The Members Of U-KISS Discuss Their Return To Singapore And Recently Debuted Subunit uBEAT In A Media Q&A [PHOTOS + VIDEO]

When K-pop boy band U-KISS announced that band members Alexander and KiBum were leaving the group in 2011, some fans wondered what the future had in store for remaining members Soohyun, Kiseop, Eli, Kevin, and Dongho.

Yet, following the addition of new members AJ and Hoon, things seem to just keep getting better for the seven-piece K-pop boy band.

Last month, U-KISS released their third studio album "Collage." The band will embark on a five arena Japanese tour in July, making stops in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Hokkaido and Aichi.

KPopstarz was lucky enough to sit down with the members of U-KISS at a press funtion just hours before their highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel Singapore concert on April 20.

The group talked about Eli, AJ and Kevin's new side project UBEAT, which released their debut mini-album "Should Have Treated You Better" on Monday and what it was like being back in Singapore.

What did U-KISS miss the most about Singapore?

Kevin: Especially the KissMe fans in Singapore! I think it has been a while since we've been to Singapore.

[KissMe is the name of the U-KISS fan club -ed.]

Eli: Yes! It has been a long time.

Kevin: Through Twitter, the Facebook and everything all of our Singaporean fans wanted us back and they wanted a concert. Finally, we get to have our concert today and we're so excited. Can't wait to see everyone.

Describe your preparation for the concert.

Eli: It was actually really hard because AJ came back and we had to rematch our whole dance choreography.

AJ: Yeah, that's true.

Eli: And this time around, we will be performing our new album "Collage." We'll be performing [U-KISS's new single] "Standing Still" that we haven't done before yet outside the country.

What can fans look forward to in the concert tonight?

Kevin: Especially tonight, we could have a lot of interactions with the fans, because we saw the venue for our rehearsal, and it was really close to the crowd. We are going to have a hot night tonight.

AJ: And actually it's our first time to coming to Singapore with our third album right? So we will be performing our new songs, which we haven't performed yet. So that will be really amazing. That's my guess.

Eli, AJ and Kevin, tell us about the new U-KISS subunit uBEAT.

Eli: uBEAT is me, AJ and Kevin. Kevin is featuring for us. And our song is very upbeat. It's a sad song but it has a fun melody. So it's kind of hard to grab the concept but it's going to be very fun.

Kevin: The fans can look forward to it because it's been a while since we've worked with [South Korean rapper] Brave Brothers. He produced our album this time and it's going to be a really good song.

How are you three feeling about uBEAT's live debut on Mnet's M COUNTDOWN in Taiwan on Thursday?

Eli: We are actually very nervous because [our songs are] all in Korean and we are concerned about how the fans will react. Because it is just we three, we don't know how good we're going to be onstage. So we are trying our best right now and we are practicing a lot.

Kevin: We are glad we are performing in Taiwan because we haven't been to Taiwan for long time as well. So we will glad to meet the Taiwanese fans.

Last year, Dongho played a villain in the movie "Don't Cry Mommy." When he accepted the role, was there any concern about what the reaction would be like from U-KISS fans?

Dongho: When I first got the role, my close friends and family said it might really have a bad impact on my idol image. First, I was concerned about it. And now that I did [the film], I got more experience and it was a really good opportunity.

For the other members of U-KISS, if you get a chance to act, what character would you like to be?

Hoon: I want to be in a love story, a romance. Because Dongho was in a drama not too long ago called "Holy Land" and all the characters were guys. So I want women in the drama.

Eli: I want to try comedy, like a romantic comedy or [some kind of] comedic acting.

AJ: I want to try a role that is really funny like in "The Hangover."

Kiseop: A romantic [role].

Soohyun: He wants to meet his love while fishing. [Maybe a role] related to fishing [for Kiseop]?

Soohyun, what are some of the most rewarding or challenging things for you as the leader of U-KISS?

Soohyun: There's nothing that is challenging to me as a leader. I am always happy because the dong-saengs [little brothers] always listen to my words and follow my instructions.

Who's the most rebellious member of U-KISS?

Soohyun: Dongho. He seems like a little baby, but he's matured for his age, so he is kind of a mature person. He is more like a hyung [older brother].

U-KISS recently appeared on the MBC Music program "Gangnam Feel Dance Class." How do you feel about Singaporean K-pop star, Tasha?

Kiseop: I'm really surprised because when I was teaching the dance to Tasha, she's a really fast learner. I thought 'she is not even in UKISS.' She could be a member of U-KISS since she is such a good dancer.... she's really pretty!

[The other members of U-KISS taunted Kiseop with a collective "Ooo!"]

What other endeavors would you like to try beyond U-KISS?

Soohyun: I want to be a producer and I have confidence [in my ability].

Kiseop: A photographer!

Kevin: Something other than this entertainment field, I really like kids. Something like a father or teacher, or anything that has to do with kids.

Eli: If I have time, I want to go backpacking around Asia. I would really like to come back here [to Singapore], not for work but for vacation.

Dongho: A radio DJ!

Hoon: I want to make lots of money and build my own sports center, and teach all the sports I know: bowling, golf and taekwondo.

Tags
U-KISS
uBEAT
AJ
Eli
Kevin
hoon
Dongho
kiseop
Soo Hyun
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