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2Z Interview: While they get ready for their online fan meeting, 2Z talks about debuting during the pandemic, the band’s formation, inspirations and even releases a recommendation list!
In their first year of activity, 2Z has earned everything from a passionate and loyal fandom to a nomination in the best band category on PAK — the K4US Award. And now, as they prepare for their first online fan meeting with fans from outside of South Korea, Ho Jin, Ji Seob, Jung Hyun, Bum Jun e Zunon talked exclusively to K4US!
In this 2Z interview, you will learn, directly from the source — the members themselves — how the group was formed and who are their main inspirations. Furthermore, they shared with us the feeling of debuting as a band, in the midst of a market so focused on K-Pop singing and dancing groups.
Check out the full 2Z interview!
Spoiler: At the end of the 2Z interview, there is a rec list from each member! Have you ever watched the same movie or series as one of them? Time to find out!
It’s been a year since 2Z’s debut. How would you describe this first year of activity as idols? Is it any similar to what you’ve expected during trainee days?
Jung Hyun: There were very few similarities. When we released our debut album, we did a lot of activities that we never imagined. (For example, music broadcasting, radio, video content) It was a tough situation because the Covid-19 started as soon as we debuted, but we could work even with it, so our first year was so lucky, thankful, and happy.
Last year, 2Z was nominated to the Best Band category in the PAK – K4US’ annual award. Were you aware of that? Also, during the PAK voting season, 2Z Brazilian From A gave out an overwhelming response, helping to give the band’s work even more recognition. How does it feel to have such a global reach and to know that your work touches people’s hearts — even the ones who can’t understand your language without a translator?
Ho Jin: ..!! I had no idea we were nominated for the PAK-K4US Awards. It’s such an honor and I’d like to thank FromA first!!
In fact, if Korean was the official language of the world before, I think that more people would listen to our songs. But when someone on the other side of the world tells us, ‘I sympathize with your music and you’ve made me live a new life,’ we think of ‘music’ itself as ‘language’.I think it’s a bigger value that can’t be exchanged for anything valuable in the world.
You’re going to meet your Brazilian fans for the first time through the online fanmeeting promoted by Highway Star. What are your expectations about this moment? Are you excited to meet From A?
Zunon: Since it’s our first online fan meeting outside Korea with FromA, it feels amazing and real. I’m so excited that I can’t wait to meet you all.
In April, you guys made a comeback with the album “ACT1” and in early June you released a color version for the music video for “O@SIS”. Can fans expect news about this era or is the group already focused on producing a new album?
Ji Seob: 2Z is always working hard to show new contents to our fans. We’re preparing for our new album and other contents.
The K-Pop industry is especially known for its dancing groups. Were you ever afraid that, as an instruments band, you could face more difficulty to make it in the mainstream scene?
Ho Jin: I swear to God, I’ve never been afraid. I think that being able to play our music with our bodies and instruments is the most beautiful and raw energy that can be emitted. It is very cool and respectful to dance to a song, but it is even better to play the song and make people dance.
Speaking of the trainee days: can you tell us more about it? How was each one of your positions in 2Z assigned? Did you join the agency already knowing which part you would play in the band?
Ho Jin: I didn’t know what position I was going to play. I never imagined I would be a vocalist in a band. I’ve never actually sung before. After auditioning for the band with Ji Seob, I finally discovered this dream of becoming a vocalist. I really worked hard and now I’m a vocalist of 2Z.
Jung Hyun: I came into the company without any idea what position I was going to do. Our CEO was the bassist of a legendary Korean rock band [Sinawe, the same band in which Seo Taiji also played bass, before debuting in Seo Taiji and Boys]. So I searched many things about him [Jung Han Jong] and naturally became interested in the bass. I was most curious because the bass was an instrument I didn’t know well. So I expressed this thought when I joined the company. I don’t know if I got a position as a bassist for this, but I felt really good when I got the position.
Ji Seob: I liked to play the guitar since I was young. I sang while playing the guitar in the 2Z audition. So I naturally became a guitarist. I didn’t know at the time, but the company’s CEO said that each person has a physiognomy of what position to play.
Bum Jun: No, I didn’t know. I used to play the keyboard and do backing vocals, but when I was a trainee, I first played the drums at the recommendation of the CEO. I had fun and I saw the possibility of a drummer, so I became one.
Zunon: As FromA knows, I didn’t come in knowing what role I’d play as a substitute in the middle, but I was able to take on a multiplayer position because I wasn’t particularly good at anything.
We’re curious to know who inspired you to become 2Z! Are there any Korean and even international artists and/or bands that have been your role models so far? Why do they play such an important role in your lives?
Ho Jin: I became para of 2Z because my friend JiSeob played rock music often since we were in middle school and asked me to go audition with him. I got accepted to audition for the band and later I got a dream of becoming a vocalist. I came across music and videos of many bands and I really like and respect The 1975. The 1975 vocalist Matty Healy is the first vocalist I liked and wanted to resemble. They have the power to change many genres of music into their own colors. We also want to be a band that makes a genre called 2Z, not a band that does any kind of music.
Jung Hyun: As I mentioned in the answer above, it was our CEO who made me first interested in the bass before the band position was decided. After that, when the position was decided and I started to learn the bass, the first bassist I liked was Nikki Sixx of Motley Crüe. When the band first started, I listened to ‘Take Me To The Top‘. The bass performance was so cool that I looked up live videos and got interested in the bassist Nikki Sixx. The reason why role models are important is because they motivate me and help me play while copying and listening to their performances. I think the company’s CEO and Nikki Sixx role models kept me motivated and I’m looking for other references.
Who are 2Z’s role models?
Ji Seob: While I was a fashion model when I happened to see an audition announcement for 2Z and I challenged myself to achieve my dream of becoming a guitarist. That’s how I joined 2Z. My role model is Shawn Mendes. I used to listen to his songs a lot from a long time ago, but recently I happened to see a documentary containing his story. I felt it was great to make everyone cry and laugh with one guitar and voice in front of many people. Also, I think he is an artist who has a lot to teach from his stage manners and sincerity toward his fans.
Bum Jun: I got to see the band audition as a good opportunity during my fashion modeling career, and I joined the band audition and became the current 2Z. At first, I saw EXO Kai‘s facial expression and practiced copying him a lot, and the drum motion and performance were inspired by Twenty One Pilots. I’ve seen a lot of live performances by their drummer [Josh Dun]. They helped me a lot with my facial expressions, drum performances and gaining confidence.
Zunon: While I was working as a fashion model with everyone, I auditioned for a band, and I couldn’t join 2Z because I failed the first audition, but once again, I had a chance to join 2Z after two auditions. When I see Ruel‘s performance, I feel comfortable communicating with the audience. When I see him as one with the audience, I’m touched without realizing it. I want to be an artist like this.
Who are 2Z’s role models?
You also work as models, right? Did modeling come before working in music and with 2Z? And what is the main difference between both jobs for you?
Bum Jun: All members of 2Z were fashion models and, before music, we all worked as fashion models. As models, we think that we need to be the best clothes hangers and it helped us to see that we need to be the main characters on the stage while playing, so we need to be more responsible.
We want to bring 2Z and From A even closer. So can you share with us all what is your current dream as a band?
Ji Seob: Our dream is the same as before. People that listen to 2Z’s songs can see the light no matter how hard the days are. I don’t want you to let go of hope.
We’re still living in a very delicate situation regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. And we’re positive that 2Z’s work and words can help fans to have a little moment of joy in the middle of it all. Can you send a comforting message to the Brazilian and International From A?
Ho Jin: FromA and Brazilians! I want to say ‘This,too,shall pass away’ first.I think I’m overcoming this difficult situation because I’m with you. Do you think so, too? Please don’t give up and overcome the promise that we will go to Brazil and sing in front of you. I respect you.
Jung Hyun: I think the pandemic is getting better little by little. There’s not much time left, so I hope we can cheer up together. When the pandemic period is over, we think we’ll start again. And I want to do busking and running around in Brazil. I think if we actually meet over a long period of time, the upcoming emotions and joy will double or triple. The day I actually meet FromAs all over the world is what makes living every day by day. I believe that FromA will do the same.☺ Please wait a little bit! There’s not much time left! We will travel around the world to play our music and deliver hope.
To end this interview, we have a quick game for you!
2Z Rec List!
Thank you 2Z for collaborating with us in this interview and Highway Star for making this possible.
Get your tickets for 2Z Highway Meet!
Interview by K4US Team.
Don’t use this content without credits!
