Breaking the language barrier: K-pop newcomers ARrC ready to take on the world in debut

Going global seems to be am industry-wide goal for K-pop bands, and newly debuting boy band ARrC seems to be a strong new contender in the hunt for worldwide stardom — with the band introducing itself in five different languages.

Boy band ARrC performs its debut track ″S&S (sour and sweet)″ during a showcase held at the Blue Square music venue in central Seoul on Aug. 19. [NEWS1]

Going global seems to be the industry-wide goal for K-pop bands, and newly debuting boy band ARrC seems to be a strong new contender in the hunt for worldwide stardom — so much so that the band introduced itself in five different languages during its debut showcase on Monday.

“We really think that it’s a strong point that we can communicate in all these different languages and spread our charm around the world,” leader Hyunmin told reporters during the band's debut showcase held at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in central Seoul.

“Each member has different charms and the fact that we get to express them in different languages that we are each comfortable in is a strong asset.”

ARrC made its debut on Monday at 1 p.m. with its first five-track album “AR^C,” pronounced "AR-squared-C." The group's name is the shortened form of “Always Remember the real Connection.”

All of the songs, including lead track “S&S (sour and sweet),” have been based on famous fables to help all the listeners around the world understand the music’s message better, according to the members of ARrC.

Boy band ARrC performs its debut track ″S&S (sour and sweet)″ during a showcase held at the Blue Square music venue in central Seoul on Aug. 19. [NEWS1]

Boy band ARrC performs its debut track ″S&S (sour and sweet)″ during a showcase held at the Blue Square music venue in central Seoul on Aug. 19. [NEWS1]

“S&S (sour and sweet)” is based on the story of "The Fox and the Grapes," while B-side track “Light Up” is based on the story of “The North Wind and the Sun.” The track “Shadow” is based on “The World and His Shadow” and so on.

“We really wanted to get our message across to the listeners, especially because this is our first album,” Ziwoo said. “That’s why we chose to go for fables because we thought it would be easier for us to communicate our music to people around the world. We really had a lot of fun working on the album.”

Communication was also crucial for the members, who all come from diverse backgrounds. Members Choi Han, Doha, Hyunmin and Ziwoo are Korean, Kien was born in Vietnam, Rioto in Japan and member Jibeen is a Brazil-born Korean.

When asked by the host to introduce the group in their respective languages, Rioto sent his greetings to fans in Japanese, Hyunmin in English, Kien in Vietnamese and Jibeen in Portuguese.

Boy band ARrC poses for photos during a showcase held at the Blue Square music venue in central Seoul on Aug. 19. [MYSTIC STORY]

Boy band ARrC poses for photos during a showcase held at the Blue Square music venue in central Seoul on Aug. 19. [MYSTIC STORY]

“It was really difficult for me to communicate with others the first time I came to Korea, but the friends I made here, especially the members, have been so helpful,” Kien said. “They are really great and I’m having the best time now.”

Coming to Korea to become a K-pop star came naturally for the foreign members because they had been exposed to the genre since they were young, leading them to one day become stars of their own.

“My sister was in love in BTS, and so I naturally grew up listening to their music,” Rioto said. “I dreamed of one day singing and dancing just like them, which is why I took part in the audition and came here.”

Boy band ARrC [MYSTIC STORY]

Boy band ARrC [MYSTIC STORY]

“I loved K-pop ever since I was young,” Kien said. “Me and my friends used to dance to K-pop songs at schools. I grew up watching BTS and EXO, and I’m so glad that I got to fulfill my dream here.”

ARrC comes as the first K-pop boy band from Mystic Story, an agency specializing in ballad and R&B singers, the likes of founder Yoon Jong-shin, Gain, Jung Jin-woon, Eddie Kim and classical pop quartet Lucy. The agency saw success with girl group Billlie, which debuted in November 2021, giving the company confidence in creating a male K-pop act.

“It’s an honor to be the first K-pop boy band to come from Mystic Story,” Hyunmin said. “I think the fact that we’re debuting here gave us the opportunity to receive attention and be loved, so it feels more like privilege than pressure. We will work hard to live up to people’s expectations.”

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]