'Beating Heart' is the beginning... Cha Dong-hyup: "Our rivals are Girls' Generation's Hyori-su" [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

The DRIPPIN (DRIPPIN) unit Cha Dong-hyup has been formed. They named Girls' Generation's unit Hyori-su as their rivals and expressed their ambitious aspirations.

Cha Dong-hyup (Cha Jun-ho, Kim Dong-yoon, Lee Hyeop) released their first single 'Beating Heart' on the 12th, taking their first step into the music industry. 'Beating Heart' evokes the memory of a first meeting full of excitement, striking the hearts of listeners with the warmth of the season. The release includes two tracks: the title song of the same name, 'Beating Heart', and the B-side track 'Spring Walk'.

Cha Dong-hyup is the third three-member unit to debut, following Taeteaseo, Misamo, and Buseoksoon. Regarding the unit name, Lee Hyeop said, "We thought about it a lot. It sounds good the more you hear it. It also sounds like a person's name, and we think listeners will connect with it easily."

They also mentioned Hyori-su (Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung), the recently formed Girls' Generation unit that has been making waves. Cha Jun-ho stated, "It may be presumptuous of us, but we thought, 'Our rivals are the senior Hyori-su members.' What Cha Dong-hyup ultimately wants to show is the desire to bring vitality to people's daily lives, and we feel that energy is similar. They are an incredible unit, aren't they? We resolved to show bright energy like the Hyori-su seniors."

So, how did Cha Dong-hyup come together? Lee Hyeop said, "It wasn't planned from the start that the three of us would form a unit. Last year, while each of us was active, we spent time that could help DRIPPIN, and the three of us also filmed a lot of short-form content." He continued, "As we prepared the album and listened to the songs, the idea naturally emerged for the three of us to take on a new challenge. That's how the unit was born. We are preparing hard to receive a good response."

Cha Jun-ho also said, "We didn't plan to do unit activities from the beginning, but our desire to show good songs and stages has always been the same. If you like our chemistry and music, we believe our future possibilities are wide open."

DRIPPIN had a two-year hiatus since their fifth single 'Weekend' in August 2024. Lee Hyeop and Kim Dong-yoon continued their individual activities by appearing on Mnet's 'Boys 2 Planet', while Cha Jun-ho pursued acting in dramas such as 'Namju Search' and 'The Secret Romance of the Palace'.

The members agreed that they grew significantly during the approximately two-year hiatus. Kim Dong-yoon said, "Lee Hyeop and I appeared on the Mnet audition program 'Boys 2 Planet', and Jun-ho pursued acting and individual activities. During that time, through new experiences, we were able to enhance our individual capabilities."

He explained, "After only doing team activities, we engaged in individual activities and met various people. We decided we shouldn't rest on our laurels and must break out of that framework. After gaining experience and returning, we can now catch the key points of music videos and jacket shoots more quickly. We feel we have grown significantly in our sense of style."

Cha Jun-ho revealed that his acting experience has also helped his music activities. He said, "While acting, I learned how to convey emotions and expressions within short scenes. I think this has allowed facial expressions and emotional portrayals in music video shoots to be captured more intuitively."

Lee Hyeop admitted that his desire for the stage has become even stronger through his individual activities. He said, "While appearing on 'Boys 2 Planet', there were some regrets, but it was a time when I gained the strength to make a new leap. People started to see me and the DRIPPIN members again, and we received a lot of interest." He added, "We approached this as a new beginning. Although we were already eager, this has become the driving force to be even more eager in our activities. It was a good experience."

Furthermore, the members revealed that they have thought a lot about showing new charms through this unit activity. Lee Hyeop said, "They are friends who continue to work hard without change, but each of us has a specific concept. Jun-ho has a nerd vibe, Dong-yoon has a hip rapper vibe, and I am in charge of the lovely concept. As 'Hyeop-blee', I am the eldest in this activity, but I plan to show a much cuter side."

Regarding their activity goals, Lee Hyeop said, "We hope our song will be used a lot on social media. We wish there would be moments when our song naturally plays while people are walking around the streets or shopping malls."

He continued, "We hope many people will get to know us and have expectations for our album and activities. Of course, we want to achieve good results, but the most important thing is to be active without getting hurt. We hope to build many good memories with the fans who have waited for us for so long."

They also discussed concepts they would like to challenge in the future. Lee Hyeop said, "This time, it was a refreshing and soft, cotton-candy-like vibe. Next, I want to show a more mature kind of excitement that targets people's hearts. I also want to try a concept like a mature Cupid."

Cha Jun-ho said, "This album feels like it fits well with the season. Next, I want to challenge songs with autumn and winter vibes, or music with a larger vocal than choreography. I want to be known as 'Cha Dong-hyup for seasonal songs.'"

Finally, Cha Dong-hyup conveyed their feelings toward their fans. Kim Dong-yoon said, "Thank you for waiting for us for so long. We know that waiting is not an easy feeling, so through this activity, we hope to give you more memories and rewarding emotions. That's why we will fight hard and work diligently."

Lee Hyeop said, "To the fans who have watched us closely and constantly supported us, if it weren't for you, we might not be here today. We are grateful and so grateful that you have protected our dreams. Now, we plan to work until our bodies break to become Cha Dong-hyup who can express and repay that gratitude. We hope you will stay with us for a long, long time."

Cha Jun-ho also concluded, "We think there is no one who lives on love as much as we do, and there has never been a moment we haven't been grateful for the love given to us. People often say they have many reasons to smile because of us in their daily lives. Through this opportunity, we want to express that we think deeply about our fans."

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*This content was translated by AI.