[HKP EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] TEMPEST Demands The Spotlight With Their Latest EP “SHINING UP”

TEMPEST shines brighter than ever in their newest musical era.

TEMPEST recently made their comeback with their second mini-album, SHINING UP, ending the summer season in a bright fashion. The septet delivered four new tracks as part of the release, including “Young & Wild”, “Can’t Stop Shining”, “Only One Day”, and “START UP”. This marked their awaited return to the music scene as an emerging boy group already claiming global attention since debuting earlier this year.

• TEMPEST Celebrates A Successful Start To “SHINING UP” Comeback

In their newest era, SHINING UP reflects their energetic charm. Through the release, the group delivered youthful sentiments with the concept of ‘light’, paralleling its unchanging state with unwavering messages of love and hope.

While this project highlighted the group’s evolution musically, it also cast a light on members’ growth individually and as a team. Following the release, TEMPEST spoke to Hellokpop about their changes, what they would like to try in the future, and more.

Hellokpop (HKP): Hello, TEMPEST! Thank you for sharing your time with us and congratulations on your new EP, SHINING UP. Please introduce yourselves to our readers.

TEMPEST: (LEW) — Hello, everyone. I’m the leader of TEMPEST, spring sunshine, LEW!

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — It’s We! Hello, I’m HANBIN of TEMPEST! I am the lead vocalist and the lead dancer. I have bright energy and always think positively.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — It’s We! Hello, I’m HYEONGSEOP of TEMPEST! I’m the vocalist and dancer. My passion for music and performance is the motivation for my energy.

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — Hi! We are TEMPEST, and will sweep the music industry like a storm!

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — We are TEMPEST, a team with intensive energy and powerful charm.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — It’s an honor to have an interview with Hellokpop!! Thank you for inviting us. TEMPEST means a fierce storm and includes the purpose of sweeping the music industry like a storm.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — Hi, I am the center of TEMPEST that has a free soul, also I’m the main rapper, the main dancer of the team!

HKP: You’ve recently made your comeback with SHINING UP. How was the recording process for this project? Did it differ from the recording process of the first EP?

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — I realized I have grown a little more and discovered new things rather than in the previous album during this recording. I especially liked the title of our track, “Young & Wild.” I would like to show our new, young, fresh look from this comeback.

The difference from the previous album is that we can enjoy our stage more, not feeling as awkward as before, and we have grown.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — I put more passion into recording since It has been a while since to make a comeback. I think I am a little more relaxed compared to the first album. I could hear that my vocals were also more comfortable than before.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — I practiced very hard during our hiatus. I tried to put my emotions and moods into the song and only thought of our iE through the recording.

TEMPEST: (LEW) — If the first album was full of spirit and determination, this album has a mature and cool vibe.

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — We gave a change to the song’s vibe. It was new, but I had fun recording. If our first album had a powerful image, this album would show more various sides of us added with a cool vibe.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — I put in my heart and emotions through my voice more than the first time. I could express feelings better when recording, thinking of how I felt on stage and also thinking about iE.

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — Since it is our first comeback, I tried to show how much we have improved from our debut.

HKP: What did you want to convey most with your second EP?

TEMPEST: (LEW) — We wanted to deliver the message, “The brightest and shiniest moment is Now.” This album is a hopeful story of boys stepping into the world.

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — I wanted to give everyone a refreshing, cool summer. I practiced hard to bring coolness to this album.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — We compared ourselves to “flowers” that are living in the most beautiful “time.” The most important keyword is “light,” which doesn’t change over time and has a bright future.

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — I wanted to show a differentiated album by showing the coolness and maturity of TEMPEST.

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — We expressed the ambition of boys who have just stepped into the world.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — Under the theme of time, hope, and light, we tried to express the emotions of youth that constantly shines.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — We mostly cared about showing our eagerness and sincerity for iE.

HKP: HWARANG contributed to lyrics for tracks “Can’t Stop Shining” and “Only One Day.” What inspires you the most when lyric writing? What sparked your interest in writing lyrics?

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — I draw a picture of my experiences and memories in my head while I write lyrics. I try to write the lyrics in detail so that the people who read my lyrics can recognize every little part of them.

Before I started writing lyrics, I read lots of poetry and enjoyed writing poems. I was embarrassed to show anyone, so I wrote it on my own and I was satisfied reading it myself.

HKP: Is there a genre that you have not explored yet as a group that you hope to be able to explore in the future?

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — I would like to try House EDM through this album promotion. I want to try the chorus part which has fewer vocals but includes a break dance and addictive melody repetition so that you can feel the music.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — I want to try Disco Pop. The groovy music and choreography that uses the arms and legs appealed to me.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — I want to try intense and sexy concept music.

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — I would like to try a trendy vibe.

TEMPEST: (LEW) — The genre that I want to try is Old-School Hip-Hop. I think suits TEMPEST, and personally, I like the music and also I am confident with the genre.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — We are a group full of bright energy and emotions. But I think we can do a dark and cynical concept as well. Please look forward to it!

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — I would like to challenge an intense and sexy concept in the future.

HKP: As you are now in a new musical era and are further along in your journey as a group, in what way do you think TEMPEST has evolved the most since debuting?

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — Since we debuted, all of the members have grown and our teamwork has strengthened. I think the level of perfection on stage has improved because each of us has come to find composure.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — After our debut, we had the chance to stand on several stages. We were able to improve on our stage manners and could relax more through those experiences. By understanding the dynamics and the flow of the song, I was able to better convey the message I wanted to express in the song to the audience. And our teamwork has also become stronger.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — I think every member has a greater sense of responsibility. We work hard to give back the love and support to iE, and we try hard to show a better and cool appearance.

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — I think giving feedback to each other and reflecting on them in a short time has improved than before.

TEMPEST: (LEW) — After our debut, I can say that two things have improved the most. One is, our performance on stage and the other one is, our appearances when we are off stage. I thought of how I can make a better performance on stage by monitoring and practicing.

And off the stage, I thought about the proper attitude I needed and took responsibility for what I do.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — I think my facial expressions, sensibility, and media etiquette on stage has improved much through the experiences after our debut.

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — I think the ability to manage situations and the way we enjoy being on stage have developed.

HKP: Many of the members have previously trained publicly through idol competition programs. How do you think those experiences impacted your trainee journey or benefitted you as a member of TEMPEST?

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — I met multi-talented people since I participated in a survival program. We shared our stories and experiences and discussed a lot laying the groundwork for the actual stage.

After being a member of TEMPEST, I experienced once more of what I had before, and since I have already faced those situations before, I became a person who could handle the situation.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — While participating in a survival program, I met colleagues with various talents, and through them, I received positive motivation. Before my debut, based on the experiences that I built on an actual stage, I learned the know-hows that can make a perfect stage.

TEMPEST: (LEW) — I think having broadcasting experiences benefitted me a lot. Through those experiences, I have learned many things – for example, what I have to be aware of at the broadcasting station, how I should behave when I communicate with the fans, and finding the right camera on the stage, etc.

I appreciate the opportunity to have those broadcasting experiences ahead of my activity as a member of TEMPEST.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — Even though it was a short experience, I could debut as a TEMPEST because I chased the feeling that I first felt on stage. It is truly a special memory and an unforgettable experience for me.

HKP: What kept you motivated during times of hardship in your journey to becoming a member of TEMPEST?

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — I kept thinking, “Always think that being a trainee is an opportunity, and always do your best not to regret it later.” My family motivates me, and my fans who sincerely wished for my debut after my appearance on I-LAND are also part of my motivation.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — I read the diary I wrote as a trainee to look for why I chose this path. No matter how much I was going through a hard time, the pure passion deep inside my heart never changed.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — I believed in the saying, “Effort never betrays you,” and even if I have failed, I constantly challenged myself and tried harder. I got a lot of motivation from seeing my friends who have already debuted and worked harder.

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — Family support always means a lot. Whenever there was a moment that I wanted to give up, my family cheered me up and that set me back on the road.

TEMPEST: (LEW) — After making my pre-debut on a show, there were fans who supported me. I returned to being a trainee focusing on practicing for not a short time. While does times my fans sent me letters, gifts, and messages. That gave me a lot of energy.

If it weren’t for those cheers, I might have given up in the middle.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — When I came out of the company I first worked with, I lost my way and didn’t know what to do. I remembered being on stage for the first time, so I tried again and practiced constantly. I think that’s how I was able to become HWARANG of TEMPEST.

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — My family, who was always around and supported me; they gave me strength.

HKP: For newer fans, what do you think is TEMPEST’s biggest charming point?

TEMPEST: (LEW) — I think the biggest charming point of TEMPEST is the diverse charm that comes from each of the seven members. Each member is full of individuality and charm. Each track in the album shows various colors in different genres. There are plenty of other sides to show you.

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — TEMPEST has seven members with seven colors and personalities, who became a flawless group by making up for each other.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — Each of the seven members has different charms. And I think when we’re together, the biggest charm is our unique teamwork. We are One & Only.

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — Our biggest charm is our unique personalities and shining visuals!

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — All seven of us have various charms.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — I think the biggest charming point is that seven of us all have an individual charm. All of us are very charming and have a shiny light.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — TEMPEST’s biggest charming point is we all have our own different colors. We all have a strong personality that makes a good synergy as a team.

HKP: What do you hope to accomplish in the future as a team?

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — We all have the same goal of winning the “Rookie of Year Award.” We hope to perform in front of iE much more.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — As a rookie that debuted in 2022, winning the Rookie of Year Award and also to meet iE from all over the world and communicate with iE through our performances.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — We would like to win first place on a music show and receive awards at various award ceremonies. I think that iE and TEMPEST can achieve big results by working hard together.

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — None of the members getting injured. I hope everyone stays healthy so we can be together for a long time.

TEMPEST: (LEW) — What I want to accomplish as a group is winning the Rookie of the Year Awards, End of the Year Awards, Awards at Domestic and International Awards, and I also want to go on domestic tours and overseas tours!

I would be delighted to do anything with iE.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — TEMPEST is a group who walks towards the future. I would like our team to be brought up and remembered by people even after 10, 100 years.

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — We want to be an artist that will be remembered even after ten years.

HKP: What can fans look forward to from TEMPEST?

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — Watching our performance will make you feel young, dynamic, and cool. Also, you’ll automatically smile.

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — The higher quality music shows us constantly improving and satisfying fans when they listen to it.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — We’re still in the beginning, and we’re able to show you many better sides of us. We think we’re a growing idol. So I think we’ll be showing improvement each time.

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — We’ll show different charms to iE every time we make a comeback.

TEMPEST: (LEW) — I hope you look forward to TEMPEST’s musical and performance spectrum and our potential. We are confident we will do our best for iE.

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — We tell our stories in every album. We are sure to make you surprised with new appearances every time.

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — We are always prepared, so please look forward to our album!

HKP: Lastly, please share a message of love for your global fans!

TEMPEST: (HANBIN) — Hello. We always appreciate our fans’ support. We always work hard, and I hope we will keep making good memories. We love you~

TEMPEST: (HYEONGSEOP) — Hello! We’re TEMPEST. We came back in 5 months with our 2nd mini- album, Shining Up. This album contains four tracks with different colors including the refreshing and energetic title song, “Can’t Stop Shining” which suits best for summer.

Also, the point part in this album is that the members’ musical capabilities are improved compared to the first album. I hope you are all curious about what’s next! Ha Ha.

TEMPEST: (HYUK) — Hello! Global fans, and iE!! We will work hard to show you excellent appearances so please give us lots of interest and love!! And for who we can always count on, iE you guys are the best!!

TEMPEST: (EUNCHAN) — Thank you for waiting and supporting us. We will try to be excellent and improve more. Thank you!

TEMPEST: (LEW) — We are always thankful for global iE. Because of iE we can go on stage singing and empathize with joy all thanks to you. We always think about iE from the bottom of our heart.

Hope you will be next to us today and the day after and in the future. We love you so much ❤

TEMPEST: (HWARANG) — Hello, iE! Even though we are far away our hearts are right beside each other! Please give a lot of love to TEMPEST! We will be the proud TEMPEST always. Thank you for your support! We love you!!

TEMPEST: (TAERAE) — Thank you so much for showing great interest, love, and support! We will become artists to return all the love!!

You can follow TEMPEST on the following platforms: Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube 

Our kind thanks to TEMPEST, REELS Corporation, and Yuehua Entertainment for this interview. All photos in this feature were provided by Yuehua Entertainment. This interview was conducted in Korean and translated by REELS Corporation. 

Video Source: Yuehua Entertainment | Source Music Entertainment