[INTERVIEW] P1HARMONY: On Friendship, Fans, and the Future

[INTERVIEW] P1HARMONY: On Friendship, Fans, and the Future

With their high-energy live performances and lore-rich music, P1Harmony has emerged as one of the defining faces of K-pop’s fourth generation. Yet what truly sets P1Harmony apart, in an industry filled with exceptionally talented idols, is the chaotic chemistry between its six members. More often than not, P1Harmony feels less like a carefully curated K-pop group and more like six friends who somehow found themselves sharing the same stage.

Ahead of the group’s return to Los Angeles for their 2026 KCON stage, POP BASE sat down with Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul, and Jongseob for an exclusive interview. The members opened up about their upcoming music, creative ambitions, unforgettable moments, and the bonds they share with one another and P1ece.

From a potential sexy concept to dreams of a musical-inspired project, one thing is clear: P1Harmony has every intention of continuing to be “UNIQUE.”

First of all, Hello to all of you! As a P1ece, I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to do this interview with you today! How have you been? What have you been up to lately?

KEEHO: Hello! We have been busy with our fan meeting tour in Asia and also working on our new album, which we’re hoping to release later this year.

THEO: Hello! Recently, we’ve been working on our next album as well as preparing for various events and activities.

JIUNG: Great to meet you! After our fan meeting in Seoul, we’ve been traveling around Asia to meet P1eces through our Asia Stage. We’ve also been working on our new album while enjoying our everyday lives.

INTAK: We’ve been keeping busy preparing for our next album while also attending multiple award shows and festivals!

SOUL: These days, we’ve been working on different things while also going on our Asia tour and attending various events.

JONGSEOB: Recently, we’ve been spending a lot of time preparing for various festivals and working on our upcoming albums.

KEEHO, you once said that you wouldn’t make a comeback until “ICE” went viral. I think “ICE” has definitely gone viral enough! So, are you thinking about making a comeback anytime soon?

KEEHO: I don't think there’s really a definition of what "viral" is or what it should look like, but I'm so glad our P1eces are enjoying "ICE". I originally said that as a joke, but the song definitely got a lot of traction. With all that love and support, we are definitely putting that energy into making a new album.

The concept of your latest fan meeting in Korea was incredibly creative and unique! Whose idea was it? Could you tell us a little about how the concept came together and what the creative process was like?

THEO: We have an in-house production team at our company, and the idea came from sharing ideas with them. Since it’s summer, we wanted to try a horror concept, but it was difficult to fully express the horror theme through a performance alone, so we decided to incorporate our universe into the concept.

Every time you release new music, you come back with something completely different and unique. I think one of the things that makes P1Harmony who you are is your originality. Could you tell us a little about your album preparation process? What is the most challenging part of preparing an album for you?

JIUNG: We usually start working on a new album quite a long time in advance. Through many meetings and discussions among the members, we gradually establish the overall direction and build out the details. Now that we’re entering our sixth or seventh year as a group, we’ve started thinking more about how we can create an album that feels fresh both to the P1eces who have supported us all this time and to people who are discovering us for the first time. Finding that balance can be challenging, but it also motivates us, so we’re working hard to make the best album we can.

JONGSEOB: Personally, the most difficult part is that I’m quite involved in working on the songs for our albums, so I’m constantly thinking about what P1Harmony can try next and what kinds of songs we can pull off. I’m always listening to and working on different tracks. At the same time, I think the hardest part is trying to avoid things we’ve done in the past or things that have become familiar to us. On top of that, finding the right balance between creativity, originality, and accessibility is probably the most challenging part for me.

You’ve been in the industry for many years, and you’ve also known each other for such a long time. At this point, you’re practically like a family! What do you think is the biggest secret behind getting along so well?

INTAK: I think it’s respect and understanding. Even when we have small disagreements or different opinions, we respect and understand each other and move forward together, so we’re usually able to bounce back pretty quickly!

SOUL: I think we’ve gotten to a point where we know what each other likes and dislikes, so there are fewer little things that bother us when we’re living and spending time together.

THEO, your “스물다섯, 스물하나 (Twenty-Five, Twenty-One)” cover at P1Harmony’s Seoul concert was incredible! I was there too, and I got chills when you sang it completely live, without a microphone. I don’t think I’ve seen many artists in the industry do something like that before. Were you nervous before going on stage? How did you come up with the idea to perform this song?

THEO: Honestly, I’m not really the type to get nervous on stage, so I wasn’t particularly nervous. “스물다섯, 스물하나 (Twenty-Five, Twenty-One)” is actually one of my favorite songs, and I had always wanted to perform it on stage someday. I think the lyrics are something that a lot of adults can relate to.

JIUNG, whenever you travel abroad with the members, they usually spend a lot of time shopping, while you’re often the one waiting outside for them or quickly finishing your own shopping. What would your ideal vacation look like? I feel like you might prefer spending more time surrounded by nature and enjoying a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.

JIUNG: Yes, just as you mentioned, I tend to prefer quieter places over busy, crowded areas. So, for me, the ideal vacation would be wandering around smaller cities on my own, taking my time and really soaking in the atmosphere of each place. Whenever I actually go on vacation, I usually travel that way.

Thanks to JONGSEOB and INTAK’s incredible chemistry and talent, I think it’s safe to say that WASP Twins have become a brand of their own! Do any of the other members have plans to form a unit with another member in the future? If you had the opportunity to form a unit, which member would you want to work with?

THEO: I think it would be fun to make a Christmas song with KEEHO and JIUNG.

INTAK: I think it would be fun to do something with JIUNG! I think we could make an interesting unit with a strong focus on performance.

KEEHO, you’re often called “the leader of Gen Z” because you’re so active on social media, always catch the latest trends, and know exactly how to adapt to them. And yes, you’re incredibly good at keeping up with trends, but there’s something else I especially want to mention: your incredible voice. It almost feels like you didn’t even have to train for it, you were simply born with this talent! When did you first realize that you had a good singing voice?

KEEHO: I think I realized it at a very young age. I just had a passion for singing and always did it whenever I could. The first time it really hit me was probably when I went to karaoke for the first time with my family as a kid and found out I could hit those notes.

JONGSEOB, you’ve been in the industry since you were very young. You’ve performed on countless stages and accomplished so much, and eventually, your journey led you to P1Harmony. Do you think there are any disadvantages to becoming known at such a young age? Did you ever feel any pressure because of it?

JONGSEOB: I think when you become known at a young age, people naturally start to form certain ideas about you. I’ve actually heard people say that because I became famous at such a young age, they expected me to be arrogant or rude. I also think it creates this constant pressure to distance yourself from who you were in the past. There’s always a very clear comparison available online, so you can be compared to your younger self at any time. Because of that, I think I’m constantly challenged to work harder and improve myself so that I can continue to grow beyond who I was before.

You’ve tried so many different concepts throughout your career, but is there a concept you still want to try in the future that makes you think, “We absolutely have to do this”?

KEEHO: I think doing a full-on sexy concept would be fun. We have never done anything super sexy or mature, and now that we're all adults, I think it would be cool to show a more mature side of us one day.

JONGSEOB: This is a very personal preference, but I’d really like to create a concept inspired by a musical number and even film a video for it. I’d also love to make a Christmas album or a summer song that fits the season.

If you could confess one thing about yourself or the group exclusively to POP BASE readers today, what would it be?

INTAK: Let me tell you one of my secrets: I haven’t been shopping lately because my room feels like it’s about to burst!

SOUL: These days, I want to look a little leaner.

I’m a huge fan of 05-line! I don’t think I’ve ever seen another duo that seems so different from each other yet gets along so incredibly well! How would you describe the dynamic between 05-line?

SOUL: I think gaming is probably the biggest thing. We’re just really comfortable with each other, like really close friends!

JONGSEOB: I think we have a relationship built on mutual respect. When you just hear the word “respect,” it might sound like a very professional relationship, but we genuinely respect each other’s skills and what each person does, and we can sincerely applaud each other. When we introduce each other to someone, we can confidently say, “This is who he is,” and proudly talk about each other. Personally, we’re also really good friends to game with. Even though we have different ways of thinking, we get along really well, so I can just be completely comfortable around him.

It’s been quite a long time since your debut... Looking back, which member do you think has changed the most since your debut?

KEEHO: I think JONGSEOB has changed the most. He was such a baby when we debuted, but now he seems so grown-up. I think he really found his vibe and what suits him best.

INTAK: I think it’s me. When we first debuted, I was more of an energizer who was constantly full of energy every moment of the day. These days, I’ve become more the type to save my energy in everyday life so I can give all of it to our fans when we’re together.

Your relationship with your fans and the dynamic between P1Harmony and P1eces is truly special! What do you think is the key to building such a strong and meaningful connection with your fans?

THEO: I think it’s because we love being on stage, and our fans love watching us perform. Since we love the same thing, I think the more passionately we do what we love, the more our fans enjoy it too.

JIUNG: Personally, I think it’s important to see and respect each other as people first, even before thinking about the relationship between an artist and a fan. Maybe that’s why, when I’m on stage, I’m able to feel the eyes, expressions, and energy of each individual fan more deeply and really exchange emotions with them.

Looking back on everything you’ve experienced so far, what would you say has been your most unforgettable moment?

JIUNG: One of the most unforgettable moments for me is always when we start a new tour and those 30 seconds right before we walk onto the stage. Whenever I hear the cheers from backstage, filled with all the anticipation and excitement from our fans, it feels like I’m hearing their cheers for the first time. My whole body just screams, “I want to dance and sing right now!”

SOUL: There have been so many, but one of the most shocking moments for me was getting to perform on the same day as dancers I really admire. (They were Les Twins!)

What can we look forward to from P1Harmony in the future? Could you give us a little spoiler?

KEEHO: Definitely a new album soon and hopefully a new tour next year. We love seeing our fans up close and receiving that energy, so I can't wait to go back on the road and do more shows.

JONGSEOB: I want P1Harmony to be a group that constantly transforms and evolves. With every album, we’ll continue to do our best to try things we haven’t done before and bring you new sounds that only P1Harmony can create.

Finally, thank you once again for taking the time to do this interview with us and for helping bring it to life. All of us at POP BASE will continue to support P1Harmony all the way! And lastly, is there anything you would like to say to the POP BASE readers?

KEEHO: Thank you so much for loving P1Harmony and supporting us. We will bring you lots of new music and performances, so please stick with us and keep an eye out for what’s coming. Thank you!

THEO: Thank you so much for always showing us your love and support. I hope everyone reading this stays healthy and has more and more reasons to smile in the future!

JIUNG: Thank you so much for having us for this interview as well. P1Harmony is always doing our best and working hard to show you even better sides of ourselves. If you’re discovering P1Harmony for the first time through POP BASE, I hope you’ll come see us perform someday and have an amazing time with us. Please continue to show lots of love to both POP BASE and P1Harmony! :)

INTAK: Please look forward to the stories we’re going to write and all the new music we’re going to create! We won’t disappoint you. Thank you, as always, and we love you!

SOUL: Thank you for loving us today as well. We’re always preparing to create fun and surprising moments for you, so please continue to support us! (*•̀ᴗ•́*)👍

JONGSEOB: POP BASE readers! P1Harmony has so much music that you can simply enjoy for what it is, as well as songs that fit perfectly with the different moods and situations you experience throughout your day. We also have so much energy and meaning that we want to share with you through our performances. Come see us, we’ll create a special time for you that we hope will remain a good memory for you!

— Ceyda Gökçe

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