Hongjoong on Artist Friendly w/ Joel Madden~
Three minutes into the interview and Hongjoong has already landed himself a gig as Joel's future Seoul tour guide lmao
One thing I wanna point out here is: Joel uses some pretty advanced vocabulary in the beginning, but he adapts pretty quickly once he realizes Hongjoong isn't a native-level English speaker, which is really nice and much appreciated.
Another thing I want to say up front: this interview isn't as funny as some others, but it's well-worth watching, especially if you're interested in the behind-the-scenes, industry-side of things. It's also very palpable how safe Hongjoong felt on this set and with the people present.
It's always interesting to me when I hear people from other countries talk about how proud they are when their culture is internationally celebrated - definitely one of the few experiences I can very much understand but not relate to. Though I guess that just comes with being German - the only parts of this country I'm willing to praise are the baked goods, Coldmirror, and Bernd das Brot. I'm serious - don't come here unless you want to foster advanced depression and have the life sucked out of you.
Brief rant on that front: look at how fucking ugly 90% of "my" country is. And it's only THIS bad because some absolute morons chose to blow up even the remaining few relics of beautiful pre-war architecture we still had after WWII, just so they could replace it with brutalist cement blocks (yeah, Germany wasn't just destroyed by the allies - whose soldiers raped and abused a fuckton of civilians by the way, including my own great-grandmother - no, Germans themselves also kept destroying it after the war):
[Clip source - highly recommend this video if you speak German btw.] Top that insult to our eyes off with the current political climate, a school system that actively works to kill creativity, a failing healthcare system, increasing economic inequality, some of the worst bureaucracy hurdles on the fucking globe, nation-wide collapsing structures from the 70s that don't get funding for repairs, and flourishing private equity activities and you've got a pretty good idea what living in this country is like right now. Though mind you, I grew up in a part of Northern Bavaria with some of the highest child poverty rates in the country so I'm probably biased when it comes to how much I've always fucking hated living here. Though I'm not even sure there's any country that's pleasant to live in right now unless you're rich.
Really nice to see two artists from two different generations talk about their creative process and find shared experiences with such ease. It truly goes to show that, no matter the age and the type of music or art you make, creativity has always been and will forever be unchangingly, intrinsically human and finding inspiration simply isn't something you can perfect. It'll forever be something you have to search or wait for.
It really is a privilege that they can go look for a new spark all over the world though. I wish that were an option available to everyone.
It makes a ton of sense that Hongjoong comes from a family with two super hardworking parents - definitely helps explain his own strong work ethic!
Lowkey hilarious to hear him talk about how surprised he was to find out Dallas really has that cowboy vibe going and it's not just a movie-thing.
But bro, if Hongjoong genuinely puts out a country-kpop fusion typa song some day, I just know it'd become the biggest meme over on TikTok. Like, that audio would be used far and wide for the absolute goofiest edits, even if it's an absolute banger. Gen Z and country are a match made in the circus.
And once again our boy has to retell his origin story like he's on a press tour promoting a movie about his career path lmao - props to him for never looking like he's getting sick of it. And hey, maybe he actually isn't!
Hongjoong: "I think one person in that company [KQ] had a strong believe in me, but I don't know why. Yeah, still." Joel: "Well, they were right. The success says..." Hongjoong: "Yeah. I am thankful to my boss and everyone in my company."
Joel: "Do you use Kpop star or idol?" HJ: "So in Korea, we use both." Joel: "Both? Okay. What's cooler?" HJ, starts smiling: "What's cooler to me?" Joel, grinning: "Yeah." HJ: "I think- I'm not answering." *staff giggling in the background* Joel, laughing: "Smart man!"
Not Joel immediately proceeding to call Hongjoong a "Kpop King" lmaoooo
Loooove how Hongjoong immediately responded to Joel's question about Kpop industry insights with "Today, I can tell you everything!" and then launched into explaining - our Captain is so ready to drop knowledge at all times.
So here's a list of what he shared:
It's not really wrong to assume Kpop artists work 24/7 since they do work a ton to put out just one thing, but he believes the same is true for Western artists as well.
The key to the industry lies in speed - finding the best timing and putting things out quickly in order to not be forgotten among the many new groups who debut each year.
You cannot lose quality, regardless of how fast you work.
You need to know how to express your work to the audience.
Hongjoong believes one of the reasons Kpop took off so much when it did is that it can keep up with the rapid-fire consumption cycle promoted by TikTok and such, but he also thinks there are American artists doing the same now.
It's really cool to hear Joel share his insights from his early days as well - from back when he and his band didn't have a record deal yet. That struggle to build connections with small venue owners, find places to record and practice etc. When I compare that to stories Twenty One Pilots and Drew Gooden have shared, you can really tell that part of the US music scene has never changed, despite the decades that have passed.
I love how Joel also immediately realized why the Kpop industry is so efficient - they've streamlined the process for their artists. I mean, just look at the promotion cycle: all the shows dedicated to comeback stages ('The Show', 'Inkigayo', 'M-Countdown') and promoting a new album ('2N1D', 'Idol Radio', 'Idol Human Theater').
Add to that the existence of Fromm, Weverse, lightsticks, photocards, pop-up shops, fanmeets, all the award shows and festivals and so on, and you have an absolutely massive complex spanning across various types of industrial sectors in which fans, artists, and sponsors alike all know how everything operates - specialized vocabulary and all.
Joel: "The other thing I like about what you're saying about other artists - they can take a page from the Kpop playbook, right? Because it's worked." HJ: "Yeah." Joel: "Right? You've seen it. We've seen it. And so people can learn."
Oh, I love that Joel also brings in the psychological aspect! Because yeah, as a young artist, if you have a dream and you work hard for it, that's one thing - but if the people around you don't take you seriously, that puts a MASSIVE hurdle on your path forward, because you really need support from somewhere, someone who's willing to give you chances and opportunities to prove yourself.
Though now yes, Kpop companies do offer opportunities and a way into the industry, that's true, but I don't think Joel knows how predatory the vast majority of these Kpop companies are. But how could he, right? He's said himself he doesn't know much about the industry beyond seeing it from afar.
In an ideal world though, he'd be 100% right - the Kpop approach would be the way to go. We'd just need all the CEOs and staff to be good people who actually care about their artists as human beings.
I do love that Hongjoong replied by saying, when they debuted, it was the company who told them 'we'll do this, we'll promote here, book that venue, have a show there', but now it's the company approaching them with 'we're thinking about booking that venue' and the members going 'why?', because they've had the chance to gain the experience needed to make good choices for themselves, unlike before when they were clueless trainees who needed a lot of guidance.
Joel: "So it's a partnership that really works and you've got the experience - 'cause you're out there - to come back and say: 'Actually, this one. We were there, this is how it is-' And you work together." HJ: "Yeah, that's right."
It's really nice to hear Hongjoong say that, some day, he wants to work on an album for a full year or two, completely based on his own vision and with no company guidance involved. I think that would be cool as hell.
Brief interlude: the way Joel told Hongjoong about bumping into Chase Atlantic on the way in~
Mh, super nice to also listen to Hongjoong explain how he's been exploring who he is as an artist outside of Ateez - finding his own color, his own flavor - because wherever he goes, he's always "Ateez's Hongjoong" and he wants to get to know himself and his tastes better so it can help him work with others as well.
I also really enjoy that air of kinship when Joel agrees wholeheartedly.
Joel: "I think it's very natural. When you give so much time to a group, every part of the group matters, you know? So to do something as a group, it's like- Being in a band, right? There's five of us and we're all in, we're going together - we have to rehearse, we have to do this, have to do that - and then you give years... "What people don't understand is that when you give what it takes to be great, it takes everything. To be great. It's like a professional sports kind of thing. Like to be great, to be on the big stage, to succeed, you have to give everything. What you sacrifice is everything. "It's natural at some point - especially around your age - that you do have a moment where you stop and go 'who am I?' I'm the same guy who started, but I'm ten years older, so here I am. And sometimes, your mind goes toward like what you said: 'I wonder what I would create?' "The thing I will say that's like, just from my... It's not advice! Just my experience-" HJ: "I want to get that." Joel: "-Is that it's good. And every group should understand that. The better we are alone, the better we are together. Right? So if I'm not healthy alone, I won't be as healthy with you." HJ: "Right. That's right."
It's nice to hear Hongjoong admit that, recently, the members have all been starting to talk about what they'll do when their career inevitably starts taking a dip since thus far, they've always been growing - at different rates, yes, but it's never gone down before - so what will they do when it happens?
Joel: "I think what you've said before is the cure. I think if you just know yourself and continue to ask 'who am I in this and out of this?'- They both matter and they both need one another. Like, you out of this needs you in this. And you in Ateez needs Hongjoong out[side] of Ateez. And the more you continue your relationship with both, the more you'll be able to navigate when, let's say, a moment happens where you put something out there and it's disappointing. If you know who you are, you won't look at it as negative."
It's reassuring to hear Hongjoong say all the members have already been talking to each other about finding that balance between being a part of Ateez and being individuals outside of that as well.
And it's so cute to hear him say that, when they practice these days, they go over the choreo two, three times before they just gather in a circle at the center of the room and talk about whatever has been worrying them or important stuff they want to discuss.
Also super good to hear it was the members who took a vote on wanting that two, three week long break earlier this year before they took it to the boss and said "We have an idea! We want to do it like this - what do you think?" and then they discussed the plans for after the break all together to ensure things would go smoothly.
It's sweet how Hongjoong also made sure to reiterate that he feels the same as Joel when it comes to all of this - and that Joel made it a point to say he respects Kpop artists and how hard they work to succeed in the industry.
Also wonderful to hear Hongjoong say he wants more Kpop artists to come on this show so they can share their thinking and experiences with Western audiences and give that insight into what it's really like to be an idol.
A minute later and the conversation somehow spiraled into this:
Joel, pulling up his cue cards: "Here, let me read you some of your accomplishments." Hongjoong: *laughs* Joel: "Not that you want to hear them." Hongjoong, turning toward the staff: "I'm out for five minutes." *staff laughing in the background* Hongjoong: "Yeah, if he reads off my history-" Joel, still shuffling around his cards: "Yeah, that's right." Hongjoong: "Cuz I get a little shy. I love it, but I get a little shy." *staff cooing* Joel: "Well, you've accomplished a lot."
Somebody safe our squirrel - he's being forced to listen to how incredible he is!
No, but genuinely, this is so, so cute!
Joel: "I say all this to say: in music, to have one hit or to have one sold out tour- To do one thing at the highest level is very hard. To have a career has taken you everything you have. You've had to give it all. Also! Think about it: you're the first trainee at the company. You're the captain of the group." HJ: "Ateez." Joel: "And you're still here. And you're still in the world. And you haven't lost your mind." Hongjoong: *giggling* Joel, smiling: "Mm, you know? A little bit, but you're okay."
Joel: "But I'm just saying, do you ever stop and like, pat yourself on the back and go like: 'That kid who was sixteen or fifteen that no one knew had to believe in himself to start down the road.' I don't know, I just think that, when you're in it, you may not stop to realize what you've accomplished... And what it's taken, you know?" HJ: "Mm, yeah. I'm gonna cry." Joel: "Yeah." Staff off-screen: "Oww."
I love how Hongjoong was all serious when he said he was proud of his work and all the accomplishments Joel just read out, only for Joel to immediately jump in with "There's more. Balmain? I wanna be a Balmain-" and then Hongjoong just starts cackling again.
Joel: "Balmain's baller, dude!"
And of course, Hongjoong being Hongjoong, can't talk about being proud of his achievements without saying it's because of his fans.
HJ: "When I go up, I'm with our members and our fans, but if I go down, I trust my fans that they'll still look forward to my next step."
Once again love Joel telling Hongjoong he likes that 15-year-old kid who went to the post office and sent off those CDs to record companies in Korea because no one told that kid to do that - he just went and did it.
HJ, laughing: "I like that kid too." Joel: "Yeah, he's cool! And Balmain likes that kid too!"
Love, love, love Joel taking the time to tell Hongjoong that he's still so young and got so much of his career ahead of him so he wants to encourage him to keep being that kid who went to the post office.
Joel: "I also respect how much loyalty you have to your company. It says a lot about you." HJ: "Yeah, you know our boss? He always told me 'I really love you'. He was always like 'Without you, how could any of this be like it is?' Actually, at some point I thought like that too - me, I did great at the time. "But after a few years, I realized how our members and our company trusted me too, so that was a big thing in my opinion. I trusted myself that day, but after that, everyone around me trusted me too. So I'm really thankful for that. That's why I can do my own thing with confidence."
So cute how Joel was like "everyone in a team has their role" and Hongjoong replied "actually, I think our group is a little weird when it comes to that - all of them have like twenty jobs".
HJ: "Our vocal members are really good at rap, so sometimes I have that fear: if they rap better than me, what can I do?" Joel: "It's good competition."
And now, we're slowly approaching the closing segment...
Joel: "I really loved getting to hang out with you."
Hongjoong once again tells him to come to Korea, only for Joel to get a squeaky tone when he says "I might actually do that" and "you don't have to hang out with me the whole time" and "I won't be too much trouble" ölaksjdflöaksjdölaksjdla
Really nice to hear Hongjoong say he's not afraid of where they might be in 10 years since they already spent 10 years in the industry and it went by quick, so he doesn't think it'll be too different from now. He knows he'll still be with the members and he'll continue to try and make the best decisions for all of them and their fans, and even when they do solo work, they'll always come back to being Ateez.
HJ: "Thank you so much for having me. I think this time here made me a better person." Joel: "Me too." HJ: "'Cause I love the advice you gave me, because I always need that advice. I don't have that many others around me." Joel: "I felt like today was cool, because I always wanted to get a real, true kind of inside take on the Kpop life, which I think is really cool." HJ: "I think I never show this kind of conversation to our fans, so it was a very good time to me too. It was really cool." Joel: "It's really cool." HJ: "Yeah." Joel: "Kpop's cool, man." HJ:
Joel: "And I wouldn't limit you to that. It's where you're from and what you represent. I'm not saying you're only Kpop. I don't want you to think I'm boxing you in, but as an artist, a producer, a performer, where you come from is really important and you represent it really well." HJ: "Yeah, I love that too, 'cause I don't know where to where is Kpop these days."
And now that we're at the end, Hongjoong is being cute again and saying he'll come back if he ever has more concerns or more pages of his story to talk about and Joel immediately goes "any time!"
I'm looking forward to that next time for sure.
