Music: AMPERS&ONE Returns With Their 4th Mini Album “DEFINITION”
“AMPERS&ONE is a seven-member boy group under FNC Entertainment that debuted on November 15, 2023. Their name is a unique blend of the symbol ‘&’ (AMPERSAND), which stands for ‘and,’ and ‘ONE,’ symbolizing the unity of you, me, and us as one.”
It’s been eight months since AMPERS&ONE last dropped new music, and the anticipation has reached a fever pitch. Known for their high-energy performances and close-knit brotherhood, the seven-member group is entering a bold new era. On the eve of releasing their 4th mini-album, DEFINITION (Release: April 8th), GR8T Magazine caught up with the boys to talk about studio secrets, life on the road, and the powerful message behind their latest comeback.
What is the core message in your 4th mini album "DEFINITION " that you want to convey to the world about who AMPERS&ONE is right now?
KAMDEN: This album defines how, instead of being into just one genre and focusing on just one style, it defines the direction our music is going to be, and how we approach our music.
BRIAN: We want the world to know that now, we are here and that AMPERS&ONE is a force to be reckoned with.
JIHO: We believe we've challenged ourselves with a variety of concepts and styles so far, but among them, this album is the most conceptual one yet. We think AMPERS&ONE is a team that can successfully pull off experimental and unique concepts like this. Through this album, and especially the title track "GOD," we want to deliver the message that the one who can save you, lift you, and help you move forward is ultimately yourself. We believe that many people—even those without a religion—have, at some point, prayed during difficult times. People tend to rely on a higher power when things get hard, but through this album, we want to convey that it is actually you who has the strength to overcome hardships and move forward.
SIYUN: We're a team that grows on you the more you see us, constantly evolving and moving forward. Through this album, we want to convey our message of defining our complete team identity.
KYRELL: The core message for DEFINITION is that we won't let others define who we are, but rather, we decide who we are going to be in this world.
MACKIAH: AMPERS&ONE is forever improving and will always strive for a better version of ourselves. There is always room for more learning, and that can go for oneself as we truly find who we are.
SEUNGMO: We see this album as a new beginning, showing a different side of AMPERS&ONE from what we've shown so far. As much as we prepared for it, I think it's an album about finding our identity.
The album tackles the idea of discovering yourselves and setting your own standards instead of living by the world's rules. Was there a specific moment during the production process where you felt you truly "defined" yourselves as a group?
KAMDEN: When we created our own gestures for each part and combined them in the title track "GOD", I felt like we were well-defined as a group because it showcases the diversity of each member's style and what each could bring to the table.
BRIAN: I think just the recording process for the songs in this album felt really us because from debut to now we've done various genres of music, and I think that that diversity is what really defines us as a group.
JIHO: While preparing for this album, we went on our first-ever group trip together for one night and two days. Since we wanted to approach this album as a new mindset and a new chapter, we felt it was important to strengthen our bond and understand each other better. We had many conversations, including deep and honest ones, and it became a meaningful time where we gained clarity on our direction and built stronger trust in one another, believing that each of us can fulfill our roles even better.
SIYUN: When we're going through tough shoots or practice, we always try to cheer each other on and lift the overall energy together. In those moments, both in our daily lives and as artists, I really feel like, "this is who we are."
KYRELL: While creating this album, we participated in choosing the title track, some of our members contributed to writing in all of the songs, and even when it came to the concept, we got to participate in discussions with the company to create an album that felt more like "ours." All these contributions felt "defining," but I think what really made this album ours is the effort we put into preparation!
MACKIAH: I would like to say it was when we finished practicing the performance of the title track "GOD". At first, it was not easy learning a new concept of dance, but when the final result was out, I felt that we had been able to show what we were capable of.
SEUNGMO: We actually gathered our opinions as members and directly chose the title track ourselves. Through those deep conversations and as we began preparing for the comeback, I really felt our teamwork.
The title track "GOD" has a very powerful and ambitious name. Sonically, what can fans expect from this single compared to your previous hits like ""Broken Heart or Kick Start"?
KAMDEN: This track has more sounds of Korea's traditional sound, and if you see the choreography, it's just a whole different style, and people will be able to see the new side of us.
BRIAN: In my opinion, “GOD” sonically has a very traditional Korean sound with a bit of hip-hop to it. But, I'd say “GOD” is very different compared to Broken Heart and Kick Start.
JIHO: Just like the powerful title suggests, we're confident that the song has a very unique musical sound. It begins with the gayageum, which gives off an Eastern vibe, and then transitions into trap beats and a variety of instruments. This creates a fusion of sounds that intersect in a really interesting way. We believe it's a track that offers a completely different charm compared to our previous title songs.
SIYUN: With the blend of traditional Eastern instruments like the gayageum and more hip, trendy beats and drum-bass elements, I think you'll be able to feel a completely different charm compared to our previous works.
KYRELL: "GOD" brings a very unique sound. A sound like nothing we've done before. The song has a somewhat darker sound and almost feels otherworldly. I hope that fans are intrigued by their first listen and come back to rewatch our performances and relisten to the song.
MACKIAH: "GOD" is a track that yearns for help and features an almost holy mood, which differs from the exciting and powerful vibe expressed from the previous title tracks such as "Kick Start" or "Broken Heart". I would say "GOD" has a different flow of emotion, which we are conveying to the audience.
SEUNGMO: I think the first thing people will feel is that it's something new, and incorporating the sounds of traditional Korean instruments, it gives a fresher vibe compared to our previous albums.
The visual rollout featured an intriguing Morse code sequence and the slogan "& NOW, WE ARE HERE." From a creative direction standpoint, how does this edgy, mysterious aesthetic tie into the overarching story of the album?
KAMDEN: This album shows more of how the one who rose from the beginning was us, not living under someone else's standard.
BRIAN: In the title track GOD there's a line that goes "God God God Saw that I was lost then found," and I think the concept film really represented that line well. We go from people who are kind of lost to finding ourselves.
JIHO: Since we see this as a new chapter, we tried many new approaches and changes in this album. One of those is the concept film. By incorporating Morse code, we wanted to create an element of curiosity, and with the slogan "& NOW, WE ARE HERE.", we aimed to further establish AMPERS&ONE's identity and show a more prepared and evolved side of ourselves.
SIYUN: By defining our team's color and direction more clearly, I believe this album shows, "this is who we are right now," and connects everything.
KYRELL: I think having a somewhat mysterious aesthetic ties into the idea that we define ourselves. It conveys the idea that we don't fit into the boxes that the world makes for us. It also leaves the future undetermined, so we can continue to change and grow.
MACKIAH: Morse code is a tool of communication that has been used for many years, in the past, and it is also a way to secretly relay messages. By using Morse code, I think it creates a more mysterious vibe, which allows the audience to be immersed in the mood of the concept more.
SEUNGMO: By decoding the Morse code, we thought it would both showcase a new side of this album and spark curiosity among fans.
The tracklist features B-sides like "What You Talking About" and "Tears In Your Smile." Which B-side do you feel perfectly captures a hidden side of AMPERS&ONE that fans haven't seen yet?
KAMDEN: It's all eyes on you, in my opinion. We haven't shown a lot of sweet vibes in a while because we wanted to have more songs that make the crowd hype. But 'All Eyes On You' is going to fit us really well, and I'm sure the ANDEAR would love it.
BRIAN: I think the song Hit Me Up is definitely a song that has no comparison yet in our discography. So, I would consider it pretty new.
JIHO: All the tracks are great, but personally, I really like "My Way (나는 나대로)." The reason is that when we perform this song at concerts or on stage, I'm confident that fans will be able to go wild and fully enjoy the moment. I think this track shows a hidden side of our charm.
SIYUN: I think "Tears In Your Smile" is a track where you can really appreciate the members' pleasant vocal tones, as well as each member's individual style.
KYRELL: I think having a somewhat mysterious aesthetic ties into the idea that we define ourselves. It conveys the idea that we don't fit into the boxes that the world makes for us. It also leaves the future undetermined, so we can continue to change and grow.
MACKIAH: I think "Tears In Your Smile" is a track that shows a hidden side of AMPERS&ONE as we don't have many ballad tracks such as this. It is a slower and more expressive track which shows how AMPERS&ONE as a group are able to shine in multiple genres of music.
SEUNGMO: Among the B-sides, there's a track called "Hit Me Up," and I'm really looking forward to it because it feels just as fresh as the title track and is a genre we're trying for the first time.
During these eight months, who was the designated "mood maker" during the long nights in the recording studio or the dance practice room for this album?
KAMDEN: I think it's MACKIAH because we have this chant when we are out of energy, which is yelling hwaiting 3 times, and he is the one who always says it out loud first.
BRIAN: Definitely MACKIAH because he's always making jokes and lightening the mood.
JIHO: Not just for this album, but throughout our activities, MACKIAH has been the one who really lifts the team's energy. He naturally has high energy, but even during late-night practices or shoots, he brings up the mood with his jokes and playful charm.
SIYUN: Since their debut, MACKIAH and SEUNGMO, as the youngest members, have always played an important role in keeping the mood fun and lifting the overall energy of the team.
KYRELL: I would say MACKIAH and JIHO are great at bringing up the energy and encouraging us to do better!
MACKIAH: I would like to say it was me (MACKIAH) and my friend SEUNGMO who were the "mood makers" of the long nights of practice. We like to make occasional jokes and try to keep the mood energetic and fun, especially when everyone is appearing tired.
SEUNGMO: MACKIAH. He's someone who always cheers us on and boosts our energy before and during practice.
Do you have any funny or memorable behind-the-scenes stories from shooting the music video or the jacket photos for the WE and ARE album versions?
KAMDEN: I personally thought that when I was filming a scene where I was tied with ropes was pretty fun to film because I just wanted to act in a scene that's very intense.
BRIAN: In the music video, there is a part where SIYUN hits me with a brick made with flour. But we had to film it twice because the brick didn't break the first time.
JIHO: For this jacket shoot, just like always, we prepared ourselves seriously by dieting and taking care of ourselves. On set, the staff kept giving us positive reactions, saying we looked great, which made the shoot really enjoyable. Also, during the music video filming, I had many scenes with MACKIAH as a pair. While filming, we felt like we got even closer, and there were moments where we had to hold back laughter, which made it especially memorable.
SIYUN: One of the most memorable moments was filming outdoors in extremely cold weather. It was really tough, but every time we checked the monitor, everything looked great, which helped us endure and get through the shoot.
KYRELL: There's a scene where SEUNGMO and I are wrestling, and I remember I was struggling to hold in a smile whenever we made eye contact. Something about it was so funny, and I'm happy I can share that memory with SEUNGMO.
MACKIAH: A lot of the music video set was outdoors, and even when it was indoors, it was usually not fully enclosed. Because it was the winter season, it would get pretty cold, so during the short breaks in between scenes, we would all be sitting around a heater with a blanket around us, and it felt as if we were camping. Although the weather was cold, it was a fun and warming time with the members all together chatting and being excited for the music video.
SEUNGMO: There was a scene where we had to jump using a trampoline. The shoot went on late into the night, so we were really tired, but filming that trampoline scene actually woke us up.
With seven distinct personalities and a multinational background, how do you blend your different cultural perspectives into one unified AMPERS&ONE dynamic?
KAMDEN: We always go out and eat together to understand how each member would pick from the menu and the restaurant that they will pick.
BRIAN: I think our multinational backgrounds really make us stand out as a group as a whole, and also just our ways of thinking are all different, so we can create more diverse ideas.
JIHO: One big advantage is that, since we're from different countries, we can share what people in each country like and what kind of things get good reactions. Also, when there are cultural differences, we teach and learn from each other, which makes the whole process really interesting.
SIYUN: It may seem small, but we joke around with each other in English, and we also talk about food or our daily lives. I think that helps us naturally blend well together.
KYRELL: We all understand that we come from different backgrounds and realize that this diversity is a strength. So in our discussions, we are intentional about hearing each member's perspectives and opinions.
MACKIAH: Because we have members from all over the world, many of us have different perspectives and preferences. Because we have these different viewpoints, we can talk and meet on a common ground where everyone feels comfortable. I would say this common ground is the dynamic we produce by being a multinational group.
SEUNGMO: By spending time together every day, we experience cultural differences not only in language but also in daily life. We also feel those differences through working on music together, and I think it helps positively, allowing us to exchange ideas and take on a wider variety of music.
Choreography is always a massive part of your performances. Which member picked up the intense moves for "GOD" the fastest, and who always brings the most spontaneous flair to the stage?
KAMDEN: It was JIHO, and I feel like BRIAN always changes the most on the stage compared to the practice because he got those expressions that fit him really well.
BRIAN: JIHO definitely picked up the moves the fastest, and I think Kamden really brought a lot of flair with his gestures.
JIHO: For "GOD" and "What You Talking About," I had the chance to film the choreography demos, so I was able to learn the choreography before the other members. Since it was a new style of choreography, it was really fun to practice. As for who stands out the most on stage, I think BRIAN's intro part is especially cool.
SIYUN: I think JIHO stands out the most. When filming choreography demos, he practiced together with the performance team, and with the use of props like fans, I believe he's the member who can deliver the most captivating performance on stage.
KYRELL: JIHO learned the dance very quickly. In fact, he participated in filming the reference video with our dance teachers for the rest of the team to learn from. That's why we like to call him the dance machine. On stage, I think KAMDEN and BRIAN are also great at bringing their own spontaneous flair to make each performance feel unique.
MACKIAH: My pick for this question would have to be Jiho! Jiho is always the fastest to pick up a choreography, and in this title track "GOD," he was able to infuse the use of a fan, which created more flow and expression to his dance. Because of the use of the fan, he is an eye-catching flair that fans can see on stage.
SEUNGMO: JIHO had already learned it in advance, but since he's very passionate about dance, I think he practiced a lot and was able to pick it up very quickly.
You are preparing to hit the road for the Born To Define US tour! When you bring the show to cities with massive culinary scenes like Los Angeles, do you have a group consensus on what to eat, or is it a battle between seven different cravings?
KAMDEN: We usually get along together very well, but we sometimes get divided into people who don't like walking, like SIYUN and SEUNGMO, but the rest of the members loved going out and exploring around.
BRIAN: Usually, we like to eat different things, but we often just end up choosing what one person wants and going with it.
JIHO: Since we have two members who are American, we tend to follow their lead when making decisions.
SIYUN: We usually come to decisions quite easily as a group. And when we have a bit of free time, we go out to eat whatever each of us wants. Even on performance days, there are many menu options, so there aren't any "battles" over different tastes (laughs).
KYRELL: When we're in the states I think we find it harder to agree on what to eat. There are just so many options, and everyone has a different taste.
MACKIAH: Eating is definitely something we all enjoy doing, and when we are on tour, we always like to try new foods when we are in different cities. Sometimes we all agree on the same menu, but when there are different cravings, we sometimes split up and enjoy what we want to eat.
SEUNGMO: Since KAMDEN and KYRELL are from the U.S., we tend to follow their opinions the most.
I know firsthand how a great meal can recharge you creatively. What is the ultimate comfort food that brings all seven of you together in the green room or back at the dorms after a grueling schedule?
KAMDEN: It's called Budajjigae, which is a stew that has meat, ham, sausage, and kimchi, like everything in one pot.
BRIAN: Sometimes, after a long day, we go out to eat Korean BBQ. We also always order this butter rice thing with egg on it, which just hits different during the AM's.
JIHO: It's not exactly the dorm, but the place we often go together for team dinners is a frozen pork belly (naengsam) restaurant.
SIYUN: I'd say Budaejjigae and Samgyeopsal. These days, after a really exhausting day, if we don't have a schedule the next day, we often say, "Let's go eat Samgyeopsal."
KYRELL: Back at home, we love having some K-bbq pork belly or fried chicken.
MACKIAH: I recently had pork belly, or as we call it in Korea, "삼겹살." There is a 24/hour restaurant near us that we enjoy going to as a team. Because it's open 24/7, we can go eat even if the schedule finishes late, and it is a food that all the members enjoy!
SEUNGMO: Budae-jjigae. It's something all the members enjoy and love to eat.
You debuted just a few years ago and have already grown immensely. Looking back at yourselves during your debut era versus now, what is the biggest change you see in each other?
KAMDEN: The biggest change is how we are very honest in giving feedback to each other because all of us have a mind of how we must make a perfect result.
BRIAN: First of all, I think as a collective we've definitely matured a lot and just visually gotten older looking, haha. From the way we communicate with each other to how we act with each other outside of work has definitely changed a lot.
JIHO: Compared to our debut days, I think we've definitely gained a lot more composure on stage, and we've also grown much closer as members.
SIYUN: Compared to our early debut days, when everything felt unfamiliar, and we were awkward and nervous, I think now each of us clearly understands our position and role, and we're showing our individual charms much better.
KYRELL: I think our stage presence has improved a lot. The only way to get better on stage is to be on stage. Every time we perform, I notice that our members' mannerisms on stage are more developed and they feel more confident, including myself.
MACKIAH: I would say our stage presence is the biggest change I see in Ampers&one as a group. Our confidence on stage has greatly improved, and I can see the members enjoying the stage and having fun as we go on and on!
SEUNGMO: As we've spent more time together, we've come to understand each other better, and through daily practice, our training process and methods have become much smoother.
Since this feature is for a digital spread where visuals and quick soundbites rule, if you had to describe the DEFINITION era using only three words, what would they be?
KAMDEN: We, trust, conceptual
BRIAN: Different, Sexy, Diverse
JIHO: Fresh, Unique, Iconic
SIYUN: Perfect, Dark Concept, My Team
KYRELL: We Define Ourselves
MACKIAH: Immersive, Sexy, Action-Packed
SEUNGMO: A New Beginning, Identity, and Future
Finally, what is the one ultimate goal Ampers&One wants to achieve by the end of 2026 with this new album and tour?
KAMDEN: Performing on bigger stages and getting a first win on music shows.
BRIAN: We hope to achieve success with this album and tour so that we can move on to bigger and better stages.
JIHO: Our goal is to deliver an amazing performance in front of many audiences and ANDEAR on the year-end stages.
SIYUN: My goal is to keep improving on the parts I lack through every performance, grow even more, and eventually hear people say, "Wow, these guys are really cool. They're really good."
KYRELL: 2026 is a very big year for us. We came into the year knowing this was the year that could make or break us. With this new album and tour, we hope to reach as many fans as possible and secure our place as a valuable team in this industry. More than anything, we want to be able to look back on this year and say we did our best without any regrets.
MACKIAH: By the end of 2026, we would like the K-pop community to know our name "Ampers&one" and to bring together more people into our community. We love sharing our music and stages with our fans, and it would be great to have more people enjoy our music with us!!
SEUNGMO: We really want to win first place on a music show and ultimately become artists recognized worldwide.
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