DAVIDE K-POP

In the ever-dazzling landscape of K-pop, where dynamic melodies and electrifying performances reign supreme, there exists a group that effortlessly stands out, captivating hearts worldwide with their distinctive fusion of genres and magnetic personalities. KARD, the sensational co-ed quartet comprising J.Seph, B.M, Somin, and Jiwoo, has taken the world by storm with their music that knows no bounds. As the excitement builds for their upcoming tour to the vibrant city of London on September 6, we had the privilege of virtually sitting down with these talented artists to delve into their journey, aspirations, and the exhilaration they’re bringing to the stage in this exclusive interview.

If you are interested in seeing KARD performing in Europe, please use this link for all the info and tickets available.

KARD isn’t your average K-pop group; they’re a harmonious blend of talents that transcends the traditional boundaries of the genre. With their infectious tracks and enigmatic charm, they’ve carved a niche that’s uniquely their own.
From their debut hit “Oh NaNa” to their chart-toppers like “Ring the Alarm” “ICKY” and beyond, KARD has left an indelible mark on the global music scene.

In our exclusive interview, we dived into the hearts and minds of the members, uncovering their thoughts on music, touring, and their much-anticipated London show. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover the beating heart behind KARD’s exhilarating performances and get a sneak peek into what fans can expect on their upcoming tour.

Davide: Hi, I hope you are having a blast, enjoying the different cities and also having some rest too. How are you guys doing?

SOMIN – We’re having a great time meeting our fans from all around the world. We always get a lot of energy from the fans who love and support our music.
JIWOO – We just came back to Korea after finishing tours in Mexico, Costa Rica, and US. We’re going to take a short break to recharge ourselves and catch up with friends and have foods we missed. Then we’ll be heading to Europe for the next tour.

Davide: Congratulations on the success of your hit album “ICKY”! The whole album is incredible! Can you share with us the inspiration behind the album and what makes it stand out from your previous works?

BM – We wanted to push boundaries on narrative and performability. Using lyricism and our co-ed factor, we tried to be a bit more bold with our music and in essence do something that lies outside of the more conventional conservative KPOP.
J.SEPH – The demo version of this song was great to begin with. We further developed the song by adding details. Because of the good melody, I was able to rap.

Davide: “ICKY” has received widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike. Were there any challenges faced during the production of this album, and how did you overcome them as a group?

BM – This album had the least amount of challenges. The biggest one was really overcoming the anxiety of the possibility that ICKY might have not been the title to the album. Luckily the consensus came to pushing ICKY forward which everyone was ultimately happy about.
SOMIN – There were some difficulties confirming as a title track of the album. We wanted to show fans new vibes and different images compared to our previous title and seemed to be the best choice, fulfilling our desires. We had other potential title tracks, and it was a very difficult decision. We felt kind of anxious and impatient sometimes as time passes but we communicated our thoughts and concerns to the company and thanks to their positive response, we were able to release . We feel so grateful the love that so many people have shown us.

Davide: You’ll be bringing your Playground World Tour to London soon. What makes this tour different from your previous tours, and what are you most excited about performing for your fans in London?

J.SEPH – LONDON! It’s been a long time since we last visited London. We’re excited to spend time with London HIDDEN KARDS that we’ve missed so much. Please look forward to the unit stage of BM and me as well.
JIWOO – We’re excited to perform in London after such a long time. We’re looking forward to keeping in tune with London HIDDEN KARDS. Can’t wait to show how much we improved since we last met. We would also like to explore London if there’s a free time.

Davide: As one of the few co-ed groups from Korea, you’ve broken barriers in the industry. How does it feel to represent this unique dynamic, and do you think it brings a fresh perspective to your music and performances? And when you debuted, did you find it more challenging to establish yourselves because of that, or did it make you feel even more special and distinct as a group?

BM – Because we are all raised and trained in an environment that teaches you to be conservative and obedient, like many artists, we weren’t able to nor allowed to find our own color ourselves. It took until our 6th year to be able to see what’s best for our group. That being said we do understand that there is a creative factor and a business aspect of being an artist. finding the fine line between being the most authentic “us” as possible while keeping in consideration the marketability has been one of the hardest but also one of the most fun problems to solve. We found not only a clear direction but that fine line between artistic and business and plan to keep pushing.

Davide: KARD is known for its captivating performances and energetic stages. Can you tell us what fans in London can expect from the Playground World Tour show?

SOMIN – It’s been such a long time since we last performed in London. We believe you’ll see more relaxed, improved, and better KARD compared to our previous concerts. Many songs have been released since our last visit, and we want to deliver great performance of those songs including ICKY.

Davide: Touring can be a whirlwind experience. What do you enjoy the most about going on tour, and do you have any fun or unforgettable memories from past tours or even this current one?

J.SEPH – We receive a lot of energy through the show, which allows us to enjoy ourselves on the stage every time. However, dealing with numerous laundries and long flights since we travel on planes every time, is a bit challenging. Of course, we can put up with it from the energy that fans gives us.
JIWOO – The most enjoyable aspect of the tour is meeting fans face to face and building up a good memory with them for sure. It was our first visit in Costa Rica and we received great energy from them. During my off-stage hours, I enjoy traveling by myself finding a way with a map. After concluding US tour, I treated myself to a wonderful course meal in the last city of the tour.

Davide: Your friendship is evident in your interactions with each other, both on and off stage. What’s the secret behind maintaining such a close bond, and how do you support each other during challenging times?

J.SEPH – We consider and carefully concern each other in tough times. We feel intimacy and gratitude, knowing that we have considerate hearts to each other.
SOMIN – I believe that we have a very tight bond over time. We’ve always shared happiness, difficulties, concerns, struggles together. Going through all those things together, it’s inevitable that we have close knit relationship.

Davide: We’ve seen many fun and lighthearted moments on your Instagram and TikTok, from the viral ICKY dance challenge to the hilarious clips with Ral Ral. Could you share a funny or memorable moment that happened while preparing for any of these clips?

JIWOO – We created our TikTok account just about a year ago. We created it during the album, but we weren’t very active on TikTok back then. We are now creating various TikTok content, putting in a lot of effort together from this album promotion. We’re so grateful that fans are enjoying it.
J.SEPH – I especially remember the challenge we did with Ral Ral. The idea was so interesting. We did our best since Ral Ral really committed to being funny. Did you enjoy it?
Davide: I absolutely loved it, it made me laugh out loud. I try to don’t take myself too seriously at times, and I could see myself doing the video together and have a big laugh.

Davide: The global K-pop community is incredibly diverse and passionate. What message do you have for your fans in London and all around the world who have been eagerly waiting to see you perform live?

JIWOO – We would like to thank all the fans who enthusiastically love and anticipate music from distant country. We want to make music for a long time to fulfil their expectations.
SOMIN – KARD’s journey will continue. Please look forward to our new music, that we will work hard on, which will be refreshing and empowering for all of you. We sincerely thank the fans for always giving us so much love. We love you!

Davide: Being on a world tour must expose you to various cultures and experiences. How has this journey influenced your music and your perspectives as artists?

BM – The most beautiful part of touring is the fact that despite cultural differences, people all over the world vibe with our music, character, and narrative to the point where even though we are from a different country, our group still peaks interest. It influences our music + cultural nuance and builds understanding of the fans in their respective countries. How many people get to experience an opportunity like this? We take all the energy we get from tours and pour it back into our craft.

Davide: As you continue to gain popularity internationally, what are your future aspirations as a group? Are any upcoming projects or collaborations you have in the works?

SOMIN – Like we’ve released a remix featuring DJ ALOCK recently, we are always open for collaboration opportunities. We will continue to work hard and do our best to show amazing projects. We promise you that we won’t ever disappoint you.

Davide: On a personal level, what would be your next steps or goals at the end of this world tour?

BM – Just to have the next album ready to go immediately!
J.SEPH – We’ll take some time to recharge ourselves and manage upcoming projects in Korea first. We gotta get over the jet lag as well.
SOMIN – I’m planning to improve myself in both vocal and performance for the upcoming album. Since many fans also visit my YouTube channel, I’ll work hard on YouTube to communicate and engage with them.
JIWOO- I’d like to spend more time on self-development after the tour comes to an end.

Davide: Lastly, do you have any special messages or surprises in store for your fans in London at the Playground concert that you’d like to share with them?

BM – Prepare to be drenched in sweat, experience a euphoric rush, and just to party really hard with one of your favorite KPOP groups! We have so much love to give and spoil you all with so I hope the feeling is mutual. its going to be one of the best nights of our lives.

Davide: Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my questions, it was a pleasure and I look forward to meeting you all in London. I wanna check who got bigger biceps if me or you BM, and I will also exercise my dance skills, let’s dance ICKY all together!
THANK YOU SO MUCH and I’ll see you soon!
Davide

So, there you have it! Davide K-pop Exclusive interview with KARD!

Fasten your seatbelts ,KARD will be performing in London at the Electric Boardroom on the 6th of September, tickets are available here. They are going fast, so don’t miss this out!

Stay tuned for a review of the show coming soon after the concert!