Jung Daehyun, a member of the group B.A.P and a solo artist, is making a comeback with his new single album 'Path' after three years. Having returned to the public eye as a solo artist with the single 'Stay' in June, Jung Daehyun is now setting a new milestone in his solo career with 'Path'. We met him on the 1st of this month at the Ten Asia office in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Jung Daehyun's 'Path' is a song with a prominent band sound, conveying a hopeful message of embracing the wanderings and imperfections of youth while finding one's own rhythm. It's a message he wanted to convey to himself as well. Jung Daehyun expressed, "I wanted to break away from the past and announce a new beginning. I hope to mark a new point in my solo career with this song."
Following his previous single 'Stay', Jung Daehyun returns with the support of B.A.P member Bang Yongguk. He shared, "I came back with a song crafted by my leader hyung. I thought it would be best to work with someone who knows me well, and indeed, we worked seamlessly together. Yongguk hyung considered various aspects like the season and genres that suit me when creating the song. As soon as I received it, I thought, 'This is undoubtedly my song.' Everything progressed quickly without needing much discussion."
Following the B.A.P unit Bang&Jong&Yoo&Moon's mini-album, Jung Daehyun's new song also features a strong band sound. He explained, "The band scene is becoming more active in Korea, and it's a genre I personally enjoy. While B.A.P explored various music genres, the band was always the base. With drums, guitar, and bass as the main elements, I'm familiar with that sound."
The song is perfect for festival stages. Jung Daehyun joked, "If any festival organizers are reading this, please invite me." He added, "The song was initially planned for release in August, but upgrading it to a higher quality took time. It's a bit disappointing to release it as festivals are wrapping up. I hope to perform at 'Waterbomb' next year. I love working out, so I'm always ready."
The Bang&Jong&Yoo&Moon activities were a significant boost in preparing for a new album after a long hiatus. Jung Daehyun explained, "The last album was released in 2018. After that, I served in the military. I couldn't release a solo album due to the circumstances, and the hiatus lasted several years, including my military service. When I was discharged, my contract with the previous company was ending, making it difficult to release an album. Fortunately, working with the B.A.P unit members last year as Bang&Jong&Yoo&Moon was a great stepping stone."
Bang&Jong&Yoo&Moon released their first EP 'CURTAIN CALL' in August and held a concert at KBS Arena Hall in January this year. Jung Daehyun recalled, "It was almost 3-4 years since I last performed on stage. Even a year off stage can dull your senses, so three years felt incredibly long. Performing B.A.P's intense songs and choreography on such a big stage wasn't easy. But as I pushed myself, I quickly got back into form. I gave it my all."
He continued, "The fans filled the seats, even though the members had been apart and suddenly reunited for the performance. We received unbelievable love. I tried to capture the moment in my mind, thinking it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It felt like winning the lottery. Such moments may never come again." Jung Daehyun quickly added with a smile, "By 'lottery', I don't mean financially. It's just a metaphor for how precious it was."
The future of B.A.P is also promising. He stated, "The possibility of B.A.P activities is always open. We've opened the door once with Bang&Jong&Yoo&Moon. While I can't say for sure, I believe another opportunity will come. It was an incredible moment for all the members, and we were happy after a long time. I'm sure everyone wants to do it again. However, we also want to perform on better stages in better circumstances, and since we're all with different companies, it's not easy. But if the situation allows, we might do it again."
Known as the original 'visual main vocalist', Jung Daehyun consistently manages his appearance. He shared, "I think the title 'visual main vocalist' makes me work harder on my appearance. If I maintain myself, fans can feel proud. It's not easy to manage, but I diligently apply face masks and make various efforts."
Jung Daehyun endured his hiatus through exercise. He revealed, "Being a singer is an active job. Living in a dopamine-filled life suddenly became leisurely. I thought I had to do something, so I exercised every day without fail." His hobby is also exercise. Jung Daehyun expressed, "You need to be healthy to perform on stage in good condition. I'd love to appear on exercise shows like 'Gym Jongkook'."
There were moments when he wanted to give up, but he persevered. Jung Daehyun confessed, "It was hard to come back. The ending with my previous company wasn't smooth, and I was exhausted. As I turned 30, I had more people to care for, like family. I couldn't rely on immaturity anymore. During the hiatus, I tried various things. I did part-time jobs and studied exercise deeply, which was a hobby. I even considered moving back to my hometown. I thought it would be okay, but it wasn't. Then, I decided to pursue a singing career again after being a guest at Jongup's fan meeting. I can't forget the cheers from that time, and I still watch the videos. It was an unforgettable memory, and I realized I need to be a singer to live."
Having regained his resolve thanks to the fans' cheers, Jung Daehyun aimed to stay close to them. On the 30th of last month, he held a busking performance with a live band for about an hour in front of Hongdae Sangsangmadang. He shared, "It was an idea I had since planning 'Path'. The song itself is a lively band song, so I thought it would be great to sing it together with people. I originally wanted to go to other regions, but the schedule didn't allow it." He continued, "It was the first time showing the new song and my first busking in 10 years, so I focused on singing, but the fans' voices pierced through my in-ear monitors, giving me strength. I was worried about how many would come, but many fans showed up. Seeing them holding their spots from early morning in the heat made me grateful."
Marking his 14th year since debut, Jung Daehyun humbly stated, "Despite being active for a long time, I don't think my name is widely known. I'm trying to return to the mindset of a rookie and do my best."
"A nickname I want? 'Master Singer Cat'. Fans call me that because my Indian dimples look like cat whiskers when I smile. I'll strive to be a singer worthy of the nickname 'Master Singer Cat'." Jung Daehyun said with a bright smile, his Indian dimples showing.
Jung Daehyun's 'Path' will be released on online music platforms at 6 PM today.
Reporter Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia one@tenasia.co.kr