On the YouTube channel 'Calm Man,' run by creator Calm Man, a video titled 'AKMU Special with Their 4th Album' was uploaded.
In the video, AKMU's Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun, who made a dazzling comeback with their 4th studio album 'Bloom,' shared their recent updates.
Calm Man jokingly asked about their decision to leave their former agency, YG Entertainment, and establish their independent label 'Inspiration Well.' Lee Chan-hyuk calmly responded, "It was simply time to become independent."
Lee Chan-hyuk candidly admitted that while he learned a lot during the contract period, as his producing range expanded and his artistic identity became clearer, there arose a point where the company's direction and his personal detailed demands diverged.
He added, "The company also believed in AKMU's ability to stand on its own and supported us, so it was not a betrayal but a beautiful farewell, akin to graduation," emphasizing the amicable relationship with their former agency.
The siblings also shared an amusing story about the 'gaslighting' involved in the visual concept for their new songs. Lee Su-hyun revealed that her voluminous hairstyle for this activity was purely due to Lee Chan-hyuk's insistence.
Lee Su-hyun said, "My brother showed me a picture of Hagrid from the movie 'Harry Potter' a year ago and persuaded me to stick to this style." When she mentioned Hermione, a prettier character, Lee Chan-hyuk convinced her by arguing that more hair volume makes the face look smaller.
Calm Man observed that Lee Chan-hyuk emphasized only the successful outcomes of following his advice, effectively brainwashing his sister. Lee Su-hyun humorously admitted, "I've already been completely brainwashed by my brother's ways, and my life is changing."
The reality and end plans of their cohabitation, sharing extremely personal lifestyle patterns, were also specifically mentioned. Lee Su-hyun confessed that she was lured into living together by Lee Chan-hyuk's sweet talk about sharing rent, only to find herself trapped in a strict self-improvement system designed by him.
Lee Su-hyun explained, "After moving in, I was forced to detox by drinking only kale and beet juice for three days, and Lee Chan-hyuk set up a system where a personal coach comes to the house every morning at 11 to ensure I can't skip gym sessions." Currently working out five times a week, Lee Su-hyun revealed that 1 year and 5 months of the planned 2-year cohabitation have already passed, and she expressed her firm determination to live independently next year.
Despite this coercive lifestyle, the reason Lee Su-hyun continued living together was her deep trust in her brother. She confessed, "I felt that if I didn't participate in the parties my brother suggested, I would remain the same person, so I decided to trust him one more time," indirectly praising Lee Chan-hyuk's producing abilities.
By Chaeryeong Lim, Ten Asia Reporter syjj426@tenasia.co.kr