An impact occurs when one object forcefully collides with another. Emerging from the intersection of five distinct individuals, One Pact – One + Impact – exemplifies the potential that arises when the right people come together.
Set to debut at the end of 2023 under Armada Entertainment, the group includes Jongwoo, Jay Chang, Seongmin, TAG, and Yedam – a collection of individuals who have endured extensive challenges on their journey to success. Their combined history is filled with struggles. Each member, except Yedam, debuted before forming One Pact, and all five have participated in Korean survival shows.
This shared background contributes to a level of experience and humility that Jay identifies as two of their greatest assets. Regarding the necessity of starting over, he reflects, “We know our capabilities, yet we’ve had to return to the fundamentals and establish ourselves as a group.”
Following the significant reality show Boys Planet in 2023, these five close friends found themselves in a situation they “never imagined would happen,” as Tag explains. “Rather than just collaborating professionally, we are creating together with friends.”
During a Zoom conversation with CLASH, it becomes clear that the group’s existence is centered around two main themes: their commitment to artistry and their friendship, both of which they frequently emphasize. “We were friends before everything else, and when we united, it was because, as aspiring artists, we shared the same aspirations and wanted to succeed together,” says Jay.
On the day of the interview, the group is in the midst of promoting 'Pink Crush', their third mini album, alongside its lead single, '100!'. This release is noteworthy: for the first time since their debut album, Jay – a member of group BDU and a solo artist – is collaborating with the others for a joint release and promotion. As Tag describes it, “This is our first experience with a bright concept.”
Whereas their previous mini album, ‘Fallin’, immersed listeners in a cool blue atmosphere, ‘Pink Crush’ envelops them in a warm orange light. It embodies love in its most genuine form, resembling a rose-tinted daydream.
Jay mentions that the aim with ‘100!’ was to prioritize enjoyment in their performance, diverging from their usual complex choreography. “We decided to adopt a theme that resonated with the song’s vibe.” Watching any performance of this track reveals the group’s evident joy and the camaraderie shared among five close friends. He adds, “Fans have expressed that witnessing us having fun and appearing truly happy brings them joy too.”
Since their debut, with each new release, One Pact’s musical identity has varied slightly while still retaining the essence of One Pact. Yedam sees this as a positive development. “We’re still discovering the musical style that uniquely represents One Pact, but we excel at multiple styles. Once we pinpoint our exclusive sound, we’ll continue to showcase that diversity.”
No matter how One Pact’s art is presented, one consistent element is the members’ engagement. From the outset, they have strived to be heavily involved in the creation of their work, and for Seongmin, this involvement defines One Pact’s impact. “For us as artists, the personal connection is significant… Rather than being overt, it’s satisfying to know we contribute to every facet of our artistry.”
This creative process is primarily led by their main songwriter Tag, who has composed nearly every song in their catalog thus far. He reveals that the ability to write music fueled his desire to become a musician. “Since we perform our music, I thought it would be crucial to fully immerse ourselves in and grasp the songs.”
He draws inspiration from his everyday experiences. “While performing around the world, meeting fans and new acquaintances… Their conversations inspire me. Songs like ‘Must Be Nice’ and ‘Deserved’ are born from my imagination, along with influences from animations and films.”
In ‘Pink Crush’, all five members contributed to a special track: ‘&Heart’, dedicated to their fans. Every single line in the song, Jongwoo shares, conveys what the members wish to express to the fans, representing thoughts or emotions associated with them.
Jay adds, “A significant reason we could collectively participate in writing the lyrics was that it required no imagination.” With a song as meaningful as ‘&Heart’, it feels much more authentic.
Their involvement doesn’t stop with writing songs. Each comeback sees the release of a self-produced music video directed by Jongwoo. When planning, he bases his ideas on the emotions evoked by the songs and lyrics.
As the group recently celebrated their first anniversary in November, they took a moment to reflect on their journey and the growth they’ve experienced.
Tag identifies his most notable progress in songwriting. “Now that I understand all the members – their capabilities and vocal range – it’s more comfortable to create songs. I believe our songs are improving, and I hope the members feel at ease performing my compositions.”
As a
A posthumous album by Cola Boyy is set to be released later this year. The "disabled disco innovator," whose real name was Matthew Urango, sadly passed away a little over a year ago.
The alt-pop sensation spill tab, based on the West Coast, has released a new single titled 'Assis'. Available now, this track is part of the momentum building up to her debut.
It appears that Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker of boygenius are now officially recognized. The songwriters, along with Phoebe Bridgers, contributed to advancing the project to
The Glasgow band Humour is back with their new single 'Neighbours'. The group gained recognition with two biting and unyielding EPs – 'Pure Misery' from 2022 and
Faye O'Rourke and Adam O'Regan of Soda Blonde talk about the band's powerful Valentine's track "People Pleaser," an uplifting, emotionally intense anthem that confronts themes of love, the need for validation, and the patterns of self-destructive behavior we find difficult to overcome.
Wretch 32 is set to drop his new album 'Home?' on May 2nd. The UK rap star has created a unique discography, with his latest album titled 'little BIG man'.
An impact is defined as one object forcefully hitting another. Originating from the convergence of five distinct individuals, One Pact - One + Impact - serves as the primary