Exclusive: CRAVITY Explore Their Fate With ‘The Awakening: Written in the Stars’
Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin debuted as the K-pop group CRAVITY in April 2020. Even though the band debuted with Starship Entertainment in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, CRAVITY became successful from the start. With their Hideout album series, they earned the title of “Super Rookies.”
On Aug. 19, CRAVITY released the first part of their first full-length album, The Awakening: Written in the Stars. Over email, Showbiz Cheat Sheet interviewed the members of CRAVITY about their experience working on their first studio album and their future goals.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
‘The Awakening: Written in the Stars’ is CRAVITY’s first full-length album
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: Hi everyone! It’s great to have the opportunity to interview you again.
CRAVITY: Hello Showbiz! Thank you for inviting us. We’re excited to chat with you again!
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: Last time we talked, you were about to drop your third EP. Now, you have just released your first full-length album. What does it feel like to reach this point in your career?
CRAVITY: Although we’ve already released three mini-albums, this album is extra meaningful as it is our first full-length album. It feels like we have reached our first milestone.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: What can you tell us about The Awakening: Written in the Stars?
CRAVITY: The overarching theme of this album is being awakened to our fate, hence the title “The Awakening,” and at the end finding out that we were destined to be with each other as if it were “written in the stars.”
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: After such a strong first year, what goals do you want to achieve with The Awakening: Written in the Stars?
CRAVITY: We wish this album could be the stepping stone to becoming more well-known to the public. For those who already know us, we hope this album allows them to see a completely different side of us.
CRAVITY’s new album is about destiny
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: The album introduces a more mature CRAVITY and shows you accepting and understanding each member’s differences. How do the nine of you keep your close bond while being so different from each other?
CRAVITY: We would be lying if we said that we got along 24/7, but we always try to be honest with each other and try to find a middle ground if conflicts arise. Also, because we’ve been through thick and thin together, we have a pretty good grasp of each other.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: The Awakening: Written in the Stars also tells a story of destiny. Do the nine of you believe in destiny and fate, or do you think free will is more important? Or perhaps you believe in a bit of both?
Hyeongjun: I think I’m a bit more of a “free will” type. That I’m here right now also comes from my own choice and will.
Taeyoung: I don’t believe in destiny. What makes life fun is that we can make choices out of our own will and that results can change based on the choices we make. Life is what you make out of it!
‘Gas Pedal’ is the lead single on ‘The Awakening: Written in the Stars’
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: “Gas Pedal” is the album’s lead single and shows CRAVITY racing toward “the top.” Looking far into the future, what is the ultimate goal you want to accomplish as CRAVITY?
Seongmin: I wish CRAVITY would become a worldwide group that everyone knows.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: The “Gas Pedal” music video has a lot of cool special effects. What was your experience like filming the music video?
Taeyoung: I think we spent the most time on this music video than the ones before. Also, CGs were used a lot, so we were very excited about how it would come out.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: Serim and Allen – you both participated in writing the raps for “Gas Pedal.” Can you explain what it was like working on the title track?
Allen: It was very exciting as it was the first time Serim and I got to write for a title track. We paid special attention to details highlighting our flow, diction, and lyrics to make them stronger and more impactful since this song is the title track and because we will be performing it on stage.
Serim: It was very exciting! I want to continue participating in our title tracks in the future.
The album has eight tracks
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: Do any of you have a favorite song on the album? If so, can you explain why it is your favorite?
Wonjin: My favorite song is “Celebrate” because I love the melody line of the chorus.
Minhee: “Divin” because it reminds me of the cool summer sea.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: “CHINGA-LINGA” explores CRAVITY’s desire to win above anything else. Who in the group is the most competitive?
Minhee: Taeyoung! Whenever we’d play games, he tries his best to win all of them.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: “Celebrate” is the fifth track on The Awakening: Written in the Stars. Do the nine of you think it is better to save celebrations for big milestones, or do you prefer to celebrate simple, everyday things in life?
Hyeongjun: I think I’m more of the former type. I’m used to celebrating only big achievements or important anniversaries.
CRAVITY are known as ‘Super Rookies’
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: You earned the name “Super Rookies” thanks to your early success. Does that title come with any pressure?
CRAVITY: We did feel a bit of pressure as our seniors are all very successful. At the same time, the “super rookie” title motivates us to do better to live up to people’s expectations while remembering to stay humble.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: If you are thought of as “Super Rookies” right now, what do you want CRAVITY to be known as next?
Woobin: I want to be known as a “super musician idol!”
Wonjin: I hope K-pop fans would call us “stage geniuses” because we practice a lot to try to earn this title.
LUVITY is CRAVITY’s fan base
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: Besides releasing your first full-length album, what is bringing you the most joy these days?
Seongmin: Listening to music that I like and reading letters from LUVITYs brighten up my day!
Jungmo: These days, I feel joy when LUVITYs send me compliments.
Showbiz Cheat Sheet: Is there a message you hope LUVITY takes away from The Awakening: Written in the Stars?
CRAVITY: We tried to experiment with various musical styles for this album so we hope LUVITYs would enjoy what we’ve prepared!
