“These Songs Contain My Personal Pain… Very Difficult To Perform” BANG YONGGUK Gets Vulnerable About His Recent U.S. Tour | Interview

BANG YONGGUK is known as a force to be reckoned within the Korean entertainment industry. As both a part of B.A.P and as an impeccable soloist, BANG YONGGUK and his music go above and beyond when it comes to creativity. Not to mention that he has gained recognition as a music producer, as well. BANG YONGGUK is the mastermind behind some of your favorite hits by artists like JUST B, Moon JongUp (also a member of B.A.P), and Park JiHoon.

Earlier in the year, YY Entertainment announced that BANG YONGGUK would be embarking on a highly anticipated US tour called “III” in April of 2024. The tour started in Brooklyn, New York, and continued through multiple cities, ending in Los Angeles, California. Correlating with the name of his most recent EP “3”, fans were in for a treat of getting to experience his music live and in person!

Kpopmap had the honor of interviewing BANG YONGGUK ahead of his groundbreaking tour. We discussed the inspirations behind his latest EP and how that linked to the concept for his tour, the lessons he learned on tour, the songs he enjoys performing the most, and more.

Note: This interview was conducted before the tour.

 

BANG YONGGUK, welcome to Kpopmap, and congratulations on your 2024 “III” US Tour! How does it feel to be on another tour after the success of your “The Colors of BANG YONGGUK” world tour in 2023?

I want to express my deep gratitude to the fans for being able to embark on a new tour with the new album. None of this would have been possible without your support and encouragement.

 

Your tour name “III” corresponds with the name of your latest EP “3”. You described your EP in one phrase as a ‘musical departure’ (음악적 탈피), can you please tell us about how this concept links to your tour, as well? What new sides of you can fans expect to see on stage?

This EP was inspired a lot by the recent world tour. I wanted to enjoy the performances with more audiences in a more exciting way. That’s why I decided to challenge myself with genres and tempos of music that I hadn’t tried before. The recent U.S. tour reaffirmed that it is indeed a well-made album, which made me feel proud.

On a similar note, you are known for your astounding musicality. In fact, you promised to show fans an unlimited music spectrum through your release of the EP “3”. Keeping this in mind, how did you go about composing your setlist?

For the recent U.S. tour, I created the setlist centered around the new album. By combining it with my existing upbeat songs, I was able to create a more diverse and dynamic performance. I also included some of my emotional songs that the fans love, making a complete setlist.

 

You’ve mentioned that you learn a lot on each tour that you embark on. Please share one lesson that you learned on your previous world tour that you’ve applied when preparing for this tour.

Every time I go on tour, I can understand the fans’ needs better. They give a lot of feedback about the music they like and want to hear in my performances. This feedback is very helpful when preparing for a new tour. As I travel to different cities and perform, I can sense unique atmospheres and find ways to improve my performances.

 

A lot of the songs in your discography are emotionally-charged as you share your vulnerability with your fans. Are there any of your songs that you particularly enjoy performing in front of a crowd?

When I sing the song ‘RACE’, it stirs up my emotions. Perhaps because it was the song that marked my comeback after a long hiatus, I think a lot about that time when I perform it on stage.

Your concerts and live shows are always met with raving reviews about your stage presence and connection with the crowd. Which part of being on stage do you enjoy the most? If you had any memorable moments on stage before, are there any memories that you wish to recreate on stage again?

The most memorable moments from this tour were performing ‘Journey’ and ‘AM 4:44’. These songs contain my personal pain, making them very difficult to perform on stage. I tried hard to hold back my tears. After finishing the songs, I would see fans crying, which made it even harder to control my emotions. Personally, I hope to perform ‘I REMEMBER’ on stage with DaeHyun again.

 

You will be visiting 11 cities on your 2024 “III” US Tour. Are there any tourist attractions that you hope to have time to visit or any US foods that you’re looking forward to eating on your trip?

When I toured during my early years, I visited many places I wanted to see, like famous city attractions, museums, and popular restaurants. Nowadays, I enjoy walking through the alleys of cities. Rather than crowded places, I try to feel the unique atmosphere of each city. Whole Foods is my favorite. Whenever I visit a city, I buy wine and food there to enjoy at the hotel.

 

TMI Question: The name ‘BANG YONGGUK’ is synonymous with ‘fashion influence’. What is the number one styling tip that you follow to achieve your stylish look?

I usually avoid incorporating too many colors into my outfits. I prefer to add a pop of color to my shoes. Rather than wearing just a t-shirt, I like to layer with a shirt or a light jacket over a tee.

TMI Question: If you could only listen to three artists for the rest of your life, who would they be and why?

Duke Elington, The Beatles, The Game.
 
They are the artists who have captured my life from my teens to my thirties. They have provided the greatest inspiration for my music. I listened to them in my teens, and I still listen to their music now. I will probably continue to listen to their music even when I am in my sixties.

 

Lastly, can you say a word to American fans who are excited to see you perform on stage? Do you have a special message for your loving fans all around the world?

Fans who give me a special life: I always want to say that I love and respect you so much. Thanks to you, I’m still able to do music. I want to be an artist who develops so that I can repay you for your endless support and support. Please keep telling me your stories. Thank you.

Thank you once again to BANG YONGGUK for being so open in this interview. Fans have been posting rave reviews about his riveting concerts and it has been a pleasure to see. Make sure to check out his music and stay tuned to his projects in the future!

Which BANG YONGGUK song do you think sounds the best live? If you haven’t seen him perform live before, which song would you like to see him perform live?