TAN talks “TAN MADE [I],” Gush About SODA, In-N-Out, Future Goals, and More

Get to know more about the members of TAN in this exclusive interview.

TAN has had quite an eventful year in 2023. From new album releases to an already successful U.S. tour at the beginning of the year, this rookie group continues to cement itself as one to watch. The seven-member group under Think Entertainment made its first appearance as a group in the K-Pop scene on March 10, 2022, with the mini-album 1TAN. Consisting of masterfully talented members CHANGSUN, JOOAN, JAEJUN, SUNGHYUK, HYUNYEOP, TAEHOON, and JISEONG, the group first caught our attention with their debut title track, “Du Du Du.”

The men of TAN have already shown their unlimited potential both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. With strong vocals, captivating charms, powerful lyric-writing skills, and more, it's no wonder they’ve caught the attention of peers and SODA (their fandom name) alike. From their debut to their most recent EP, the members have consistently demonstrated that "insatiable" factor that makes SODA eager for them to return with new music as soon as possible. In particular, TAN’s discography hits hard, with each album containing no skippable tracks, making them stand out even more.

With their latest release, TAN MADE [I], the musical abilities and development of each member were further showcased. TAN has once again proven they are worth listening to because of their extraordinary discography, delivering fresh songs each comeback, with CHANGSUN, JOOAN, JAEJUN, SUNGHYUK, HYUNYEOP, TAEHOON, and JISEONG looking unreal as they bring out their alluring visuals and talents every time.

I sat down with TAN to discuss their recently released album, TAN MADE [I], goals for the future, In-N-Out favorites, and more. Check out the interview below, and make sure to grab some tissue SODA. It’s undeniable your group loves you.

(This interview was conducted in Korean and translated into English.)

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Hi, TAN! Nice to meet you. Thanks for speaking to Hellokpop. Please introduce yourselves to our readers and tell us your favorite TAN song from TAN MADE [I].

CHANGSUN: Hello! I am the leader of TAN, CHANGSUN! Among our songs, my favorite song is the title song of this album, "HEARTBEAT!" The cool sound and energetic choreography are very impressive.

JOOAN: I'm TAN's main vocalist, JOOAN! It's hard to choose because I like all of our songs, but I'm looking forward to "New Days." I imagine playing with SODA and singing together.

JAEJUN: Hello! I'm JAEJUN, who will lead TAN to success. My favorite TAN song is the title song of this album, "HEARTBEAT!" I think it's a refreshing and powerful song that's perfect for hot summer, and I love it more because it has a message for SODA. Please check what messages are in the song.

SUNGHYUK: Hello, I'm TAN's sweet voice, SUNGHYUK. My favorite song is the title track, "HEARTBEAT." It's the title song, but I felt it when I heard it, and the more I listened to it, the more I became addicted to it, so I like it the most.

HYUNYEOP: Hello, I'm TAN's future HYUNYEOP. I like all the songs, but if I have to choose my favorite song, it's "Artificial Heart!” The melody that makes me feel more comfortable the more I listen to it captured my heart and became my favorite song.

TAEHOON: Hello! I'm TAN's passion, TAEHOON. My favorite song is "Artificial Heart!" When I listen to it, I feel like I'm going back to being a child, so it's my favorite song.

JISEONG: Hello, I'm TAN's youngest rapper, JISEONG! My favorite song in this album is "Tarzan!” I think it's a song that TAEHOON and I put our hearts and soul into, so I think it's a song that I'm all the more attached to.

Congratulations on your comeback with TAN MADE [I]. How would you describe this album in one word or phrase?

CHANGSUN: In one word, I think it's "Strive." All of my members participated in the album, and it's an effort because my confidence and my coolness all come from my efforts to match the name.

JOOAN: I think it's "Palette." Just as seven people with different colors gather to create one color. This album has become an album with different colors of TAN that all members have participated in and have not been seen in previous albums. So if I were to express this album in one word, I think it would be a "palette" with various colors.

JAEJUN: “Turning Point.” Starting with this album, it's time for TAN to decide on the future direction, and it's filled with the most ideal songs that the members think of, so I'm sure it'll be a turning point in a good direction starting with this album.

SUNGHYUK: “Full Course.” A course meal is a dish in which various foods are arranged in a certain order and served one after another, and it refers to a course dish that comes from appetizers to desserts. This TAN MADE [I] album is an album that all the members participated in, from track one to track seven, and it's full of songs that you can't leave out, so it'll be fun to listen to while savoring each song.

HYUNYEOP: As you can see from the album name TAN MADE [I], all the members participated in this album. I think the word "self-production" fits best because all the members' hands are in each song.

TAEHOON: To explain this album in one word, it's "Identity." This album is a combination of our team name TAN and MADE, which means to love yourself with confidence. As you can see from the name, I think it's an album that reveals our identity well, so I think the word "Identity" suits us the best.

JISEONG: When I look at this album, I think of the sentence, "Sweat and effort never betray." It's because the members worked really hard to complete this album. I think this album is the fruit of TAN's efforts.

What do you think is the killing part of the title track, “Heartbeat?”

JOOAN: I think the killing part is the pop in the chorus, the heart-breaking expression, and the sound of swallowing that reminds us of SODA.

SUNGHYUK: Along with the dubstep synth in the drop part, I think it is an onomatopoeia of the 'Ha~' pronunciation that brings pleasure. And the harmony between JOOAN and me on the bridge.

HYUNYEOP: There are many other killing parts, but I think the dance break at the end is the killing part. Please watch carefully!

JISEONG: I like them all, but wouldn't it be my rap part in the second verse? (laughs).

Can you share any spoilers fans should look for when watching it?

CHANGSUN: I made the choreography for one of our tracks. I think it'd be good to find out what kind of song it is. SODA, what song is it?

JAEJUN: If you look closely at the lyrics in the album, there are a lot of lyrics related to SODA! SODA, please check if there are any.

TAEHOON: I did an ad-lib for the first time in the unit song “Tarzan” that JISEONG and I did together. SODA, listen and let me know how it is!

Can you tell us any memorable moments that happened while filming the music video?

CHANGSUN: During the music video shoot, there was a scene where I wore an LED mask and danced with a very narrow view due to the nature of the mask, and when I was dancing, I danced with almost no vision due to the moisture. It was amazing and fun because it was my first time doing it.

JOOAN: There are many memorable things. The top floor of the set was a cafe. The bread at the cafe was so delicious. I don't know the name, but I want to try the rectangular bread again if I have a chance.

JAEJUN: At the time of filming, it was not long after TAEHOON recovered from his injury. Nevertheless, I was very thankful and proud of him for working hard on the shoot. Right after filming the last dance scene, he worked so hard that he could use the expression "I burned it up."

SUNGHYUK: I wore an LED mask during filming, but it was difficult to secure a view because it was a mask with a narrow view due to the nature of the mask. At first, I was embarrassed, but we practiced a lot together, so we were able to take it safely, and it was a different experience.

HYUNYEOP: During the shoot, there was a scene where we danced with an LED mask covering our faces. The eyes on the LED mask were so small that I was embarrassed at first because I couldn't check the movement with the members, but thanks to the practice with the members, I quickly got the hang of it and was able to do it perfectly.

TAEHOON: It wasn't long since I recovered from my injury. During the music video shoot, all the staff were worried about my body, so the filming was delayed a lot and ended around 6am.

JISEONG: When I was filming my rap part, I don't know if I grew taller than when I was fitted, but my pants were a little shorter. I remember filming it by lowering the bottom of my pants every time I sat down.

All seven members actively participated in some element of the album, including writing lyrics, composing, and arranging. Can you tell us more about each of your roles?

CHANGSUN: I participated in writing the lyrics for "FREEZE," a unit song with HYUNYEOP. Please listen to it a lot!

JOOAN: I participated in most areas, including production, composing, and songwriting.

JAEJUN: I participated in four songs out of seven tracks and worked really hard on each of them. This time, I worked hard on which songs would be the best for the group TAN, not the approach of "making a self-composed song," but the "producer" and a "third party's position." I think the traces of that thought were well incorporated into this album.

SUNGHYUK: I participated in writing lyrics for "JEKYLL&HIDE" with JOOAN and JAEJUN.

HYUNYEOP: As the unit songs were included in this album, the unit members automatically wrote songs. So this time, CHANGSUN and I wrote and composed a song called "FREZE” and participated in "VIOLET" with JISEONG. Please listen to them a lot!

TAEHOON: I participated in writing the lyrics and choreography for "Tarzan!" You want to see the choreography I made, right???

JISEONG: I participated in making rap and writing lyrics for "VIOLET" and writing, composing, and arranging lyrics for "Tarzan."

How do you think TAN stands out from other K-Pop groups?

CHANGSUN: Mental strength that doesn't give up until the end. I think this is the biggest difference.

JOOAN: I think it's probably a matter of thorough self-management. All of the members are working out and taking care of themselves.

JAEJUN: When working on a piece of work, such as a song or choreography, I think it is ‘self-production’ because it is a team that creates a composition by thinking about the direction and flow of the story rather than participating in parts.

SUNGHYUK: I think it's "desperate." When I see everyone doing their best, thinking it's their last chance, I get motivated and work harder.

HYUNYEOP: I think its seven members with various personalities come together to create one color.

TAEHOON: In addition to their singing and dancing skills, I think it is the fact that all members are capable of ‘self-producing’.

JISEONG: It's a team with one color, but I think it's the unity of the seven members of different colors, and the uniqueness of each person is definitely alive in it.

Read the full interview on Hellokpop.