ARTMS Talk World Tour, Covering Taylor Swift ‘Detailed’ Creative Involvement & Expanding Beyond LOONA’s Story

In one of many many unprecedented flip of occasions in Ok-pop this decade, the beloved lady group LOONA skilled an emotional break up after terminating contracts with their label earlier than every of the 12 members landed safely to pursue new Ok-pop paths. Alongside Chuu and Yves‘ new begins as soloists, to 5 members reconfiguring as Loossemble, the ultimate step of those re-debuts got here in ARTMS, consisting of LOONA stars HaSeul, HeeJin, Kim Lip, Choerry, and JinSoul coming collectively to rebrand themselves, reimagine their artistry and bear in mind their roots as a brand new quintet.

After releasing a sequence of solo and unit singles, the group launched their debut full-length album, DALL, to return the ladies to the Billboard charts (major single “Digital Angel” cracked the Prime 10 on the World Digital Track Gross sales chart, whereas DALL itself landed within the Prime 10 of World Albums), and to the delight of followers and critics alike (even incomes a spot on Billboard critics’ Finest Ok-Pop Albums of 2024 So Far checklist).

Driving the thrilling comeback success, the group is embarking on their ARTMS World Tour ‘Moonshot,’ which has already wrapped its North and South American legs. As they put together to beat Europe, Australia, and Asia this fall and winter, ARTMS is keen to mirror on their journey from LOONA to their present iteration.

Sitting down with Billboard on the New York workplace of The Orchard, ARTMS shine with a way of unity, progress, and playfulness. HaSeul, extra assured than ever in English, jokes about by accident spoiling upcoming tour surprises, whereas HeeJin candidly confesses her hair is generally extensions, JinSoul speaks about immersing herself into the A&R course of, Choerry balances the group’s previous with an thrilling future, as Kim Lip appears forward to what’s subsequent for the group’s private {and professional} lives.

Regardless of the challenges confronted, ARTMS beam with a way of pleasure over their collective progress and the way they’ve taken management of their music and inventive course. Right here, the 5 idols talk about their artistic evolution, navigating the Ok-pop trade post-LOONA, and their deep connection to the followers who’ve supported them each step of the best way. Learn on for extra beneath alongside unique images supplied for Billboard.

I’m so proud to see ARTMS right here in New York. Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry toured as ODD EYE CIRCLE, however all 5 of you might be right here now. How do you’re feeling about ARMTS’ first reveals exterior Asia?

HaSeul: I’m so excited and a little bit nervous too as a result of it’s ARTMS’ first live performance and tour.

HeeJin: After all it feels nice, and we now have numerous ideas on beginning off robust as New York, an enormous metropolis, is our first cease for this tour.

Congratulations in your first album, DALL, which acquired such nice reactions. Was it a aid to get such a constructive response?

Kim Lip: Since we’re releasing an album as ARTMS as an alternative of LOONA, I used to be apprehensive but enthusiastic about how the general public would react to our music. However we’re getting on the charts and receiving numerous consideration, so we felt comfortable, and I’m so glad to go on tour and meet with our followers.

How did you 5 come collectively and resolve to maneuver ahead as ARTMS?

HaSeul: I used to be the final member to affix ARTMS, however all 5 of us are very enthusiastic about music. I believe the members who got here collectively and gathered [here] had the largest will to carry ARTMS to life. When producing this album, I felt how honest all of us have been about music…we had many solo and unit albums after we have been selling as LOONA, and you may see it as us persevering with that id. In a manner, [ARTMS] might be seen as us taking again our id. And since our abilities are excellent, we launched solo, unit, and group albums.

It looks as if you have got extra possession and duty this time. There will need to have been strain, however did it really feel like you possibly can share one thing extra private below ARTMS?

HeeJin: Often, the firm tells us what to do, however now, since we’re lively gamers and debuting once more, we needed to work on the id of ARTMS. We gave numerous enter within the songs and ideas. Our firm took them positively and mirrored them in our work, so I’d say it’s an album we produced all collectively. 

I think about reuniting with LOONA’s unique producer, Jaden Jeong, will need to have been particular. Was it enjoyable to return to this manufacturing type?

JinSoul: We now have had a storyline in our group [LOONA] and the followers like this facet. We additional developed the storyline by working once more with Jaden Jeong, who [first] created this storyline — and it’s nice so as to add ARTMS to it as effectively. Whereas including ARTMS’ colours, every little thing grew to become extra various. We maintained a little bit of custom for the followers, and it’s nice to point out extra sides of us and go deeper.

HeeJin: I believe followers adore it essentially the most that we’re going with the storylines and increasing onto it.

Whereas we find out about LOONA’s contract story, I’m extra concerned about how all 12 of you discovered energy and got here out of it collectively?

JinSoul: The members share numerous conversations collectively. However throughout that point, we appeared into what we may do and considered strategies to make use of to undergo with it. 

Kim Lip: The members cooperate effectively collectively, so we are likely to respect one another’s opinions since we’re like a household. I believe that’s how we got here to a conclusion.

HeeJin: It’s additionally meaningless if we don’t do it collectively. So, we did all of it collectively.

HaSeul: We’re a household.

Placing the previous to relaxation, if there are followers — whether or not they’re Orbits or OURII — who’re nonetheless apprehensive about you or need to verify in, what phrases would you share with them?

HeeJin: We’re at all times concurrently grateful and sorry to the followers. It took numerous time for ARTMS to debut. Regardless of that, I’d prefer to thank the followers for ready for us. There are additionally followers who grew to become our followers as ARTMS debuted. We’ll promote extra any more, so please be comfortable and control us. Don’t fear…

Wanting forward, what are a few of the particular features of the Moonshot tour?

HaSeul: Throughout our concert events in South Korea and Japan, we carried out TWS’ “Plot Twist.” However for the USA, we ready a unique music to carry out — “Merciless Summer time” by Taylor Swift. I stay up for performing that music essentially the most. 

JinSoul: Once we carried out in Korea and Japan, we modified the choreography of “Sparkle” and “Flower Rhythm” for the live performance model. Many followers appeared ahead to it after seeing the choreography video. We additionally do totally different ad-libs at totally different instances, so I’m at all times wanting ahead to the varied ad-libs we’ll do.

HeeJin: The setlists will likely be comparable, however there are at all times impromptu adjustments throughout our concert events, so the followers can actually stay up for it. In Japan, there was a second we carried out the identical music twice and a time we’d instantly go off-stage. I stay up for these sorts of impromptu moments. And, after all, I introduced my guitar.

How has it been reuniting with followers within the States?

Kim Lip: We simply had a fansigning at the moment. It was fascinating to carry new occasions like this fansign throughout this tour. There was one second that I bear in mind when one fan began to sing in entrance of us — the followers are very, how do I say this, open on the subject of expressing their emotions. They’re totally different from the followers in Korea. I actually felt the best way they so enthusiastically specific their emotions this morning, and it makes me actually stay up for our concert events. 

HeeJin: That’s why I adore it. Even when the followers in Korea actually need to specific themselves, they’re very reserved. However then again, followers within the U.S. brazenly present their assist, so it excites us and provides us numerous energy.

Whether or not it’s your concert events or album manufacturing, what’s ARTMS’ artistic course of these days?

HeeJin: We’ve been deeply taking part within the course of, however lets begin off with a solution from the primary A&R member?

JinSoul: Jaden Jeong normally brings ahead numerous the music, however we glance into the smallest particulars of the manufacturing. For instance, we direct the vocals for one another or choose the images to be included within the album. We additionally chosen the album cowl design, hair colours, and styling. We participated in lyric scripting this time, too. The corporate works on massive duties and we give our detailed inputs to showcase the perfect of us. 

What are you actually pleased with to say you’ve labored on?

Kim Lip: We are able to proudly say that we wrote the lyrics for “Sparkle.” And the sunshine stick!

HeeJin: We acquired concepts for the sunshine stick and despatched over drafts. The ultimate design was our thought. And personally, through the “Digital Angel” promotions, I needed to dye my hair white as a result of I assumed an angel had a very white, vibrant picture. So, regardless that I needed to sacrifice my hair, I needed to do it. I mentioned it with my firm and went on with it.

You’ve by no means been blonde; your hair appears nice!

HeeJin: This isn’t my hair. [All Laugh] It’s extensions, my hair appears unhealthy.

I’m certain your hair appears nice. However from watching Ok-pop, it feels just like the followers can provide artists new possibilities at the moment. Do you assume the trade has modified from once you debuted to at the moment?

Choerry: I undoubtedly wouldn’t have anticipated this again then. We have been very younger. The state of affairs the 12 of us went by was saddening, however I’m very happy with ARTMS proper now. I’m glad to have launched nice songs with the members, my sisters. I additionally consider we now have numerous time to spend with followers, so I hope we are able to have enjoyable and are available to them with higher sides.

HaSeul: I’d say we have been in a position to stand on stage once more 100% as a result of the followers have been ready for us. And it was made doable as a result of we now have followers. The cause why we stay up for the concert events on tour because the time glided by is as a result of we need to present an ideal efficiency to the followers who’ve been ready for 2 years. We’re actually wanting ahead to this tour. 

I liked HeeJin’s interview with InternetsNathan when she ranked each LOONA music. To present everybody the chance, I’d love so that you can select your “favOriTe” music launched from LOONA solo days to ARTMS at the moment.

HaSeul: I believe “Digital Angel.” For the reason that title music [single] is the music you take heed to essentially the most because of promotions, there are occasions you will get sick of it, however I just like the music a lot that I can take heed to it within the automotive on daily basis.

Kim Lip: “Hello Excessive”? We had numerous solo and unit songs, however we went a protracted approach to launch the “Hello Excessive” album. I believe it was a relieving album for the members, workers, and followers who have been ready for a very long time. I believe it’s essentially the most significant album; followers nonetheless love this music. I can name this my favourite. 

HeeJin: I’m going to decide on “Butterfly Impact” as a result of ARTMS is beginning anew with Jaden Jeong and he informed us the story behind this music. It was one of many songs he needed to launch after we have been LOONA. He held onto this music for six years and at last acquired it on the tracklist for DALL. The music seems like a continuation of LOONA to ARTMS. Some lyrics make you consider the previous, so it grew to become a music I like. 

Choerry: I select “Singing within the Rain.“ It’s my favourite music as a result of, throughout concert events, it has a bursting beat and the sound is full and harmonious. And JinSoul’s vocals go well with the music so it’s a music that I at all times needed. It’s so good that I need to do a collab stage.

HeeJin: I need to do a collab stage for it too!

JinSoul: I select “Butterfly.” I believe this music actually reveals LOONA’s id. Once I take a look at previous performances, there have been instances I appeared shy, however I assume this music was one I used to be most pleased with. The choreography was wonderful. It’ll be troublesome for me to carry out it once more, however I believe it was a synergy solely we may present throughout that point. 

Others: We are able to do it once more! We are able to do it!

What can we stay up for from ARTMS from right here, the tour, what’s subsequent?

Kim Lip: ARTMS is…

All: Trip! After tour…

Kim Lip: It is a secret, however I believe we’ll put together for the subsequent ARTMS album after the tour. We don’t know the main points, however I believe it’ll be an album to essentially stay up for. But it surely’s not confirmed…

Each of these are vital! Any final messages to followers in the event that they couldn’t see you on tour this time? 

HeeJin: Thanks so a lot for ready for us. Followers who attended our concert events will know, however regardless that we’re fewer members as ARTMS, you’ll be capable of see excellent performances. We’ve develop into very skilled performers. Thanks a lot for loving us and coming to see us. I hope the members keep wholesome all through the tour as a result of we want to promote the group to many individuals.