ALL (H)OURS on SHOCKing K-pop and music video TMIs

K-PopK-Pop InterviewsK-Pop News/Releases
Written By Katy Richards

ALL (H)OURS, one of the hottest rookie boy groups of 2024, made their highly anticipated return this month with their first-ever comeback, releasing their second mini album 'WITNESS' on 2nd July. Hallyu Doing caught up with the group to get some behind-the-scenes tea from their latest music video set and to learn how they plan to ‘SHOCK’ the K-pop scene.

Photo Credit: EDEN Entertainment

Released on 2nd July, ‘WITNESS’ is the first ever comeback, and second mini album, from rising rookies ALL (H)OURS, featuring the tracks WITNESS, SHOCK, PSYCHO MANTRA, ‘Bout That Issue and Blah Blah.

ALL (H)OURS is a boy group from EDEN Entertainment. They debuted earlier this year on 10th January 2024 with the mini album “ALL OURS”, becoming one of the first K-Pop groups to debut in 2024.

The group consists of 7 members: Leader and vocalist Kunho, dancer and vocalist Youmin, rapper Xayden, vocalist Minje, rapper Masami, rapper Hyunbin, and dancer, vocalist and maknae (youngest member) ON:N. The group’s name, ALL (H)OURS, is a combination of the phrases “all hours” and “all ours”, implying that they will pour in everything they have at all times.

EDEN Entertainment previously gave ALL (H)OURS the nickname of “Stray Kids’ cousin group” and Papa JYP himself, Park Jinyoung, dubbed them as his ‘nephew group’. ALL (H)OURS have mentioned Stray Kids, Seventeen and Jungkook as artists they look up to.

Being one of the first Korean idol groups to debut in 2024, the members of ALL (H)OURS have previously mentioned their ambition to leave a mark throughout this year. With the midway point of 2024 arriving at the same time as their first ever comeback, it was the perfect time for us to check in with the group on their resolution for the year.

Hallyu Doing: “Now that we are halfway through the year, how do you plan to continue making your mark in the remaining months?”

KUNHO (Leader and Vocalist): “As the title track suggests, "SHOCK," we aimed to make a significant impact on the K-pop industry. To increase our recognition, we incorporated Drift Phonk into K-pop, and we will continue challenging ourselves with new genres to constantly present new versions of ourselves to our fans.”

SHOCK’s drift phonk elements are clear within the first few seconds of listening to the song, with the genre’s cowbell samples coming through to produce a K-Pop song unlike anything else on the scene right now. A subgenre of hip hop and trap music inspired by 1990s Memphis rap, phonk is characterised by old Memphis rap tapes and samples from hiphop of the early 1990s, especially cowbell samples. Within that, drift phonk is a subgenre of phonk that typically has a persistent electronic bass, heavy kicks, high BPM and a heavy metal feel.

XAYDEN, one of the group’s rappers, added:

XAYDEN (Rapper): “We also have several events planned overseas, and through various activities both in Korea and abroad, we want to let people know more about our group, ALL(H)OURS. If we get the chance and time within the year, I'd love to make another comeback.”

We’re sure that ALL (H)OURS fans, known collectively as Min(ut)e, across the globe will be excited to see what their overseas plans entail. Hopefully they can squeeze in another comeback this year, too. With their first ever comeback earning the group hordes of new fans, it’s time to hear a brand new behind the scenes story from the group.

Hallyu Doing: “Can you share any TMIs from the music video filming for SHOCK?”

YOUMIN (Dancer and Vocalist): “During the music video filming for "SHOCK," XAYDEN had to hold a nailed apple to film a sneak peek video for "PSYCHO MANTRA." The apple without the nail was left on the table, and I almost ate it, thinking it was meant for us to eat. However, when I realized it didn't smell like an apple, so I put it down.”

The rogue apple in question (as seen in the Album Sneak Peek for WITNESS)

XAYDEN (Rapper): “It was an actual apple, but it was polished to make it look shinier, like they do for commercials. That is why it must have smelt like some type of chemical.”

All we can say is we’re glad YOUMIN didn’t eat the apple. Thanks for the TMI!

It was a pleasure speaking to ALL (H)OURS who were full of energy despite the late hour in Korea. Their fresh and experimental sounds are sure to entice new fans release after release, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to SHOCK us next comeback. 

Watch the music video for ‘SHOCK’ here:

Katy Richards

Katy Richards, the Co-Founder of Hallyu Doing, has emerged as a prominent voice on K-Pop in the UK. She has been featured on BBC’s The One Show, YTN News, The Korea Herald, and The i, shedding light on the rising K-Pop scene in the UK. Based in Shropshire and working in the music industry, Katy's journey as a marketing professional has been fuelled by her love for K-Pop, dating back to 2012, with ATEEZ reigning as her current favourite group. Driven by the passion to amplify K-Pop's presence in the UK, Katy remains committed to producing tailored K-Pop content for the British fanbase. Notably, she has had the opportunity to interview esteemed K-Pop artists, including xikers, Paul Kim, P1Harmony, Kep1er, CIX, and Mino (WINNER).

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