‘We Started From the Bottom; That’s Our Story’: A.C.E

The first time A.C.E tried their hand at entertaining a crowd was when they were busking in Seoul, creating a space where they could show off their skills and establish a more intimate connection with the audience. 

As a busking group, they likely cemented true connections with the public early on, forming a sense of community and sharing experiences well in advance of their renown as K-pop artists. Band member Park Junhee recalls, “I learned so much from performing on the street back then.” “I didn’t expect to say that we started from the bottom, but that’s our story. We started from the bottom!”

Taking it from busking to covering popular dance choreographies to their beginnings to becoming idols, and then coming back after a hiatus, A.C.E’s story is an inundation of fond memories. “All of them are precious, but I think it would be busking if I had to choose one,” adds Park, while member Lee Donghun states, “I still remember the emotions I had during our first concert. A lot of people came to the concert hall to see A.C.E, and I can’t forget the moment when I cried my eyes out.”

Adventure Calling Emotions is an acronym for A.C.E’s mission to evoke feelings in people that inspire them to pursue desired goals and embark on encounters, opportunities, and thrilling experiences. The whole thing kicked off on May 23, 2017, when A.C.E—Lee Donghun, Park Junhee, WOW, Kim Byeongkwan, and Kang Yuchan—debuted with the single “Cactus.” As the quintet gained traction through their gorgeous performances, their sound began to touch listeners worldwide.

In 2019, they were the recipients of the Fan Rising Star Award (The Fact Music Awards) and the Next Artist Award (Soribada Best K-Music Awards). 2020 was their year of victory at the APAN Choice Global Hallyu Star (APAN Music Awards). In 2021, A.C.E partnered with none other than the eminent DJ Steve Aoki for a remix of their hit “Goblin (Favorite Boys),” dubbed “Fav Boyz (Steve Aoki’s Gold Star Remix).” The US Billboard World Digital Single Sales Chart pegged the song at number four, while the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales Chart had it at number 12. Following BTS, Monsta X, and BLACKPINK, A.C.E became the fourth K-pop act in history to earn a spot on the list and also made up the third-highest-ranked artist after BTS and BLACKPINK.

Through infectious music and dynamic presentations, A.C.E gained a loyal and dedicated following we know as Choice. From humble beginnings, their ascent to fame embodies the power of hope and inspiration. The group exemplifies how relentless work and sheer determination may bring goals to fruition and plans to come to pass, even from the ground up.

A.C.E. reiterates their allegiance to hard work and passion for music, returning to the scene with their sixth mini-album, My Girl: “My Choice,” a marker of their commitment to artistic endeavors and how they want to express themselves through meaningful music. This is their first mini-album in two and a half years, post-completion of mandatory military service (except for Kang Yuchan, who was serving his military enlistment during the time of production), and they’ve brought back richer melodies and narratives for their fans.

My Girl: “My Choice,” probes the “reasons for existence” through a love story incorporating “Conatus,” the very essence and essential power that drives everyone. What’s the color of the album? I ask, to which WOW promptly responds, “Baby blue (a cool but warm color).” “It’s energy and confidence!” “I hope many people will be happy to hear this and embark on their journey,” Park Junhee adds.

Its pre-release singles “Effortless” and “Angel” comprise two of the seven tracks on the record. The disco-pop number “My Girl,” its lead single, chronicles A.C.E.’s odyssey of self-discovery, departure, and the pursuit of their purpose in life. Lee Donghun collaborated on “My Girl” with British singer-songwriter Etham, who penned “Effortless,” and producer Nickko Young, best known for his accomplishments with Stray Kids, NiziU, and Tomorrow X Together, produced it. WOW’s self-written song “Facetime” shares the tale of a boy wanting to Facetime with a girl, revealing his deepest emotions. The album also offers English versions of “Effortless,” “My Girl,” and “Angel.”

My Girl: “My Choice” is A.C.E’s exploration of what it feels like—the thoughts and sentiments that describe the process of contemporary people who are searching for their lost identities. The members believe that it will catch on with a wide audience and that its calming melodic quality will offer “comfort and support.” That’s the whole point of A.C.E—a testament to one’s level of tenacity and the capacity for relationship-building via music. Their allure resides in the way they can distill the heart of human emotions into engrossing performances that cut over linguistic and cultural divides. Here’s more about that story from my conversation with the band below.

A.C.E seeks to stir up feelings in people that encourage them to take chances and fulfill their dreams. It’s easier said than done, right?

Kim Byeongkwan: I think it’s very difficult to inspire others. To fit our group name, we always practice hard and give our best through actions rather than words to inspire the fans and the public.

How did you navigate your first release when you dived into K-pop?

Park Junhee: To be honest, I thought I would succeed as soon as I debuted. It was quite a foolish idea. At first, it was not easy to get on a music show, so there were many times when I couldn’t perform even though I wanted to after releasing the song. The path of K-pop was a much longer and harder journey than I had expected.

How have time and maturity influenced your music?

WOW: The range of what we can express has become bigger, and we’ve become more relaxed, which allows us to share more emotions with other people.

What are some of your most experimental songs, in terms of sound, concept, and message?

Lee Donghun: I think it’s “Cactus.” It was a challenge for us as well, and I think it was very experimental to wear short pants for a hard EDM-style song.

WOW: I think it’s our debut song, “Cactus,” because it was the first try at the hard EDM genre.

Coming back after a break may seem tough for an artist. Despite your accomplishments, does it, however, feel like you are starting over again?

Kim Byeongkwan: We all had a lot of concerns. We were worried that the hiatus would be too long, and we questioned if we could meet our fans again. Still, I think it’s getting more and more exciting as we come back and have a good time with our fans.

What is the most effective way to stay afloat and flourish over the years in K-pop? What should aspiring idols bear in mind?

Park Junhee: I believe that if you steadily make masterpieces, the time will come when people will recognize the fruits of your effort!

Lee Donghun: As long as you do the following things—not falling, standing up even if you fall, loving yourself, and improving yourself—I think these help you keep moving forward, so I hope you never give up and continue chasing your dreams.

Could you share with me your thoughts on the band in the years to come, both those aspects that excite and concern you?

WOW: Looking ahead, we’ll continue doing a lot of activities. I’m a bit worried about not getting physically injured or tired, but I hope we can control and take care of ourselves so we can work without much worry.

The poster for My Girl: “My Choice” looks like a sequence from an office K-drama. I’m curious to know.

Kim Byeongkwan: Originally, we wanted to go with A.C.E’s hard concept with a bit of a relaxed and catchy vibe. In that sense, we went with an office story and showed us working in our videos, so it felt like a drama.

Lee Donghun: I think we expressed a romanticized life where we started everything with great aspirations, but the reality isn’t going our way, and it’s not always easy. However, we never give up and pursue our happiness, adding a romantic touch to the story.

Your message to fans in India

Lee Donghun: If possible, we want to visit our Indian Choices immediately because we miss them so much. Thank you for always loving us. We will try our best to make better music and visit you soon. Don’t get sick! Thank you always. I love you!