P1Harmony Release Cheeky 8th Mini Album 'Duh!' [Q&A]

 
On their 8th mini album
DUH!, K-Pop powerhouse P1Harmony is more than a moment but a rising and constant movement. The high-octane collection is full of explosive jams that mark a bold reinvention of their unmistakable sound, further showcasing the musical prowess of members Jiung, Intak, and Jongseob, who participated in writing, and Keeho, Jiung, and Jongseob, who participated in composing. With six tracks that radiate with braggadocio, the body of work channels the punchy maximalism of early 2000s pop-rap and the energetic agility of K-pop, blending blaring horns, unforgettable hooks, and hard-hitting drums into a sound that is as polished as it is unpredictable.

This record follows a big year full of knockout performances, career milestones, and continued linear growth for the group. In 2025 alone, they wrapped their nine-month global [P1ustage H: UTOP1A] tour with a triumphant arena show in Poland and captivated audiences at the inaugural <D Awards>, where they took home the Delights Blue Label honor. They also recently launched their new web series "P1Harmony's Eat, Sleep, Play!" on YouTube, giving insight into their lives as musicians.

Ones To Watch had the opportunity to chat with the group about their artistic growth, recent tours, and other creative endeavors, and what they hope fans will take away from their music.

You've grown so much as a team since debuting in 2020. How has your dynamic as a group evolved, both on stage and off?

[KEEHO] We feel that we've grown to approach our work with greater patience and a deeper sense of freedom. In the past, we were often eager—sometimes even rushing—to prove ourselves or feel a sense of completeness through our work. But now, by taking a more mature and composed approach, we're able to see the bigger picture and execute our ideas with much more clarity and intention.

[INTAK] We're constantly working hard to deliver the best performances possible. P1Harmony has always poured all of our energy into the stage, and just like we've done in the past, we'll continue to give it our all in the future as well.

Your fandom, P1ece, continues to grow around the world. Is there a particular fan interaction or moment that's stuck with you recently?

[THEO] During our recent UTOP1A tour in Europe, I had the opportunity to perform a solo stage, which was a really memorable experience. P1eces in London especially left a strong impression—the way they sang along so passionately really stood out and meant a lot to me.

[SOUL] One of my favorite things during the tour is seeing fans express themselves through their outfits. Everyone brings such fun and unique styles to the shows, and I hope you all continue to enjoy the experience in your own way!

"DUH!" is your eighth mini album to date. How does this collection stand out from your previous discography?

[KEEHO] This album is, sonically, our most experimental to date, though we still have a desire to push the boundaries even further in the future. What made this project particularly special was how involved we were throughout the songwriting and production process. It was incredibly rewarding to help shape the direction of the album in a way that felt truly authentic to who we are as artists.

[JONGSEOB] Personally, I think this album is our most experimental and adventurous. While working on the track "Work," I realized I didn't have a deep understanding of the genre, so I took time to study it thoroughly. I even explored mixing techniques to better capture the exact sound I had in mind. Working the title track "DUH!" was also a new challenge for me—since I wasn't too familiar with Boom Bap beats, it required a lot of thought and exploration.

What is your favorite song on the album?

[THEO] "Work" is definitely my favorite track on the album. It's a genre I had never really listened to before, which is exactly what made it so intriguing for me. It felt like I was stepping into new territory, and I enjoyed that sense of challenge.

[SOUL] My favorite song is "Work." What I love about "Work" is how different and refreshing it feels compared to the music we've done in the past. It brings a new vibe that I really connect with.

You often infuse your music with empowering messages. What do you hope listeners take away from DUH! specifically?

[JIUNG] Our title track "DUH!" carries a confident message: "Why even ask if I'm cool or the best? The answer's obvious." Through our performance, we hope that energy and mindset come across loud and clear—and that listeners can feel it and carry that same confidence with us.

[JONGSEOB] When I'm on stage, my mindset is literally, "So what? I'm the best." That attitude fits perfectly with the message of this album. I hope that anyone who listens to the song can feel empowered and gain confidence in themselves.

It's been an incredible year for y'all! You just wrapped up a nine-month global tour, performing on some of the world's biggest stages. You all stay incredibly busy between music, touring, and now your web series. How do you stay grounded and maintain your creative energy?

[JIUNG] I always try to use my time efficiently by breaking it down and making the most of every moment. Until the moment I fall asleep, I'm usually working or thinking about work. Even my hobbies tend to involve things that boost creativity or inspire me in some way.

[INTAK] I find that I get the most creative ideas through experiencing new things. The more I see and do, the more I can learn, grow, and express myself through work.

You also just launched content that pulls back the curtain and shows more of your lives as musicians. Where did the idea for the show come from?

[KEEHO] At times, we may come across as more polished or reserved than we really are. But behind the scenes, we're just a group of young people who love to laugh, hang out, and enjoy the little moments. With this album, we wanted to show a more playful and comfortable side of ourselves—one that our fans might not have seen before.

Since this was a variety-style project, we really wanted to create something that viewers could enjoy comfortably and have a good laugh with. That's why we focused on keeping the planning and filming as natural and relaxed as possible—just being ourselves. That mindset really helped shape the overall direction of the content.

Your discography sees y'all as a group playing elements of hyperpop, RnB, and more, pulling from many inspirations and making something uniquely P1Harmony. What would you like to experiment more with sonically on future releases?

[INTAK] I hope to show everyone the diverse genre of our music that we haven't had the opportunity to share yet.

[JONGSEOB] As I continue to compose, I've found that exploring different genres is not only fun, but also a great way for me to grow creatively. That's why I'm eager to experiment with styles we haven't tried before. For instance, genres like 'Bossa Nova' or 'Pluggnb' seem like they could be really exciting to dive into.

If you could collaborate with any artist in Korea or globally, who's on your dream list right now?

[THEO] One artist I'd love to collaborate with is the band called "Jannabi." I'm a big fan of their music, and I feel like it's a style I could really connect with and express well.

[JONGSEOB] Lately, I've also been really inspired by Dominic Fike's latest album. His sound sparks a lot of creative ideas for me, and I think a collaboration could lead to something completely new. I'm also very interested in working with the Japanese project group "Mili." Their dreamy, distinctive sound is something I'd love to explore more through music.

Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve, either as a group or individually, by the end of the year? If you can speak on it, I know some goals and plans need to stay under wraps.

[KEEHO] Now that the album is out, we're really looking forward to performing these songs on stage. We've always been a performance-driven group, and ever since our debut, touring has been a big part of us. As we worked on this album, we constantly thought about how each song would translate on stage, and we can't wait to share that energy with everyone very soon.

[SOUL] As a group, I hope we can continue to grow and become even cooler and more impactful. And personally, I just want to keep evolving and leveling up in every way I can.

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