Just last month, K-pop boy group EPEX released their sixth EP, Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. ‘Can We Surrender?’. This EP marks the end of the group’s debut lore — the Bipolar album series — which focused on the harsh realities and anxieties of adolescent life. Showing their growth throughout these past two years since their debut, the latest EP wraps up the members’ adolescence with subsequent emotions and thoughts.
Although this is the group’s sixth EP, EPEX only debuted in 2021. Still early in their career, they remain humble, continuing to approach their music with the excitement and appreciation of a rookie. When preparing for the recent album, the members were faced with aspects of being an idol that they had never experienced before, adding to their wonderment. “This was the first time we worked with backup dancers for our performance, and the practice sessions with them were a new experience for us,” shared A-MIN, thinking back on fond memories. KEUM similarly shared the group’s recollection of attending music shows: “When we receive albums with messages that address us as “EPEX sunbaenim (seniors)” [from other artists], that’s the moment we realize we’ve become senior artists and should continue working hard to set a good example for others.”
We consistently remind ourselves to stay humble and never forget our beginnings. With this determination, I believe we can continue to evolve and grow.
KEUM
Aside from their modest approach to their craft, the group also carries an air of youthfulness and playfulness that contrasts with their deep and powerful music. Each EPEX member brings something different to the table, hence their group name symbolizing the gathering of eight youths to reach eight different apexes, and their differences stem from their unique personalities. The members are playful, such as A-MIN who described BAEKSEUNG as a crybaby and MU who believes the group matures by approximately 35.6 times each comeback They have goals and inspirations just like any other teenager, with hopes to collaborate with their favorite artists such as BTS’s Jungkook or Bruno Mars, and they’re constantly in awe of the achievements they’ve had thus far. “We consistently remind ourselves to stay humble and never forget our beginnings. With this determination, I believe we can continue to evolve and grow,” started KEUM. “The best part of being an idol is being loved by someone else.”
Despite this youthful energy they carry, EPEX gets serious when it comes to their music, addressing heavy and somewhat taboo topics with their lyrics. The perfect example of this is their latest album, as the EP is composed of four songs, each with differing genres and stories. The title song, “FULL METAL JACKET,” focuses on the dangers of violence and losing your humanity, and BAEKSEUNG believes the song to be a true showcase of EPEX’s charm and unique style. Directly addressing the issue of school violence, “FULL METAL JACKET” is what WISH described as delving into the highest level of anxiety compared to previous releases. “These are some of the issues that are often featured in the news, and it’s important to be cool-headed about it. The message we aim to convey is not to avoid difficult situations, but rather to encourage everyone to come together to face them,” began KEUM. “It’s worth noting that our message isn’t just about our personal experiences, but it’s meant for anyone who may have had similar experiences. Our strength lies in delivering a message that resonates with everyone, and that’s something unique that EPEX brings to the scene.”
The second song on the album is “Surrender,” which shares the hope of ending oppression, and its message is amplified with powerful drums and bass. The third track is “Hit the Wall,” an EDM hip-hop track that speaks of setting your own standards and overcoming adversity, and also the song A-MIN wishes to perform live for their fans the most. “The track “Hit the Wall” resonates with me the most because everyone encounters their limitations at some point in their lives,” A-MIN started, before KEUM expand on his thoughts. “[This song] discusses the perceived limits we may have, which may not actually be true. This message can provide solace to some and encourage everyone to persevere and continue moving forward.” The last song on the album, “No Roof,” is a funky and empowering song created to boost the listener’s confidence in themselves, and is AYDEN’s most recommended track from the album. He said, “The lyrics reflect the mindset of a teenage boy, and the song carries EPEX’s distinct vibe. I would say this track truly embodies the essence of EPEX.”
With this album wrapping up the group’s Bipolar album series, the big question is what comes next. In response, the EPEX members’ thoughts began with what they’ve done so far. “The primary message we aim to convey is that love and anxiety are closely intertwined, which is why we chose the title for this series to be ‘Bipolar,’” said BAEKSEUNG. “In the albums of ‘Prelude of Love,’ we discussed the complex emotions of love while acknowledging the presence of anxiety alongside it. In the albums of ‘Prelude to Anxiety,’ we sought to express the anxieties that young adults of our age group often experience. Therefore, I believe the theme of bipolarity aptly encompasses both of these themes.”
Our strength lies in delivering a message that resonates with everyone, and that’s something unique that EPEX brings to the scene.
KEUM
The group shared that their music is growing with them. “Starting this year, all EPEX members are no longer minors,” started AYDEN. “This means that in the future, we may tackle more adult-oriented issues rather than teenage concerns. For instance, topics like unemployment could be addressed. I believe we will approach these types of issues from EPEX’s perspective and present them to the audience through our unique style of music.”
Having gone back and forth between the concepts of love and anxiety since their debut, EPEX shared their excitement to explore more variety with future releases. “Since we infuse our own stories into our music, I hope people pay attention to the song lyrics. I hope our group is remembered as a team of eight talented, well-rounded, and handsome boys who share their stories with the public through music,” proclaimed YEWANG. MU added on to the thought, hoping for EPEX to be remembered as “a legendary group capable of flawlessly executing a wide range of concepts.” Describing their goals for the future in one line, KEUM sums up their aspirations in a tangible manner: “If there were ever to be a textbook on K-pop, I want EPEX to be included in it as an example.”
