Choice worldwide has been celebrating after A.C.E.’s highly anticipated comeback with My Girl: “My Choice.” This comeback marks their first mini-album release in two and a half years after completing their military enlistment, and absence makes the heart grow fonder because this is arguably the most excited we’ve been for an A.C.E comeback, and every moment has been worth it!
A.C.E has shown a more mature side of themselves with My Girl: “My Choice”, with storytelling that connects them deeper with their fans, exploring the “reasons for existence” with a love story while incorporating “Conatus,” the essence and core
power of all beings. We had the chance to join in a virtual roundtable with the members themselves to chat about everything about the comeback! Here’s the tea that they spilled…
A.C.E are back and better than ever!
Mandatory military enlistment is a big part of someone’s life, and for an idol, it means time away from their craft and their adoring fans. Speaking about what he thinks his biggest lesson has been during the group’s hiatus, Junhee shares: “I’ve come to appreciate the significance of small things and the value of our members. Before, we were always together, working, eating, and hardly spending any time apart. However, during the hiatus and being apart, I realized how precious those moments were. I was so happy to be back together, and I’m incredibly grateful that we can perform together again.”
While it’s an exciting time to get back to business, it can still be a little daunting, especially when you have a dedicated fanbase who are eager to see what you’re up to next. “Initially, going into the recording booth right after our debut was nerve-wracking for me. I worried about showcasing everything I’d prepared in the limited time, considering we were several members with time constraints,” Byeongkwan explains.
And times have definitely changed, with social media challenges becoming a staple within the K-POP community. It’s become expected for groups to collaborate together for TikTok dances, and encourage fans to join in with choreo-based videos. “It was quite challenging to adapt to the ‘challenge’ culture. During our early debut stages, this culture wasn’t prevalent,” Junhee explains.
“However, nowadays, when we visit the waiting areas at broadcasting media, artists are constantly filming challenge videos with members from other groups and artists, leaving little time for rest after performances or rehearsals. This new culture requires everyone to learn the dance moves of other groups, which was difficult for us to keep up with. Yet, our fans love seeing these videos, so we are quite satisfied with it.”
When it comes to their sound, A.C.E is quite versatile. Even though they continue to experiment, their sound is still signature, and Wow credits the band’s true love for music. “All of us share a deep love for music, which has allowed us to maintain our unique style. This passion for music also emboldened us to explore new styles and genres, finding value in pushing our boundaries and remaining versatile. We are committed to continuing this journey of exploration and embracing new genres in the future.”
My Girl: “My Choice” sees growth within the group
It seems as though time apart has ultimately been a positive thing for A.C.E, as they appear to be a lot stronger as a unit and as artists, and this was evident from the moment they began working together again. “Coming back from the military service, I’ve noticed a more relaxed approach to recording, which reflects positively in the final outcome. It’s a noticeable change I’ve experienced,” Byeongkwan admits.
“To add, this album involved more member participation in the production process, giving us a deeper understanding of its creation,” Donghun chimes in. “With increased experience, each member gained confidence in their singing and developed unique opinions. This boosted our ability to comprehend and convey emotions in our songs more efficiently, resulting in a higher-quality outcome.”
This comeback saw A.C.E take a more unique approach with the recording sessions. Giving us more insight into the behind-the-scenes, Donghun explains: “We aimed to showcase A.C.E’s vocal skills, so we paid meticulous attention to details during the recording. Each of us pre-recorded a guided version of the song, and we then put them together into one. Based on this, we divided lines and proceeded with recording. This method significantly enhanced the album’s quality.”
Byeongkwan goes on to add: “The songs on our ep had both the English and Korean versions of the song, which was interesting. For the track, “Facetime”, Wow composed the song so we were calling him the producer, a nickname that he really liked. During the recording of the guided version, he would joke around saying that his version was the original, that he got the ‘original sound.’ It was very funny.”
Choice take a starring role in My Girl: “My Choice”
This comeback sees the involvement of Choice within the music video for ‘My Girl,’ something that was a new approach for A.C.E but one that seems to be hugely popular among both the group and the fanbase. When discussing Choice’s part in it all, Byeongkwan shares: “It is something we have never tried before. All of us enjoy spending time with our fans, whether it’s at a fan signing event or a concert. Teaching our fans the choreography of our title track up close and filming the music video together was an incredible honor and a cherished memory.”
“I’m deeply grateful for the positive feedback we’ve received,” Junhee adds. “Our goal wasn’t to pioneer something new or set a trend; rather, we aimed to make this music video meaningful as it marked our comeback after a long hiatus, and we wanted to create lasting memories for our fans. The response has been incredibly gratifying, with our fans expressing immense enjoyment and considering it a memorable gift. I’m simply thankful for all of this.”
And it was Choice that made this comeback most special for A.C.E. “Filming “Petflix,” the music video, required three days of choreography practice. I was initially concerned because we needed to teach the choreography to our fans, and they had to fully learn it within a week for the shoot,” Junhee explains. “Despite the tight timeline, our fans dedicated themselves to practicing the choreography with utmost effort. I was pleasantly surprised by their commitment, and it was heartwarming to see the love they have for A.C.E. It was truly a touching moment for us.”
After all, seven years on, it’s still clear that to A.C.E, Choice will always be their choice. “We also think that as time goes by we are growing together with our fans. We think that is the most important part of our journey,” says Byeongkwan. Our hearts!
The future is bright for A.C.E
The comeback is here, and A.C.E are full steam ahead for group activities. There’s so much we have to look forward to! “We’re kicking off with a fan concert event this month in Korea, then heading to a Japan tour, and finally, the U.S. tour scheduled from this June,” Byeongkwan shares.
A.C.E’s fanbase is largely international, and Choice and the group can feel the excitement for touring. “There’s a specific blend of emotions, atmosphere, and vibe unique to each city. While I look forward to discovering new cuisines and cultures, it’s the distinctive energy of a new city that truly excites me,” Yuchan shares when asked about their upcoming tour.
“When we tour a new city, our time is mostly spent at the show venue. So we remember the city by the energy from our fans and the ambiance of the venue,” Donghun explains. “I’m looking forward to creating wonderful memories with our fans during this tour as well.”
But while the tour is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, it’s not the only thing Choice has to look forward to. “We also have something special from Yuchan, which we cannot share the details about, but you will be able to see for yourselves very soon,” Byeongkwan teases. “Next month, maybe, we might be able to release our new album so please look forward to that as well.” We’re so hyped!
If you’re wondering what to expect from the new album, A.C.E’s lips are sealed, though they did discuss potential concepts they’d like to try in the future. “Exploring a super sexy concept is something we haven’t delved into yet, despite experimenting with powerful, cute, and other themes,” Junhee says. “It’s a direction we’re considering, given our maturity, and I believe it’s a concept our fans are eagerly anticipating.” And we are so here for it!
Are you loving My Girl: “My Choice?” Which song is your fave? Let us know by tweeting us at @TheHoneyPOP or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
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