One Pact talks North American tour, songwriting process and go-to comfort K-pop songs

On East 32nd Street in Manhattan, N.Y., one might stumble across the Seoul of New York State, better known as the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY). Since its opening, KCCNY has become a vibrant cultural hub and haven for Korean creatives to share their work, voices and identities. This deep cultural resonance made KCCNY the perfect setting for my interview with the rising K-pop boy group, One Pact. 

Much like the center itself, One Pact is crafting a rich narrative, defining their own identity in the world of K-pop not just through performance, but also through original songwriting and a clear artistic vision. It felt fitting, then, to meet One Pact here.

On Sept. 27, about an hour before their Times Square flash mob, One Pact sat down with K-ALL in KCCNY’s exquisite theater to talk about everything from pre-stage rituals and songwriting to personal dreams. While members Yedam and Jay were unfortunately absent due to visa and travel delays, Jongwoo, TAG and Seongmin were eager to share their stories with both K-ALL and The Statesman (good news, Jay made it in time for the concert the next day. To hear a bit of his story, check out my concert recap for The Statesman).

As they continue their first North American tour, we sat down to talk about music, growth and the passion that drives it all.

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Angel: Hello everyone, and welcome back to “K-ALL.” I’m your host, Angel, and today we’re here with the rising star One Pact!

Group: Hello, we are One Pact!

Jongwoo: Nice to meet you.

Seongmin: Hello!

TAG: Thank you for inviting us.

Angel: Of course! Thank you for being here. We're so excited to get into the questions, so I won’t hesitate — we’re jumping right into it! First off, would you like to introduce yourselves?

Jongwoo: Hello! My name is Jongwoo from One Pact. I’m the team leader.

TAG: Hello, everyone! This is TAG from One Pact.

Seongmin: Hello! My name is Seongmin.

Angel: It’s so nice to meet you all! You kicked off “The New Wave” tour in Toronto yesterday — how did it go? What was that experience like?

TAG: For me, it was really, really good. It's actually my third time going to Toronto this year. A couple of months ago — maybe just a month ago — we came for the Korean Festival. So the show, the guests, the fans — everyone was there, and the energy was full. We really enjoyed the show. Sadly, we didn’t have Yedam — he couldn’t make it — but we still had a great time, and I hope the fans did too.

Seongmin: I was really looking forward to the Toronto show. I was happy to be on sTAGe and had such a good time with the fans.

Angel: That’s wonderful. So, TAG, you produce all of One Pact’s music, which is incredible. Do you ever have a specific member’s voice in mind when writing a part? How does that work for you?

TAG: I think it just works really naturally in my head when I write for One Pact. Like, if Jongwoo needs to rap in the second verse, I’ll think about that while writing. I try to give the parts equally to everyone. I don’t really feel pressure thinking of every member specifically because I already know they can all handle any part. So it just works really naturally.

Angel: You have faith in your team. No matter what you write, they can pull it off. That’s really cool. Now, what was the moment each of you realized that music was your passion?

Jongwoo: I’ve listened to so many kinds of music since I was young. Music was always around me, and I just felt like, “This is the only thing I want to do.” So now, I’m doing it.

Seongmin: For me, it started in elementary school. I used to watch K-pop sunbaenims’ music videos or sTAGe performances and think, “Ah, I want to be like them one day.” And now I’m doing it.

TAG: I started writing songs in middle school. I always wanted to become a celebrity, not necessarily just a K-pop idol, but I found my way through songwriting.

Angel: That’s incredible. I love that. Another thing I wanted to talk about — your album “ONE FACT” includes one fact about each member in the solo tracks. I’m really curious: How did that idea come about?

TAG: I really wanted each member to have a solo song because I wanted to show people how much ability each One Pact member has.

For example, Seongmin — I don’t think anyone would expect him to do an Afrobeat-style song, but he has a sexy side that no one knows. Then, I think of Jongwoo — he rapped for the whole song. Each member has their own weapon and their own strength, and I wanted to show that.

So I was like, we need solo songs — to show people [the] identit[ies] [in] One Pact and how One Pact became one together. 

Angel: That’s so cool — and you definitely did that! That Afrobeat song — like [starts singing Seongmin’s solo song] “Don’t give me that signal …”

Jongwoo: Ohh, you know that!

TAG: Oh!

Seongmin: Ohh! You know!

Angel: It’s so groovy — I love it! Of course, I know it. It’s incredible.

Jongwoo: Ah, thank you! [claps]

Angel: And actually, I had a question about that too — how did you decide to compose Jongwoo’s track with him rapping the whole way through? How do you match that synergy when creating those tracks?

TAG: So firstly I got the beat from the producer, and then I was like, “I want [Jongwoo] to rap the whole song,” and the first time he listened to the beat and the demo that I wrote, he was like, “Oh, this [genre] is so new to me. I have never tried this kind of thing before,” and I said, “Oh no, you got this, bro!” So I [told him to] try writing [his] own lyrics into it, and then I wanted to feature on this song because it’s a rap song and Jongwoo was like, “Yeah, of course, let’s do it!” And I think that’s how “PASSOUT” came out. Maybe we should listen to what Jongwoo [thinks].

Angel: Yeah, I would love to hear!

Jongwoo: At first, when I listened to the song, I wasn’t sure about it. But then I realized this was my role, and if I have to do it, I’m going to do it. Now I am really satisfied with the song, and I love “PASSOUT.”

Angel: It’s definitely one of my favorites. I think it’s a super incredible track. All of them are amazing, though. You did great work. So another question I have is that your latest title track, “YES, NO, MAYBE,” shows a more mature vibe than some of your previous tracks. And I’m curious, which member do you think suits this concept best?

TAG: [handing the mic to Seongmin] I already know the answer, but …

Angel: Is he going to say “himself”?

TAG: [smiles] Maybe?

Seongmin: I can’t choose one! I think everyone fits the song really well.

TAG: And I agree, but if I had to choose one person for the song, I would say Jongwoo. He got a lot of killing parts for this title. For example, in the bridge, he goes, “Yes, no, maybe, be my lady.” 

Angel: It’s valid. He definitely stands out in that scene. Congratulations on getting the title!

Jongwoo: [claps and bows to imaginary people] Thank you, guys. Thanks.

Angel: What is something unique about “The New Wave” tour that fans should look out for?

Jongwoo: It’s the first time for One Pact coming here to North America, [and usually] we’re so far away from each other because [fans can only] see us through social media. It will be different when you see us [and] watch the sTAGe in person. I have the confidence that we can show you something more than everyone expected, so you should come.

Angel: I will come.

TAG: [surprised] Oh, you’re coming? Okay, exciting! Thank you.

Jongwoo: [wide grin and claps] Oh, really?

Seongmin: [shocked] Oh my God! 

Angel: I know you’re going to kill the sTAGe.

TAG: We will try.

Angel: You will. You don’t have to worry about that!

Seongmin: [laughs] Showing the audience this quality of performance and the songs is obvious. But most importantly, I want to share the love with everyone.

Angel: Aww, that’s sweet. I love that. You’re going to do that tomorrow. I am very excited about it. Sharing all the love!

Seongmin: [laughs and smiles, does a hand heart and thumbs up] Okay!

Angel: Is there a particular song you listen to for comfort that could be by any artist whatsoever? Is there any musician who really comforts you?

TAG: I have one. It’s a song called “I” by Taeyeon. This could be my first time saying this, but I am the biggest fan of Taeyeon. That’s like her first solo title song, and the lyrics made me feel calm when I was in elementary school. Whenever I was in trouble with my parents and cried, I used to listen to the song and would feel better.

Jongwoo: For me, I listened to “Spring Day” by BTS. The reason is I used to listen to this song a lot when I was going through hard times. And I also don’t want to listen to it anymore because I listened to it too many times, and it kind of reminds me of that hard period of my life. But I still want to listen to it when I don’t expect it. Like when it just starts playing as I walk down the street.

Seongmin: The song is called “Rebirth (환생).” It was originally performed by Yoon Jong Shin, a really famous Korean ballad singer. It's a remake by Red Velvet. I really like the sound of this song, and it gives me chills. It’s calm and comfortable. Please listen to it. 

Angel: All great song choices. “Spring Day” is also my healing song. Now, which One Pact song would you recommend to a new listener?

Jongwoo: “YES, NO, MAYBE” (their latest single).

TAG: The song is called “Loading.” That’s my favorite song from One Pact. 

Seongmin: Me too! “Loading” is my favorite song. No matter what genre of song you like, when it comes to “Loading,” everyone’s going to like it!

Angel: My final question for you is: do each of you have a dream? It can be big or small. What’s your current dream?

Jongwoo: My biggest dream has already come true. Being an idol and having opportunities to come here and keep doing this is my dream. I want to protect this dream right now. That’s my dream. 

TAG: For me, I kind of have a specific dream. Still, the most important thing is what I am doing right now: One Pact. The next step is in like 10 or 20 years — I want to make my own company! I want to become someone who can help the next generation of idols. I’d like to make my own group. That’s my biggest dream. 

Angel: That’s a beautiful dream, and it shows you have a big heart because you want to help all the next artists after you. It’s amazing. I hope that dream comes true.

TAG: I hope so. 

Seongmin: My dream is also to keep being an idol and a cool artist. However, the most important thing, no matter what, is that I have to be happy. I hope I am always happy. I also want to try producing stuff, like lyrics or melodies. 

Angel: Cool! Hopefully, the next album, maybe.

Jongwoo: Maybe 10 years … Just kidding!

Seongmin: Maybe soon!

Angel: Well, thank you so much for your time today. It was really so amazing to talk with you. I’m so excited to see everything that happens on this tour. That’s all for K-ALL.

Group: This has been One Pact!

Acknowledgements: Thank you to ONE PACT, ANKR Entertainment and ARMADA Entertainment for the opportunity and to TAG for his excellent interpretation assistance during the in-person interview. Additionally, thanks to the Korean Cultural Center New York for hosting us.