The 4th generation of K-Pop is brimming with new talent. One such K-Pop group, that has received immense love and attention from fans ever since their debut is MIRAE. With 7 incredibly talented members, Lee JunHyuk, Son DongPyo, KHAEL, Park SiYoung, LIEN, Jang YuBin, and Yoo DouHyun, MIRAE has built an original signature sound within months of their debut. To be able to establish such a distinct name at the dawn of their career is a feat in and of itself. What is even more impressive is the fact that MIRAE is only getting started.

MIRAE recently made their comeback with their 2nd mini-album "Splash", delivering a burst of colour, power, energy and strength as they preface a brighter tomorrow, out of the storm. A music video was released for the title song, 'Splash' and a performance video was revealed for 'Bang-Up'. You can read our review of "Splash" here.

At Kpopmap, we had the incredible opportunity of interviewing these amazing young creative geniuses to unravel the intricate processes behind their latest mini-album, their musical vision, and more. For fans, MIRAE answered each question diligently and with a lot of love. Stay tuned until the very end for a special message from MIRAE for NOW all over the world who have been showering them with love and support.

MIRAE's Twitter

Hello! It’s really nice to meet you. Please introduce MIRAE to international fans.

Into our Future! Hello! We are MIRAE!
Lee JunHyuk

Congratulations on the huge success of your 2nd mini album “Splash” and thank you so much for doing this interview! How did it feel when after days of endless hard work, “Splash” was finally released?

Because this is our first comeback, we prepared a lot and were equally worried. LIEN It felt like we are presenting a dish that we sincerely worked hard on. We want to show you a cooler and more high-quality side to ourselves. I felt like we had shown more mature skills so I was both proud and nervous. Yoo DouHyun

The second mini-album "Splash," which was released on August 25, 2021, received a lot of attention not only in Korea but also internationally. It ranked 4th in Vietnam, 5th in the Netherlands, and 5th in Thailand on the iTunes chart soon after its release and the music video for ‘Splash’ currently has 19 Million views. How do you feel about such success?

We still lack a lot, but we'll work harder to repay NOW's interest and love. I'll surely do it. Thank you and I love you! Son DongPyo While preparing for the 2nd album "Splash," I thought that we should show a better performance than we did for "KILLA". I'm happy that a lot of NOW love "Splash". KHAEL

Compared to the previous album, the lyrics, and choreography for this mini-album are much more refined and have a higher difficulty level. What attitude did each of you assume while preparing for this album?

The choreography and singing difficulty have also increased significantly. I was in charge of all the chorus parts that were repeated over and over, so I practiced singing live hard. LIEN I wanted to show an "upgraded" appearance as much as possible while preparing for this album. Park SiYoung

DSP Media

Your title song “Splash” was co-written by members KHAEL and Lee JunHyuk as well as your sunbae artist BM from KARD. How was it like working with BM? Did you have a brainstorming session together? What was the whole process like?

He gave us a lot of advice when we met him in the practice room, and we also shot the "Splash" and "13IVI" challenges with BM this time! Lee JunHyuk BM is very reliable. Thanks to BM, I learned a lot of know-how on writing lyrics. KHAEL

One of the charms of MIRAE is the amazing chemistry between the members. Do you have any memorable episodes from the time you were preparing for this mini-album?

I bleached my hair! It was amazing because it was the first time I changed my hair color but I had some concerns and there were some difficulties since I have to maintain both my hair and the color well. Jang YuBin I’m reminded of the jacket shooting day. The last day of our jacket shoot was also our youngest member YuBin's birthday, so we had a surprise birthday party at dawn on the last day. After the shoot, YuBin did a birthday V-LIVE. I was proud that we succeeded in making YuBin cry with a touching letter. Yoo DouHyun

While preparing for this comeback, was there anything that each of you wished fans would especially notice or pay attention to?

Our title song ‘Splash’ has a lot of unique and interesting choreography, so I hope you check it out. LIEN A lot of NOW were looking forward to my black hair and finally, I have transformed!
KHAEL

You’re currently in your 6th month since your debut so there must be a lot of things you want to show fans. Is there a genre or concept that you want to work on in the future? In addition, the visual concepts for this comeback are absolutely breathtaking and all of you look downright stunning. Which member’s look did each of you like the most and why? Do you have any particular styles you’d personally like to try in the future?

What I want to do the most is a dreamy yet sexy concept! Until now, our concept has been strong and spicy, but I want to try something a little more mysterious than spicy. Lee JunHyuk I like the mint chocolate hair I tried this time. I hope it becomes a trend. LIEN If I have a chance, I want to try ballads too! Traditional ballad is a genre that I haven't tried yet. I like it and I want to try it with the members. Yoo DouHyun There are many concepts that we haven't shown you yet, so I want to try various concepts. In this album, JunHyuk's hair was pretty and looked good on him. I wish I could give it a try. Son DongPyo SiYoung, I liked your visuals. Orange hair looked good on you. I want to try short hair. Jang YuBin I want to try a grand and sexy concept. In "Splash", I liked YuBin's jawline. It's very sharp. KHAEL I want to try various genres in the future. I liked all the visuals of the MIRAE members. It was more mature than before.
Park SiYoung

DSP Media

Recently, the average age of idols who are debuting is decreasing. The youngest member in MIRAE, YuBin is born in 2004! Even though you're young, what made you so certain about becoming an idol that you worked so hard as a trainee?

Actually, when I was a trainee, I had a lot of worries about whether I could be a celebrity, and there were some difficult times too. I had the help of my members, and I was able to reach for my dream again by changing my thoughts positively. Looking at the cool idol seniors, I thought I really wanted to be a senior like them. Jang YuBin I've been acting since I was very young. As I encountered dancing by chance, I became more and more interested, and then I was confident. I think I was 14 years old at that time. Park SiYoung

One word that always comes to mind when speaking of MIRAE, is “Duality”. Your music is hard-hitting, impactful, and fiery whereas your V-Logs or “Misolog” videos show your gentle and playful personalities. How are you able to transform so effortlessly on stage? Is there anything special you do to get into character? Which member do you think changes the most on stage?

DongPyo! He jokes around a lot off stage, but I think he becomes a different person when the camera is on. There's a lot to learn from him. Lee JunHyuk I still lack a lot, but when I go on stage as MIRAE, I perform while thinking that I’m the coolest person. LIEN I focus a lot on expressing myself according to the atmosphere and concept of the song. I think LIEN changes a lot on stage. Usually, he jokes around a lot and is childish, but he seems to pull it off well on stage according to the concept. Son DongPyo Me! I joke around like an ordinary high school student off the stage, but I try to show a cool performance on the stage. I'm going to show you a variety of expressions in the future too!
Jang YuBin I think it’s myself. There's a big difference before and after makeup. Haha. KHAEL For me, it’s JunHyuk. He has strong charisma on stage, but when he comes down from the stage, he is so cute that I think, "Is he really the wolf-like leader I know?" He's as sweet and cute as a golden retriever off-stage, but he shows the charisma of a wolf on stage! Yoo DouHyun I practiced a lot to show a difference between the “me” on stage and the “me” off-stage. I think all the MIRAE members transform in a very cool way on stage. Park SiYoung

Leader JunHyuk is popular for being amazing at the “이중모션” game (a Korean mimicking game). You often play it with the other members on V-LIVE as well. Are there any new games that are popular among the members now?

The games we play are usually shown on V-LIVE. KHAEL is leading the way. These days, I play mobile games with the members often. Lee JunHyuk I'm playing a mobile soccer game with SiYoung these days!
Jang YuBin

MIRAE's Twitter

Member DouHyun is known for taking good care of the members’ meals. Do you still cook for the members? What menu did you prepare for the members recently? Furthermore, how do each of you feel about DouHyun?

DouHyun is one of the few people I can rely on and share my heart with, even though I'm shy with him. He's my precious person. Haha. KHAEL I think I'm always grateful to DouHyun. DouHyun is a really good person.
Park SiYoung I'm also curious what the members think. Recently, I haven't been able to do much because I was busy with "Splash" activities. The last thing I remember is kal-guksu (chopped noodle soup), and I was grateful that the members enjoyed it then. Yoo DouHyun

A lot of the members enjoy watching dramas and movies in their free time. What are some of the most fun dramas/movies you have watched recently?

It's a shame that I haven't been able to watch dramas because I wash up and fall asleep right away after coming home.
LIEN I haven't been able to watch dramas recently because I don't have much time to watch them. Still, I watched "Penthouse" (SBS) from time to time. A drama called "D.P." (Netflix) was also released, and I really want to watch it because the name and my initials (DP) are the same.
Son DongPyo I recently watched a movie called "Café Society" and it was really emotional and nice.
Park SiYoung

Member DongPyo chose "My Mister" as his favorite drama and said that the main character's dialogue of "Fighting" was the most memorable. If each of you were the main character of "My Mister", in what situation would you want to say “fighting” to someone?

When the members are in difficult situations, I want to say "fighting" for the team together. Even if it's hard, I hope we can move forward together! Son DongPyo I want to shout “fighting” to those who dream of becoming an idol and practice hard. I've been on that path, and now I'm at a new beginning. I want to say "fighting" to those who are practicing sincerely and gain strength together. Jang YuBin

MIRAE's Twitter

As a group, all of you spend almost the entirety of your days together. Do you ever find yourself unconsciously being influenced by another member’s habits? Similarly, have you picked up any of your members’ habits without knowing?

I'm getting to know each member's habits one by one. SiYoung has a habit of rolling his hands when choosing things. Lee JunHyuk I think I picked up a habit of waking up early without realizing it while living with the members. Park SiYoung The youngest, YuBin, seems to be positively influenced by SiYoung. SiYoung usually practices really hard on choreography, but recently I've seen the two practicing together. It was cute and I felt proud to see the two of them practicing together. When I saw him practicing so hard, I thought I wanted to learn as well. Yoo DouHyun

Can you share with the fans how you spend a day in your daily lives?

I sometimes empty my mind while taking a walk. I think that time gives me healing when I'm tired of it. Son DongPyo I stretch a lot, and I watch YouTube often these days. I'm watching a lot of other idol seniors' performances on YouTube.
Jang YuBin I'm making an album with Polaroid pictures that I've collected so far. Once you start, you lose track of time, so it's really fun. It's my new hobby. I do it whenever I have time, but I'm proud to see the album being filled little by little. Yoo DouHyun

Your group name “MIRAE” means the future. Where do you see yourselves 10 years into the future, both as a group and individually?

I hope that MIRAE will be a role model for many people who are dreaming of becoming an idol. I'll do my best!
Lee JunHyuk I want to compose music, write lyrics and become an artist who is recognized by everyone.
LIEN I think MIRAE will be loved by many fans after receiving many awards. I think I, YuBin, will have grown in skills, height, and visuals.
Jang YuBin Wouldn't we be working hard as a group and preparing for individual activities? I hope I can continue to sing good songs like Park HyoShin, and I think I'll be preparing for and studying what I need to form a choir, another one of my dreams. Yoo DouHyun I think I'll always be making things. Creation and art are like jelly that can't be separated from me.
KHAEL Wouldn't I be challenging various fields while working as a member of MIRAE? Park SiYoung I think we'll all be gathered and enjoying our 10th-anniversary party!
Son DongPyo

DSP Media

Can each of you tell me something about yourself that you have newly discovered after becoming a member of MIRAE?

I found out that I like people very much. When I meet an old friend or a new friend at a broadcasting station, I feel so happy and cheerful. LIEN Since I'm the leader, I think a little more and act slowly. Unlike what I thought, I also have calm sides.
Lee JunHyuk I realized once again that I am really serious about this job. I thought there were many good people around me.
Son DongPyo When I communicated with fans and went on stage, I felt strongly again that "I really love this job." KHAEL I found out what my strengths are. YuBin I was able to find various egos in me. Park SiYoung I found out that I have a lot of facial expressions without even realizing it. During the "KILLA" activities, my expressions and gestures felt stiff and tense, but in "Splash," I was able to show various expressions and gestures because I had a little more room in my mind. I gained confidence! Yoo DouHyun

If you were a NOW, what do you think you would love the most about MIRAE?

The difference between MIRAE on and off the stage. They’re charismatic on stage but are like puppies who only look at NOW, off stage.
Lee JunHyuk I really like MIRAE because the member LIEN is so cool.
LIEN Wouldn't it be the friendship between the members who harmonize well like bibimbap?
Son DongPyo MIRAE’s charms are bigger than the rushing of an enormous wave.
KHAEL The different charms and chemistry of the members! Park SiYoung The difference between MIRAE's performance and our backstage appearance. I would think they would have liked to show strong performances on stage, act cute in front of NOW, and also show shyness. Yoo DouHyun Starting with the visuals of all seven of them, I think I would like MIRAE because they show good skills and growth.
Jang YuBin

DSP Media

For NOW, new music from MIRAE is always a reason to celebrate. It is a source of happiness and joy for all those who love and support you. Does the process of making new music have a similar positive effect on you as well?

Whenever we record, we think that we want to let our fans hear the recorded songs with our voices. I think that gives me more energy to do it. LIEN As many fans look forward to it and wait, we are excited and nervous while preparing for the album. I'm so happy when I see the song playing and NOW liking it. KHAEL

What do you want to do the most with NOW when the pandemic is over?

I want to have a concert and a fan meeting with my fans!
Park SiYoung I feel the same way. I have a great desire to sing and dance with my fans. I've never had that experience since I debuted during the COVID-19 period. When COVID-19 passes, I want to have a concert and a fan meeting as soon as possible and enjoy it with NOW.
Yoo DouHyun

DSP Media

With a name like MIRAE, being the powerhouse of talent that you are as a group and considering the success you’ve achieved since your debut, how does it feel to be shaping the future of K-Pop?

We will work hard to live up to the name of MIRAE, so please look forward to it. We will write a new history of K-Pop.
Lee JunHyuk I want to work harder and grow into an artist who can be a good influence and strength to many.
Son DongPyo

Do you have anything you want to say to NOW all over the world, whose hearts are filled with adoration and love for you?

NOW all over the world, we'll fly to you as soon as COVID-19 ends! Please wait a little bit! I miss you!
Lee JunHyuk MRAE have finally made a comeback. We've prepared a lot, so I hope you like it, and we'll work hard to grow further through this activity. Thank you, always!
LIEN Thank you so much for filling us with love and I hope we can make a lot of good memories together in the future! Our NOW! Don't get sick and have a happy day today!
Son DongPyo MIRAE will grow and work harder in the future! I hope we can build up our skills and have a lot of concerts and fan meetings. Always take care of your health, NOW. Food is the most important thing, so make sure to eat! Please show a lot of support for MIRAE. I will do my best to become a cool role model in the future. Thank you always and I love you.
Jang YuBin As I always say, the future (MIRAE) exists because of the present (NOW). NOW and MIRAE are continuing to create TODAY. Let's make a great FUTURE together! KHAEL Thank you so much for always waiting and cheering for us in the same way. NOW is the source of power for MIRAE! Thank you always and I love you so much. There is NOW, so there is MIRAE. We'll be a proud MIRAE to NOW! Thank you and I love you.
Park SiYoung Dear NOW, thank you so much for loving and liking us even in this difficult time. When COVID-19 passes, we will be able to repay you and gift you a lot of the love and interest you have given us. Let's overcome this together. I love you.
Yoo DouHyun

MIRAE also had a lovely message for NOW all over the world!

With a bright vision for the future, MIRAE is moving forward fearlessly to dominate the music industry. Are you a NOW? Share your thoughts with Kpopmap in the comments section down below!