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I saw this nice and interesting Neo Music Community interview with Attract CEO Jeon Hong-jun. Here are excerpts of the article after running it through Google translate:
Interview with Attract CEO Jeon Hong-jun
by Lim Seon-hee 2024.09.21
For him, 2023 was a year of both light and dark. "Cupid" shot up the legend of Korean pop music by reaching No. 1 in TikTok's global streams, but various lawsuits inevitably led to a hiatus. After going through hardships, Fifty Fifty, which reorganized as a five-member group with original members Kina, Yewon, Chanel, Hana, and Athena, was revived with the new song "Starry night" and their second EP <Love Tune> released on September 20. Attract CEO Jeon Hong-jun, who defined Fifty Fifty's second chapter as a "comeback, not a re-debut," expressed
his faith and affection for the current five members throughout the conversation. On September 12, I met CEO Jeon Hong-jun at the Attract office in Jamsil. In his office, a wall was filled with albums by Bobby Kim, rapper Double K, and Ha Sungwoon from the project group Wanna One, who he has worked with for a long time. The gold button that Fifty Fifty received for reaching 1 million YouTube subscribers and a makeshift studio with traces of the members’ recordings were also in the office. He took out an LP by Park Joo-yeon, a representative lyricist from the
1990s, who he said was a special relationship, and talked about many things, including his relationship with composers Ha Kwang-hoon and Jo Kwan-woo, and the music industry in the 1980s and 1990s.
Was it because of his uniquely optimistic personality? Despite all the hardships, his expression was bright, and thanks to his honest and straightforward way of speaking and the sincere stories that permeated it, the six-hour conversation with wine flew by. It was a time filled with the insight of a veteran planner with 30 years of experience and the human touch of Jeon Hong-jun. (Yeom Dong-gyo)
Yesterday (September 11th), Dispatch released a recording of Ahn Sung-il and Warner executives tampering with the parents of the three members who were fired. Is the fact that the article came out at this point a warning to the three former members about their actions to sabotage the return of Fifty Fifty?
That's right. We're trying to make a fresh start, and at that time, they were playing with the media, such as the settlement statement. We were originally going to make it public in court, but we couldn't just sit still.
Before Kina returned, a YouTube comment left by Kina's mother became a hot topic.
I found out that Kina's mother did not leave a comment after discussing it with Kina, but that she voluntarily left the comment first. That's when I felt Kina's mother's sincerity. As a father of a daughter, I fully understand the heart of a child. The reason I asked the former members to come back is because I understand the heart of a parent who puts their child first.
After many twists and turns, Fifty Fifty has been reorganized. It seems that a clear definition is needed as to whether this is a re-debut or a comeback.
It's a comeback. Since Kinah is there, it's just a member change. If it's a re-debut, Kinah's identity will be a problem. There were some changes, but I think it's appropriate to call it a comeback
[ ... ]
The member introduction videos on the official YouTube channel were a hot topic. Kina's video was particularly touching.
In a word, it is a 'confession'. I wanted the public to know how much Kina was worried and distressed. I wonder how much she must have been hurt. So I told Kina, ''People know about your previous decision, but I support you for coming back. You should be a role model for your fans and work harder. '' I thought that in order for such sincerity to be revealed, Kina had to be honest. So Kina, who is good at writing, wrote the script for the video herself and took the form of a documentary through narration.
[ ... ]
Fifty Fifty has no official leader. Why is that?
The position of leader carries a lot of pressure. That's why I told the members that all of them are leaders and that the team comes first, and I announced to the members and their parents that there will be no solo activities for the next three years. Even if we receive advertisement offers, all five members will film together unconditionally. As for future solo activities, I will consider them based on individual efforts, abilities, and fan demands. I think a sense of belonging is important in K-pop. Once you have a sense of belonging, teamwork follows. If your teamwork is that good, you can do anything.
I'm curious about the selection process for this member. And what are the strengths of Yewon, Chanel, Hana, and Athena?
In the case of Athena from Sweden, she was a friend from far away, so I told her to practice for 4 weeks and if she couldn't stand it, she would go back to her hometown. In the end, she got first place in the monthly evaluation after a month. Her dancing skills have improved tremendously. I got into dancing when I was in my third year of high school, so I can see a little bit of her dancing lines. (Laughs)
The reason I chose Chanel and Yewon is because they had the bitter experience of being eliminated from the survival program < Are You Next? >. I thought that only those with a passionate heart could work hard, and I saw that in them.
One is that I saw a video of him playing the bass guitar on YouTube, and people who play the bass well are also good at writing songs. In addition, his voice tone was clean, like an animation OST. After hearing his beautiful voice, I strongly insisted that I had to pick him.
How did you convince Hana, who originally had no intention of becoming an idol?
When Hana auditioned for the company, I told her, “A great member who sings well, plays instruments, and writes and composes songs will definitely be loved by the public someday. I will help Hana become a member of Fifty Fifty, not just an idol, but also a member who can achieve musical success. However, in the professional world, your music is still lacking. And don’t look down on idols. They are amazing friends who have been away from their families since their teens, doing what they want, eating what they want, and persevering to achieve their goals.” Later, after joining Fifty Fifty, she told me that it was nice to hear helpful advice from someone she respected.
[ ... ]
What was the most difficult part of rebuilding Fifty Fifty?
Quality. I thought about quality first in all aspects, including music, singing ,performance, and visuals. Since we had to make a comeback quickly, many things had to fall into place. But a miracle happened. It seemed like it wouldn't take even a year, but in just three months, we selected members and a group of friends who were like a painting debuted. When I see this, I feel like I'm very lucky. (Laughs) When I see the new members, I think, 'If we do it, we can do it.'
There were moments of adversity, but now it's a blessing in disguise.
It is a 'blessing in disguise' and a 'return of fortune'. Even a year ago, no one knew about Attract, but now it has created a brand worth 100 billion won. I think God gave me a meaningful ordeal. It would have been really hard without the public's interest and support. At the time of the incident, I felt wronged because I thought I had no evidence. I even sold my Rolex Submariner and Audi Q7 to support them. (Laughs)Fortunately, I am happy that I could provide a good environment for the members this time. The members are currently living with their manager in an apartment with four rooms and two bathrooms overlooking the Han River.
[ ... ]
You’ve raised many artists so far. Among them, what kind of group do you want Fifty Fifty to be remembered as in the history of Korean pop music?
I hope Fifty Fifty doesn't remain as a bad image like tampering. My goal is to overcome this. When someone searches for Fifty Fifty in 10 years, I hope there will be a description that says, 'A team that overcame many hardships, stood up well, and forgave and reconciled with everyone.' Another tampering incident may occur in the K- pop market in the future, and Fifty Fifty will be mentioned every time. I don't want to be remembered as that icon of misfortune. The reason I don't attack the three people who terminated their contracts is because I believe they will come back someday. Reconciliation is true revenge and forgiveness in the end.
Finally, an official question: Share your life artist.
Abba, Pink Floyd, Sanulrim, and Cho Yong-pil. I first encountered Pink Floyd when I was 28, through a laser disc (LD). At that time, I realized that music could deliver a message. It completely changed my perception, and I was hooked. (Laughs) Abba's countless songs, such as 'Dancing Queen', 'SOS', and 'Eagle', are still good to listen to even after 40 years. Their sound and melody make people happy. In the case of Sanulrim, when I listened to 'Laying the Silk of My Heart', I felt a sense of fantasy. In a way, this song, which is an alternative rock song, came to me as a sensational shock. However, Cho Yong-pil is the best to me. He is the number one singer in all aspects, including singing style, soul, singing ability, and showmanship. As a producer, I would be very happy if I could create a singer like Cho Yong-pil. I want to create a 'young Cho Yong-pil'.
Interview with Attract CEO Jeon Hong-jun
by Lim Seon-hee 2024.09.21
For him, 2023 was a year of both light and dark. "Cupid" shot up the legend of Korean pop music by reaching No. 1 in TikTok's global streams, but various lawsuits inevitably led to a hiatus. After going through hardships, Fifty Fifty, which reorganized as a five-member group with original members Kina, Yewon, Chanel, Hana, and Athena, was revived with the new song "Starry night" and their second EP <Love Tune> released on September 20. Attract CEO Jeon Hong-jun, who defined Fifty Fifty's second chapter as a "comeback, not a re-debut," expressed
his faith and affection for the current five members throughout the conversation. On September 12, I met CEO Jeon Hong-jun at the Attract office in Jamsil. In his office, a wall was filled with albums by Bobby Kim, rapper Double K, and Ha Sungwoon from the project group Wanna One, who he has worked with for a long time. The gold button that Fifty Fifty received for reaching 1 million YouTube subscribers and a makeshift studio with traces of the members’ recordings were also in the office. He took out an LP by Park Joo-yeon, a representative lyricist from the
1990s, who he said was a special relationship, and talked about many things, including his relationship with composers Ha Kwang-hoon and Jo Kwan-woo, and the music industry in the 1980s and 1990s.
Was it because of his uniquely optimistic personality? Despite all the hardships, his expression was bright, and thanks to his honest and straightforward way of speaking and the sincere stories that permeated it, the six-hour conversation with wine flew by. It was a time filled with the insight of a veteran planner with 30 years of experience and the human touch of Jeon Hong-jun. (Yeom Dong-gyo)
Yesterday (September 11th), Dispatch released a recording of Ahn Sung-il and Warner executives tampering with the parents of the three members who were fired. Is the fact that the article came out at this point a warning to the three former members about their actions to sabotage the return of Fifty Fifty?
That's right. We're trying to make a fresh start, and at that time, they were playing with the media, such as the settlement statement. We were originally going to make it public in court, but we couldn't just sit still.
Before Kina returned, a YouTube comment left by Kina's mother became a hot topic.
I found out that Kina's mother did not leave a comment after discussing it with Kina, but that she voluntarily left the comment first. That's when I felt Kina's mother's sincerity. As a father of a daughter, I fully understand the heart of a child. The reason I asked the former members to come back is because I understand the heart of a parent who puts their child first.
After many twists and turns, Fifty Fifty has been reorganized. It seems that a clear definition is needed as to whether this is a re-debut or a comeback.
It's a comeback. Since Kinah is there, it's just a member change. If it's a re-debut, Kinah's identity will be a problem. There were some changes, but I think it's appropriate to call it a comeback
[ ... ]
The member introduction videos on the official YouTube channel were a hot topic. Kina's video was particularly touching.
In a word, it is a 'confession'. I wanted the public to know how much Kina was worried and distressed. I wonder how much she must have been hurt. So I told Kina, ''People know about your previous decision, but I support you for coming back. You should be a role model for your fans and work harder. '' I thought that in order for such sincerity to be revealed, Kina had to be honest. So Kina, who is good at writing, wrote the script for the video herself and took the form of a documentary through narration.
[ ... ]
Fifty Fifty has no official leader. Why is that?
The position of leader carries a lot of pressure. That's why I told the members that all of them are leaders and that the team comes first, and I announced to the members and their parents that there will be no solo activities for the next three years. Even if we receive advertisement offers, all five members will film together unconditionally. As for future solo activities, I will consider them based on individual efforts, abilities, and fan demands. I think a sense of belonging is important in K-pop. Once you have a sense of belonging, teamwork follows. If your teamwork is that good, you can do anything.
I'm curious about the selection process for this member. And what are the strengths of Yewon, Chanel, Hana, and Athena?
In the case of Athena from Sweden, she was a friend from far away, so I told her to practice for 4 weeks and if she couldn't stand it, she would go back to her hometown. In the end, she got first place in the monthly evaluation after a month. Her dancing skills have improved tremendously. I got into dancing when I was in my third year of high school, so I can see a little bit of her dancing lines. (Laughs)
The reason I chose Chanel and Yewon is because they had the bitter experience of being eliminated from the survival program < Are You Next? >. I thought that only those with a passionate heart could work hard, and I saw that in them.
One is that I saw a video of him playing the bass guitar on YouTube, and people who play the bass well are also good at writing songs. In addition, his voice tone was clean, like an animation OST. After hearing his beautiful voice, I strongly insisted that I had to pick him.
How did you convince Hana, who originally had no intention of becoming an idol?
When Hana auditioned for the company, I told her, “A great member who sings well, plays instruments, and writes and composes songs will definitely be loved by the public someday. I will help Hana become a member of Fifty Fifty, not just an idol, but also a member who can achieve musical success. However, in the professional world, your music is still lacking. And don’t look down on idols. They are amazing friends who have been away from their families since their teens, doing what they want, eating what they want, and persevering to achieve their goals.” Later, after joining Fifty Fifty, she told me that it was nice to hear helpful advice from someone she respected.
[ ... ]
What was the most difficult part of rebuilding Fifty Fifty?
Quality. I thought about quality first in all aspects, including music, singing ,performance, and visuals. Since we had to make a comeback quickly, many things had to fall into place. But a miracle happened. It seemed like it wouldn't take even a year, but in just three months, we selected members and a group of friends who were like a painting debuted. When I see this, I feel like I'm very lucky. (Laughs) When I see the new members, I think, 'If we do it, we can do it.'
There were moments of adversity, but now it's a blessing in disguise.
It is a 'blessing in disguise' and a 'return of fortune'. Even a year ago, no one knew about Attract, but now it has created a brand worth 100 billion won. I think God gave me a meaningful ordeal. It would have been really hard without the public's interest and support. At the time of the incident, I felt wronged because I thought I had no evidence. I even sold my Rolex Submariner and Audi Q7 to support them. (Laughs)Fortunately, I am happy that I could provide a good environment for the members this time. The members are currently living with their manager in an apartment with four rooms and two bathrooms overlooking the Han River.
[ ... ]
You’ve raised many artists so far. Among them, what kind of group do you want Fifty Fifty to be remembered as in the history of Korean pop music?
I hope Fifty Fifty doesn't remain as a bad image like tampering. My goal is to overcome this. When someone searches for Fifty Fifty in 10 years, I hope there will be a description that says, 'A team that overcame many hardships, stood up well, and forgave and reconciled with everyone.' Another tampering incident may occur in the K- pop market in the future, and Fifty Fifty will be mentioned every time. I don't want to be remembered as that icon of misfortune. The reason I don't attack the three people who terminated their contracts is because I believe they will come back someday. Reconciliation is true revenge and forgiveness in the end.
Finally, an official question: Share your life artist.
Abba, Pink Floyd, Sanulrim, and Cho Yong-pil. I first encountered Pink Floyd when I was 28, through a laser disc (LD). At that time, I realized that music could deliver a message. It completely changed my perception, and I was hooked. (Laughs) Abba's countless songs, such as 'Dancing Queen', 'SOS', and 'Eagle', are still good to listen to even after 40 years. Their sound and melody make people happy. In the case of Sanulrim, when I listened to 'Laying the Silk of My Heart', I felt a sense of fantasy. In a way, this song, which is an alternative rock song, came to me as a sensational shock. However, Cho Yong-pil is the best to me. He is the number one singer in all aspects, including singing style, soul, singing ability, and showmanship. As a producer, I would be very happy if I could create a singer like Cho Yong-pil. I want to create a 'young Cho Yong-pil'.
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