EPEX sends comforting message to young people with 'Youth Chapter 2: YOUTH DEFICIENCY'

From left, MU, Wish, Jeff, Ayden, Keum, Amin, Yewang and Baekseung pose during a media showcase for the new album, “Youth Chapter 2: YOUTH DEFICIENCY,” at Blue Square in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of C9 Entertainment

K-pop boy group EPEX has returned with a second full-length album, “Youth Chapter 2: YOUTH DEFICIENCY,” only about seven months after it dropped its first full-length album “Youth Chapter 1: YOUTH DAYS” in April.

The second of their youth trilogy, released Tuesday, is comprised of eight songs, sending comforting messages about deficiency to young people. Along with the title track “UNIVERSE,” the track list includes “My Girl,” “It Is What It Is,” “1997,” “Attosecond,” “Wonderful,” “Closer” and “Loner.”

“(This album) has musical and narrative connections with our previous album,” Baekseung said during a media showcase for the new album at Blue Square in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. “Under the big theme of youth, the last album had the keyword of 'secret.’ And with this album, it contains many stories under the keyword 'choice.’”

Amin explained that the new album delves into the more complex narratives of youth. “While the first album captured the ordinary daily life of youth, the second album is more specific and profound. It’s about standing at many crossroads of choices,” he said.

A concept photo of EPEX's new album “Youth Chapter 2: YOUTH DEFICIENCY" / Courtesy of C9 Entertainment

The members shared that they hope to deliver relatable and deeper messages on personal struggles to younger people.

“Deficiency seems to be the most fundamental element that makes up youth. The album conveys a message that we shouldn't perceive deficiency only negatively, but rather embrace it as part of our growth,” Ayden said.

“The deficiencies of our youth are not something we choose to have, so I want to send the message to accept our deficiencies as is, like an attitude of 'Everyone's like that. It's no big deal.’”

Jeff added: “Our interpretation of songs has changed a lot, so we were able to unravel the songs within the theme of youth with more depth."

Yewang noted that EPEX’s story about youth is different than any other K-pop group’s as it acknowledges the deep and dark side of their lives.

"We captured various forms of deficiency. We included songs in styles you've never heard before, as well as songs that evoke nostalgia," he said.

“While other youth concepts (by other artists) portrayed youth as beautiful and brilliant, focusing on the bright side saying 'Our youth will be bright,' our distinctive point is that we can offer comfort by capturing the darker aspects of youth.”

In order to portray such a profound and complicated message, the members said they put extra effort into the choreography.

“Since the meanings in the lyrics are so important, every moment becomes a key point to watch, including the performance expressing those lyrics,” Ayden said.

“We paid special attention to choreography details and teamwork. We filmed ourselves during each practice to perfect our angles, and had numerous discussions with all the members to coordinate our opinions.”

Wish added: "To express the song's atmosphere in an immersive way, we practiced focusing on facial expressions, dance angles, and expressiveness after discussing with the members."

Keum shared that he could feel that the group has grown as artists with this album, being three years into their career since debuting in 2021.

"When performing, I get goosebumps watching the members dance in front. It makes me realize how well we sync together,” he said.

“After listening to 'Universe,' I was happy thinking that EPEX has become a group that makes mature music. As we kept trying to fill our deficiencies in skills, it seems we're gradually improving."