Six-member South Korean hip-hop group B.A.P. is as well known for the darkly innovative look of their music videos and album covers as they are for their powerful rap songs.

From the apocalyptic vision of an urban riot in the "Badman" video to the "Donnie Darko"-esque cartoon rabbit character named Matoki emblazoned across their album covers and other merchandise, B.A.P.'s look is cutting edge, to say the least.

The dark visuals are the perfect match for the urban-infused sounds of a group that is currently one of the more interesting acts across the K-pop spectrum.

But where do the ideas for those wild images come from?

B.A.P. band members Bang Yong Guk, Kim Him Chan, Jung Dae Hyun, Yoo Young Jae, Moon Jong Up and Choi "Zelo" Jun Hong offered a glimpse into the concepts behind those crazy visuals in a recent exclusive interview with Kiyori Matsumoto of KpopStarz Japan.

"We offer ideas in designing the album covers" Jong Up said.

"In the case of "Badman" which we recently released in Korea, we gathered ideas together from the cover design to its composition. Of course, leader Bang Yong Guk always writes the lyrics."

"Our music often emphasizes our intense and masculine side, but we hope to draw closer to fans through the adorable Matoki," Dae Hyun added.

"Through a character that has infinite ways of transformation, it also helps us reveal our various changes and growth."

Young Jae also sees advantages to the visual versatility of their cartoon mascot.

"Matoki plays different characters that highlight each band member's specialty, so we have special affection for each character," said the B.A.P. rapper.

"There are different penlights  so no matter what kind of stage we stand on, we can easily find our own fans."

But penlights or not, frontman Yong Guk describes each B.A.P. performance as a deeply emotional experience.

"Each time, I stand on the stage with the trembling heart to meet the new stage and new fans," he said.

"I am very thankful to the fans around the world, who constantly support B.A.P. I hope we can do our best on each stage, and have the best kind of experience together with our fans. Please continue to support us B.A.P, as we aspire to sing and perform while always remembering to do it from the heart." 

Photos by Akiya Uchida 

In conjunction with this KpopStarz B.A.P. interview exclusive, we have a special prize for any of you B.A.BYs out there.  Stay tuned to KpopStarz for more information on how to win an autographed note or Instax/Polaroid photo from the boys of B.A.P.!