ZE:A returns with 'SPECTACULAR' sounds in hopes to find new color

ZE:A members posing in front of reporters to introduce their 2nd full-length album, "SPECTACULAR," at the showcase held in Seoul, South Korea, on July 3. [Star Empire Entertainment]

On the hills of wrapping up their nationwide showcase tour, ZE:A pumped up the audience at their final stop in Seoul on Tuesday evening with their powerful dance numbers and ballads. A crowd of fans swarmed around Seoul's Yonsei University last night with self-made placards, to see the nine members of ZE:A introducing their second full-length album, "SPECTACULAR." "We feel extremely confident about 'SPECTACULAR' and hope to find our true color with the new title track, 'Aftermath.' We have a total of 11 songs in the album and each song features a different genre that we've never tried before," ZE:A's member Siwan said. ZE:A's lead vocalist Kevin added that the group received a number of great songs from famous producers. "Our agency held countless meetings in deciding our title track because honestly, all the songs we've received were too good to let go"Kwang-hee chimed in saying, "We all have worked hard for this album, vocally and visually, and as you can tell, we feel that we've stepped it up a notch (laugh). Our performance on stage will reflect how much effort that we have put into 'SPECTACULAR.'" Before finishing the press conference, member Minwoo spoke up about what they hope to achieve with "SPECTACULAR.""Since we haven't had a single song that pinpoints what kind of idol group we are, I hope that people will get to know who we really are through 'SPECTACULAR,' and no more be referred to as 'the group that has Kwanghee, Siwan or Dong-jun.'"

ZE:A members performing at their showcase for the 2nd full-length album, "SPECTACULAR," in Seoul, South Korea, on July 3. [Star Empire Entertainment]

The boys, minus the leader, Moon Jun-young, who is still recovering from his ankle injury, then staged their first-ever performance of "Aftermath" before some 800 local and international fans. A roar of screams filled the auditorium as the members continued to dance to their disco song, "Body to Body." Slowing things down with their ballads "Never End," "Daily Daily" and "I'll Be a Star," Moon joined the group in singing while sitting on a chair. "We won't be able to be called ZE:A if a single member is left out from the team," Dong-jun said as Moon broke into tears and thanked for their fans' support. Ending their showcase, ZE:A unveiled the music video for "Aftermath" for the first time and reappeared on stage for the encore performances of "Heart for 2" and "Mazeltov." ZE:A, which stands for 'Children of Empire' in Korean, is formed of Moon Jun-young, Kim Dong-jun, Jung Hee-cheol, Kevin, Hwang Kwang-hee, Ha Min-woo, Siwan, Park Hyung-sik and Kim Tae-hun. Having made their debut in 2010, the boys are getting ready to open the next chapter of their singing career with "SPECTACULAR," starting with the first comeback performance on Mnet's "M! CountDown" this Thursday.

ZE:A members waving hands to say good-bye to their fans after performing at their showcase for the 2nd full-length album, "SPECTACULAR," in Seoul, South Korea, on July 3. [Star Empire Entertainment]

※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.10 아시아 Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@10 아시아 Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@<ⓒ즐거움의 공장 "10 아시아" (10.asiae.co.kr) 무단전재 배포금지>