An ELSE Talks About Her Favorite Group BAE173 And Their Participation In "Peak Time"

I decided to do this fan interview to let more people know about BAE173, also known as “TEAM 13:00” in the ongoing survival show from JTBC, "Peak Time". This show is garnering more and more attention these days – quite rightly – so I hope new fans, viewers or readers interested in BAE173 will find some answers to their questions in this interview :D.

Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from?

Hello, I'm an ELSE from … planet Earth XD. I discovered K-Pop almost 10 years ago, and I was mainly a fan of 2nd generation groups, until I fell in love with BAE173.

How and when did you enter the fandom?

My love story with BAE173 actually started in 2019. For various reasons, I watched "Produce X 101" even though I don't usually watch that kind of program. The contestants who covered T-ARA’s 'Roly Poly' and WANNA ONE’s 'Boomerang' during their evaluation immediately caught my eyes with their talent, versatility and originality!! From then on, I followed HanGyul and DoHyon in X1 and H&D. When their new group's upcoming debut was announced, I decided to stay by their side!
This situation was a bit unfamiliar for me, it was my first time stanning a group without knowing all the members, their respective skills, and the kind of music they would release in the future. I was excited and scared at the same time. But my apprehension disappeared quickly after the members were introduced to us one by one, through pictures, videos and mention parties. And I had no doubt left after their amazing pre-debut (!!) performance of BTS’ 'I NEED U' on "Immortal Songs 2". It was such a legendary moment, and I still remember all the praises BAE173 received back then.

What are the reasons why you love your favorite group?

I could list many reasons why people should love BAE173 … Their discography is high quality and very diverse, thanks to the genius touch of their maknae DoHyon who wrote, composed and arranged many of their songs. The members are very talented, and they keep improving day by day. They are handsome, funny, cute, sincere, unique, chaotic … They love each other so much and they also love ELSE dearly. For example, they are very active on Bubble every day and always try to communicate better with their international fans. Muzin even did a couple of Bubble lives half in Korean half in English so that international fans are not completely lost. This is so sweet of him! Despite the language barrier, YooJun is also very attentive to International ELSE.
I could go on like this for a long time… But to be honest, I can't pinpoint exactly the reasons why I love them. I just know that I love my “Baebies” with all my heart. They feel like home to me, and they make me happy every day.
Our genius and adorable maknae DoHyon once said: “If you like someone and there's a reason then it's respect, if you like someone but there's no reason then it's love”. Maybe it will be my answer too.

Who caught your attention at first and why?

If I only consider the moment all the members of BAE173 started to be officially introduced to us, I can say without any hesitation that JunSeo’s debut trailer made quite an impression!
Why? His big and solar smile, the warm sparkles in his eyes, and the child-like and positive energy he radiates in this video were irresistible…

Who is your bias, and can you introduce him to new fans?

My bias is … *drumrolls* … JunSeo!
Like I said … “irresistible” XD
"You don’t choose your bias, your bias chooses you” … was it like that? Probably. Because I can’t explain in logical terms why I fell for him immediately, and why he became my bias just like that, after watching this video. I think it embodied perfectly JunSeo’s main charming points, even if he explained he would have preferred to show fans his cool side, rather than his bright side.

@official__bae173 심심해서...😃#BAE173 #비에이이173#JUNSEO #준서#앨범커버 ♬ 오리지널 사운드 - BAE173

I guess many "Peak Time" viewers were surprised to meet JunSeo in Episode 4 as the dance leader for Combined Unit C, as they were probably more familiar with other skilled dancers in this unit.
But it wasn’t a surprise for ELSE! BAE173 has actually not one main dancer, nor two, but three: HanGyul, Muzin and JunSeo, all equally skilled, and with their own dancing style.
JunSeo’s particularity is that he started to dance when he was 9-10 years old and toured in L.A. and Manila with Little Winners dance crew (CRAVITY's WonJin and "Boys24"/"Under19"'s Shin ChanBin were also part of it).
In 2016, 14yo popping genius JunSeo joined the survival program "Boys24", became a Starship trainee for a couple of years, and finally signed with his current company and debuted with BAE173. As you can see, despite his young age, and even if he only debuted with BAE173 in 2020, Junseo is already a very experienced dancer and performer!
ELSE are also used to see JunSeo assuming the leader position, because he was the leader of BAE173 until last spring, when HanGyul announced the leader change. (We don’t know the reason for this change, but the company has a history of rotating the leader position).
Needless to say, JunSeo was a trustworthy leader who did a very great job and took good care of his members. And he’s still taking care of them quietly but lovingly, as the group’s "mom" (or "grandmother", according to Muzin).
If I have to describe him in 5 words … Caring. Adorable. Perfectionist. Handsome. Humble. (+ clumsy).

Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers?

JunSeo, being one of BAE173 main dancers, I would like to recommend some of my favorite dance videos: Unit White (Boys24) - 'SHOCK' (BEAST), JunSeo - 'Lay Me Down' (Sam Smith) Performance Video, JunSeo & HanGyul - 'Classic' (MKTO).

@official__bae173 🕺 #BAE173 #HANGYUL #JUNSEO #비에이이173 #한결 #준서 ♬ Classic - MKTO

Aside from his dancing skills, Junseo has another unexpected talent. I'll let you find out which one ^^.

Can you also recommend a content video (variety series, song cover, dance cover, etc.) by your favorite group?

BAE173 released a lot of awesome dance cover videos!!
The most recent dance cover uploaded on BAE173 YouTube channel, VIXX’s 'Shangri-La'.

This 1theK COUNTDANCE medley is one of their most famous dance cover videos … If you don’t know it yet, please go watch it, you won’t regret it!!!

BAE173 can nail every kind of dance, boy groups and girl groups dances included. So it didn’t come as a surprise when “Team 13:00” in Peak Time chose aespa's 'Savage' for their Silhouette Teaser:

As for a variety series, I highly recommend "Idol Korean Class", a series aimed at international viewers, in which teachers DoHyon and Bit, with the other members’ help, give us lessons about Korean language and culture in a very entertaining way. I actually learned a lot of interesting things while watching this series, and I could even use this newly acquired knowledge in real life!
DoHyon and Bit worked very hard for this series, and even translated the script in English! They are both very fluent in English. DoHyon spent a few years in Denmark and Japan, and studied in international schools, while Bit lived for some time in the Philippines and travelled abroad a lot.

Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans?

As mentioned earlier, I'm originally a 2nd generation stan, so my favorite title track is 'Loved You (사랑했다)', with its very specific color that will make you reminisce about the good ol’ times.
The Japanese version ('Sayonara') that the members performed during their Japanese fan meetings is as beautiful as the Korean version. I also recommend watching performances or dance practice of 'Loved You', as it is my favorite choreography.

For a B-side recommendation, for similar reasons, I will go with 'Annoyed (짜증나게)', a true hidden gem produced by Brave Brothers.

Last but not least, special shout-out to 'Toez', DoHyon's solo track on their last mini album. Written, composed and arranged by him, this track speaks for itself.

Can you share with us some of your favorite lyrics?

I have a soft spot for meaningful lyrics that describe bonds between people, especially the bonds between artists and their fans... Life is not always easy, be it for the artists or for their fans … but isn’t it comforting to know that we can rely on each other? Of course, our respective problems won’t disappear as if by magic, but just thinking of each other or remembering precious memories can help relieve the burden and can give us that little amount of energy we were lacking.
“Let’s hold hands as if it’s our last memory”
- 'Loved You' –
“It’s all you, because you’re here
I can take another step
And another step.”
- 'Every Little Thing is You (모두 너야)' -
I'll be by your side forever
You're not alone anymore
The tomorrow that will shine brightly,
I believe it will unfold in front of us.
The tears that flow just pass by
We can overcome it, you and I”
- 'Not Alone' –

Messages to International ELSE from HanGyul, YoungSeo, Muzin, Bit and JunSeo

What is your favorite group’s influence on your daily life?

Because the members are always so kind and supportive toward ELSE, I try to see things in a more optimistic light, and to wrap each day with a happy thought, no matter what happened and how hard the day was.
I’m also trying to learn Korean language! Being an international fan can be hard sometimes, because of language barriers and geographical distances. I can't do much about the distance, but I'll do my best to improve in Korean in the future!

Can you recall a moment where you cried/laughed with your bias or favorite group?

There are a lot of these moments, because BAE173 are my small but definite happiness, as well as my big but definite happiness. So whatever makes the members happy also makes me happy, and whatever makes the members cry also makes me cry. But I'll go with one of the most recent moments that made me cry… "Peak Time" episode 4...

Can you recommend a cute or funny video (30s)/gif of your bias to our readers?

A cute gif that, hopefully, will make your readers smile and will make their day better!

Can you recommend words that the members like to hear to new fans who don't know yet about it?

The members actually replied to this question a few months ago… “What words do you like to hear from ELSE?”. This is what they replied:
HanGyul: "Be free on stage. Be free. Live as you are.”
YooJun: “I like you.”
Muzin: He said his favorite word is “Love”.
JunSeo: "You are doing well.”
YoungSeo: “Eat even more.”
DoHa: “I’m here by your side.”
Bit: “I trust BAE173 when they’re on stage.”
J-Min and DoHyon didn’t have time to reply to this question, but J-Min would probably be happy to hear praising words like “You are doing well”, and nothing makes DoHyon happier than talking about food (except vegetables). He also said once that he prefers “like” over “love”.

If your favorite group were to collab with another idol group, who do you think would be best?

SEVENTEEN!! BAE173 already did several SEVENTEEN covers and TikTok challenges. Some Baebies are huge fans of SEVENTEEN, especially Junseo, J-Min and YooJun, and HanGyul is gym buddies with Hoshi and WonWoo. I really hope there will be an opportunity in the future for a collaboration between BAE173 and SEVENTEEN.

If you go to only one, would you go to a concert, fan meeting, or fan sign?

Hmm… I would say concert. I think the members are the happiest when they can perform on stage in front of ELSE, when they can show ELSE in person the fruit of their hard work, when they do what they love the most, singing, dancing, performing, sharing their passion for the stage… I hope that one day, I can also be part of their happiest moments, and witness with my own eyes how awesome they are on stage, and hear with my own ears the loud cheers of love and support from the crowd.

What is your biggest dream for your favorite group/bias aside from being happy and healthy?

My biggest dream for my favorite group is really for them to be happy and healthy. To live happily as artists, and to live happily as persons. I think both sides are important and complementary. And health should always come first.
But if I have to choose another dream… I'll copy from Bit, and reply “World Tour with ELSE”?
I really hope they can meet many many many (x173) fans in the future and see in person how much they are loved not only in their own country, but also all around the world.

Do you feel there are any misunderstandings, things that are not well known, or any prejudices about your favorite group from other fans (non-fans)?

Unfortunately, yes. The first prejudice on the list would be about the group’s name. Lots of people only see weird letters and even weirder numbers.
But "BAE173” (pronounced as B. A. E. il chil sam) has actually a very good meaning!
1 stands for perfection, and long story short, 73 is a mathematically lucky number.
It actually became some sort of game within the fandom to spot these numbers 1, 7 and 3 everywhere.
Do you remember how in the first episode of "Peak Time", Team 13:00 got 7 picks from the judges during the survival round? 1 … 3 … 7 … Like is said, these numbers are everywhere...
As for BAE, besides the sweet endearing nickname that everyone knows, it also stands for “Before Anyone Else”… It sounds like a promise for a brighter future, and it gives lots of motivation and strength to the members and ELSE to always do their best for each other.
And yes! Our fandom name, ELSE, comes from “Before Anyone Else”. The members explained that wherever they are, they will always be with their fans. BAE173 can only be complete and one if they are with ELSE, since we are part of their name.
Another thing that I like about BAE173’s name: ELSE created a lot of adorable nicknames for BAE173, such as Baebies, Baeil or Baechilsam (wordplay with baechussam = cabbage wrap).
It’s okay if non-fans don’t know all the interesting and cute stories about BAE173 name, but it always saddens me when people only take a quick look at their name and decide to go on their way because it looks “weird”

What's your favorite 2023 moment involving your favorite group?

My favorite 2023 moment involving BAE173… their participation to "Peak Time". Like I said earlier, I don’t usually watch this kind of program, and I know joining survivals is never easy for idols, physically and mentally. Especially for members who already joined survivals in the past, like HanGyul, JunSeo, or DoHa.
[DoHyon is not participating in "Peak Time" for now, he’s been on hiatus for health reasons (COVID-19) since the end of September.]
But all things considered, and the situation being as it is, "Peak Time" looks like the perfect show for BAE173. A group who debuted during the pandemic, with few opportunities to perform on stage in front of their fans, and often prejudiced against because of their name or the small company they belong to … "Peak Time"’s goal is precisely to give a boost to groups like BAE173, and to introduce hidden gems like them to the world. Of course, it’s too early to know the final outcome, but the show is already giving such great exposure to the participating groups, BAE173 included!
That’s why I'm so happy to see “Team 13:00” getting lots of praises from the judges and the viewers about their breathtaking performances and their dancing skills. I'm also happy to see each member gaining more and more self-confidence and self-control on stage and flaunting their individual charms. I was especially impressed by YooJun during 'La Song' stage, and DoHa in 'My Bag' rap performance for Combined Unit C. I’m really proud of all the members, who prepared hard for the show, and are making a name for themselves.
I hope "Peak Time" will keep giving BAE173 the spotlight they deserve, and I hope the members will keep honing their skills, gaining new fans and making new friends thanks to this program.

What about your favorite group’s fandom? How would you describe it?

Since I'm an international ELSE myself, I can only talk about the international side of the fandom.
From my personal experience, I can say that the fandom is quite diverse. But no matter the differences that can separate us (our country and language, our age, our personal stories, the moment we joined the fandom, our bias, our personal opinions about this or that, etc…), ELSE always become one when it’s about showering our Baebies with love, and the fandom spares no effort and no time to promote the group. ELSE are always happy to welcome new fans and to reply to questions about BAE173!
Actually, I can see many fellow ELSE who are busy with their work or studies, but who are still doing their best to support actively BAE173. I really admire ELSE’s dedication!
I'm also deeply touched by the sincere love so many ELSE have for ALL the members, and not only for their bias: “Help! I can’t choose a bias!!”, “My bias changes every time a member appears on screen or posts on SNS”, “My bias wrecker? All of them!!” … How many times have I read this kind of message from ELSE? The struggle is real, welcome to ELSE Land ^^.
Lasty, I'd like to say it’s really heartwarming to see so many projects by international ELSE... food supports by Japanese and Thai ELSE, CSE and cafe events by Filipino and Malaysian ELSE, flower stand from French ELSE, mini exhibition by Indonesian ELSE, cakes and presents sent from various countries for the members’ birthdays, to name but a few. As for more global initiatives, I remember the lovely “Dear Our Baeloved” project for BAE173 first anniversary, the fundraisings to give J-Min, JunSeo and Bit pretty customized in-ear monitors, or the coffee truck project when HanGyul and DoHa were filming their web drama "Love In Blackhole".
ELSE’s love for their Baebies can take many forms, but if there is one sure thing, it’s that this love always gives ELSE enough energy and determination to try to move mountains.

BAE173 Union Twitter

If you are collecting goods, can you share a picture?

Yes! Here’s a few precious items from my collection.

Do you have anything you want to say to BAE173?

My Baebies, thank you and I love you.
To be an ELSE, to be able to see each of you growing up day after day brings me so much happiness and pride. While I have no doubt you will keep improving as artists and gain in maturity with time, I hope you will always stay the same adorable, funny, sincere, unique, reliable, supportive and chaotic Baebies you are today.
No one knows what the future holds, but let’s keep working hard with a sincere heart to achieve our dreams... hand in hand... BAE173 and ELSE. Let’s always remember we are never walking alone on this path, we can laugh together in happy times, and comfort each other in hard times. As long as we have each other, everything will be fine!
Baechilsam and ELSE, hwaiting~!
I would like to add a special message to DoHyon:
Dear DoHyon, ELSE miss you a lot, but don’t worry, and take care of your health. Health always comes first. And when you are fine and ready to come back and join BAE173 activities again, we will be here to welcome you, and shower you more than ever with love and support. Hwaiting and I love you~!