Members of K-pop group A.C.E, from left, Kang Yu-chan, Lee Dong-hun, Park Jun-hee, Kim Byeong-kwan and Wow pose during the media showcase for their new single “PINATA," held in Gangnam District, Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of BEAT INTERACTIVE
K-pop boy group A.C.E aims to mark a new chapter of its career with the new single "PINATA," the first album in three years after all five members completed military service.
The new release, which hit the shelves on Wednesday, features four tracks: the title song of the same name, an intro track titled "Intro: Recuerda, recuerda," an English version and an instrumental version of the title track.
Inspired by Christopher Nolan's film "Tenet" (2020), the title track is a hip-hop-based dance genre song with a grand and intense emotional sound and energetic vocals like a blockbuster movie. Using a piñata as a metaphor, the song expresses liberation from negative emotions, like sadness and pain within one's own identity. Member Park Jun-hee took part in writing the lyrics.
The members, Park, Lee Dong-hun, Wow, Kim Byeong-kwan and Kang Yu-chan, shared their excitement about reuniting with all of the members after a long hiatus for the new release.
"After 2020, we haven't been able to do such powerful song, but after everyone completed military service, we've prepared a song with a strong performance together, so I'm excited," Kim said during the media showcase for the album on Wednesday in Gangnam District, Seoul.
"In fact, we had a long hiatus, and with our youngest member Chan also discharged, we told our company about our desire to do an intense performance for the first time in a long while," Kim said. "We have a song where A.C.E can showcase the vocal and rap skills we're proud of to the public and fans."
Wow added, "After military service, I really wanted to do an amazing performance with A.C.E, and now that it's becoming a reality, I'm grateful. I think we can show an even more impressive performance."
A concept photo for the new album "PINATA" / Courtesy of BEAT INTERACTIVE
The members said the new song's message to break through negative emotions captures the group's will to take a step forward with its career after the hiatus.
"During the pandemic and military service, we were repeatedly on the verge of breaking down and almost giving up. We went through situations that seemed to slip away just as we were about to grasp them," Park said.
"It took three years to have an album as a complete group after overcoming major challenges. We endured solely through mutual trust, pride and the love of our fans. We had a firm conviction that if we kept pushing forward, we would eventually see the light."
He added this album aims to show the group's new beginning to its fans.
"For idols, this three-year hiatus is an incredibly long time, and we were deeply disappointed that we couldn't show our performances. Through this comeback, we hope this becomes a starting point where we can demonstrate, 'This is what we were always capable of, and this is what we will continue to do in the future,'" the singer said.
Kang shared that the album was filled with firsts for the members, including a mega crew performance.
"For the music video and intro video, we did a mega crew performance with 49 dancers. Because we thought this was an important album marking our new beginning, the idea came up to try something new," he said.
Debuting in 2017, the group is celebrating its seventh anniversary this year — a milestone for K-pop groups, as contracts typically expire after seven years.
"There might be issues with contract renewals and so on, but we still have a lot of thirst. I see ourselves as a three or fourth-year group. We feel there's a lot we haven't shown," Park said.
"We do have thoughts and plans about future albums, music concepts, etc., and are discussing contract renewal with our company in a positive direction. But we're currently focusing on what needs to be done immediately. We believe that's how we can create good results."