The nine-member group CRAVITY has returned with their 8th mini-album, 'ReDeFINE.' Now in their 7th year since debut, the group has placed the keyword "fear" at the forefront, creating an album that captures their current selves with the utmost honesty.
Ahead of the album's release, CRAVITY greeted reporters at the Starship Entertainment headquarters with their signature brightness. Member SEONGMIN, known for his exceptional handiwork, showed his thoughtfulness by gifting everyone homemade strawberry cream croffles.
Having released their music video in advance, CRAVITY expressed their excitement, noting that it is especially meaningful to meet their fans in the same month they celebrate their 6th anniversary. SERIM shared his thoughts on the comeback, saying, "As each year passes, our albums seem to become even more precious. We prepared for this one with that much dedication."
The new album, 'ReDeFINE,' is a compilation of the fear, longing, and growth that CRAVITY has experienced along their journey. Including the title track "AWAKE," the six tracks carry the message that "the moment you think is the end can be a new beginning." It is a process of redefining themselves amidst a non-stop sprint and an album that most clearly showcases who CRAVITY is today.
The music video further amplifies this message. Through the contrasting settings of a priest and a seminarian, the video distinguishes between a "complete being" and an "incomplete being." SEONGMIN explained, "We wanted to convey the message that even if you are incomplete and shaken, you don't collapse and can rise again to move forward. We are still incomplete and prone to shaking, but we wanted to include the meaning that we can stand up again."
This narrative also connects to the symbol of the "Ouroboros." HYEONGJUN revealed, "In the music video, the structure repeats with the same beginning and end. It carries the message that the end is also a beginning. We each thought about our own fears and tried to express those emotions through our bodies."
What are the fears that the members think about?
WOOBIN, who recently thought deeply about fear while appearing in the musical 'Romeo and Juliet,' answered earnestly, "I thought about how to express what I feel as fear in my own way, and the conclusion was, 'I am afraid of feeling fear.' I think I have been avoiding those emotions a lot. I only recently realized that this has been the way I’ve lived my life."
ALLEN said, "When I felt fear, I prayed. I have been overcoming it that way while experiencing various trials throughout our activities. Because of my job as an idol, I haven't been able to talk openly about religion, but now that 7 years have passed, I want to have the courage to speak about it."
While the members confessed their individual fears, the way they overcome them remains the "stage." HYEONGJUN emphasized, "I felt that when we all go up on stage together, when the nine of us are gathered, the fear disappears. At an awards ceremony last year, even among other prominent artists, I thought, 'Let's just think about what the nine of us prepared,' and the fear vanished. I trust the members, our fans, and the time we have spent practicing."
The members' participation in this album is also notable. WONJIN and ALLEN participated in the production of the track "Our Spring Day" to include a message for their fans. TAEYOUNG, who participated in composing "Love Me Like You Do," said, "It was meaningful that it was reborn through the members' voices. It is a song I wrote while thinking of our fans." SERIM participated in writing the lyrics for the title track, stating, "Reflecting the 'Ouroboros' concept, it contains the meaning that I have never planned or thought about an end."
CRAVITY's present is closer to the "process" than the "result." HYEONGJUN explained, "If it used to be a story of youth and challenges, now it seems to be about that process. We collapsed while going through things like COVID-19 and survival shows, but thanks to the members and our fans, we are moving forward again. It is an album that contains our 6-year narrative."
Entering their 7th year, they cannot avoid realistic concerns like contract renewals and the "military hiatus." WONJIN said, "Focusing on the present rather than the future is the team's strength," adding, "We are focusing on the comeback rather than contract renewals or the military."
Nevertheless, the team's direction is clear. TAEYOUNG said, "My dream is for all members to be active together for a long time." WONJIN added, "I hope you will also look at the keyword 'eternity' contained within the Ouroboros."
They also honestly revealed the pressure regarding growth. Along with the confession that "it is true that there was impatience as the years piled up," they added, "I realized that just because you worked hard, the results don't always follow. So now, I value the process and the memories more." In particular, TAEYOUNG expressed his determination by saying, "Since junior groups like KiiiKiii are doing well these days, there is pressure. I want to make Starship shine just as much."
Lastly, they shared their resolutions: "I want to become a hot topic through the point choreography for each member during this promotion" (ALLEN), "I want to be recognized on stage, which is our main job" (WONJIN), and "We will show you more desperately as a team that knows the value of the stage" (TAEYOUNG). WONJIN added, "Because I know that the existence of our fans is not something to be taken for granted, I will put that heart into our performances."
CRAVITY intends to move forward again while facing their "fears." Their 'ReDeFINE' is heading toward another beginning, not an end.
CRAVITY's 8th mini-album 'ReDeFINE' will be released on various music sites on the 29th at 6 PM.
Photo = Starship Entertainment
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)