K-pop group P1Harmony did not start with the odds in their favor. They debuted months into a global pandemic, without the resources of a huge company, at a time when live performances were nil. But the scrappy sextet persevered, and have now released six EPs, embarked on two tours, and headlined venues in five continents.
Formed in 2020, the group's name is an amalgamation of "plus," "one," and "harmony," meaning members Keeho, Jiung, Intak, Theo, Jongseob and Soul can achieve endless harmonious possibilities as a unit. P1Harmony's latest album, Killin’ It, is their first full-length release. The album is both a confident celebration of their musical identity and a comprehensive introduction to any new fans.
Out Feb. 5, the 10-track Killin' It features a minimalist, synth-driven title track with a catchy 808 base and masterful rap that pays homage to '90s hip-hop and K-pop. P1Harmony's catchy electropop permeates the sentimental "Late Night Calls'' and influences the freestyle chants on "Everybody Clap," and the anthemic "Street Star." The record's final track, "I See U," is a confession of love to their fans, known as P1ece.
P1Harmony have had a flair for drama since their debut teaser. In keeping with the K-pop trend of incorporating storylines into their visual releases, six EPs ended with the reveal that P1Harmony were hidden "heroes," facing the world fused as one. Killin’ It continues the "forgotten heroes" theme, with Keeho taking the conceptual reins on the album.
P1Harmony members have been contributing towards their releases since the beginning — a concept that has only recently gained popularity in K-pop. Killin’ It is no different, and Jongseob, Intak, Jiung, and Keeho are credited for lyrics and composition on several tracks.
In a saturated industry, P1Harmony’s Gen-Z sense of humor gives them a leg up amongst their peers. In fact, they are known as much for their unfiltered personalities as they are for their music. In a particularly viral example, leader Keeho advised a fan to cut her friend's hair off because they were making fun of her curls.
Ahead of the release of Killin' It, GRAMMY.com caught up with the group over Zoom, to chat about perfectionism, touring dreams, and career milestones.
Tell us about the first full length album. What were you trying to go for with Killin’ It?
Keeho: This is an album where we could really cement what we're good at, what we like to do and what we want to keep doing in the future. I feel like it's kind of different from the EPs because those were more chances for us to experiment and filter out what does and doesn’t stick.
We've created so many memories and experiences where we learned what things look good on us and sounds sonically good to us. It's a really good turning point as well. Our storylines from the previous EPs are wrapping up and it's a new chapter for us moving forward.
Jongseob: I wrote on all 10 tracks on this album, and that process was very exciting. I feel like I could fit more of my own style in this album than before. This was also like a playground for me because I got to do whatever I wanted with my own verses.
Do you feel like it took more effort to make Killin’ It than with previous releases? Is there an added pressure because it's P1Harmony's first full length album?
Intak: Because we were on and off tour, I always had to write on the move. As a writer it took me a lot longer and a lot more focus to write my raps than in previous albums.
Keeho: Of course there is added pressure. Yes, I am confident and happy to show our P1eces what we’ve made, but even to this day, there's always that feeling of is there anything we could have done better? As perfectionists, we’re always trying to find the flaws so we can minimize them, but no matter how much we try they never go away. It’s not always bad though, because it’s also a way to constantly improve as artists.
If we were always satisfied with everything we did, there would be nothing pushing us to go that extra mile. It gets stressful, but at the end of the day, if our fans love it then that’s all that matters.
Where is the point when you realize you have to stop and let go of what you’re working on?
Jiung: It’s different for each of us, but as a team we also think that if we fix something too much, it goes wrong. We try our best to keep each other from going overboard.
Keeho: They say the first take is always the best take. And also, we have a deadline! [Laughs.] No matter how many times I want to do more, I have to send it across.
I did a lot of contribution in the conceptual and visual side of this album, and I remember because of the deadline I was at the airport lounge finishing up the PDF and sending it over before I got on the plane. We were writing in hotel rooms, on planes, in the lounges —— there's always a deadline to be met.
Visually, what was the creative direction for this album? What concepts did you draw inspiration from?
Keeho: The main story created for this full-length album was about P1Harmony being the "forgotten" heroes. Hence the theme I was very inspired by the movie Suicide Squad.
For the "Killin' It" version, I really wanted to show off each member's identity through the outfits. I feel like a lot of the time when we figure out outfits we tend to play it safe and match a certain color scheme or silhouette, but I really wanted each member to have their own style. If you watch The Hunger Games, each member of Katniss' team has a matching gold emblem to signify they are in one team, like the Mockingjay pin. The one thing that brought us together was our matching necklaces, brooches, and pant chains.
For the "Maximum" version, I thought if we make the set in contrast a lot smaller than we are, we can give off the illusion of literally being bigger than everything. We came up with the amusement park idea because there's something fun and colorful but also eerie and dark about it. Maybe it comes from my fear of clowns and rollercoasters but I liked that difference in feeling.
I would love to do something cinematic again like we did during our debut.
What do you want your next milestone to be?
Jiung: I think the next tour, because I feel it would be even better than the one we just finished. I'm excited to fill up the setlist with the album that we're about to release.
What would need to happen for you to think, okay, we've made it, I can retire peacefully?
Keeho: We're very young. [Laughs.] I don’t know about retiring yet.
Jiung: I don’t think we're gonna retire. We're so passionate and we're so happy to show ourselves in every area.
Theo: If we did a stadium tour, I would retire.
Keeho: We’d have to get Beyoncé level. We’re talking big production, we’re talking Renaissance.
I don't know how convincing it might sound but I feel like, as long as we have a reason and it's something that we love to do, we are so, so, so hardworking. It is almost violent and scary to see. We will sacrifice sleep, food, anything if it's really something we love to do. And if it gets to the point where we get the opportunity to do a stadium tour, I think it'd be awesome.
Some of that is a little alarming — please take care of yourselves! Your last EP, Harmony: All In, spoke a lot about the challenges that come with loving yourself. How do you experience self-love today?
Theo: Nothing has really changed for me. I feel like up until the point where I pass away, I don’t think it will be a difficult task for me to love myself.
Jiung: For me, sometimes it's a roller coaster but I'm good now. It’s all good with my bros.
Five out of the 10 songs on Killin' It are about love. How would you explain what love is to somebody who's lost all their memory?
Jiung: I got the same question about two years ago at a fanmeet. I don't know how to translate it, but in Korean I said something like "love is when I'm thinking about you with my full energy."
Keeho: It’s a tricky question, though because I feel like love you is such a strong [phrase] and it holds so much meaning. I would just answer like this [Keeho makes several heart shapes with his hands].
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