EASTSHINE’s success isn’t just a group effort; it’s a testament to the individual journeys of five incredibly talented young men. This interview offers an intimate look into the lives and experiences of Dongjae, IEL, Hyun, Lumin, and Phoenix. We’ll explore their personal struggles and triumphs, and how their unique backgrounds and personalities contribute to the group’s dynamic. Discover the individual stories that have shaped EASTSHINE into the force it is today.
LUMINOUS has a very distinct sound. Can you explain the overall concept and creative direction of the album?
IEL : [LUMINOUS] tried to melt various emotions that occur in the big concept keyword of youth into the album. I captured the memories, dreams, and feelings of love that are created at least once during that time in the album, and made it so that those emotions could create a sense of empathy with the public within the album.
What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating [LUMINOUS]? And what was the most rewarding aspect?
LUMIN : If you listen to [LUMINOUS]’s tracks, you’ll see, most of my parts use a high range. However, as I often performed overseas while preparing for my comeback, I had vocal cord nodules due to neck strain. So I had to record, but the range I wanted didn’t come out, so it was the biggest challenge for me to record that range while recording this album. Since the vocal cord nodule came, I sang while changing my vocalization, and I was very exhausted in the process.
As I kept recording, I thought, “Can I do it?” but I practiced hard thinking about the members’ support and the fans who were looking forward to it, and it was most rewarding for me to finish the recording safely.
How does [LUMINOUS] differ from your previous albums?
HYUN: [LUMINOUS] is focused on the theme of “Shining Us”. This is an album we prepared with the mindset of starting again from the beginning, along with our renewed appearance! It’s an album that captures our youth that’s new shining!
What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from [LUMINOUS]?
DONGJAE : [LUMINOUS] is literally “shining in the dark”. Youth is both the brightest and the darkest. However, it contains a message that our youth will definitely shine even in the dark, and it is an album with the hope that your youth will shine through our songs.
What is your personal favorite song from the album and why?
IEL: I like ‘Fall In Love’ the best. ‘Fall In Love’ is a song that has a feeling of excitement while waiting for an answer after confessing love. I like this song the most because the pounding heart permeates the song well. And I wrote and composed this song. I’m embarrassed, but I really like the lyrics.
DONGJAE: I really like the song “Bling Bling”! I really like songs with strong beats. I really like songs that make my heart beat, but “Bling Bling” makes my heart beat really loudly when I listen to it with my earphones on! And the difficult but exciting choreography that goes with the strong beat is a big plus. So both the dance and the song are my favorite songs!
HYUN: My favorite song is the title track, ‘Lucky Tonight’! I usually enjoy listening to jazzy and rhythmical songs, and “Lucky Tonight” is exactly that kind of song it’s jazzy and full of rhythm, just like the music I normally enjoy. That’s why it’s my favorite!
LUMIN : My favorite song is ‘Bling Bling’. I usually like band music with strong sounds or hip hop songs with strong beats! “Bling Bling” really struck a chord with me. I love the ‘Bling Bling’ song the best, as my favorite strong sound and fast-paced beats have captured my heart!
PHOENIX : I like the title track “Lucky Tonight” the most. It’s also a genre that I’ve always liked. Maybe that’s why I was convinced that I would be good at this genre. I really liked it when my voice went in after the first song came out. I especially like the bridge part where I come out!
What are your strengths as an artist, and what areas are you trying to improve?
IEL : As an artist, I think my biggest strength is writing lyrics to create music about the things I think and feel. The fact that I can write down what I think and empathize together is the biggest strength for me. Also, I am trying to find my own color when it comes to dancing and singing.
DONGJAE : My strength is persistence. There are things that other people can honestly feel ‘Oh, stubborn’ about, but I’m the type of person who wants me to be perfect in the areas that I need to supplement. So I’m a person who tries to grow by thinking about and filling in the shortcomings in many ways. In particular, I am practicing vocals more persistently these days in order to improve the vocal part.
HYUN : I’m very expressive! I think any dance or song has a different way of expressing it depending on the person, and the feeling of reaching the public is different. I have the strength of being able to express and show anything to the public like mine in my own way. Of course, I’m not perfect yet, so I’m trying to improve my skills and show my colors.
LUMIN : My strengths are having a solid vocal tone and the ability to learn quickly. I am in charge of parts that can give a high range or impact with solid vocals, and I tend to quickly acquire and realign feedback on what I lack. Of course, there are still many things I don’t know, so I’m trying to learn more and try as an artist, both vocally and as an artist.
PHOENIX : I’ve heard a lot that smiles are pretty everywhere. I can also say that I’m most confident when it comes to smiling. Of course, you can deliver energy froms other images, but the energy you give with a smile is bigger and more colorful than anything else. However, I still have a lot of shortcomings. There are weak parts in everything because I have to deliver energy to the fans not only with a smile but also with my dance and singing. This part changes only according to the amount of practice, so I’m always practicing and practicing.
Aside from singing and dancing, what other skills or talents do you have?
IEL : I think my other talent is writing lyrics and composing. From the last album to this album, I’ve been consistently participating in writing and composing. I’m expanding my musical spectrum as the participation rate is increasing when producing each album.
DONGJAE : Of course, singing and dancing are my basic skills. These days, I am studying more diverse charms that I should have as a K-pop idol. I’m making it with my talent by finding a charm that can capture the hearts of fans on stage. Endeavor is also a talent!
HYUN : I’m good with my hands! Since childhood, I’ve liked to put together gundams or assembling things as a hobby. It was comfortable and nice to be able to focus on assembling without thinking about anything while making things. And most of all, my parents run a bakery, and I think they are more dexterous because they resemble my parents!
LUMIN : As Fan knows, I played basketball and volleyball when I was a student. I’m good at motor nerves. In particular, I entered high school as a basketball team. I also remember playing basketball and being offered a scout by a senior in the volleyball team and switching to the volleyball team! That means I’m born with something, right?
PHOENIX : I’m really good at inline skating. I want to tell you that I am more confident because I won an award at a competition when I was young. I can show you a number of techniques, not just get on! Also, I’m good at waxing, even though I’m not talented enough to say I’m amazing. I think the waacking that I learned when I was young is a very attractive performance for me.
What are EASTSHINE’s goals for next year? What musical styles or themes do you want to explore in the future?
IEL : My goal is to go to the awards next year. I haven’t put it on the awards yet, but I think I want to be one of the K-pop singers who led the year. And while being loved by the public, I would like to tell you more stories about our EASTSHINE’s youth. I hope that many of the stories of youth we tell will capture the hearts of the public.
What are your personal ambitions as an artist? Where do you see yourself in five years?
IEL : I also want to succeed as a team, but I also have a desire to play my music as a soloist. My biggest goal is to make an album that contains only my music that I made, and I want to win first place with a song I wrote within five years rather than five years from now.
DONGJAE : My personal ambition is to be someone who gives comfort and courage to the public in any form both as DONGJAE of EASTSHINE, and just as KO DONGJAE. I also hope to become someone’s dream. In five years, I want to be someone who not only delivers songs, but also shares many stories that I tell, remaining by your side and spreading warm energy.
HYUN : I want to become an artist who is loved and recognized all around the world. No matter which country I go to, I hope EASTSHINE’s songs, with my voice in them, will be playing, and that many people will sing along with our songs, becoming artists who communicate through music. After a long time passes, I want to perform on even bigger stages, running around with even more fans.
LUMIN : I hope for my own growth and the success of our team. I am still in the stage of moving forward step by step, but there are times when I imagine myself standing in a higher place in the distant future. In 5 years, I hope to be performing at large and grand places like Gocheok Dome in Korea and Tokyo Dome in Japan. I want to stand on stage while hearing the cheers shouted by many fans as I am around to many countries.
PHOENIX : I hope to grow greatly as a K-POP idol. Even though I still have many shortcomings, I hope that in the future I will be a more shining and cooler version of myself. In 5 years, I want to be standing on a bigger and wider stage, singing and dancing together with the fans.
What message would you like to share with your fans? How do you want to connect with them moving forward?
IEL : I have always strived to be an artist you can be proud of, and I will continue to work even harder in the future. So I truly hope we can stay together for a long time. Let’s keep sharing stories like we do now, and connect not just through conversation but also through music, becoming a great source of strength for one another.
DONGJAE : I want to give hope and energy to those who love and like me to overcome the day. Everyone does their best in their respective positions, so I want to be the person who gives me the most strength to spend the day. I want to tell my story, hear the stories of fans, and spend the day laughing together.
HYUN : I want to show the stage and make sure that whatever expression I want to convey reaches the fans. I wanted to melt the stories of my youth toward success into the music, and I thought to tell and show them to the fans. I want to communicate musically with the fans and make music where the many songs that I sing can be deeply embedded in the fans’ hearts.
LUMIN : In our song, there is a keyword called youth. Our fans are creating their youth together with us, right? So, I would like to express and deliver words of consolation, hope, and encouragement that can only be shared in these days in music. And I hope you can listen to our music and walk away with us. Going forward, as we continue to grow together, I also want to share our everyday lives and stories with fans in a more friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
PHOENIX : I am still someone who hopes for my own growth. I hope you grow higher, and I hope Muscats will be with me on that journey. Although I’m still lacking in communication, I definitely want to improve and become an artist who can smile with fans and talk naturally.
What’s a surprising fact about you that fans might not know?
IEL : I’m sure there are some of you who know, but I have a really big and sharp Adam’s apple. Doesn’t it look like that too when you see it?? Or not…
DONGJAE : Normally, I’m really high-energy, and when I meet with fans, I’m good at joking and humorous stories. But actually, I’m really shy and introverted.. So I have a secret, but sometimes when I see my ears while talking, my ears turn red because I’m shy.
HYUN: I wear my pajamas inside out! This might seem simple.. At first, I was uncomfortable with the sewn part, so I thought, ‘Well, they’re just pajamas’, so I put it on backwards. But now it’s become a habit, so even when they’re laid out, I end up wearing them inside out. I think it’s become a habit.
LUMIN : This is something people really wouldn’t know.. I have the same length as my 4th and 5th toes. If I have a chance later, I’ll show you!
PHOENIX : Some of you might already know since I once showed it through a communication app and revealed childhood photos, but I’m actually a huge curly-haired owner! So if you can’t straighten your hair, it becomes like ramen!
What’s your favorite part about being in EASTSHINE?
IEL : I’m someone who likes being alone and has a quiet personality, but the members are the opposite of me. So at first, it felt a bit uncomfortable, and I even thought, ‘Can people really be this different?’. But as time went by, their bright figure gave me laughter and strength. Rather, it feels awkward to be silent without the members now.
DONGJAE : It’s the best when I’m with the members because it’s so varied. It’s really good to meet friends with different personalities and values and feel like one as we grow together. It was the most special and good thing for me to be able to coexist together because I had a friend who had something I didn’t have and a friend who could share what I had.
HYUN : There are many parts that fit the members well, but there are also parts that don’t fit well. Nevertheless, with the common goal of succeeding as a team, we gradually learn to understand and adapt to each other, and there are times when we feel emotional watching the process. Although we are different from each other, every moment of being one toward the same dream seems good.
LUMIN : I’ve been exercising more since I was young, and I wanted to become an actor, so I was more immersed in acting. So, after becoming an idol, I’m not good enough musically, but the members caught me well and allowed me to learn many things. And since I’m from Jeju Island, when I first came to Seoul and practiced with the members, I had a lot of difficulties living alone in Seoul, but there are things that I get closer to as a family. I think that’s the best.
PHOENIX : Since I am Thai, when I first came to Korea, there were differences in communication and culture. So I had difficulties and hard times. But the members cared for me a lot and took care of me. I was born as an only child, but coming to Korea and becoming EASTSHINE gave me four more precious brothers. My brothers teach me things I don’t know, and help me adapt and challenge myself, so I want to say I’m really grateful and good.
If you could collaborate with any artist (Korean or international) who would that artist be and why?
IEL : As some fans might already know, I really like senior B.I. It might be rude to say, but I’ve been told a lot that I resemble him. So I really hope I can collaborate with senior B.I one day. It’s because senior B.I is my role model and the person who dreamed of becoming an idol when he was young and made me burn up with passion and keep challenging myself.
DONGJAE : I’m really agonized about this.. Since I still have many shortcomings, the very idea of collaborating with senior artists who are highly skilled and whom I’ve always respected feels like a huge honor to me. That’s why I find it hard to pick just one person! As long as an honorable opportunity is given, I’m ready to work with anyone!
HYUN: I think of a lot of people. Among them, I want to collaborate with senior The Weeknd and senior ENHYPEN HEESEUNG. When I first started dreaming of becoming a singer, I felt
lost on how to improve my skills. However, listening to the senior artist’s music at that time, I could see the direction of the music I wanted to move forward, and I wanted to be with the senior artist because I developed my skills with the music of the senior artist.
LUMIN: Lately, I’ve been deeply into songs by senior DAY6. Among them, I hope to have a chance to collaborate with senior Young K. All seniors are my idols and favorite seniors, but he’s my favorite member of senior DAY6, and the lyrics and songs he wrote gave me a lot of strength, so I want to work with him to give strength to many others as well.
PHOENIX : There are many senior artists I want to work with, but among them, I really respect senior Bruno Mars. His funky music with a free-spirited vibe makes even me flutter. I also want to try such music, so I want to experience rhythmic and funky music with senior Bruno Mars.
What song do you sing often when you go to karaoke? (individual answer)
IEL : I sing senior Kyuhyun’s “At Gwanghwamun” and senior H:CODE’s “You in the Dream” most often. These are my favorite songs, so since I listen to them often, I think I look for them when I go to karaoke.
DONGJAE: I sing all kinds of ballads without being picky! I especially really like senior Huh Gak, so I think I sing his songs the most often! I like how ballads express emotions, so I sing them often even if it’s not necessarily karaoke!
HYUN: I really like senior Seo Dong-hyun’s song “Joker”! It’s a song that always comes to mind at least once, so I think it’s a song that I always sing when I go to karaoke! There are lots of other songs I sing often too, but “Joker” always pops into my head, so it’s a song whenever I go.
LUMIN : I really like all of senior DAY6’s songs, so I sing them a lot at karaoke too! Among them, I think I sing “DAY6 – HAPPY” the most! Singing it lifts the mood and makes me feel good, so I end up singing it often.
PHOENIX : I really like senior Justin Bieber’s songs, so I always sing them when I go to karaoke with the hyungs. I like all of his songs. If it’s a senior Justin Bieber song, I love it no matter what it is.
What’s one thing you want to share with fans about EASTSHINE’s future plans?
IEL : After the [LUMINOUS] album, which marked a new beginning, we will soon be meeting you again with a new challenge. We’re also nervous thinking about showing our new sides to our fans. If you wait just a little longer, we’ll come back with an amazing appearance! Please look forward to it!
DONGJAE : As I mentioned earlier, each of our members has diverse charms. So I hope you know that we can show you any kind of image you want to see. In particular, our comeback is also scheduled! For the next comeback, we’ll return with such an amazing transformation that you might even think, “Is this really EASTSHINE?”! Please look forward to it!!
Looking back on your journey so far, what message of gratitude would you like to send to Muscat?
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LUMIN : The first thing I want to say to Muscat is thank you for choosing me. I was like a dirt-covered potato that was nothing, but you dug me up, nurtured me beautifully, and turned me into a nice, round, good-looking baby potato. Thank you so much for that. I won’t forget the heart you’ve given me, and even though walking together may be a little difficult at times, I hope we can always stay together.
PHOENIX : Thank you so much for loving EASTSHINE and liking EASTSHINE’s music. I hope you know that the touching messages you send us are what keep me going. I hope you will continue to be with us in the future.
Many Filo Muscats say your music helps them through tough days. How does it feel to know your art has that kind of impact?
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IEL: When I make music, my dream has always been to make many people laugh and cry
through the songs I create. I hoped that the songs I share would be relatable, give strength, and provide comfort. But when I heard that it actually happened, I didn’t quite feel real. Even so after hearing those words, I feel like I’ve achieved a bit of the reason and goal I had for doing music, and I’m happy about that. I will continue to be an EASTSHINE who strives to be more helpful in the future.
HYUN : How does it feel to know that it has that kind of impact? The reason I first started music was because I learned that many senior artists were giving comfort and strength to the public through their own music and I wanted to become someone like that too. Now, as I’m working hard and giving it my all, hearing that our music is helping and supporting our fans in the Philippines makes me so happy. We play music for our youth, but also for the youth of many others. I hope our music continues to be a source of strength for many.
Do you have a message for the fans who supported you from the beginning?
IEL : The memories we’ve shared are still so vivid to me. Muscats who have been with us from the beginning, and even those who weren’t there from the start but are still with us now—all of you are precious fans to me. Thank you so much for being with us until now, and I hope we can create even more memories together in the future.
DONGJAE : There really are always so many things I’m thankful for. You supported and liked our group and me, even when we had nothing. I don’t want to forget the hearts you’ve sent us. And I don’t want to lose any of the hearts you are sending us. I will grow more and try harder so that I don’t disappoint you, so I want to be together for longer and even more. You can do that for us, right?
HYUN : Thank you for choosing me among so many artists! I will work hard to grow more so that you won’t regret your choice, and so that you can be proud of the choice you made. So please keep watching me until the end, support me, and love me!!
LUMIN : How is the LUMIN that Muscat first met compared to the LUMIN you’re looking at now? Do you think I’ve changed a lot? I think it’s changed a lot. I think I’ve grown a lot as an idol too, and when I first met fans, I was very nervous and excited. But haven’t I gotten much better now? Even if time passes and we can’t see each other often, I’ll never forget and will always remember and welcome the moments we shared together when we met. So come visit anytime. Muscat! Love U.. ♡…
PHOENIX : From the beginning of our journey until now, I have always been seeing and hearing the hearts you send us. Everything you send me becomes strength for me. Thank you so much for always loving and supporting me.
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