DRIPPIN, celebrating their 6th anniversary, is back with a refreshing vibe! This time, they’ve formed a unit called Cha Dong Hyeop (Cha Junho, Kim Dongyun, and Lee Hyeop), bringing a softer and warmer atmosphere. In a sea of intense and provocative K-pop concepts, their “boyish” cotton-candy charm is what truly sets them apart.
Their first single, “두근대,” released on the 12th, showcases a different side of DRIPPIN. By highlighting the members’ lovely visuals and unique voices, the album maximizes the harmony of vocals, rap, and performance, blending individual personalities with great teamwork.
The three members recently met at a cafe in Gangnam, Seoul, before the album’s release, expressing high satisfaction with how this project highlights their individual colors.
Cha Junho shared with a smile, “Each member has a different keyword. I was ‘nerd,’ Dongyun was ‘hip,’ and Hyeop was ‘lovely.’ In previous activities, my styling and content were mostly dandy, but in real life, I’m often teased and can be a bit timid. The staff did a great job turning those personal charms into a concept.”
The formation of the unit consisting of Cha Junho, Kim Dongyun, and Lee Hyeop wasn’t planned from the start. Lee Hyeop added, “Last year, we spent time doing individual activities to help DRIPPIN and filmed many short-form contents together. While preparing the album and listening to the songs, we naturally agreed to take on a new challenge as a trio. We’re working hard to get a great response.”
While they have different charms, all three possess a pure look that seems to have jumped straight out of an emotional manga. Regarding the public’s praise that there are “no holes in their visuals,” Lee Hyeop humbly replied, “There are so many cool people these days that it’s hard for us to say we’re the best.” However, he candidly added, “Each member has a different vibe. Some have puppy-like charms, and some feel like figures, so I think our visuals spark a desire to possess them,” which drew laughter.
Last year, Lee Hyeop and Kim Dongyun took on new challenges by appearing on the audition program Boys Planet. Although the results were disappointing, both agreed that the process provided new stimulation. Lee Hyeop reflected, “Meeting trainee friends and experienced participants broadened my perspective and made me more desperate.” Kim Dongyun also said, “Stepping out of a familiar environment and challenging myself as a contestant again felt like finding my original mindset. I gained great motivation seeing various friends practicing intensely.”
While the two members were on Boys Planet, Cha Junho focused on acting. He mentioned his personal growth during DRIPPIN’s hiatus, saying, “Through acting, I learned how to convey emotions and expressions within short scenes. I think my expressions and emotional delivery have become more intuitive in music video shoots as well.”
The three members repeatedly expressed their love for the group, which is now in its 6th year. Cha Junho said, “As time goes by, I feel more grateful to those who have stayed with us for so long. Because of that, I try my absolute best with every single schedule and album.”
Kim Dongyun added, “I meet many different people in life, but no one is as precious as these members. Personally, I want to promote with them for the rest of my life.” Lee Hyeop also showed his affection, saying, “After a hard day, just being with the members at the dorm is truly healing. I want to perform on stage for a long time, release great music, and build memories with our fans. They are people I want to protect until the day I die.”
As they enter their 6th year since debut, the topic of contract renewals naturally came up. Lee Hyeop cautiously added, “We haven’t had detailed discussions about contracts yet. Rather than worrying about the future, I want to focus on what I’m doing right now.”
The title track “두근대” is an up-tempo song based on the NU-DISCO genre, combining sparkling synth sounds and funky guitar riffs to express excitement and heart-fluttering feelings. The sound, which mimics a heartbeat in time with the rhythm, adds to the immersion, while intuitive lyrics describe the overwhelming emotions felt when thinking of someone you love.
The B-side track “봄산책” is a medium-tempo R&B song featuring a cheerful drum line and sweet vocal harmonies, capturing a warm and dreamy atmosphere as if walking along a spring path with a loved one.
