Boy group WINNER expressed their feelings about making a comeback at a time when their agency YG Entertainment is in chaos because of a scandal.
YG Entertainment recently faced negative public opinion after the company was subjected to a special tax investigation by the National Tax Service as singer Seungri caused a social uproar with the so-called “Burning Sun Gate.” Under this situation, WINNER, who has recently made a comeback, must have felt pressured.
However, in an interview about the release of Winner’s new mini album “WE”, Kang Seung Yoon said “We had no trouble preparing for the comeback. It’s hard to feel the situation at the company because the studio is separate from YG’s office,” and added, “The managers have not specifically asked us to do anything. We feel the pressure every time we make a comeback.”
He also said, “We was praised by CEO Yang Hyun Suk for the album. It has been appreciated in its own way. He also told me that the good achievements were ‘100% result from hard work’”.
In particular, WINNER’s role has become more important when the future activities of the agency’s most famous group Big Bang still remain unclear due to Seungri’s retirement from the entertainment industry.
Song Mino said, “We are working hard to prepare and develop ourselves for the status of YG,” while Kang Seung Yoon said, “We have our own position. I don’t know if we can be a huge global star, but I think we’ve shown the public the “true color of WINNER”. I’m satisfied with that.”
As for whether they will renew the contract, Lee Seung Hoon said, “It’s our sixth year, but there is still a lot of time left to discuss the renewal. I’m not worried because I usually talk to the members openly.” Kang Seung Yoon also promised, “I’m trying to protect Winner. I’d like to stay together if possible.”
“We’ve been singing for the past five years and have got the 1st place with the title track. We’re lucky and blessed. There’s a lot of things to do in the future. This album is a new start for WINNER, and I don’t know how far we’re going to go, but we will just look ahead and run.” (Kang Seung Yoon)
The title track “Ah Yeah” included in WINNER’s new album “WE” released on July 15, is a song that transforms realistic farewell sensibility into the unique fun energy of Winner. Since its release, it has topped daily and weekly charts for paid digital album sales largest music sites in China such as QQ Music, Kugou Music and Kuwo Music, as well as in Korea. It also topped iTunes album charts in 19 regions, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
Sources: Nate
