DAVIDE K-POP

KARD are back and better than ever with their 7th mini album, Where To Now? (Part.1: Yellow Light), and I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with them once again for an exclusive interview! For those who’ve been following our journey, you might remember our interview last year just before their European tour, as well as a recent chat with BM about his solo work. Now, I’m thrilled to reconnect with the fantastic quartet!

For those new to KARD, they’re a South Korean co-ed group under DSP Media, consisting of members J.Seph, BM, Somin, and Jiwoo. Since their official debut on July 19, 2017, with the extended play Hola Hola, they’ve been breaking boundaries and winning hearts worldwide.

Fast forward to today, they’ve just celebrated their 7th anniversary—a milestone they’re sharing with their loyal fans, affectionately known as Hidden KARDs, through the release of this new mini album. The title track, “Tell My Momma,” is already making waves, and there’s so much more to uncover.

Before we dive into the interview, KARD has a special message for all of you. Let’s hear what they had to say!

Davide: Hello KARD, this is Davide! Thank you so much for taking the time for this chat, it’s our 2nd one (3rd one if we count the one with BM a few months back) and I couldn’t be happier! How have you been? For those who might be new to KARD, could you please introduce yourselves?
KARD
BM: What up Davide!!  We are KARD we are a co-ed kpop group consisting of 2 males and 2 females and we just came back with a album so we hope you like it!
J.Seph: Hello, I’m J.Seph, ace of KARD! Nice to meet you all! 
Somin: Hello, this is Somin, the main vocalist of KARD. 🙂 I’m happy to meet you again with this new album!
Jiwoo: Hello, this is Jiwoo from KARD.

Davide: Your 7th mini-album, Where To Now? (Part.1: Yellow Light), is out on August 13th. Can you tell us more about this album’s concept and creative process?
KARD
BM: Where To Now consists of 5 new and diverse tracks. It’s got a bit of pop, reggaeton, hiphop, afropop! We went with the title “where to now” to put less value on the destination but more on who youre in the journey with as well as the process of the journey itself.
J.Seph: The concept has a gentle, breezy mood, and the process of making the album was so enjoyable—it felt like going back to my trainee days. I was really pleased to see my songwriting skills, which I’ve loved for a long time, come to life in this album!
Somin: While preparing the album, I also got to see a new side of KARD. Although we maintained some of the existing colors of KARD, we made a lot of effort to find something new within that. It took a while to work on this album, but we had a lot of fun preparing it, so please enjoy listening to it!
Jiwoo: After 1 year and 3 months since ‘Icky,’ our comeback ‘Where to Now’ features a retro concept from the ’80s and ’90s and includes 5 songs that we’ve poured our love into over a long period of work!

Davide: Do you have a favourite track from the new album? If so, which one and why?KARD
BM: My (BM’s) favourite track personally at the moment is “Waste my Time”. It’s very emotional and had me on a different vibe than the usual hard hitting, performance heavy tracks that KARD usually does.
J.Seph: My favourite is Spin. Because it is the mood that the KARD excels in the most, and it is strong in terms of performance!
Somin: I really love “Spin”! I originally wanted it to be the title track. I could really imagine us doing well with it, and while it carries the energy of KARD, I think it has a brighter and more unique quality. That’s why it’s my favourite.
Jiwoo: Spin- I love the choreography for this song hehe.

Davide: The title Where To Now? (Part.1: Yellow Light) hints that there might be a Part 2. Can you share any details or teasers about what fans can expect next?
KARD
BM: This time we decided to take out a lot of the extra things and give a more relaxing, easy listening vibe! Kind of a less is more approach when it comes to this album.
J.Seph: It seems that the “Yellow light” represents a brief pause or a moment of reflection. Considering this, it looks like we’re planning to explore how we should move forward and address these aspects.
Somin: I can’t say for sure about the preparation for Part 2 right now, but we’re working on it so that it can come out very soon! I want to let you know that we’re aiming to create a great song that will hopefully make it into your playlists again 🙂

Davide: You have some exciting tours lined up, including the KPOP Fusion Tour 2024 in Germany and the KARD NEW ERA Tour in North America. What are you most looking forward to during these tours?
KARD
BM: Really just to reconnect with old fans and hopefully meet some new ones as well while sharing good vibes and happiness!
J.Seph: What I’m most looking forward to is meeting my old friends after a long time! It’s a great joy to see my always-welcome friends again, or truly after a long while
Somin: While planning this tour, I think the setlist might change quite a bit! What I’m really looking forward to is the time we get to spend together with our fans and KARD.
Jiwoo: I’m excited because there are places we haven’t been to before or ones we’re visiting after a long time!

Davide: Since you’re touring in Germany, can European fans expect more dates in other countries? Any hints on whether you’ll be visiting more places in Europe?
KARD
BM: A lot of talks are in the works right now regarding extra countries and cities in the EU so please stay tuned!
J.Seph: I’ve got plans for cities we’ve never been to before, as well as those we’ve already visited.
Somin: I really want to go 🙂 We’ll do our best to visit as many places as possible while we can!
Jiwoo: I really miss our European fans! I’ll do my best to see you all as soon as possible 😋

Davide: You’ve all been so busy, especially BM with his solo work and tours. Have you all had any time to rest or take a holiday since we last spoke? How do you balance such a hectic schedule?
KARD
BM: I honestly have no idea. I think if I’m not on stage or in front of a camera, I’m either dozing off or asleep because I’m so tired. But i find this a blessing because it’s much better than waiting for another opportunity to promote an album
J.Seph: I’m planning to take quite a substantial vacation!
Somin: Before the busy schedule starts, I’m getting mentally prepared 🙂 Honestly, when the busy days actually hit, it feels like I can’t even think about how to handle it. I think it’s important to get my body and mind well-prepared before things get hectic.
Jiwoo: We’re just like others, haha. When there’s a schedule, I work, and when I avoid schedules, I plan and take a rest, haha

Davide: Congratulations on your 7th anniversary! What does this milestone mean to you, and do you have any special memories from these past years? 
KARD
BM: Thank you very much ! Lucky number 7! I think there are so many memories but rather than one specific one, the collective of memories that have helped us grow and mature to who we are today shows us we’ve came a long way and that we’ve got even longer to go
J.Seph: I didn’t sign the contract after seeing the end, but even though there was an end, we embarked on a new beginning together. Every moment was special and precious. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead!
Somin: Wow, thank you so much 🤍 There hasn’t been a single moment that wasn’t special during the time we’ve together. I’m grateful for every moment, including how much fans have enjoyed the music of our band and the times we’ve met. Even though there were certainly challenging and exhausting moments along the way, I’m thankful for the strength that helped us rise again. I’m also truly grateful for the chance to see our fans.
Jiwoo: I never thought I would make it this far when we debuted. I’m grateful for everything that has brought us here.

Davide: Lastly, do you have a special message for your Hidden KARDs who have supported you throughout this journey?
KARD
BM: Thank you all so much dearly for all the constant support. Can’t wait to see you soon and bring you new music and content! Stay tuned because it’s going to be a big and fun year for all of us!
J.Seph: I’m sorry for making you wait, and thank you for your patience. I appreciate your faith in a group that comes around once a year. I will make sure to repay your trust and love. Thank you for your overwhelming support ❤️
Somin: Hidden KARD 🤍 Words can’t fully express it, but I’m always grateful and love you. Hidden Kard gives us so much strength. Thank you for always watching over us and supporting us without change. We’ll continue to deliver great music performances from this spot, just as we always have. Let’s stay healthy and see each other for a long time 🤍. I love you 🤍
Jiwoo: My loves, our Hidden KARD, thank you so much for accompanying us through all these moments. I hope we can continue to be together in the future. I love you-!”

Davide: Thank you so much BM, Somin, Jiwoo and J.seph for taking the time to answer my questions, I look forward to listening to the album and hopefully seeing you face to face soon! Keep up the good work and keep well! 화이팅!

And that’s a wrap! I would like to thank KARD for taking the time for this interview, during their busy schedule and all the Hidden KARDs reading this. THANK YOU!
Make sure to support and stream KARD’s 7th mini-album Where To Now? (Part.1: Yellow Light) and all your digital platforms.