AMPERS&ONE is a 7-member boy group under FNC Entertainment. The rookie group consisting of members JiHo, Kamden, Brian, SiYun, Kyrell, Mackiah, and SeungMo, has been receiving praise for their fun performance energy that brings a smile to their fans' faces.

They debuted last year with the single album "AMPERSAND ONE" and the title track 'On And On' on November 15, 2023. Currently, they are building an ever-growing fanbase as K-Pop fans discover their boyish charm.

In commemoration of their debut, Kpopmap had the pleasure of speaking to the members about their debut single album, their musical inspirations, the little things that make them happy, and more.

 

AMPERS&ONE, welcome to Kpopmap, and congratulations on your debut with the single album “AMPERSAND ONE”! How does it feel to finally be making your debut as a group?

It feels amazing to finally debut as a group together.
Brian
It’s been very exciting! We’ve experienced a lot of firsts recently our first showcase, music show, fan sign, interview entertainment show, and more. Although some moments were nerve-racking, we’ve been finding joy and embracing these new experiences.
Kyrell
It feels so surreal and I’m so excited for everything that we will be able to achieve together as a group in the future.
Mackiah

 

Your group name ‘AMPERS&ONE’ signifies coming together as each individual to achieve your dreams and become one. Can each member please name one charm that they believe they will bring to the group?

Cuteness
Brian
Positivity
Kyrell
I can bring the fun and entertainment with my positive and bright energy.
Mackiah
Friendliness
Kamden

You’ve just made your debut and yet you’re already receiving a lot of praise for your all-rounder potential as a group. Is there a particular side of AMPERS&ONE that you hope to show fans through your debut and going forward?

I hope to show the energetic and goofy side to us going forward.
Brian
Yeah, I think our team is made of not only talented but caring and thoughtful people so if we can continue to just be who we are, I believe people will find us very approachable and fun.
Kyrell
I hope our fans can see the side of AMPERS&ONE which is hardworking while still having fun with each other.
Mackiah

Your album “AMPERSAND ONE” is full of your boy-next-door charm and bright energy. Is there any point that you hope that fans will focus on whilst listening to the album?

I hope people feel warm inside while listening to the album because the messages in our songs are all really positive.
Brian
I think you’re spot on! We hope listeners will feed off of the youthful and bright energy that is in our first album.
Kyrell

Some of your members were previously contestants on survival shows such as “YG Treasure Box”, “Extreme Debut: Wild Idol”, and the most recent “Boys Planet”. Can each of you please share how you think taking part in these shows has helped or shaped your journey to ultimately debut as members of AMPERS&ONE?

Well, first of all, if not for "Boys Planet", I would never be in FNC because if it wasn't for Kamden I wouldn't be here right now. Also, during "Boys Planet" I gained a lot of experience that helped me become more comfortable on stage.
Brian
With making different kinds of expressions because I performed different kinds of songs!
Kamden

You are a multinational group, which means that you have a lot of different perspectives. How have you been navigating differences in personality within the group so far?

Even though we're from different countries, we get along really well and so far we haven't had any problems.
Brian
Being multicultural is one of our greatest strengths we have different music tastes, food tastes, and cultural traditions, and as we live together, we’re able to share these things and I think that makes our group more fun because we’re always learning new things from each other.
Kyrell
Although we come from many different countries we get along very well as most members have similar interests. If there are any hardships in communication members all step in together to translate and help each other.
Mackiah

You are debuting as K-Pop artists at a time when we are seeing a lot of diverse concepts and musical sounds span across multiple K-Pop generations. Do you have any industry role models that you look up to in terms of the career achievements you want to pursue?

There are so many successful artists in the industry but among them BTS stands out. We would love to pursue not only their career achievements in terms of awards or fame but more importantly their incredible skill, diligence, and the way they used their music to encourage and bring joy to their listeners
Kyrell
As a K-pop group our main role model is BTS as they have been very successful in all aspects of the industry. They are all talented and are able to create amazing music while being able to perform and deliver the messages they wish to convey.
Mackiah

TMI Question: Please share the last song that you listened to before answering this interview.

'Sweet & Sour' from AMPERS&ONE.
Brian
'This is Your Life' by Alexander Stewart
Kyrell
I listened to 'Lights Down Low' by MAX
Mackiah
'Waste My Time' by Grace VanderWaal
Kamden

TMI Question: What is a small yet certain source of happiness (소확행) in your daily life lately?

Caramel popcorn.
Brian
As a food lover I would say breakfast. The first meal in the morning just gets me going with a good start.
Kyrell
I love going to the convenience store with the members and snacking on some chocolate or chips.
Mackiah
I would say sleep because we get less sleep than before.
Kamden

Lastly, do you have anything to say to your global fans who are supporting you and will be supporting you in the future? Do you have a special message for them?

I love you guys and I hope I can see you guys more in the future!
Brian
All we have is gratitude! We are so thankful for you support and we hope you enjoy our music and other content.
Kyrell
Thank you guys so much for supporting us on our journey! We’re so thankful for every one of you guys and we’ll try our best to deliver the best performances, so be excited!
Mackiah

Thank you once again to AMPERS&ONE for taking the time to answer our questions! We are looking forward to seeing all that the group will achieve in the future.

Make sure to watch the 'On And On' music video and get yourself a copy of "AMPERSAND ONE"!

The K-Pop scene is always expanding with numerous rookie groups making their debut every year. With the amount of new groups and upcoming debuts, Kpopmap has even compiled a list, which you can view down below.

With the various groups currently promoting and influx of new idols, it can be difficult to keep track of everyone. And while they all produce amazing music, combined with loveable personalities, there are a number of groups that netizens honed in on and could not stop talking about.

Here are some of the groups that had the hottest debuts in 2023.

Note: This list is in no particular order and does not include sub-unit or soloist debuts.

 

1. ZEROBASEONE

Comprised of 9 members, ZEROBASEONE went through an arduous journey as contestants on survival program, "Boys Planet," in order to join the debut lineup. When the show ended and the boy group was finalized, viewers were ecstatic. It did not take very long until ZEROBASEONE made their official debut with the title track 'In Bloom,' performing to the roar of fans everywhere.

 

2. xikers

ATEEZ has built up an impressive legacy and when news came out that their label, KQ Entertainment, would be debuting a new boy group, netizens could not contain their excitement. Even pre-debut, xikers were able to gain valuable stage experience and showcase their talents. 2023 marked the beginning of xikers' journey as an idol group, earning a hot response from the K-Pop community.

 

3. LUN8

LUN8 received a ton of hype and attention from the time they were announced. This is due to the fact that it had been about seven years since their label, Fantagio, had debuted a boy group. As they slowly released vocal covers, teasers, and album highlights, fans could not help but gravitate towards the rookies. LUN8 have since become a bright shining light, illuminating all the dark spots of 2023.

 

4. HORI7ON

After the conclusion of idol survival show, "Dream Maker", HORI7ON was poised to take the world by storm. They gradually released a series of pre-debut singles before making their official debut on July 24, 2023. They made history as the first all-Filipino boy group in the K-Pop scene, showcasing their brilliant talent whenever possible. They've gained wave after wave of new fans who fervently support the idol group in all of their endeavors. A new era of K-Pop is on the HORI7ON, and the MLD boy group looks to lead it.

 

5. BOYNEXTDOOR

2023 is a year where history was made as BOYNEXTDOOR became the first boy group from KOZ Entertainment. As a company under HYBE and under the leadership of iconic artist ZICO, netizens were curious to see what the idol group had in store. They made a splash right from the start, exceeding all expectations put forth by the community and critics alike. Their swoon-worthy vocals and smooth dance moves were enough to make all eyes hone in on the rookie boy group.

 

6. RIIZE

SM Entertainment has built up a reputation for globally renowned idol groups who lead the charge in various aspects. So with the announcement of RIIZE, the K-Pop community had their eyes locked onto the fresh-faced rookies. They came out the gates blazing hot, strumming their own unique melody that had everyone dancing along. From visuals to talent, RIIZE were not lacking in any aspect, making fans excited to become witnesses to their idol journey.

 

7. EVNNE

While not making the debut lineup for a survival show can be disheartening, it's not the end of the world. For these seven "Boys Planet" contestants, Jellyfish Entertainment decided to bring them together to form the group, EVNNE. After watching them improve week after week, fans were confident in their ability to rise to the top. EVNNE's debut left an impact, a trend that's sure to continue as they further their career.

 

8. 8TURN

8TURN started off the year with a bang, making their official debut on January 30th, 2023. Being the first boy group from MNH Entertainment, netizens and critics alike focused their attention towards the budding idols. 8TURN's debut was a roaring success, met with countless cheers from fans at every stage.

 

9. AMPERS&ONE

While FNC Entertainment started off as a home to bands, they've produced chart topping boy groups in SF9 and P1Harmony. Now, AMPERS&ONE looks to carry on the legacy set forth by their predecessors. They are made up of seven members from all across the globe, with four former survival show contestants. Building upon this experience and showcasing a breadth of skill, netizens cannot help but expect big things from AMPERS&ONE.

 

10. BABYMONSTER

Being the first YG Entertainment girl group since BLACKPINK, expectations are high for BABYMONSTER. There's no doubt that the members are more than talented, as they showcased powerful performances through their survival documentary. Now that they've made their official debut, everyone in the K-Pop community seems to be talking about them, ready to witness the girl group live up to their name.

 

11. KISS OF LIFE

True to their name, the girl group breathed new life into the K-Pop scene through their unique sound and trendy debut song. KISS OF LIFE received an explosive response, with fans offering endless praise for the members' incredible skills. With top-notch vocals and an alluring energy, KISS OF LIFE are poised to become leaders in this new surging wave of K-Pop groups.

Who was your favorite debut from 2023? Let us know in the comments!

 

AMPERS&ONE makes their debut as they drop their much-anticipated debut album, "AMPERSAND ONE," available now on all streaming platforms.

Comprising members KamDen, Brian, JiHo, SiYun, Kyrell, Mackiah, and SeungMo, AMPERS&ONE brings together diverse talents from Korea, the United States, Canada, China, and Australia. Despite their young age, the group showcases an abundance of talent, with KamDen, Brian, and JiHo having participated in Mnet's "Boys Planet" survival show, securing impressive rankings.

SiYun, a former contestant on "Treasure Box" and a former member of the trainee group WM Ggumnamu, adds to the group's rich background. Their debut album combines pop elements to deliver a high-energy, powerful rhythm that is sure to get listeners moving.

As they step into the K-Pop scene, AMPERS&ONE has already captivated audiences with their polished performance skills, upbeat sound, precise choreography, and a classy sense of fashion. The first track, 'On And On', serves as an uplifting anthem, introducing the group's sound and setting the tone for the entire album.

The accompanying music video for 'On And On' channels early K-Pop vibes with a high school setting, standout fashion, exceptional choreography, and a catchy tune, making it a perfect debut package.

Check out the music video of 'On And On' here!

The album's second track, 'Sheesh,' offers a thrilling musical experience, combining a love song with a groovy rhythm that encapsulates the exhilaration and admiration felt when captivated by someone special. The members express their enchantment with enthusiastic exclamations of 'sheesh.'

In 'Sweet and Sour,' AMPERS&ONE delivers a jubilant declaration of love with catchy lyrics that joyfully express the feelings of first love. The toe-tapping melody and irresistible hooks in this pop gem make it an instant favorite for fans of all ages.

With their boy-next-door charm, dynamic performances, and infectious pop sound, AMPERS&ONE has undoubtedly made a memorable entrance into the K-Pop scene, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what's to come from this talented and diverse group.

Were you also looking forward to AMPERS&ONE's debut? Let us know through the comments!