Exclusive Interview: ALL(H)OURS Discuss Why They Are Worthy of ‘Rookie of The Year’ Award

ALLHOURS
Credit: EDEN Entertainment

If you’re worried there aren’t enough hours in the day to listen to K-Pop – think again. Boy group ALL(H)OURS officially made a comeback that will turn you into a K-Popholic and you’ll never sleep again!

After one year of musical success, ALL(H)OURS have reached new heights since their debut. Under EDEN Entertainment, the seven-member boy group consisting of Kunho, Youmin, Xayden, Minje, Masami, Hyunbin, and ON:N debuted in January of 2024. They grabbed our attention with their debut single “Gotcha” and flipped the script with the devilishly fun track “SHOCK.” Now, they have returned with their third-mini album ‘Smoke Point’ and title track “Graffiti,” a synthetic dance-pop song with a brassy instrumental and electric vibe. They also highlighted their B-Track “GIMME GIMME” with an adventurous MV showcasing the members in a never-ending desert wasteland while dripping in high fashion. 

Now, the members met with ZAPZEE to share their thoughts on not only their musical journey but also their YouTube vlog, favorite eats, and favorite online trends! Before hastily reading, check out the group’s wonderful exclusive video message for Min(ut)e fans down below. 

Congratulations on your one year anniversary! How does it feel to be together for one year and what has been your biggest achievement so far? 

YOUMIN: I believe that because all seven of us worked hard together we were able to continue to record better music each time. Now it feels like we are truly a family and it will be hard to separate us. These are the people I want to be with for a long time. I think the biggest achievement so far is that ALL(H)OURS have been nominated for the Rookie of the Year award. I believe that if we continue to work hard together, we can rise even higher and win bigger awards. 

XAYDEN: ALL(H)OURS has become stronger and closer over the past year. Each member also improved their skills a lot and we continue to show upgraded versions of ourselves. However, I believe there are still many things we have not shown yet, so we will keep challenging ourselves moving forward.

Tell us about your new song “Graffiti” – how did you come up with the title and concept? How did you feel when you first heard this song? 

YOUMIN: “Graffiti” was a new challenge for ALL(H)OURS. We wanted to express all the feelings that we had inside us, letting them out freely, like painting graffiti. I think the title and the music itself really suited us, and when we first heard it, we were excited because it was definitely a new vibe from us that felt young and free.

MINJE: Our third mini-album ‘Smoke Point’ symbolizes that ALL(H)OURS has grown and developed as artists after the experiences from recording and promoting our first and second mini-albums. To express this, the theme of graffiti was used, which is a form of street art where you can freely express your thoughts through drawings or words with spray paint. This led to the creation of “Graffiti,” a song full of freedom and ambition. When I first heard the track, I thought it was the perfect song to express the unique style of ALL(H)OURS. It is currently my favorite song from this album. 

Are there any funny stories or difficult experiences that occurred while making your third mini album Smoke Point

XAYDEN: I do not have my driver’s license yet, but there were scenes in the “GIMME GIMME” music video where I had to pretend to drive and use the windshield. I struggled a bit with handling the car in that part, but it was fun.

ON:N: When we had to film the outdoor scene for the “GIMME GIMME” music video, it suddenly started snowing a lot as if the sky was pouring snow on us. We had to be on standby for an hour or two but the snow did not seem like it was going to stop so the shoot for that day got canceled and we had to film it on another day. As for the challenging part, the choreography for the two title tracks was hard. These routines required much more practice than the ones we had done before. The moves are so precise that even a small mistake could change the whole vibe of the performance. Balancing the choreography while singing live was not easy.

What is ALL(H)OURS favorite part about recording in the studio or preparing for an album? 

MINJE: I get excited and enjoy recording when preparing for an album. No matter how much we practice there are always moods or techniques that I am not used to. I learned a lot and really get a clear sense of what I could still work on. Recording is the moment where I feel the most development so I think that is why I look forward to it when we start preparing for an album.

HYUNBIN: I think I have always enjoyed shooting music videos the most. After all the preparation when we finally start filming is when we can really show our acting skills and performances. Imagining how our fans Min(ut)es will enjoy watching the performance makes the whole experience so much more fun. It is definitely one of the parts I always look forward to.

What do the members usually eat or drink when they want a boost of energy? 

KUNHO: I do not think I have any go-to food, I just eat any food that comes to mind when I feel hungry. But recently I had Jokbal (pig’s feet).

MINJE: I tend to drink sweet drinks and I usually go for iced tea. When I feel drained or tired, eating something sweet seems to help me wake up and recharge. I crave sweets quite often. 

ALL(H)OURS have been filming their YouTube series ‘ALL MINE YOU’RE MINE’ and the editing is quite hilarious! Do the members ever watch the episodes or discuss how it should be edited with the PD? 

MASAMI: Before we film ‘ALL MINE YOU’RE MINE’ I usually ask the staff what kind of jokes would be fun to use in each different concept. I tend to strategize the best timing that would be fun to make a joke.

HYUNBIN:  Yes, we definitely enjoy watching ‘ALL MINE YOU’RE MINE’ whenever we have free time or when we are eating lunch or dinner. There are always funny parts in the editing that make me burst into laughter. I often talk with the members about those moments, pointing out the parts that we think are especially funny. 

Which episode from the ‘ALL MINE YOU’RE MINE’ YouTube series is the members’ favorite?

MASAMI: My favorite is when I went to the haunted house with MINJE. I honestly did not expect it to be scary at all. But as soon as we stepped into the haunted house, it was so frightening. We tried to get out of the house quickly because both of us were so scared, but the whole experience was really fun, and I was happy at the same time.

HYUNBIN: So far, I think my favorite moment was when we filmed ALL COMPANY. It was such a fun concept to do, and it was the first time I ever experienced going into a haunted house. I ended up having such an enjoyable time! 

What was your favorite TikTok challenge or Instagram reel of 2024? 

MINJE:  I think the reels that I filmed with the Minions filter are my favorite. It is fun and easy to recreate. But what really made it stand out was that when I first saw it, I instantly thought that it was perfect for me. It left a strong impression, so it is definitely the one I like the most.

ON:N: I love all the reels I have filmed but if I had to pick one I think the cover of NCT Wish “Wish” which I shot at Ueno Park in Japan around April would be my favorite. I practiced for a long time to get it right, and filming it among the beautiful cherry blossoms made the video even more beautiful.

Sadly, all good things like this interview must come to an end. As we wrapped things up, ALL(H)OURS didn’t forget to express their love for Min(ut)es and the boys shared their final thoughts and messages with fans. 

KUNHO: Hello, Min(ut)e! You have waited for a long time, right? Thank you for waiting for us. We will definitely make it worth the wait with an even cooler and more upgraded performance. This album will have a lot to look forward to! Also, we are preparing for our first solo concert ALL the HOURS so let’s have fun together! ALL(H)OURS can overcome everything thanks to our Min(ut)es. Love you always!

YOUMIN: Min(ut)e! We are finally making our comeback with our third mini-album ‘Smoke Point!’ I am so grateful to all the Min(ut)es who have been waiting for us. Through this album, we will definitely make your eyes and ears happy! Thank you always and we love you so much. 

XAYDEN: It has been a minute, Min(ut)e! It took a bit longer, but we have really worked hard to make sure you feel the energy and excitement we have put into this album! We will make sure to make you even happier for all the time you have waited. Thank you for waiting, love you Min(ut)e!

How much more do you love ALL(H)OURS? The rookie group is certainly a force to be reckoned with. If you want to know the group even more watch ALL(H)OURS’ endlessly entertaining vlogs for hours on end on their official YouTube and follow them on Instagram and Twitter for more updates! Don’t forget to follow ZAPZEE on Instagram and Twitter for more updates and exclusive interviews. Don’t forget to check out our exclusive photo down below as well.

Credit: EDEN Entertainment x ZAPZEE

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