I think when you’re an artist of any sort, people are going to have all these different types of things to say about you, and you’re going to have to filter out what works for you and what does not. That’s really the trick behind finding yourself because you’re going to have all these different opinions, all this different feedback and it's up to you to figure out what’s going to work for you. K-Fuse: Lastly, is there a message you would like to leave for your fans? Alan: Yeah, I would love to see all of you guys in person, so I know online love is great. I love to see you all like and comment stuff, but I also like to hug all of my fans and meet them in person. SO if I am ever in your city, please come out so that I can meet you, thank you, and just hang out with you guys. Thank you K-Fuse! STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH ALAN Z ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MORE RELEASES AND PERFORMANCE UPDATES INSTAGRAM | TWITTER (X) | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY Thank you to the team at AZA Entertianment, Starry Nite Festival and Alan Z along with his team for this amazing opportunity! Written and Photographed by Team Member Deborah R.