Seven-member boy group TEMPEST, consisting of HYEONGSEOP, HYUK, TAERAE, EUNCHAN, LEW, HANBIN, and HWARANG, recently returned to the music scene with a new album, displaying strong, refreshing charms.
'ON and ON' marks the septet's third mini-album, featuring the title song "Dragon," which is a hybrid trap song about the appearance of a dragon flying higher than a dream. The album also includes the B-side tracks "Taste The Feeling," "Loving Number," and "Raise Me Up."
To commemorate their latest release, allkpop sat down with TEMPEST to dish on 'ON and ON,' their dreams that are as high as a dragon, what it's like to participate in the creation of the album, and more. Continue reading to know more about the boys of TEMPEST!
TEMPEST shout-out video to allkpop readers:
allkpop: Congratulations on your comeback with 'ON and ON'! You just released your 2nd mini-album 'SHINING UP' last August, and now you're back with a new one! How do you feel that you released another album in a span of only three months? How was the experience? Were you able to prepare well for 'ON and ON'?
TEMPEST: It's ME, It's WE! Hello, we are TEMPEST!
Hyeongseop: It took three months for us to come back. It was really a short time, but I'm really happy to be back. Compared to our previous one, our comeback became really stronger. It's actually a different kind of concept, so we're trying for the new album, and we're very happy about the new things. By that, we improved our group first and performances in various spectrums, so it was really good for us too. We monitor each other, that makes our team better and we are very busy preparing, but we are really happy and it's a pleasure.
allkpop: What message do you want to convey through the album? Is there anything you hope the listeners will pay attention to?
Hyuk: Our album 'ON and ON' includes the story of TEMPEST who sings about 'WE' who are courageous and who just go on and on to move to a broader future. There are many good songs on this album. This album is very good, so please listen to it a lot. Thank you!
allkpop: What was the creative process for this single album like? Did each of you get a certain persona that you had to portray for this comeback?
Lew: This album has really another thing, like strong things and charisma. We got personal from this album, and we studied our parts really hard. Also, all members have really strong eyes, like glaring.
allkpop: Lew and Hwarang took part in writing the lyrics of the tracks. Who or what are your sources of inspiration? How do you feel about being able to participate in the creative side of being more than just a singer?
Hwarang: First of all, I am really honored to have this credit. I got inspiration from pictures and scenes, especially for the title song, "Dragon." There are many scenes related to "Dragon," so I saw many videos about dragons. And in those videos, I can maybe get some things like atmosphere and objects. I get inspired by them.
Lew: It's also an honor to have my credits. I wrote TEMPEST's story, and I think about our beloved IEs. I get inspiration from my daily life.
allkpop: How did the recording of the album tracks go? Did any of you have any difficulties?
Hyuk: The title "Dragon" and other B-side songs have different concepts because the title is really strong, and the other tracks are cool and refreshing, so it was hard for me, but I really tried hard, and all the members did really well. Actually, all songs have a really high level of focus, so all members have practiced hard.
allkpop: The title song, "Dragon," describes the group's dreams of a flying dragon. What else is your biggest dream you hope to achieve someday?
Lew: We came back with 'ON and ON,' and I want to get higher like a dragon and grow as time passes by. My dream is to get number one on music shows, and maybe a bigger dream is holding a concert. I also want to attend award ceremonies, and I want to win something like 'Best Group' or 'Best Album.'
allkpop: TEMPEST debuted this year. What was it like to make your debut as a group during a pandemic? What were the challenges and highlights?
Hyeongseop: We debuted this year in March, so for our first performances, there were no IEs, so that was really sad for us, and we felt empty. For our performances of our second album, there were already IEs, so that was really cool for me and they got to cheer us up for our performances. The highlight is that we got a rookie award...maybe IEs know our effort.
allkpop: We're curious to see how each member brings something new or out of themselves for TEMPEST. What does each member believe they bring to the table?
Taerae: There are many sides that I couldn't show. I'm the youngest one but, inside, I do have other sides to show.
Eunchan: I also have many unexpected charms like strong, dark, and powerful.
allkpop: At the press showcase, you said that you felt some pressure to outperform the new album, but "in a good way." How do you usually handle the pressure? How do you work on it?
Lew: I said at the showcase that I felt some pressure in a good way. I want TEMPEST to grow and I think practicing is the answer. Maybe we can communicate with IEs and make a lot of content. We talk a lot, so I think that can make us better.
allkpop: Is there a song you've been listening to on repeat lately, or one on your playlist, that you'd like to recommend to us?
Hwarang: Of course, our new album, 'ON and ON'! All the songs are really good so please listen to them. I usually listen to AJR's soundtracks these days.
allkpop: TEMPEST won the 'Male Rookie of the Year' award at the 2022 Genie Music Awards. You have also been nominated for the 'Best New Male Artist' for the upcoming '2022 MAMA Awards.' As a group that only debuted this year, that's a huge achievement already! How do you feel about winning and being nominated at year-end award shows, that people are supporting you and your music?
Lew: It was an honor to win the 'Male Rookie of the Year' award at the Genie Music Awards. We were also nominated at the MAMA Awards, so we are very thankful for that. We will keep being humble as artists and as singers. We really wanted to get the MAMA Award to thank IEs.
allkpop: Please leave a short message for everyone!
Hanbin: Thank you for interviewing us! We will keep growing. Please love TEMPEST more! Thank you!
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