iKON Talk Timing For First U.S. Tour, Label Change & Solo Albums: ‘It Was Really Hard But A Lot Of Fun’

Forbes Business Hollywood & Entertainment iKON Talk Timing For First U. S. Tour, Label Change & Solo Albums: ‘It Was Really Hard But A Lot Of Fun’ Jeff Benjamin Senior Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

I write about music from around the world—Latin to K-pop and beyond. Following Sep 30, 2023, 11:45pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin iKON performs at the ‘2023 iKON WORLD TOUR TAKE OFF’ in six major cities in America including . .

. [+] Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Los Angles, starting with New York, USA on September 5th 143 Entertainment Under the vintage lights of Brooklyn’s gorgoeus Kings Theatre, iKON kicked off a long-awaited American leg of their Take Off World Tour earlier this month. While it marked the eight-year-old boy band’s first time properly touring the States, it was a particularly significant and emotional moment as the group’s first time visiting the U.

S. since undergoing a transformative label change. Amid a pulsating excitement in the crowd, the absence of member Jay fulfilling his South Korean military duty was felt, but remaining members Bobby, Ju-ne, Song, DK, and Chan more than made up the gap with heaps of of musical talent and heart.

Throughout a setlist that included revamped versions of the group’s most beloved tracks as well as solo spotlights for each iKON star, the excitement remained palpable throughout the show from both crowd and the members themselves. “New York City, make some f-cking noise!” DK yelled with infectious energy early on in the show. “Thanks for coming out today, thanks so much.

” Bobby also acknowledged the fervor, sharing, “It’s so freaking hot here and it’s all because of you guys” noting the undeniable connection between iKON and their fans, affectionately known as iKONICs. Beyond the electrified performances, the concert also served as a platform for iKON to share exciting news. DK was quick to enthusiastically announce, “We have the great news that Bobby dropped his solo album.

I think there will be another one. . .

in October. ” The announcement of Bobby’s next solo endeavors hinted at the synergy within the group that, while the guys pursue different individual endeavors including music, acting and modeling, the members remain unwaveringly supportive of each other, illustrating a unique camaraderie that few groups in the industry can boast. The Brooklyn kickoff date on September 5 also points to iKON’s journey as one of resilience and adaptation.

Under a new label home in 143 Entertainment after leaving their founding agency of YG Entertainment, iKON proves that no matter the challenges they face, their music and passion for their craft and each other continue to shine. MORE FOR YOU Government Shutdown Averted: Senate Approves Last-Minute Stopgap Bill The Top 10 Richest People In The World (October 2023) The Russians Knew Exactly Where To Strike Kharkiv’s Air-Defenses. The Locations Were In Soviet Archives.

Read on for more reflections from iKON about the timing surrounding their first tour and label changes as well as what’s on the way for the band and each of the guys. Jeff Benjamin: We met the first time you came to New York , but a lot has changed. I want to say congratulations on those changes and, finally, your first tour in America! Overall, tell us where iKON is right now.

Bobby: Well, our company changed. We had this really great opportunity and met this really nice guy. He was like, “Why don’t you join us [at 143 Entertainment] and have some opportunities for yourselves to learn more about this industry and everything?” I mean, YG is a very beautiful and great company.

But like, they literally do everything for you, you know? All we had to do was, like, be on the stage and write music—that’s all. So, we just wanted to learn more since we were young and that’s why we go to choosing this path. It was really hard but a lot of fun.

Jeff Benjamin: What kind of opportunities have been presented to you to learn more about industry? DK: We’re able to release our albums freely, and make music that resembles iKON’s colors and style freely. We also feel really good that we are now back in New York and able to perform. Jeff Benjamin: iKON had great reactions on the Billboard charts since debut.

I’m curious what you think took so long for a proper iKON tour here. Was it different priorities and plans at your former company? BOBBY: Honestly, we don’t know. [Laughs] We don’t know why it took so long to get here because, like I said, all the plans were made by the company.

I believe that YG had, like you mentioned, their priorities. But one thing that’s for sure is that, even if it was so late, we’re really happy to be here and we want to thank all the fans that came to see us. We’re so very happy and excited about everything.

SONG: It’s the first time we’re meeting American fans and the first time being here touring the U. S. But being able to communicate with American fans on stage for the first time is something that we found particularly exciting and were looking forward to.

CHAN: And it’s not just like we’re coming here for an event or two [like in the past], it’s that we’re actually here and can actually be in front of our fans, perform and spend quality time with them. Jeff Benjamin: I want to congratulate you on iKON celebrating a milestone eight years together during this tour. Even through these recent changes, you remained together.

What was important about continuing this as a group? SONG: It doesn’t quite matter what company we go to or which agency we’re at, what was important in our minds is that we are together, here as iKON. I personally felt like that is most important and has a really significant meaning for all of us together. DK: A really big point, possibly even the biggest point, was that we wanted to keep meeting our fans for a long time.

But in order to do that, we have to remain together as iKON. Have these professional changes brought new influences to your music or is iKON music still iKON music? DK: Rather than us changing as iKON, we wanted to be able to present new and exciting music to their fans—just so being able to present ourselves in this excited and interesting fashion was very important to us. Jeff Benjamin: iKON’s had two big releases, including your full-length TAKE OFF album that had several solo songs by members, plus BOBBY’s new single.

How are you balancing group and solo work now? DK: Since we just did group albums, we think it’d be good to be able to focus on both group and soul albums. For example, BOBBY’s solo music recently came out— BOBBY: And the new one’s coming in October—it’s going to be crazy. DK: And if we can get it to where we all have solo albums, plus group albums coming out, that would be really, really cool, in my opinion.

Jeff Benjamin: DK, you’ve shared how you work with and producing other members’ solo projects. Do you still work collaboratively even with all these recent changes? DK: Of course. Particularly with the TAKE OFF album, Bobby helped me quite a bit, actually.

And one thing that I particularly want to emphasize is that no matter what company we’re in, and whether it’s solo or group work, we really like to give each other feedback, collaborate and kind of just rely on each other. Us being able to all work together is quite a big priority for me and I think it’s really fun as well. Jeff Benjamin: Ju-ne, you sang “Want You Back” on TAKE OFF, and I loved your song “Night Flight” from the SOULBYSEL Compilation this year.

I felt both had R&B influences. Is this indicating a solo album for you? JU-NE: Sometime next year, I’d like to do a solo album that embodies my style but I’m not quite sure as to what genres it will contain just yet—I compose stuff based on things that I’m really into at the time. But I do know that the fans really, really want a solo album so, maybe, sometime next year.

Jeff Benjamin : There was a trot track “Fighting” by Song also on TAKE OFF . Is that where your musical interests lie, Song? SONG: I’ve always wanted to be able to try a solo trot song—there’s nothing quite as exciting as the performances for trot songs, especially in this concert so I hope everyone looks forward to it. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn .

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