AMPERS&ONE: Rebel angels of K-pop

Ahead of joining P1Harmony on their upcoming U.S. tour in September and October, the group sat down with JoySauce to talk about their bold new project, writing process, and what they miss most about Seattle.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Daniel Anderson: How would you describe this album’s sound and message to someone hearing about it for the first time?
Kamden Na: I think this album shows how confident we are, and how we can stand tall in front of anyone. Every track carries the meaning of not being afraid of anyone and not caring what people say. I’d also recommend listeners to focus on the beats—it’s really cool.

Kyrell Choi: This album is quite experimental for us. We tried genres we hadn’t attempted before. But the common theme is still confidence. It represents our self-assurance and is the outcome of our long, hard work and effort.

DA: How did the idea for the overall concept come together?
Jiho Choi: For this comeback, we set out to craft an album that would let us leap alongside our fans and ignite the stage—so we leaned into stronger, more powerful songs that embody our boldness and confidence.

Siun Yoon: In the past, we’ve often done bright and energetic concepts, but this time we wanted to create a turning point with hip, stylish songs and performances. We thought our fans, ANDear, would really enjoy this concept, and we ourselves also love it.

DA: The visuals are playful and bold, especially with the whimsical “weapons” in your concept photos. How do those tie into the music?
Brian Ho: I think the weapons represent our confidence. They may look flimsy, but they carry the message that with strong will and self-belief, anything is possible.

KC: Some of our lyrics say things like, “From the start, you look at me crookedly,” and “No matter what, I won’t flinch—I’ll only grow stronger.” The prop weapons symbolize our determination and confidence. At the same time, they show that we’re special in our own way. Even if others see us as strange, we embrace it with confidence and turn it into our strength.

DA: Mackiah and Kamden, you both wrote lyrics for every track. Can you walk us through your writing process?
KC: I usually focus a lot on the top-line. I start with the melody, then add lyrics that people can sing along to and remember.

Mackiah Mercer: I decide on specific keywords I want to use in a track first. Then I build a storyline around that. Once the theme is set, I keep playing the beat on repeat while writing my rap verses.

DA: Which track was the most challenging to write?
KC: I think “Move Out” was the hardest. The beat was so powerful that it was tough to create a melody that was even catchier. It felt like going head-to-head with the beat.

MM: For me, writing the rap for “Seesaw” was the toughest. I wrote multiple versions and kept revising until I found the best one. But in the end, I was really satisfied with the final result!

DA: Which song are you most excited for fans to hear?
MM: I like every single song, but personally I really like “Move Out.” The fast and hard-hitting beat gives the song so much more energy. I’m especially proud of the rap part I wrote!

SY: For me, it’s “I’m Down.” The music feels grand and powerful, and I really love how each member’s rap and vocal style shines on this track. The lyrics—about betting everything on yourself, doing things your own way even when no one believed in you, and finally achieving what you’ve been striving for—really resonate with me.

DA: The album is called LOUD & PROUD. What are you most proud of from this past year?
Seungmo Kim: I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on myself, and through that, I got to know myself better. It gave me the chance to live more positively day by day.

SY: Personally, I’ve been focusing a lot on improving my vocals for higher-quality songs and performances. I’ve practiced by covering my favorite songs, watching videos of senior artists from our company and singing along, and analyzing how to deliver our tracks in a way that would make listeners say, “Wow, this song is amazing.” It’s been a really meaningful journey of growth.

DA: You also went on your first U.S. tour last year. Any standout memories?
KC: The first U.S. tour itself was unforgettable for us as a team. At first, we even worried, “What if no one shows up?” But way more fans came than we expected. The passion in Columbus, Ohio especially stood out—it was such a fiery stage. I want to thank ANDear for enjoying it with us!

MM: I’ll never forget the LA show. It was our final stop, and the fans gave us such incredible energy—perfect for a finale—that it made us so genuinely happy. It became an unforgettable memory for all of us.

DA: Kamden and Kyrell, did you have any teachers or classmates who inspired you at Issaquah and Lakeside High?
KN: My history teacher, Ms. Kelly, was my favorite teacher in high school. History wasn’t my favorite subject, but thanks to her, class became fun and she really looked out for me. I miss her!

KC: So many, honestly. Without Lakeside, I don’t think I’d be where I am now. My history teacher encouraged me to explore my Korean roots. My math teacher, who was an amazing jazz dancer, pushed me to keep dancing. My mentors fueled my passion, and my friends always supported me. One of them even introduced me to K-pop—she was a big BTS fan. Lakeside gave me so much inspiration in many ways.

DA: What do you miss most about Seattle?
KN: There’s a restaurant in downtown Issaquah called Toshi’s Teriyaki—and I really miss it! I also miss watching the sunsets with my friends from the top of Issaquah Highlands Park.

KC: My bed, my backyard, my dog, even the air—I miss them all. I remember hanging out with friends at Alderwood Mall, watching movies at AMC Theaters, drinking bubble tea, and window shopping (though we rarely bought anything). I also miss playing basketball after clearing away chairs post-church service, and eating burgers from Dick’s. But in the end, what I miss most are the people I shared those memories with.

DA: You’ll be opening for P1Harmony on tour. What does that opportunity mean to you?
JC: Since our trainee days, I’ve always admired P1Harmony, and watching their activities made me want to debut as soon as possible. So, it’s truly an honor to stand on stage as their opening act. I’m also really excited to gain more experience performing on bigger stages. Recently, I went to their concert and had a talk with Jiung hyung, who always gives me great advice. I hope I can reflect those learnings in our performance this time and continue to grow through it.

SK: It’s such an honor to share the stage with P1Harmony. I think it’s a great opportunity to learn from them and grow into an amazing team like them.