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K-pop group INFINITE continues to push for ‘top spot’

September 19, 2016

SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) — South Korean boy band INFINITE revealed its unlimited passion to reach a higher goal despite its status as one of the top acts in K-pop during a media showcase for its latest album on Monday.

“We don’t see ourselves as the best,” said vocalist Woohyun, despite the idol group’s steady popularity since its debut in 2010. “All we can do is to make effort (every day) to reach the top spot. This applies to all of the members — none of us are satisfied with our accomplishments in hand.”

The seven-member act, consisting of Sungkyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Hoya, Sung-yeol, L and Sung-jong, released its sixth EP “INFINITE Only” at 12 a.m.

This file photo, released by Woollim Entertainment, shows South Korean boy band INFINITE.

The album follows just 14 months after the group’s last EP “Reality.”

The new release has a total of seven songs: “Eternity,” “Air,” “One Day,” “Ture Love,” “Thank You,” “Zero” and lead track “The Eye.” Its original Korean title is “Taepoong (Typhoon).”

Woollim Entertainment, the group’s agency, made a safe bet with the lead track, as it continues using the group’s trademark dance-pop with a strong beat. Producer BEE, who wrote INFINITE’s hits “Back,” “Destiny” and “Bad,” also composed “The Eye.” The lyrics portray a man’s dilemma – he can never completely break free of his lover, no matter how painful the relationship becomes.

According to rapper Hoya, “The Eye” has been in the pipeline for a long time. “Dramatic development is the song’s strength,” he said. He then implicitly suggested that the team’s new activities did not exactly come with excitement.

“We are not utterly comfortable releasing a new EP at such a bad time,” he acknowledged, mentioning Sung-yeol’s loss of his father, who passed away on Sept. 2 during INFINITE’s Japan tour.

After mourning at his father’s funeral, Sung-yeol went back to the tour, calling the engagement “a matter of trust between him and his Japanese fans.”

This file photo, released by Woollim Entertainment, shows South Korean boy band INFINITE.

Among the EP’s seven songs, “One Day” was co-composed by INFINITE rappers Hoya and Dongwoo, along with songwriter Razer. The song’s title and lyrics were inspired by U.S. romantic drama “One Day,” starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, Hoya said. The mellow song portrays a man’s longing for his ex-lover.

The idols vowed to snag the No. 1 spot on music programs on terrestrial television broadcasters — while failing to reach a consensus on their fulfillment pledge. Among K-pop singers and actors, making a fulfillment pledge before an important goal or mission has been a long-standing tradition.

“I think we can take several fans out to eat jjajangmyeon (in a Chinese restaurant) with us,” said Sung-yeol, before blurting out a more daunting mission – to “take all the members skydiving,” in honor of the EP’s Korean name, “Typhoon.” After fussing and laughter, the skydiving option was vetoed by his six teammates. Woohyun made more artist-like offer, suggesting a performance of an acoustic version of “The Eye,” done on a busking stage.

Starting this week, INFINITE will kick off showcasing “The Eye” on weekly televised music shows.