In the ever-evolving landscape of K-pop, CRAVITY stands as a beacon of youthful energy and boundless creativity. Formed by Starship Entertainment, this nine-member group– consisting of members Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin– burst onto the scene in 2020, quickly earning the moniker of “Monster Rookies.” Their meteoric rise saw them conquering global charts and winning prestigious awards, cementing their status as one of the industry’s brightest stars.
Filled with the bright energy of youth, CRAVITY returns with their 7th mini album, EVERSHINE. This latest offering is a testament to their growth and maturity, encapsulating the passionate love and raw emotions of their journey. From the infectious beats of “Love or Die” to the nostalgic yearning of “Over & Over,” each track on EVERSHINE offers a unique experience, showcasing the group’s versatility and musical prowess.
“Love or Die,” the title track of the album, embodies CRAVITY’s signature energetic vibe with its fast-paced rhythm and powerful lyrics. As the members pour their hearts into the song, listeners are drawn into a world of intense determination and unwavering love. The accompanying music video serves as a visual metaphor for the struggles and triumphs of youth, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.
The inspiration behind the name CRAVITY speaks volumes about the group’s mission and identity. A fusion of “Creativity” and “Gravity,” CRAVITY aims to attract listeners into their unique universe with their charm, talent, and creativity. As the center of gravity in the K-pop world, CRAVITY continues to pull fans into their orbit with their infectious energy and captivating performances.
With EVERSHINE, CRAVITY invites listeners on a journey through the highs and lows of youth, reminding us that love, perseverance, and music are the guiding lights that illuminate our path. As they continue to shine brighter with each new release, CRAVITY proves that they are not just a boy band, but a force to be reckoned with in the world of K-pop.
Check out our exclusive interview with CRAVITY!
[The Knockturnal] Congratulations on the release of your 7th mini album, EVERSHINE! How does it feel to have another album out, especially one that marks such an important chapter in CRAVITY’s growth?
WOOBIN: I believe that our 7th mini album, released almost four years after our debut, will play a very important role. Personally, I have high expectations as it seems to be an album where our concept and the growth of our members have occurred simultaneously. I hope our fans and K-pop lovers will show a lot of love for it.
[The Knockturnal] The title track “Love or Die” seems to embody CRAVITY’s signature energetic vibe. Could you share with us the inspiration behind the song and music video?
WONJIN: We feel that we can’t survive without LUVITY, so thinking of our fans, we were able to focus a little more on the stage and immerse ourselves in the song.
[The Knockturnal] “EVERSHINE” is such a vibrant and dynamic album. After listening to the tracks– it’s hard to pick a favorite– but I’m obsessed with “Worst Thriller”! What is each members favorite track?
WOOBIN – C’est La Vie (This song fits well with my musical taste.)
WONJIN – Love or Die (I’m really excited for our album promotion this time because our focus track ‘Love or Die’ is a concept I’ve been eager to try)
ALLEN – Over & Over (because I wrote the song and it really means a lot to me how I can express my feelings toward LUVITY)
TAEYOUNG – Worst Thriller (The sexy vibe of this song and our members’ voices complement each other well)
HYEONGJUN – Over & Over (I listened to it when I went on a trip this time, and I enjoyed it because it felt exciting and uplifting.)
MINHEE – Worst Thriller (I enjoy and like thrilling things!)
SEONGMIN – Cherry Blossom (The melody is very good, and I think it will go well with the upcoming spring.)
SERIM – Over & Over (I usually enjoy songs with this kind of vibe, and it seems to be a song that resonates with my feelings.)
JUNGMO – Cherry Blossom (The lyrics are sweet, and I think LUVITY will love it. It’s my favorite song.)
[The Knockturnal] With tracks like “C’est La Vie” and “Worst Thriller,” EVERSHINE seems to explore a wide range of genres. How do you approach blending different musical styles while still maintaining CRAVITY’s unique sound?
ALLEN – I think no matter what style we do, as long as we stay true to ourselves, no matter what kind of genre, what kind of songs we do, it will always stay true to the essence of CRAVITY.
[The Knockturnal] “Over & Over” is a track that was co-written by Allen and also produced. Could you walk us through the emotions and experiences that inspired this song and its production?
ALLEN – With our on-line variety show ‘CRAVITYPARK’, we did a segment where we did ‘would you rather’ and one of the question was ‘Would you rather forget LUVITY or be forgotten by LUVITY’ and throughout the discussion, I gained a lot of inspiration from the talks and that’s what I came up with the lyrics and the main theme of ‘Over & Over’ because I want our fans ‘LUVITY’ to know that. Even if one day, I wake up with any memories of us, I would go back in time and walk the same path that I did (if it means that I can find you LUVITY).
[The Knockturnal] Reflecting on your journey since your debut album, how do you think CRAVITY has evolved as a group both musically and personally?
WOOBIN – I believe we’ve become a team with no musical limitations! CRAVITY can pull off any concept!
WONJIN – After our debut, we’ve met many artists and gained various experiences. I believe I have grown a lot by contemplating and researching my vocal abilities and style, and facing many challenges.
ALLEN – I feel like I as a person in general has really grown a lot throughout years being out in Korea by myself. I feel like the members really helped me a lot and our fans really gained me a lot of strength and courage to continue on this journey and I would spend my whole life with them together
TAEYOUNG – I believe that through moments of trying various things and experiencing things I wouldn’t have as a student, I learned how to discover my strengths and develop them. It was through these moments that I found ways to progress and grow.
HYEONGJUN – It seems that I have diversified and grown a lot in terms of expressing myself on stage compared to the early days of my debut.
MINHEE – The love for my fans has grown so much and become so thick that, now, it’s at a level where I can’t even put on clothes!
SEONGMIN – It feels like I’ve learned how to communicate with fans through world tours and numerous performances, and personally, I believe there has been significant development in expressing myself.
SERIM – It seems that I have developed a lot in terms of performing on stage compared to when I debuted. I also believe that the way I express songs has become more diverse.
JUNGMO – I feel that my empathy has grown a lot as I continue to prepare albums and engage in promotional activities with LUVITY.
[The Knockturnal] What do you hope LUVITY will take away from this EP?
ALLEN – I hope LUVITY will know that “it’s always darkest before the dawn and that if you feel like you are surrounded by the darkness, CRAVITY will become the source of light that you need”.
[The Knockturnal] You’ve recently completed your first world tour and performed at KCON LA. What were some of the most memorable moments from these experiences, and how have they impacted you as artists?
WOOBIN – Through KCON LA, I was able to feel that the KPOP culture has a significant presence not only in Korea but also in the United States. It is a great honor for us to be a part of this culture and perform on stage. I have realized the importance of continuing to work hard and make efforts to communicate through music, aiming for more stages where we can connect and empathize with the audience in the future.
WONJIN – Seeing KPOP fans from all around the world coming to watch us, I could directly witness that many people are enjoying KPOP. This experience has motivated me even more to contribute and make a positive impact in the KPOP.
ALLEN – Being able to perform in my hometown whether that be on the KCON stage or our world tour, it felt really surreal to me and it just kept me keep going because I was able to see how all my friends were really proud and how my family (my mom and brother) were proud of me and just seeing how we have so many supports from our overseas LUVITY, it makes me want to continue to repay back the love, it makes me want to work even harder.
TAEYOUNG – The days when I stood on big stages like KCON LA are truly memorable. Being able to perform on such grand stages, witnessing overseas LUVITY directly, hearing their cheers, and looking into their eyes have given me a lot of strength and clarity in my direction as an artist.
HYEONGJUN – Watching the performances of many artists at KCON LA, I feel like I gained a lot of lessons and insights. Building on what I’ve learned, I want to showcase even more amazing performances to LUVITY all over the world.
MINHEE – Experiencing the energy of international fans for the first time at KCON LA was truly remarkable. Everyone enjoyed themselves so much, and it brought me great joy. In that atmosphere of joy, I had the time to reflect on how I can have a more positive impact and contribute even more to our fans.
SEONGMIN – During the tour, I was initially worried about communication barriers due to the language difference. However, I discovered that there were many aspects that could be felt through just eye contact. Communicating with fans provided me with an opportunity for personal growth, and I felt that I could grow and learn through these interactions.
SERIM – I knew that there were many LUVITYs overseas, but it was a moment when I truly felt the love and support of LUVITY by seeing the fans in person. Thinking about both international and domestic fans, we worked hard in preparing for this comeback.
JUNGMO – While touring the world and attending KCON, I witnessed the love and passion of international fans that I couldn’t directly experience during the pandemic. It has sparked a desire in me to do even better and give back more.
[The Knockturnal] Aside from your own songs, what is one song off of your playlist you would recommend to LUVITY?
WOOBIN – Justin Bieber – Sorry
WONJIN – Johnny Stimson – Empty Apartment
ALLEN – TWICE – I GOT YOU
TAEYOUNG – Christian Kuria – Too Good
HYEONGJUN – JVKE – Golden Hour
SEONGMIN – IU – Shopper
SERIM – girlfriends – California
JUNGMO – wave to earth – love
MINHEE – Usher – Crash
[The Knockturnal] Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for CRAVITY in 2024? Are there any new challenges or projects you’re excited about?
CRAVITY – Winning the music shows, great chart rankings, CRAVITY BOOM!!!! Since we made a quick comeback in the new year of 2024, we hope we can continue to show a new side of ourselves with great albums in the future!
(Photo credits: STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT)
