K-pop group 82MAJOR breaks through the noise with new EP [SILENCE SYNDROME]
The K-pop group chatted with bunni pop about their new music, finding confidence in their sound and embracing their fans 82DE
(Photo credit: Great M)
82MAJOR’s latest music video “Takeover” features the band playing prison escapees.
Dressed in matching pajamas, it’s not long until the group is seen frolicking alongside industrial buildings, jumping over turnstiles at the subway station and creating mayhem in the streets of Busan.
The storyline builds on 82MAJOR’s ability to take on new roles and characters. After all, their last single “Stuck” saw the band playing secret agents trying to thwart their enemies without getting noticed.
82MAJOR’s ability to be playful through sound and visuals is largely the reason why they have been garnering a loyal group of fans (known as 82DEs) since they debuted in October 2023.
The group—composed of CHO SEONG-IL, YOON YE-CHAN, NAM SEONG-MO, HWANG SEONG-BIN, PARK SEOK-JOON and KIM DO-GYUN—recently made their latest comeback with the EP [SILENCE SYNDROME] on April 14, 2025.
“We wanted to use the dual meaning of ‘SILENCE’ to deliver 82MAJOR’s unique style in a powerful way,” CHO SEONG IL tells bunni pop.
“The first meaning is how people stay quiet (silence) and obey orders within structured systems in modern society. The message is that 82MAJOR will break that system and stun people into SILENCE with our music.”
82MAJOR’s latest comeback is an example of the band’s eagerness to build on the success they received on their second mini-album X-82. The EP, released on October 15, 2024, entered multiple Billboard charts for the first time, including World Sales, Current Album Sales and Emerging Artist.
82MAJOR recently sat down with bunni pop to discuss their new EP, their journey as a group so far and their goals for the future. It was also recently announced that 82MAJOR will be heading on tour across North America soon.
As a fellow Canadian, I also had to ask YOON YE-CHAN about where he’d like to take the group in Toronto. Fun fact: the Markham native’s older brother is KEEHO from P1Harmony.
So without further ado, below is my chat with 82MAJOR.
Can you tell me a bit about your title song “TAKEOVER” and the story you wanted to share there?
PARK SEOK JOON: We wanted to convey 82MAJOR’s confident and rebellious attitude that we will not choose the same path as others. The direct lyrics of “TAKEOVER” convey our boldness, and the chorus that is shouted by all six members represents our explosive energy. So the song tells the story that “We will make new rules” (새로운 질서를 만들어 가)!
You are known for a more hip hop style compared to some of your other K-pop counterparts. Who were some of your inspirations when making this project?
HWANG SEONG BIN: When we were working on the song “Passport”, we thought of how you get stamps on passports. We would love to fill all of our passports with stamps through a concert tour! This song expresses our strong desire to go meet 82DEs and perform in so many different places.
(Photo credit: Great M)
The visuals for this comeback also see you guys against grungier and more industrial backdrops. In some ways, it reminds me of something you’d see from the 1990s and 2000s. How much of this era informed the visuals of this project?
YOON YE CHAN: Rather than referencing a specific era, we were thinking of a free and unique concept that would fit this album and the lyrics of the title track, and the visuals just came naturally from that. Of course, we filmed the music video at various locations in Korea, true to 82MAJOR’s identity. For this music video especially, we filmed everything on location in Busan. The music video features a lot of different sides of Busan, which makes the video feel more fresh and new to the viewers.
You all participated in the writing of the songs on this album. What are some of the biggest lessons and takeaways you’ve learned about making music vs performing them on the stage?
HWANG SEONG BIN: The biggest difference is that making music is something that 82MAJOR does, and performing on stage is something that 82MAJOR and 82DE do together. We feel grateful that we can share our songs with our fans through performing them.
KIM DO GYUN: While working on the songs we are full of excitement to share them with our fans, and when we perform the completed songs, it feels like we’re connecting with the fans. The passionate response that fans show us when we’re performing feels like love!
It’s been more than a year since you debuted as a group. When you look at your time as trainees vs now, where has the biggest growth been?
HWANG SEONG BIN: I think we’ve learned how to be loved. When we were trainees, I think the motivation for working hard was for ourselves, but now we think more about doing more for the fans. This is all thanks to our fans who have always showered us with support and love since our debut!
Your message talks about breaking free from society that enforces silence within established systems. As young people. What role do you see yourselves playing in society when it comes to speaking your mind? Is this something you encourage your fans to do as well?
NAM SEONG MO: I think everyone should keep voicing their thoughts and shout them to the world. 82MAJOR is doing that through music. It’s not to play a certain role, but I do hope that fans will gain confidence from listening to our music.
Are there styles of music you want to try next?
HWANG SEONG BIN: We want to challenge ourselves with any style! We want to try out genres that others may not expect, and show various sides of 82MAJOR.
NAM SEONG MO: Me too, I want to try a lot of different genres, regardless of which one.
(Photo credit: Great M)
Being a group I’m sure, comes with its challenges. But what do you think has been key to your bond as a team?
NAM SEONG MO: Trust. I think the reason that six members could bond together as a team is because we trust each other.
What is one thing you have each learned from each other over the last year?
HWANG SEONG BIN: We’ve learned to be considerate. We try to be mindful of each other’s feelings and be careful with our actions, and we also approach each other to ask if anything’s wrong. Seeing other members who are considerate like that, I’ve become inspired to be more considerate as well!
YECHAN, I have to ask because I’m from the Toronto-area like you. Where would you take your members in your home city, and why?
Canada’s Wonderland, Distillery District (especially during the winter season), Woodbine Beach, Main Street Unionville, Harbourfront, CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Niagara Falls (Not in Toronto, but still need to go.), Algonquin Provincial Park. Too many…
They’re all famous places that I visited a lot when I was a child, so I want to show them to the other members just once.
YECHAN, Was it ever an adjustment for you to navigate the K-pop trainee system as a Korean-Canadian?
There are no honourifics in English, so when I first came to Korea it was difficult to adjust to that. I still have a lot to work on, but I think I’ve gotten a lot better thanks to all the effort I put in!
Your last album [X-82] landed you on multiple Billboard Charts. What is the next goal you’d like to achieve?
YOON YE CHAN: Going to the Grammy Awards! I’d love to perform 82MAJOR’s music on a big stage like the Grammys.
CHO SEONG IL: Winning first place on a music show. I want us to take first place and shout ‘82DE!’ during our acceptance speech!
You were able to perform a number of concerts in the last year. What else can we expect from 82MAJOR in the coming months?
KIM DO GYUN: First of all we’re going to have a lot of fun with our fans during the [SILENCE SYNDROME] promotions. Before the release of this album, we went busking at Jeonju. It’s hard for people who live outside of Seoul to come see our performances, so we went to them ourselves. In the future, we will try our best to go everywhere that 82DEs are, wherever they are! And we have our 4th standalone concert in Korea coming up in June, so I hope you’ll look forward to that!
Interview has been edited for length and clarity
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