Since they debuted early in 2020, TOP Media's boy group MCND has been making waves both in the local and global K-Pop scene. Now, they are poised to make a comeback with their third EP, "MCND Age," set for a January 8 release.
Heralding the third "Age" for its five members - Castle J, BIC, Minjae, Huijun, and WIN - MCND is set to take center stage once more with their highly-anticipated comeback. For GEMs around the world, learn more about MCND and their insights that went into the making of their latest release, "MCND Age," in an exclusive interview with KPopStarz.
1. First of all, congratulations on the success of your previous EP, "Earth Age," in August and your first ever online concert, "MCND 1ST ON:LIVE," last September. Now, can you tell us something about your upcoming third EP, "MCND Age?" What is the concept behind this new album? And is there an overall theme across the tracks, very much like "Into the Ace Age" and "Earth Age?"
MCND : 앞서 발표한 앨범들에서 나온 세계관의 연장선이자 이를 마무리하는 마침표 같은 앨범입니다. 푸른별 지구에 도착한 MCND가 MCND만의 시대를 열어간다는 포부가 담겨있습니다!
(MCND: The new EP serves as an extension of the perspective brought by the previous album, working as a period-like album that wraps all of them together. MCND, who arrives at the blue planet called Earth, will open up the MCND Age!)
2. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, MCND managed to establish itself as among the most exciting K-pop boy groups for 2020. Since you debuted in February with "Into the Ace Age," and the "Earth Age," what has changed in terms of promoting your upcoming "MCND Age?"
MCND : 우선 안무 소화력과 퍼포먼스 실력이 더욱 성장했고요. 조금 더 여유롭게 무대를 즐길 수 있게 된 것 같아요. 또 타이틀곡 '우당탕 (Crush)'에 맞게 힙합적인 느낌과 고급스러운 분위기도 더해진 것 같습니다.
(MCND: First of all, our dance and performance skills have really improved. We think that we were able to enjoy our performances more freely. Also, the title song, "Crush," has hip-hop and classy vibes to it.)
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3. Also, in "Earth Age," Castle J has songwriting credits across all tracks, with Huijun and WIN also working on "Beautiful" and "Galaxy," respectively. Can you share details about the members' involvement in writing and composing songs for "MCND Age?"
캐슬제이 : 타이틀곡 '우당탕 (Crush)'와 수록곡 'PLAYER', 'Outro ; ㅁㅊㄴㄷ' 작사에 참여했어요. 'Outro ; ㅁㅊㄴㄷ'은 작곡과 편곡에도 참여했습니다. 타이틀곡 가사들이 재치있게 나와서 좋고, 'Outro ; ㅁㅊㄴㄷ'엔 진짜 MCND의 색깔이 잘 담겼다고 생각합니다.
윈 : 아쉽게도 이번에는 작사에 참여하지 못 했는데 앞으로는 더 적극적으로 참여할 계획이에요!
(Castle J: I participated in writing the lyrics for the title track "Crush," as well as in the songs "Player" and "Outro ; MCND." In "Outro: MCND," I also participated in composing and arranging. I'm glad the lyrics of the title song came out well, I think MCND's color is expressed in the Outro.
WIN: Unfortunately, I couldn't participate in writing the lyrics this time, but I plan to participate more actively in the future.)
4. Did you encounter any difficulties while composing and recording tracks for "MCND Age?" Perhaps there are challenges or even funny behind-the-scenes experiences you'd like to share with the fans.
캐슬제이 : 타이틀곡 훅 부분에 어떤 멤버의 목소리가 메인으로 들어갈지 고민을 많이 했어요. 저와 윈의 목소리가 가장 적합한 것 같아 둘로 정해졌고, 애드리브 부분에 휘준의 고음이 들어가서 멋지게 탄생했습니다.
민재 : 가사가 생각보다 많이 바뀌어서 발을 동동 구르고 있는 캐슬제이 형이 안쓰럽고 귀여웠어요.
휘준 : 이번 앨범에 들어간 곡들이 음역대가 높아서 녹음할 때 힘들기도 했는데 그만큼 잘 나온 것 같아서 다행이에요.
윈 : 녹음 발성이랑 라이브 발성이 달라서 라이브 연습이 조금 어려웠지만 열심히 했습니다!
(Castle J: I thought a lot about which member's voice would be the main part of the title song. I think the voices of WIN and I are the most suitable, so it was decided in two, and Huijun's high note was included in the ad-lib part, so it was created beautifully.
Minjae: The lyrics changed a lot, so Castle J, who was stamping his feet, was sad and cute.
Huijun: The songs in this album have a high range, so it was hard to record, but I'm glad that it turned out that well.
WIN: It was hard to practice live because of the difference between recording and singing live, but I worked hard!
5. Your K-Pop Dance Covers have become hits on various social media platforms - from Blackpink's "Kill This Love," ITZY's "Not Shy" to BTS' "Dynamite" - showing your versatility (not to mention the amazing visuals). What other songs, K-Pop or otherwise, that you're looking forward to creating a dance cover of?
MCND : 가능하다면 모든 K팝 선배님들의 노래를 커버해보고 싶어요. 또 여러 장르에도 도전해보고 싶습니다!
(MCND: If possible, we'd like to cover all K-Pop songs. Also, we want to challenge ourselves with different genres!)
6. What kinds of hobbies or activities do the members enjoy during their free time?
캐슬제이 : 멤버들과 게임도 하고, 곡도 만들고, 온라인 쇼핑도 즐겨 합니다!
빅 : 게임도 자주 하고, 침대에 누워서 쉬는 시간을 가집니다.
민재 : 저희 모두 게임을 하거나 유튜브 영상 보는 걸 좋아해요!
휘준 : 영화나 드라마도 자주 보고, 게임도 합니다.
윈 : 작사를 엄청 많이 해요!! 좋은 작업물 많이 들려드릴게요️
(Castle J: I play games, make songs, and enjoy online shopping with my members!
Big: I often play games, lie down on my bed, and take a rest.
Minjae: We all love playing games or watching YouTube videos!
Huijun: I often watch movies or dramas and play games.
WIN: He writes a lot of lyrics!! I'll play you a lot of good work.️)
7. What would you like to tell your fanbase, GEM, ahead of the "MCND Age" release?
캐슬제이 : 우리 젬 너무 만나고 싶습니다! 이번 앨범도 많이 사랑해주시고 하루 빨리 만나서 우리 신나게 놀아요️ 늘 사랑해요!
빅 : 항상 응원해주셔서 감사합니다! 저희들도 젬분들을 늘 응원해요. 얼른 코로나 19가 끝나서 만나고 싶어요!
민재 : 우리 젬들 항상 많이 보고 싶고, 좋은 무대 보여드리기 위해서 열심히 연습할게요! 감사합니다! 이번 노래도 많이 들어주세요~
휘준 : 젬들 정말 빨리 만나고 싶어요. 항상 응원해주셔서 감사합니다!
윈 : 얼른 젬분들에게 무대를 직접 보여드리고 싶어요!! 2021년에는 꼭 가능하길 바랍니다!
(Castle J: We want to meet GEM so much! Please love this album and let's meet as soon as possible and have fun.️ I love you all the time!
Big: Thank you for always supporting us! We're always rooting for you, too. I can't wait to meet you because Corona 19 is over!
Minjae: I always miss GEM and I will practice hard to show you good performances! Thank you! Please listen to this song a lot, too.~
Huijun: I can't wait to meet GEMs. Thank you for always supporting us!
WIN: I can't wait to show them the stage! I hope it will be possible in 2021)
See MCND member Minjae play around with a prop tire for their Daily MCND, uploaded las January 2:
