[Photo] OSEN DB.
Group ZEROBASEONE unit EMP, consisting of Seok Matthew and Park Gun-wook, successfully made their debut on the 10th by releasing their digital single OFF script.
OFF script is an album that clearly contains the free creative energy and musical individuality of the two members. It conveys a bold determination to move forward by trusting themselves without being tied to established frameworks, leaving a strong presence with listeners.
The special synergy created with talented artists also stands out. Through the title track ‘RUN (with Dynamic Duo)’, they showcased cross-generational chemistry with Dynamic Duo, while ‘AFTERTASTE (with JUNNY)’ completed a sensational mood within groove-filled beats with JUNNY.
Furthermore, completing a total of three tracks including ‘MADE YOU LOOK’ to prove their diverse genre spectrum, EMPβwho announced the sortie of their hip-hop project unitβdirectly shared stories related to OFF script.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
Below is the Q&A with ZEROBASEONE EMP.
Q. How do you feel about releasing the digital single OFF script, and what image did you want to show the most through this single?
Seok Matthew: I am truly proud of what Gun-wook and I have achieved together so far. OFF script shows the musical direction that EMP will pursue in the future, while also capturing our respective capabilities in songwriting and producing.
Park Gun-wook: Through this single, I wanted to show our free energy and diverse musical attempts. Especially since it consists of songs we directly participated in producing, we wanted to naturally contain our own thoughts and stories. I am very excited and looking forward to finally sharing the songs we completed with much thought and effort.
Q. Starting from a mixtape, you are now presenting a formal single. Is there anything new you felt or learned while continuing music work as EMP?
Seok Matthew: I want to mention the experience of working with various production staff. Encountering different musical approaches and ideas made me newly realize the freedom that music possesses. My perspective on viewing music became much broader, and I was able to learn a lot in the process of creating songs.
Park Gun-wook: I was able to learn a lot through this work. Especially while working with multiple producers, I actively accepted unfamiliar working methods and tried to challenge various musical styles. The process of constantly trying new things and breaking my own mold remained meaningful.
Q. What part did you put the most effort into during this single work process? If there are any memorable episodes during the lyric-writing and composing process?
Seok Matthew: I want to talk about the work episode for ‘MADE YOU LOOK’. We held a song camp in LA as EMP, and the atmosphere at the time was really great. The chemistry with everyone was good, and it felt like all conditions were perfectly met for a good song to be born. In particular, the moment I suggested using the whistling sound in the accompaniment of the song is the most memorable, and that sound became the core point of the song. The lyrics were also impressive, so I think they were expressed very effectively in the song.
Park Gun-wook: For me too, ‘MADE YOU LOOK’ worked on at the LA song camp is the most memorable. I think I was able to learn and grow a lot musically in the process of making this song. It was very impressive to share various ideas in a new environment and complete the song.
Q. You collaborated with various artists such as Dynamic Duo and JUNNY. Did you learn anything new or receive musical stimulation through this collaboration?
Seok Matthew: In working with Dynamic Duo sunbaenims, I watched closely and learned how they listen to beats and give impact to certain words. It is a very subtle difference, but I came to realize that the difference can greatly change the delivery power of a song. JUNNY sunbaenim’s vocal style is also memorable. It was particularly impressive that he has a refined and pop sensibility while having his own distinct color, and I was able to learn a lot.
Park Gun-wook: It was meaningful to be able to work with Dynamic Duo sunbaenim and JUNNY sunbaenim. At first, the experience of my voice and another artist’s voice blending together in one song instead of just our members was a bit unfamiliar, but I received a lot of new stimulation because of that. Also, in the process of matching breaths with great sunbaenims, I thought that I want to further develop my skills and musical color.
Q. What is the part that listeners should pay special attention to in this OFF script? Please introduce the charm of this single as thought by the two members.
Seok Matthew: Actually, I want to say the exact opposite. Rather than focusing on a specific part, I hope you turn up the volume of your speaker or earphones and enjoy it freely as the music leads.
Park Gun-wook: I hope you pay attention especially to the lyrics and the free-spirited atmosphere. We utilized many vocal tones trying them for the first time, and we tried to incorporate our thoughts and stories as much as possible in the lyric-writing process. If you chew on the lyrics while listening, I think you will be able to feel the emotions we wanted to convey even better.
Q. Did you discover any new aspects of each other while working on music together? Please also introduce each other’s musical strengths.
Seok Matthew: I think we discovered new aspects in each other’s thoughts and working methods. When making music, the two of us generally like similar vibes, but sometimes our opinions differ subtly. However, thanks to those differences, I think more choices are created, and we can become a step freer in the process of making music.
Park Gun-wook: I newly discovered Matthew hyung’s tenacity. While making music, it was particularly impressive to see him ponder without missing even a small pronunciation and detailed parts of the song. I think such parts play a big role in raising the completeness of the song and creating the overall atmosphere.
Q. What kind of work do you hope this single will be remembered as to EMP? A word to the fans who waited for and supported the music.
Seok Matthew: I hope this single will be remembered as a work filled with good music from beginning to end, and I look forward to greeting you with another music in the future. And I sincerely thank Zerose for being with us on all our journeys. Since you always support us by our side no matter what path we take, we will show you working hard in the future as well. Love you!
Park Gun-wook: I sincerely thank everyone who expected and waited for EMP’s new music. In particular, I want to say a huge thank you to Zerose, who always trusts and supports us so we can freely experiment. I want to show you many cool sides in the future, and above all, I want to continue communicating with fans through music.
[Photo] WAKEONE
