Behind the Music: Exploring E'LAST's iDENTIFICATION – Member Contributions, Future Goals, and Growth (2024)

E’LAST invites you to discover the essence of iDENTIFICATION and their musical identity in this exclusive interview.

E’LAST, the sensational eight-member boy group, is setting the K-pop world on fire with their remarkable journey. Debuting on June 9, 2020, with their first mini-album, Day Dream, they’ve quickly captured the hearts of fans worldwide. E’LAST, an abbreviation of “Everlasting,” symbolizes both “Eternity” and “Infinity,” reflecting their enduring commitment to music and their infinite potential.

E’LAST boasts an exceptionally talented ensemble of artists, with each member contributing their distinct talents and charisma to the group’s dynamic identity. Leading this remarkable journey is Rano, who serves as both the group’s leader and main dancer, infusing their performances with energy and precision. Baek Gyeul’s exquisite vocal prowess as the lead vocalist adds a melodious dimension to their sound, captivating listeners with every note.

Romin, a main dancer and vocalist, brings a remarkable blend of dance and vocal skills to the stage, elevating E’LAST’s performances with his versatility. Meanwhile, the group’s main vocalist and rapper, Won Hyuk, showcases his lyrical finesse and vocal strength, adding depth and diversity to their music. The multi-talented Won Jun, who excels as the main rapper and vocalist, contributes a unique flavor to E’LAST’s tracks. Not to be overlooked, Yejun takes on the roles of lead dancer, vocalist, and the group’s maknae, a testament to the variety of skills E’LAST possesses in their current six-member lineup.

E’LAST’s musical journey has been nothing short of impressive, marked by several incredible releases such as Awake, Dark Dream, ROAR, and their latest masterpiece, iDENTIFICATION. In this exclusive interview, we delve deep into their latest album and explore the musical evolution that has endeared them to ELRING across the globe. Join us as we unravel the story behind E’LAST and their unforgettable journey in the K-pop world.

Hellokpop: Nice to meet you, E’LAST! Thanks for speaking to Hellokpop. Please introduce yourselves to our readers.

RANO: Hello, we are E’LAST! We recently came back with our fourth mini-album, iDENTIFICATION. E’LAST is taking on a new challenge with the addictive and sexy title track “Kiss me baby,” so we hope you continue to watch us and show us love!

HKP: Congratulations on your recent comeback with iDENTIFICATION. Can you tell us about the overall concept and message you wanted to convey with this album?

YEJUN: As the name of the album suggests, we wish to convey the fact that we will continue to put in endless efforts to show our determination and prove ourselves.

HKP: iDENTIFICATION is an outstanding album, marked by the enthusiastic participation of every member in the creative process. Could you share more about that and how it shaped the album’s distinct identity?

WONHYUK: I was able to participate actively on this album, taking part in four of the six songs! Also, throughout all the songs, I think my vocal color and the way I led has shaped my identity even more!

HKP: The title track, “Kiss Me Baby,” has a beat that’s incredibly addictive and unforgettable. What do you believe makes this song so memorable and distinct compared to your previous releases?

ROMIN: Many of our previous songs were quite conceptual and deep. This time, however, our title track, ‘Kiss Me Baby’, has a really addictive melody and an unrestricted feel to it. I think the addictive hook is what makes it so memorable.

HKP: The music video for “Kiss Me Baby” is so cool. Can you tell us about each of your characters in the story portrayed in the music video?

RANO: The paper plane I threw in the music video was actually a rejected resume. And I appeared to be wandering through various buildings and structures.

BAEKGYEUL: There were some scenes of me walking and running. I think this hints that the members were all gathering from different places.

ROMIN: In the public phone scene, I expressed my resolve and desire not to give in to the other person on the phone. In the scene with the graffiti, I showed a rebellious image of wanting to defy the reality that goes against us.

WONHYUK: I marked the beginning of the song by wandering in places such as subways and tunnels. I added to the free and unrestricted atmosphere of the music video.

WONJUN: I think the driving scene gave the impression that I was boldly chasing after love. Also, through the scene in the parking lot, you were able to see more of my mature side as compared to the cute image I always had.

YEJUN: Rather than exuding the feeling of being active and free, the facial expressions and mood I sang with portrayed my strong desire to win someone’s love.

HKP: Can you walk us through the rest of the tracklist of “iDENTIFICATION”? Are there any particular songs aside from the title track that hold a special meaning for the group?

WONHYUK: Firstly, there are “Together” and “Rain” that we wrote by ourselves.

“Together” is a fan song we wrote for ELRINGs.

“Rain” holds special meaning as the first song we wrote since our debut to tell our story. It expresses the pain, sadness, and hard times we experienced that couldn’t be put into words.

HKP: Which member do you think perfectly fits the new concept the best?

BAEKGYEUL: I personally think everyone fits it well. Every time we release a new album, I feel like our skills increase along with the amount of time we put into practice. So I think this is also an album where you can see good results from all our members.

HKP [For RANO]: As the leader, you hold a vital position in the group. How do you keep the group motivated and energized before hitting the stage, and do you have any pre-show dance rituals?

RANO: There is no need to be concerned about the group’s morale and energy before going onstage because the members really enjoy performing. Before a performance, the members are usually warming up their bodies and their voices, focusing more on preventing injuries. Before we go onstage, we also like to raise our morale by cheering together, especially “ELA SKRR,” we chant it quite often. (laughs)

HKP [For BAEKGYEUL]: Your vocals are a key part of E’LAST’s signature sound. Is there a song from E’LAST discography that holds a personal meaning for you, and if so, what is it?

BAEKGYEUL: Personally, the most meaningful song to me is this album’s “Rain.” While writing the song, we poured our hearts and feelings into it, so I really love it.

HKP [For ROMIN]: As the visual of the group, you play an essential role in E’LAST’s visual identity. How do you express your individual charms in the group’s music and performances?

ROMIN: First of all, I work hard to take care of myself so as to show good visuals. Next, in order to deliver good performances, I fine-tune my facial expressions and dance lines with lots of practice so that I can exude a sophisticated charm and neat moves on stage.

HKP [For WONHYUK]: You not only deliver amazing vocals but also contribute significantly to E’LAST’s music. What’s your main source of inspiration that you’ve drawn from when writing lyrics for your songs?

WONHYUK: I think my inspiration comes from ELRINGs. In this album, when I was writing “Together,” I only thought about ELRINGs. I think even if I am to write a song with a different vibe from the start to the end, it will still be ELRING.

HKP [For WONJUN]: As the main rapper and a vocalist, what’s a unique way you like to switch between rapping and singing, and how do you find a balance between these two roles in the group’s music?

WONJUN: Because I enjoy both rapping and singing, it’s not hard for me to switch between the two. Finding a balance is easy when you enjoy the song that is being played.

HKP [For YEJUN]: K-Pop fans are constantly captivated by your duality. Is there any difference between your personality in real life and your personality on stage?

YEJUN: My personality on stage is not that different from my usual personality, but on stage, I think I’m more immersed in the concept of the song.

HKP: E’LAST has had some incredible fashion moments on and off stage. How would you describe your personal style, and do you have a particular stage outfit that stands out as your favorite?

ROMIN: My personal fashion style is unique, sometimes hip, sometimes sophisticated. Personally, my favorite outfit is the black tweed outfit I wore in this album because it really matches my unique and sophisticated style.

HKP: How do you feel your music and style have evolved since your debut?

BAEKGYEUL: We thought a lot about how to make our songs so that it may reach a larger audience without losing our unique colors. So I think gradually, many more relatable and good songs will come out.

HKP: As artists, what are your goals and aspirations for the future, and how do you envision E’LAST’s legacy in the K-pop industry?

YEJUN: I want to show the public the abilities and charms of E’LAST. Moving forward, I hope that E’LAST’s message will inspire many people.

HKP: Lastly, Please leave a message for ELRING around the world reading this.

RANO: ELRING, E’LAST are back with our fourth mini-album. But I’m sorry we have made you wait for so long. I want to express my gratitude to ELRINGs, who have endured and overcome many moments together with us. I also wanted to repay you for always being by our side and endlessly giving us your love. Hence, we were given an opportunity to include the songs we made in this album to express our hearts. Our story and the songs are intertwined in a way through this album. Thank you so much for listening to and liking our album. We will continue to do our best to show you even better performances in the future. To do that, we really need the support of ELRINGs. Can you continue walking with me? I look forward to it, and I am always grateful for your continued support. I love you.

Connect with E’LAST on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Fancafe.

Check out their discography on Spotify.

*Our kind thanks to the members of E’LAST and E Entertainment for this exclusive interview.

Image and Video Credits: E Entertainment