[Exclusive Interview] A.C.E Reflects on Their First Comeback After Military Service And Future Plans

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Join us as A.C.E opens up about their highly anticipated comeback after military service, offers a glimpse into their future plans, and more.

A.C.E, the dynamic quintet under Beat Interactive and Swing Entertainment, burst onto the K-pop scene on May 23, 2017, with their debut single album “Cactus.” Comprising Lee Donghun, Wow, Park Junhee, Kim Byeongkwan, and Kang Yuchan, A.C.E embodies their name, which stands for Adventure Calling Emotions, aiming to stir emotions that inspire individuals to embark on exhilarating journeys and fulfill their dreams.

Before their official debut, A.C.E garnered attention for their electrifying busking performances in Seoul’s vibrant Hongdae district, starting in 2016. These street performances not only honed their skills but also allowed them to connect with fans on a personal level, laying the foundation for their future success.

With an impressive repertoire ranging from mini albums like “Under Cover” and “HJZM: The Butterfly Phantasy” to singles such as “Fav Boyz (Steve Aoki’s Gold Star Remix)” and “Savage,” A.C.E has continually showcased their versatility and musical prowess. Their latest album, “My Girl: ‘My Choice,'” released on February 22, 2024, holds particular significance as it marks their first comeback since completing their military enlistment, symbolizing a triumphant return to the spotlight.

In an exclusive interview with A.C.E, we explore their sixth mini-album, “My Girl: ‘My Choice,'” uncovering what makes this comeback special, how they’ve grown in their time away, and discuss their future plans. Throughout the conversation, their unwavering dedication to their craft shines through, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in the K-pop industry. Get ready to embark on a journey with A.C.E as they share their aspirations and experiences below.

*Disclaimer: Member Yuchan did not participate in this release due to his military discharge date.

Hellokpop: Congratulations on the release of your sixth mini-album, “My Girl: ‘My Choice’!” How does it feel to be back with new music after completing your military service?

Park Junhee: I’m so happy and grateful to be on the stage again.

Lee Donghun: First and foremost, I want to thank CHOICE for waiting for such a long time. I also want to add that A.C.E is back, and you can look forward to it!

HKP: This is your first mini-album in three years. What messages or feelings do you hope fans take away from this album?

Kim Byeongkwan: After completing military service, we wanted to imprint that A.C.E has returned! As Yuchan was still serving in the military at the time, we prepared as a group of four. Instead of the powerful music A.C.E was known for in the past, we attempted to captivate your ears with new, easy-listening tracks! We hope to heal your weary daily routines with A.C.E’s songs.

WOW: I wanted to showcase and convey that A.C.E is capable of easy-listening music as well as performance-centered music.

HKP: How does “My Girl: ‘My Choice'” showcase A.C.E’s vocals and musical abilities compared to your previous releases?

Park Junhee: I believe this album is crafted well, with precise attention to the genre of the songs, vocal skills and abilities, and performance aspects, all of which deliver a message to the listeners. Personally, I see music as something more than just listening; it’s about seeing, feeling, and possessing the power to transform oneself through music. We, too, are on that path and will continue to experiment with various approaches.

WOW: It was a new challenge, but I think we executed it quite well. Especially by releasing both Korean and English versions, we made efforts to minimize any sense of unfamiliarity for international fans, and I believe those efforts were effectively conveyed.

HKP: The title track, “My Girl,” has been described as warm and dreamy disco-pop. What inspired the choice of this genre for the title track, and how does it reflect A.C.E’s musical evolution?

Kim Byeongkwan: We wanted to show that A.C.E is good at everything without any restrictions on genre. Although we are known for our performances, we want to promote that our rappers are also good at singing so we planned to showcase a more addictive and musically improved version of ourselves.

Lee Donghun: I think it’s a song with the best musical color of A.C.E, and I wanted to showcase how A.C.E has matured since we all completed our military service.

HKP: Can you share any memorable moments or challenges you encountered while working on “My Girl: ‘My Choice'”?

Park Junhee: We had many meetings with our company’s production team. The CEO said, “Why don’t we dance with the fans all together this time?” Since we’ve never tried or witnessed that before, it felt fresh. We decided to do it unanimously right away. All the staff members did a great job arranging the dance classes, and we were so happy to dance with our fans in a fun way.

HKP: Are there any particular tracks from the album that hold special meaning to each member? If so, which track and why?

Park Junhee: For me, it’s “Angel.” I thought it would be a heartfelt song for the fans, and I felt very attracted to this song when I first heard the demo version. I spoke passionately about including this track when we had meetings with the company staff, and we ended up including it in the album. It’s a song that I personally love.

Kim Byeongkwan: “Angel!” Just like the title of this song, CHOICEs are literally our angels, so we thought this was very fitting for a fan song. I hope the warm atmosphere of this song will comfort CHOICE.

Lee Donghun: “My Girl”! It was a song that was dedicated to CHOICE after going through military service. This song conveys the message that A.C.E was and is still here, and we’ll continue to grow and stay close to our fans.

WOW: All the other songs are meaningful, but “Facetime” feels more special for me since it is my first self-written song. I learned and grew a lot during the production process, and I thank all our fans for liking this song as well.

HKP: The PETFLIX project aims to provide new joy to fans through various characters and an interesting storyline. Can you tease some details about what fans can expect from this project?

Kim Byeongkwan: We completed season 1 this time, and with a lot of love from our fans, we’re planning season 2. I think you’ll be able to see it soon. Please look forward to it!

HKP: This is for all the members. In three words, how would you describe A.C.E?

Park Junhee: It’s “Changer.” (In Korean, it has three syllables) Please look forward to the day when we become the game-changers! (laughs)

Kim Byeongkwan: Hardship, adversity, and overcoming.

Lee Donghun: “Cactus” comes to my mind first. (In Korean, it has three syllables.) Sometimes, I feel lonely and tired, but I still believe that A.C.E. will overcome hard times and bloom flowers in the end.

WOW: A.C.E (In Korean, it has three syllables). We always did our best not to embarrass our name, and we’ll continue to do so.

HKP: A.C.E has such a vibrant discography. Which song would you personally recommend to listeners?

Lee Donghun: It’s “Effortless.” It’s a song with A.C.E’s powerful and sophisticated vocals, so I think it represents our unique strength.

WOW: There’s a song called “Down” and I think it’s the most comfortable song to listen to, so I’d like to recommend it.

HKP: A.C.E is known for its energetic performances. How do you plan to bring the energy and excitement of your music to live performances and stages?

Kim Byeongkwan: I’m going to enjoy the song itself and try it out more leisurely!

Lee Donghun: I think communication with the fans is the most important thing. Also, I’m going to put everything onto the stage so that we and the fans who see us can truly connect as one.

HKP: In what ways has the group grown or evolved since your last EP release, both musically and personally?

Kim Byeongkwan: This album is focused on vocals, so I, the main performer, put in a lot of effort and time to practice. As a result, I think we’ve taken one step further in growth!

Lee Donghun: I’ve grown a lot as a vocalist, but I also felt that I’ve matured a lot in my ability to express my emotions to support my vocals.

HKP: Looking ahead, what are your goals or aspirations for A.C.E as a group?

Park Junhee: We just want to be able to enjoy this job for a long time, loving the music just like we love it right now. That’s the most difficult yet sole goal we’d like to maintain.

HKP: Can you give us a hint about your next activities?

Lee Donghun: I think it’s time to show the much-loved color of A.C.E again. We plan to show you our powerful side and more mature sexiness.

WOW: It’s gotten stronger. Much, much more. (That’s all I can share for now!)

HKP: Lastly, please leave a message for fans around the world.

Park Junhee: Dear CHOICE! Thank you so much for being with us on this journey. We’re here because of you, and we’ll be a better group to make you proud and confident in us! We love you!