WEi Get Real About Their Journey So Far, Share Encouraging Words To RUi, & Delve Into Their Musical Charm | Exclusive Interview

WEi has just made their comeback with their 6th mini album “Love Pt.3 : Eternally”. Read all about it and their journey as artists in this exclusive interview with Kpopmap!

Kay Sesoko, Kpopmap Editor
6 min to read · Published : Jul 7, 2023

WEi Get Real About Their Journey So Far, Share Encouraging Words To RUi, & Delve Into Their Musical Charm | Exclusive Interview

OUI Entertainment

WEi is a 6-member boy group under OUI Entertainment that has had K-Pop fans in ‘OVERDRIVE’ since their debut. Consisting of members Jang DaeHyeon, Kim DongHan, Yoo YongHa, Kim YoHan, Kang SeokHwa, and Kim JunSeo, the group is renowned for its captivating vocals and stage presence which have contributed to its success.

Having debuted in 2020 with their first mini-album "IDENTITY : First Sight", WEi has worked incredibly hard coming up to the current point in their career. Recently, they made their comeback with their 6th mini album “Love Pt.3 : Eternally” and the title track 'OVERDRIVE', adding another sonically enjoyable collection to the playlists of RUi (their beloved fandom).

Kpopmap had the honor of conducting an interview with WEi about their latest comeback. They shared encouraging words for RUi, the musical charm of their new album, a cute acrostic poem with the letters of 'OVERDRIVE', and more.

WEi, welcome to Kpopmap, and congratulations on your 6th mini album release! 2023 seems to be a whirlwind of a year for WEi. Can each member please describe how this year has been for you so far in one word or a sentence?

'Sports car' - Thinking about how 2023 has really passed quickly like a sports car, and how WEi has shown a cool image like a sports car, I would use 'sports car' to express it.
Jang DaeHyeon
A year of lots of regret, but one where I lived working hard.
Kim DongHan
We’ve worked hard, let’s keep running.
Yoo YongHa
I’d say one of 'anticipation'.
Kim YoHan
It’s already over halfway done, but I think it’s a time spent with WEi’s passion and effort, and I hope to meet RUi with an untired, more sincere heart.
Kang SeokHwa
It went by really quickly, but I think it was a year where I was able to, yet again, get to know myself better and learn.
Kim JunSeo

Your title track ‘OVERDRIVE’ contains a lot of interesting, deep, and relatable lyrics. One of the many lines that piqued our interest immediately was, “Me, myself, (I), as I embark on a journey to find the real me.” Having debuted in 2020, is there anything that your current self would like to say to your pre-debut self (knowing what you know now) about the journey up ahead?

Many things you don’t expect will happen, and it can get tough, but when I look back, everything was all memories, and it was happy. Let’s make unforgettable memories of our youth. Hwaiting!
Yoo YongHa
Just live as diligently as you are right now in 2020, and leave your future journey up to the way it’s going now. This means that at that moment, I want to live doing my very best in the situation I’m in.
Kim YoHan

WEi Member Jang DaeHyeon (OUI Entertainment)

On a similar note, 'OVERDRIVE' aims to comfort all of the youth who feel as if they are wandering and anxious about the future. Do you have any words of wisdom or something encouraging that you’d like to say to RUi who are feeling anxious about their future?

I think anxiousness can be relieved through preparation. Because of this, in times I feel anxious, I always go to practice. If you continue to prepare well, your anxiousness will disappear and be replaced by confidence, so don’t worry, and hwaiting!
Yoo YongHa
Personally, after only focusing on Taekwondo, I went through a period of feeling stuck, and now I’ve started working on a different non-sports activity. What I’ve felt as I’ve gone through this change is that what you’re doing now isn’t everything, so even if you fail, it’s good to try many different other challenges. I firmly believe that you’ll be able to find a better path just for you. Because I was like that too!
Kim YoHan

WEi Member Kim DongHan (OUI Entertainment)

WEi is known for its versatility when it comes to concepts. As a group, you’ve shown many sides of yourself until now, earning compliments and nicknames like ‘all-rounder idols’ and ‘longevity idols’ along the way. Are there any specific words or nicknames that you’d like to hear through this comeback?

I just want to be described as the group 'WEi' itself.
Kim DongHan

WEi Member Yoo YongHa (OUI Entertainment)

Your sound embodies the musicality of K-Pop and every single WEi release has been sonically charming so far. If you could describe the musical charm of this album, how would you describe it?

I think they’re songs you want to follow and sing along to.
Yoo YongHa
I want to express it through WEi’s teamwork, bright smiles, and refreshing charm.
Kim JunSeo

(To Jang DaeHyeon) You took part in the rap-making for the title track, which is super impressive. Is there any detail that you hope fans will pay special attention to when they listen to the song?

“Take my hand, we can go together anywhere”, this part.
Because the lyrics are saying, “Wherever we go, if we’re together there’s no need to worry, we can overcome anything,” I recommend this part since it makes you feel happier through its positivity.
Jang DaeHyeon

Another lyric that truly stands out from ‘OVERDRIVE’ is, “Me at the end of the journey,” which makes us wonder - where would you like to see WEi, as a group, in the next few years?

I want to exist peacefully without too much greed.
Kim DongHan
I hope to communicate with lots of fans in a large concert venue and be active in a variety of different fields!
Kim YoHan

WEi Member Kim YoHan (OUI Entertainment)

Besides ‘OVERDRIVE’ which other song from your album would you suggest for K-Pop fans to listen to?

I want to recommend the song ‘End of The Day’. It’s a song that brings words of comfort to everyone who has endured the day, so I listen to it everyday even though it hasn’t even been released yet.*
Kim YoHan
I recommend our sub-title track, ‘Thriller’. It’s a song with a strong performance that you can enjoy with both eyes and ears.
Kim DongHan

*Note: This interview was conducted ahead of the album release.

WEi Member Kang SeokHwa (OUI Entertainment)

You’ve recently wrapped up your 2nd World Tour “PASSION”, too. Having performed in several cities on different continents, can you share your favorite tourist attractions that you saw or even a favorite experience that you had?

I was once again able to feel the newness of countries and cities I’ve never been before, and I think there are still so many countries to visit, so I hope K-Pop fans from various countries know and are curious about WEi.
Kang SeokHwa

WEi Member Kim JunSeo (OUI Entertainment)

Before we bring this interview to an end, are you willing to take on the challenge of doing an acrostic poem with the letters of ‘OVERDRIVE’?

One and Only
Visual
Ever, WEi
Run and
Dance with
RU
i
Very happy
Ending
WEi

Lastly, is there anything that you’d like to say to your international fans and Kpopmap readers? Do you have a special final message for them?

We always are very thankful towards all our fans who cheer us on, even from afar.
We will pay it back through great songs and performances! Are there any readers who aren’t a RUi yet? We will make sure to capture your heart with this album! Please look forward to it!
Kim JunSeo

Thank you once again to WEi for taking time out of their busy schedule to answer our questions. We wish you all the best and all of the success in the future and going forward.

RUi! Make sure to get your copy of “Love Pt.3 : Eternally” and watch the 'OVERDRIVE' music video, too.