In a recent interview, K-pop boy band WINNER confirmed that they are, in fact, an idol group.

During a recent interview with reporters in Seoul, WINNER’s Kang Seung Yoon and Song Mino responded to a question about how the group is different than other idols. The pair discussed the group’s role in the industry and confirmed that they should still be considered K-pop idols.

Idols, or trained K-pop stars produced and typically highly constricted artistically by entertainment agencies, make up the majority of Korea’s current entertainment industry.

According to EnewsWorld, WINNER addressed the issue during a roundtable event with journalists on Feb. 2 where they discussed their new album, “EXIT:E.”

“You seem to have a lot of strengths that you don’t usually see in other idol groups,” one reporter stated.
“That doesn′t mean we′re not an idol group,” Kang clarified. “The fact is we can′t be in denial of the fact that we′re idols. However, we′d like to be judged not as idols but singers.

"I know that idols aren′t seen in a good light,” added Song. “There are so many idol groups these days, and I think a negative view of idols is impossible to avoid. But even so, we don′t want to deny the fact that we′re idols.

"But because we′re confident in our music, we′re not obsessed with being assessed as idols or artists. Whatever the assessment may be, if they view our music and performances positively, that′s enough for us."