Words by Kimberly Haddad
P1Harmony’s six versatile and bilingual singer-song-writers and rappers (KEEHO, THEO, JIUNG, INTAK, SOUL, and JONGSEOB) are captivating audiences worldwide with their infectious music and dynamic dance moves. With seven mini albums and a debut full-length album under their belt in just four years since their debut, they’ve now dropped the powerful seven-track project SAD SONG. This project, which explores themes of overcoming loneliness with positivity, showcases the group’s talent for blending various genres and pushing the boundaries of K-Pop music.
Kicking off with the title-track “SAD SONG,” P1Harmony immediately grabs attention with their infectious blend of hip-hop, Latin-inspired beats, and irresistible lyrics. The upbeat piano riff and unique vocals of the members shine throughout the song, with an English version included as a bonus for global fans. P1Harmony’s ever-evolving sound has garnered admiration from fans and music industry heavyweights like Jelly Roll, Post Malone, and Sabrina Carpenter.
How did each member of P1Harmony come together and what were your first impressions of one another?
THEO: When we first met, everyone was a minor, so it felt like meeting friends from school.
SOUL: The whole team came together when the debut team was formed. My first impression was since I spoke different languages, I was a bit scared, but now it’s really fun.
How do you think your individual personalities shine through in your music and performances?
INTAK: Since I write lyrics for almost every song, I think it’s natural that my personality stands out in the parts of the songs that I sing.
SOUL: I love dancing and I think it’s something I’ll always do in my life. I feel like my personality shows well through my dancing because I express what I want freely in my performances.
What are some challenges that arise from having such a diverse six-member group dynamic, and how do you overcome them?
THEO: We usually resolve things quickly by talking to each other.
JIUNG: There have been countless times when we faced challenges. Even before our debut, we had many conflicts, and each time we overcame them by talking openly about our deepest thoughts. When we start a conversation, it helps to clearly understand that we’re talking not to argue, but to solve the problem together.
As you reflect on the journey of creating the album SAD SONG, were there any specific moments or experiences during the production that particularly influenced the direction of the project?
INTAK: There wasn’t a specific moment that influenced me while creating SAD SONG. At the time, I was listening to a lot of hip-hop music, so I was influenced by many different artists, especially Kendrick Lamar.
JONGSEOB: The Latin genre itself inspired me during this project. Since it was my first time trying this genre and I was in charge of the rap-making process, I had to think from various angles during the process.
The title track combines elements of electronic dance music with emotional lyrics. Can you walk us through the creative process of blending these seemingly contrasting styles, and how you believe it contributes to pushing the boundaries of K-Pop’s sound and style?
KEEHO: This was the biggest challenge because “SAD SONG” is so different sonically and lyrically. That’s why we came up with the superhero storyline! After saving the world, the superhero feels a sense of sadness and emptiness, and the song tells the story of how he overcomes that. Staying true to our superhero concept, while balancing the emotional lyrics with a lighter tone, is how we brought everything together. This is what makes our music unique and, in a way, reflects what makes K-Pop so interesting.
JONGSEOB: I think my style as a rapper has become more distinct. I focused more on bringing out P1Harmony’s color, which naturally led to trying sounds that are quite experimental and rare in K-Pop. Moving forward, P1Harmony aims to continue expanding musically and exploring various genres, just as we always have through different sounds and tracks.
How do you think the project will resonate with listeners on a deeper level than just the surface-level catchy beats and melodies, especially those who may be going through similar feelings of loneliness and need a source of comfort?
KEEHO: I think the songs becomes more than just a beat and some melodies because of the memories we create with it. Performing it, and making new memories while promoting it with our fans, helps turn the songs into a source of comfort for those going through similar emotions. Music is just music, no matter the subject, until it resonates with someone at a certain moment in their life. The memories they associate with it are what make it special. We hope to bring positive energy and light as we promote our album.
JIUNG: While listening to our music is important, I think the visual elements, such as the lyrics, dance, and facial expressions, also play a big role. If you watch our overall performance, you might feel a sense of empathy, but I also think we can convey positive emotions like happiness and excitement.
As a group that includes singer-songwriters and rappers, how do you navigate blending different musical styles and influences to create a cohesive sound?
JIUNG: Since we divide the parts for every song ourselves, from the moment we listen to a track, we start thinking about where the rap should go and who would be the best fit for each vocal part. It might have been a bit challenging at the beginning of our debut, but now, after listening to a song, we all tend to have similar ideas, so we naturally come to a harmonious decision.
JONGSEOB: The main reason we work so well together is that we’ve been practicing with each other for such a long time. At this point, it would be strange if we didn’t get along. Since we usually work under one big theme and beat, the way we interpret things may differ, but it all fits together smoothly within the overall framework.
What are some of the non-musical passions or hobbies that inspire and influence your work as a group?
THEO: Playing the guitar is my hobby. I would like to highlight my skills by using the guitar as my weapon on the stage.
SOUL: I enjoy spending personal time working out or going to cafes on my days off.
As pioneers in the K-Pop industry, how do you see the album paving the way for new musical explorations and influencing the next generation of artists?
KEEHO: I wouldn’t say we’re paving the way, but we hope that up- and-coming artists see our music, the way we sing and dance, as some- thing genuine. Anyone can create a Latin-genre song since it’s such a popular style, but what makes ours unique is the thought process behind it and the personality each of our members brings to the song and album. We hope people can find inspiration in that.
JONGSEOB: I think the strength of K-Pop is its flexibility in blending with other genres. I want to show that we can expand and develop further by presenting more diverse music.
If each member of P1Harmony had to choose a song from SAD SONG to represent their personality, which track would they choose and why?
KEEHO: I would choose “It’s Alright.” The overall sexy vibe and deepness the song brings represents me pretty well. I also worked on it so it’s just more personal to me!
THEO: I think it would be “Last Call” for me because I always want to show a bright and exciting side of myself on stage.
JIUNG: The song that best represents me right now is “All You.” I think the delicate, kind, and calm parts of the song are similar to me, which is why I chose it.
INTAK: For me, it’s “SAD SONG.” That’s because, in reality, whenever I feel sad or become overly emotional, I always try to overcome it in my own way. These days, I mainly watch funny or entertaining videos to get over such feelings.
SOUL: Mine is “SAD SONG” too. When I dance while feeling sad, it really gives me energy! It fits me the best!
JONGSEOB: I think it would be “Wasp.” It’s a song I worked on and although it’s not perfect, I’d say it’s the closest to my true style among the tracks on P1Harmony’s albums so far. Also, I tend to be pretty confident when showing something to others, so I think the vibe and lyrics of the song match me well.