P1HARMONY returns with a dynamic blend of high-energy tempos and heartfelt lyrics in their latest EP, SAD SONG, creating a track for when you’re sad but don’t want to be weighed down and limited by your low spirits.
After a successful year of touring, Music Show wins, and high-profile performances at events like the Governors Ball, the group continues to push limits in the K-Pop scene with their ability to evoke powerful emotions through their music while keeping their distinctive P1HARMONY sound. The EP showcases a diverse range of sounds, from the rock-infused “Welcome To” to the intense hip-hop of their first unit track, “WASP,” a favorite among most members.
With both upbeat tracks like “It’s Alright” and more introspective songs such as “Last Call”, SAD SONG offers something for every mood. Once again, P1HARMONY has demonstrated its versatility and created another memorable EP.
The Knockturnal sat down with P1HARMONY to discuss their latest EP, SAD SONG, the creative process behind its diverse tracks, plans for future unit songs, their favorite sad songs, and a recap of the bright and successful year they have had thus far!
The conversation has been adjusted for clarity.
Opening the conversation, their vibrant and always high-energy Canadian-born vocalist KEEHO, reflected on the contrast between the upbeat sound of “SAD SONG” and its true meaning, acknowledging that the lively vibe might catch P1ECES (their fans) off guard.
The Knockturnal: Can you explain the creative decision behind the contrast of the name being “SAD SONG” with the high energy type of sound that it had? Was it intentional?
KEEHO: I wouldn’t say it’s intentional, but I also feel like, P1Harmony would never release anything less than mid-tempo as a title song. I feel like we’re always trying to keep the energy up in our songs, especially our singles, that has always been the goal and the idea. I think it just seems more like a contrast because of actually what the song represents and what it means and what kind of message we have behind it because it’s really about, a superhero and how they save the world and save the day. After saving the world, it follows with the feeling of emptiness and loneliness and sadness and how we overcome that with fun and with energy and with positive thinking and stuff like that. But in the music, we’re trying to show how we can overcome that sadness with song, so it’s like that kind of cool contrast. I don’t know if it was intentional, but I mean, it’s gonna confuse a lot of people, and I’m very excited to see how people receive it.
Not only is the track’s melody infectious and energetic, but the accompanying music video perfectly complements its vibrant sound. Featuring the group in colorful outfits and showcasing their impressive dance moves, the video brings the song to life with visually stunning sets that complement the Latin-inspired theme of the title track.
Check out the music video below!
P1HARMONY explored a variety of genres in this comeback, which isn’t an easy feat. We asked the group how they maintain diversity in their tracks while exploring all kinds of genres and different musical styles while ensuring they always deliver and keep “Killin’ It.”
JONGSEOB emphasized their commitment to breaking away from a single sound by experimenting with various versions and verses and to achieve a final product they were satisfied with.
The Knockturnal: “SAD SONG” was different from a lot of other tracks on the EP, from “Welcome To” being more rock-infused to “All You” being more 90s-inspired. There was so much diversity within each one. How do you guys keep up with learning different musical styles to ensure you’re always ‘killing it’?
JONGSEOB: We’re always trying to overcome that barrier of sticking to the same sound, we’re always trying to experiment with new things. One of the main reasons why we create so many different versions of verses is because we’re always looking at the atmosphere and the genre sonically. We come up with different verses for one song so that we can pick the best fit for the genre, sound, and beat. We often triple-check, verses.
Continuing the conversation about the dynamic tracks on the EP, we asked the members about their favorite songs from this release and why. Each answer was particular, with INTAK, JIUNG, THEO, and SOUL all chiming in to share their thoughts.
The Knockturnal: Can you guys maybe share each of your favorite songs on SAD SONG and why you love them? Are there any specific lyrics or a specific process behind it that you’re most proud of?
KEEHO: For me, I really like “WASP” It’s not a song that I worked on or anything, but I feel like it reflects my personal taste and is something I’d listen to in my free time. So, I really like “WASP.”
INTAK: My favorite song is “SAD SONG” because this genre is so fresh to me. I just like this genre so much and I’ve listened to it so many times. I’ll pick “SAD SONG.”
JIUNG: For me, I’ll say, “All You.” It’s a pretty energetic pretty romantic, and I think our fans, P1ECES, are gonna love the song. It gives a very pink and floral vibe!
JONGSEOB: “WASP.” Our first unit song! Me and INTAK wrote this song. The process is not hard, but I’m a little scared. I hope our P1ECES like it. It’s our first unit song so – I am pretty nervous!
THEO: My favorite song is “WASP.” I have been asking the company for a song just for the rappers. In contrast, it’s so different from all of our other songs because it is two members and it is rap-based. It is going to be a fun song to see performed live, I could imagine the fun on stage.
SOUL: I really like “It’s Alright” because of the overall vibe – especially the hook. It is very catchy and is easy to get stuck in my head.
Given that half of the members favored “WASP,” we asked P1HARMONHY about the unit track’s hip-hop and rap-oriented style and their hopes for other future unit projects.
The Knockturnal: Can you tell us about “WASP” and the experience working as a unit?
JONGSEOB: Like I said before the process is not too hard. The one really hard thing is making the beats. We wanted to have a vibey, heavy, and bass-driven sonic sound.
The Knockturnal: It’s so fun to see you guys introducing unit tracks. Does any member have in mind a potential unit track with another member? What vibe would you bring to that track?
KEEHO: I think me and THEO would do a killer slow ballad-type thing, but if it was me, THEO, and JIUNG, it would be a ballad but it would have major crazy harmonies. I think it would be more rhythmical, not like a Boyz II Men-type thing. *mimics sound*
JONGSEOB: I feel like I wanna see SOUL and THEO’s units. They have a very soft voice. I would just want to see their good beats.
P1HARMONY is not only talented, but they also have insanely relatable and fun personalities that they showcase through their TikTok posts. These posts attract both K-pop and non-K-pop fans alike, leading many to ask, ‘Who are these guys?’
When we asked the group about any ideas for a TikTok trend or video for their new EP, ‘SAD SONG,’ KEEHO suggested a trend inspired by the ‘If you dance, I’ll dance’ trend that he and MATTHEW from ZEROBASEONE recently participated in.
KEEHO: In “SAD SONG” there’s a lyric that’s similar to that and it’s in the chorus. There is a lyric that’s like, “Feel like, feel like another Sad Song, 모두가 춤을 추는 mad song .” Which means “Everyone dances to the mad song.” And so the first half, It’s just going to be like one person, and then we’ll have like everyone else dancing together. I kind of want to make that little trend inspired by that trend.
In response to another fun question we posed to the group—given that the title track is called ‘” SAD SONG,” do you have any favorite sad songs you’d recommend to fans? The members enthusiastically shared several picks.
KEEHO shouted out the songs “everything i wanted,” “i love you,” and “before i go” by Billie Eilish, as well as “needy” by Ariana Grande and “Jealous” by Labrinth, where the members unanimously agreed, “Happier” and “Traitor” by Olivia Rodrigo, and also mentioned “emails i can’t send” by Sabrina Carpenter and “Supermodel” by SZA – complete with KEEHO singing a bit of the track!
INTAK chimed in with his pick, “Ghost in the Machine” by SZA. He expressed that when that song starts playing, the powerful lyrics get him emotional.
Following the SZA train, JONGSEOB chose “Open Arms.” He shared that they heard it live at Governors Ball, where SZA and P1HARMONY performed this year, describing the experience as ‘amazing.’
To conclude our conversation, we celebrated P1HARMONY’s incredible year of accomplishments and asked the members about their most memorable moments. They unanimously highlighted their performance at the Governors Ball, marking their first US festival, with THEO adding to the accomplishments of selling out the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, which was equally unforgettable. SOUL expressed his pride in winning their first Music Show and the thrill of holding their first trophy!
KEEHO concluded the interview with gratitude, expressing appreciation for P1HARMONY’s fans. He emphasized the hard work that went into creating their latest album, SAD SONG, and expressed hope that it would resonate with both new and returning listeners. KEEHO concluded, “We hope to create even more unforgettable memories with this album.”
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