After a busy summer in Japan, we caught up with BLITZERS as they geared up for their inaugural Korean fan concert. Discover their journey in my exclusive interview!
BLITZERS, a seven-member boy group under WUZO Entertainment, first graced the K-Pop scene on May 12, 2021, with their debut mini-album "Check-In" and the title track, "Breathe Again." You might remember my previous interview with the group during their "MACARENA" comeback. Now, I am thrilled to be catching up with them as they prepare for their first Korean fan concert.
Comprising the talents of Jinhwa, Go_U, Juhan, Sya, Chris, Lutan, and Wooju, BLITZERS has consistently delivered fresh concepts and sounds to the industry, captivating their fandom, BLEE. From the dynamic blend of rap and rock in "Breathe Again" to the high-energy "Bobbin," the synth-infused "Hit the Bass," and their latest earworm of a title track, "MACARENA," BLITZERS' discography has a distinct sound that sets them apart in the world of K-Pop.
Ahead of their very first Korean fan concert, A to z on October 28, 2023, I caught up with Jinhwa, Juhan, Sya, Chris, Lutan, and Wooju to explore their journey over the summer, discuss their fan concert and what lies ahead for this exceptional group. BLITZERS are on a remarkable trajectory, and we're here to capture every moment of their ascent in the K-Pop world. Read on to learn more.
Welcome back, BLITZERS! Since your "MACARENA" comeback, you've spent six weeks performing in Japan. Can you share some of the most memorable moments from your time there?
CHRIS: The most memorable moment was right when we landed because it was actually my first time in Japan.
JUHAN: The last performances in Tokyo and Osaka are the most memorable. Maybe because it was the last performance, and BLEE prepared a slogan as a surprise event, which is why I felt so touched.
WOOJU: I also remember the last performance in Tokyo the most! I cried on stage at that time. I don't remember exactly why I cried, but I could feel the sincere emotions of both BLEE and myself. I think it's more memorable because I cried so much.
The Japanese market is known for its unique music culture. How has this experience impacted your growth, and what have you learned from Japanese BLEE?
LUTAN: Performance culture and small theater live performances are very popular in Japan. I think it was good to be able to experience many stages and communicate more closely with fans.
JINHWA: Because there were many performances, I was able to meet BLEE more often. As we met often, I felt like we were growing together every time we met, which gave me more motivation for growth.
SYA: It was our first experience with the music culture there, so we had some areas where we were lacking. However, as we continued performing on stage, we resolved those issues, and we think we have grown as a result. Also, I was able to feel a lot of warm feelings towards Japanese BLEE. That feeling touched us and gave us the justification to work harder.
How did performing in Japan differ from your experiences performing elsewhere? What do you believe makes your music resonate with international audiences?
JINHWA: I have never performed as many times in a short period of time as I did in Japan. Nevertheless, I was moved by BLEE, who visited often. I believe it's because they see us working hard and appreciate our music.
SYA: First of all, I think the biggest difference was that we performed in one city for a long time. Also, since our songs contain a lot of messages, we prepared hard to express those messages well. Because that was conveyed well on stage, I think overseas fans were able to enjoy it.
JUHAN: In addition to the long performance period and many stages, I think the performance in Japan was different in that we prepared a lot of cover songs and tried to show a variety of ideas. I think our efforts have resonated well with overseas audiences.
BLITZERS recently announced its first Korean fan concert. Can you give us any spoilers about what fans can expect from this event?
SYA: As always, BLITZERS always strive to show new sides of themselves! That's why we are preparing new performances and appearances that you haven't seen before.
LUTAN: First, we are preparing to perform a song from our repertoire on stage for the first time, and second, we're preparing stages that the audience can enjoy together.
As you gear up for this fan concert, what emotions or thoughts are running through your minds, especially considering the incredible journey you've had so far?
JINHWA: Like our fighting slogan, “From now on,” "From now on," even if it sounded a bit awkward and clumsy, we felt that it was the starting point for us to take another leap forward as a cooler and more mature group as we ended a time we were thankful for.
WOOJU: At first, I was so eager to make a good impression on BLEE that I was willing to dress up or act in a way that wasn't really me. It left me somewhat confused about who I really am. However, being with BLEE, I've started to get a sense of myself. I want to show our gratitude by creating the best memories for those who come to see us!
Performing live is a unique and exhilarating experience. Can you share any memorable or funny moments from previous concerts or tours that still stand out to you?
JUHAN: The time we went to the United States and did some busking. Originally, it was supposed to be a dance-only busking performance, and I remember being a little embarrassed when I started performing "Daydream" by j-hope of BTS. We also did a live performance!
LUTAN: Every time we go on tour, fans in each country or city prepare slogan events during our shows, which is a memorable experience.
BLITZERS often showcases a blend of powerful performances and charismatic stage presence. What goes into creating a memorable live performance, and how do you keep the energy up during shows?
SYA: Before each performance, we stayed up late together to review and fine-tune the choreography of the songs we were going to perform. I believe these efforts are clearly reflected on stage. Whenever we see the sparkling eyes of our BLEEs in the audience, it boosts our energy and helps us maintain our performance quality.
CHRIS: That's right. We work together to create the best performance. It’s never difficult to keep the energy up during the show because BLEE was in front of us.
I saw that BLITZERS likes to jump on TikTok trends. What's been your favorite TikTok challenge or trend so far, and can you share any memorable moments from creating TikTok content?
JINHWA: I really like the "MACARENA” challenge. I think it's because it was the first challenge we did with other artists using our song, and it's also the challenge that BLEE participated in the most, so it's the most memorable. (link to challenge)
JUHAN: My favorite TikTok challenge is Shownu and Hyungwon’s "Love Me A Little" challenge. I really admire and respect MONSTA X, and I participated in the challenge with great joy!
CHRIS: One of my favorite TikTok challenges was “Friesenjung- Joost & Ski Aggu.” I had a lot of fun filming it. I was proud that the view count was high and a lot of people enjoyed it.
What is the best compliment you have ever received?
JINHWA: “A good leader.” That's the best compliment for me as a leader.
JUHAN: The best compliment I've received was when I recently sang a song that I sang as a trainee, and our company's manager said, "You've definitely improved a lot."
SYA: I remember the compliment "You are good on stage" the most because I put a lot of focus on my skills and abilities.
CHRIS: “You are so funny.” I like to hear “You are so funny” because I like giving pleasure to my fans.
LUTAN: We covered H.O.T.'s "Age of Violence," and at that time, the director and staff loved it and said, "Wow, it reminds me of the old days. It gave me goosebumps. You guys totally nailed it." It's the most memorable compliment for me, even to this day.
WOOJU: I once heard that I was similar to a senior I respected, and to me, that was the best compliment.
Read the full interview on Hellokpop.