KARD’s BM on his self-produced ‘adult K-pop’ album

KARD’s BM is back with a self-written, self-produced, self-arranged and self-mastered solo EP ‘Element’ – and he’s not afraid of the explicit appreciation it might receive.

“Overseas K-pop fans call it ‘adult K-pop,’ and I’ve apparently become the icon of the genre — and I’m grateful for that,” KARD’s BM said during a group interview in eastern Seoul ahead of the release of his first solo EP, “Elements,” on Tuesday.

“Adult K-pop”, while not necessarily referring to a specific music genre, is a term used by international K-pop fans to describe more mature and explicit K-pop songs.

“I was born in 1992 and I’m about 32 – at least over 30 – and I think the things that suit younger K-pop artists and are good at may be different from what suits me and what I can do doing. Well, said BM.

“If people like me for that and find it interesting, I’m fine with pushing that (music style).”

BM therefore didn’t mind getting an explicit 19+ rating. He even placed a “parental advisory label” on his album cover as part of the design, and never made plans to perform on weekly music shows.

“I think that allows me to be freer, unlike the albums released under the name KARD,” he said.

For example, lead track “Nectar” featuring Korean-American rapper Jay Park evokes the nectar of flowers to sing about making “sweet love.” BM composed the song, an easy-listening score with Afro-Pop beats, mainly using Park’s input.

The KARD member made no effort to hide his excitement when discussing the collaboration with Park, whom he has long considered a role model.

“I was already a fan of Jay Park when I participated in the audition show (‘K-pop Star’ (2011)), and I made the decision to become a singer looking at his stages,” said BM, who made no effort to to hide. his excitement. “To sing the same song with him, I thought I came all the way here just for this moment.”

“Everyone in Korea knows who Jay Park is. He is the epitome of coolness and he defines masculinity.”

Nevertheless, BM did his best to be professional while working with Park and avoid being too much of a fanboy.

‘I wanted him to feel like I’m a professional younger brother. I didn’t want to put pressure on him,” BM said. “And Jay Park also felt like an older brother who takes good care of me.”

‘Element’, with the theme ‘passionate relationships’, contains a total of five songs: ‘Nectar’, ‘Embers’, ‘Loyalty’, ‘Motion’ and ‘Badgirl Badboy’ featuring KARD bandmate Somin. All five songs credit BM as their main producer – and he is the only one credited for ‘Motion’ and ‘Badgirl Badboy’.

A major reason BM self-produced, mixed and mastered his album was to showcase his capabilities as an artist. Plus it was cheaper.

“You can’t really make money with solo releases,” BM said candidly. “I wanted my company to save money when they release my album. If they save money, I save money too.”

But he added: “I also wanted to test my own talent and see how far it would go.”

The artist added that he would do his best if given the opportunity to produce and mix KARD’s future albums, although he modestly admitted that his mixing skills are “somewhere between layman and professional.”

Having tried his hand at writing, producing and mastering, BM is confident that more diverse artistic adventures lie ahead. He said he might give acting in the United States a try if he were to leave the music industry in the distant future.

“Koreans are starting to be recognized in the United States, so I’m sure I have something of myself to share,” BM said.

“I would like to try action genres or even rom-com where I can show a dorky side”

But for now, he’s happy where he is.

“I’m not hungry as I pursue my career in music and I have the people I love with me,” BM said. “I debuted as a K-pop idol when I was 26, which was late, and luckily I still think my peak is still far away. I will do my best to reach my peak, but I don’t have to reach my peak.”

“Just like my EP ‘Element’, I think I currently have a perfect combination of elements for myself and the people around me.”

And in the meantime, he has his first concert tour to focus on. “After the After Party” opens May 14 and stops in Los Angeles; Dallas; Chicago; New York; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington, DC

The concert, titled the B-side song “ATAP” from his solo single “Lowkey” (2023), is unusually – but perhaps appropriately – limited to audiences 21 and older.

“I know people will think strange things, but I won’t do strange things like that,” BM said with a laugh. “I am someone who likes to talk without filtering, and I also wanted to dance more sexy. I want the audience to feel like they are going to a fun party, including drinks.”

He added: “I’m sorry to anyone under the age of 21.”

For more information about BM and KARD, visit Celebrity confirmed!

BY CHO YONG-JUN ([email protected])