Welcome back to the "Behind the Music with JUST B: An Epic Journey" series.
JUST B, a six-member boy group under Bluedot Entertainment, made its first appearance as a group in the K-Pop scene on June 30, 2021, with the release of their debut mini-album, Just Burn.
The group is a powerhouse of talent, featuring versatile members Geonu, Bain, Lim Jimin, JM, DY, and Sangwoo, each bringing their unique skills to the stage and studio. They first stole the spotlight with their debut track, "Damage," and it's no surprise why – their incredible vocals, mind-blowing dance moves, songwriting finesse, and a perfect blend of cute and masculine charms make JUST B a group to watch for each and every performance stage and comeback.
In the final part of our interview series, we dive into JUST B’s most recently released album, NANUGI, their individual roles and contributions to the album and group, how they've grown since their debut, and more. Keep reading to know more about the sextet's latest album NANUGI!
Read part one here.
Congratulations on your fourth min-album, NANUGI. Could you share with us the inspiration behind the album's title and what it represents to you as a group?
GEONU: We chose the title NANUGI for our album because we want it to mark the beginning of positive energy, as we believe that the sharing of hearts and love is where positive energy and influences originate. Our hope is for this positive energy to also fill us up.
How would you describe this album's overall concept and sound compared to your previous releases?
DY: While our previous albums were more relaxing and enjoyable to listen to, this album features songs that are designed to captivate both your eyes and ears. On this album, you'll find three songs written by JUST B’s members themselves, offering a fresh taste of our music.
[For LIM JIMIN]: As the leader of JUST B, your role carries significant responsibilities. How do you nurture unity and teamwork within the group, especially during album preparations?
LIM JIMIN: Each member of JUST B naturally follows along without any need for me to take special actions as a leader, so there’s not much that I do. But I do aim to foster a sense of unity by arranging occasions for us to come together.
[For GEONU]: As a fellow songwriter in the group, can you discuss how you collaborated with your fellow members and contributed to the musical direction of this album?
GEONU: On this album, I was involved in writing the lyrics for “Coming Home.” Bain and I worked together to develop the storyline for the lyrics. Afterward, I would share the lyrics I had written, and Bain would give them the final touch.
[For Bain]: Your involvement in songwriting adds a unique dimension to JUST B's music. Could you share the inspiration behind one of the songs you contributed to in the upcoming album, "÷ (NANUGI)"?
Bain: The inspiration behind the lyrics for “Coming Home” stemmed from our travels abroad as JUST B, where we had the chance to meet ONLY Bs from different countries. It made me realize that despite the physical distance, our true home as JUST B is wherever ONLY Bs are, and we will always find our way back to the side of ONLY Bs.
[For JM]: You've been described as an all-rounder, excelling in various areas. How did you prepare for the concept of "÷ (NANUGI)"? How do you see it fitting into JUST B's evolution as artists?
JM: In my view, an artist is essentially a sharer. Presenting our songs and performances is a way of sharing happiness, and I aspire to convey a wider range of emotions and joy through improved music and performances in the future.
[For DY]: Your songwriting has been an integral part of JUST B's music. How has your songwriting process evolved since your debut with JUST B?
DY: Compared to when I debuted as JUST B, I'm trying to craft songs that have more depth. At the same time, I want listeners to have fun and connect with them through catchy melodies and honest lyrics.
[For SANGWOO]: How do you find the balance between your role as someone who writes lyrics and a performer within the group? Does one influence the other?
SANGWOO: When it comes to lyrics, I tend to get inspired by the team as a whole rather than specific members. As for our performances, I believe each member, including myself, does a lot of research on their own and improves.
Are there any behind-the-scenes moments or any TMI you can share about this album or comeback?
LIM JIMIN: If I were to share a TMI while preparing for this album, compared to our previous title track “ME=(NANEUN),” the choreography for this one was incredibly intense, so after we finished it, we were all so exhausted that we collapsed.
Is there a particular song on "÷ (NANUGI)" that holds special meaning to you, and can you share why?
Bain: “Coming Home” holds a special place in my heart because it's a song that encapsulates our feelings towards our fans and my personal journey within JUST B. It's a song dedicated to ONLY B, but it’s also a song for JUST B, making it special.
For new fans, what do you think is JUST B’s distinctive charm as a group, and what charms do each of you bring to the group?
GEONU: SANGWOO brings unwavering conviction and courage, DY brings quick thinking and insight, JM brings humor, Bain brings delicacy, LIM JIMIN brings thoughtfulness, and GEONU brings positivity and enthusiasm. The members of our group are mature and have distinct personalities, so you'll discover that we are both diverse and harmonious as a team.
Bain: As JUST B, we always give it our all and stay true to ourselves. We believe that by being genuine with the public and putting a lot of thought into our team, we can let our unique personalities and the group's charm shine through.
Lastly, please share a message with your ONLY B reading this.
LIM JIMIN: ONLY B! It's been a while since our last promotion, and we've put in a lot of effort to prepare for it, so let’s have a blast together. We love you.
*Special thanks to the members of JUST B and Bluedot Entertainment for this exclusive interview.