K-pop group 82MAJOR debuted just last year in October 2023. Still, their fresh take on K-hip-hop and distinctive music style, supported by not only the performance but also the music production skills of all six members, elevate the group far beyond their rookie status. 82MAJOR entered the Billboard Charts on November 5th with their second mini album [X-82], a promising first step of the group’s journey toward global recognition and stardom.
82MAJOR’s Music, Present and Future
Released four months after their previous mini album, 82MAJOR’s 2nd Mini Album [X-82] showcases the group’s present state of confidence and freedom. “I think there is music that we can do best right now, and only now. The difference between this album and previous albums is that we were much more involved in the production process in [X-82]– the members have steadily worked together in making music, and we are going to continue to build and share our artistry with the world,” comments PARK SEOK JOON, rapper of 82MAJOR. “Our performances for [X-82] are also much more powerful than previous albums, and we got to show off our humourous side as well in the music video for the title track ‘Stuck’.”
As a K-pop idol group and producers of their own music, 82MAJOR keeps a delicate balance between their unique perspective on music with mass appeal: “There’s music that we can make, music we want to make, and music that the public loves. We work on all three separately, which takes a lot of time, but it’s good practice for us. Then we blend the three styles in a way that feels natural and true to ourselves,” says HWANG SEONG BIN, rapper of 82MAJOR. “The members often discuss popular or trending songs, and experiment with different ways of incorporating elements that appeal to the public into our music.”
When asked about their plans for the future, 82MAJOR shared their ambitions to produce a full album that expands on their musical technique and charms. “I’d love to produce a fast-tempo song using many sources,” says 82MAJOR rapper NAM SEONG MO. “One of the defining characteristics of 82MAJOR is our free spirit, and it would be fun to produce a full tracklist of songs that showcase our carefree nature— songs that anyone can listen to and enjoy, with lyrics that we wrote freely, following our feelings.”
On 82MAJOR’s Billboard Charts Debut
In just a year and one month since their debut, 82MAJOR added their name to the list of renowned artists to rank on top Billboard Charts released on November 5th, taking 45th on the Top Album Sales and 37th on the Top Current Album Sales Chart just to name a few. The accomplishment came as a surprise even to the members: “As soon as I heard about our Billboard Chart entry, I went and checked the charts with my own eyes. Even when I saw ‘82MAJOR’ on the charts, I still couldn’t believe it,” admits KIM DO GYUN, main vocalist and youngest member of 82MAJOR.
The group attributes their success to the outpouring of support from their fans, 82DE (pronounced ‘attitude’). “The reason we could enter Billboard Charts is 82DE, without a doubt. I want to say ‘thank you’, and I promise that we will continue to create great music for the fans,” continues KIM DO GYUN.
82MAJOR has been steadily building international fandom over the past year, performing at WATERBOMB DUBAI, HONG KONG, and TAIWAN, as well as concerts in Japan. Asked about their plans for future global promotions, 82MAJOR’s leader, dancer, and vocalist CHO SEONG IL replies: “We want to meet 82DE in various countries and perform for them live. Our international fans always travel so far to see us, and I hope we can go see them, for a change.”
With their recent Billboard Chart entries, 82MAJOR joined the ranks of top names such as Taylor Swift, Tyler the Creator, and Katie Gavin. YOON YE CHAN, main dancer, rapper, and vocalist of 82MAJOR expresses his excitement for future collaboration opportunities with other acclaimed artists. “There are so many great artists that we would love to work with. Just off the top of my head, I’d love for us to collaborate with artists like Yebba, Don Toliver, Hailey Knox, and many more. We’re really open to any collaborative projects.”
Effortless Authenticity: How 82MAJOR Stays True to their Korean Roots
82MAJOR’s Korean identity is prominently expressed in many aspects, from the group’s name, which combines Korea’s national code ‘82’ and the word ‘major’, to the choice of colors and themes representative of Korea in the music videos for the title tracks of their first (‘Choke’) and second mini albums (‘Stuck’).
Yet surprisingly, 82MAJOR members reveal that they do not focus heavily on how to incorporate their Korean identity into their music. “Rather than specifically emphasizing Korean elements, we try to express our current thoughts in our music. We also observe the work of and collaborate with other great Korean artists, which naturally imbues our own music with a certain Korean sensibility,” shares HWANG SEONG BIN. YOON YE CHAN further elaborates on the sources of inspiration and music-making process for the group: “We gain inspiration from a diverse range of places and things. Members share different ideas that they have in mind and we brainstorm together. That’s how we make our music.”
Thanks to their Billboard Chart achievements, 82MAJOR’s name is on the radar for listeners of K-pop around the world. To those who are not yet familiar with the group, but are sure to become fans soon, PARK SEOK JOON sends a heartfelt message: “Welcome to 82DE! We 82MAJOR will continue to exceed your expectations. I hope you’ll stay with us throughout our journey to the top.”
82MAJOR is a disruptor in the K-pop scene, shaking up the industry with their bold, genre-bending sounds and innovative approach to music and identity. As they continue to make unprecedented waves with their Billboard success and global fanbase, the group is redefining what it means to be a K-pop artist in the modern era.
