MAKING A MARK
Los Angeles, October 2023
Preserving down-to-earthness and authenticity – that’s what MARK TUAN wants his music to convey. The K-pop icon turned solo artist who’s inspecting his sensitivity in his music is releasing a new EP Fallin’ and it looks like we’re in for a treat. Veering away from the sadness of his previous record The Other Side, Mark says that this new album is a result of playful explorations in the studio. After sharing the first single Carry Me Out in the early spring of this year – a guitar-driven, melodic, pop-rock song which retells the dangers of becoming obsessed with a lover through an upbeat and nostalgic tune – the singer was faced with an undeniable truth: he wanted to make more songs like this and build a new, boisterous universe.
You left the US when you were 17 years old and made your debut around a year later with the widely celebrated group GOT7. Tell us about the process of training in Korea, and growing up with 6 other boys in a foreign environment.
Training in Korea was tough but a very fun experience. I didn’t have any singing or dancing background, so I was definitely a little more behind than most of the trainees there. But having everyone there is what motivates you to try harder. Being in K-pop allowed me to hone my skills and become a perfectionist in the things I do. I got adjusted to the culture pretty quickly so it didn’t really feel like a foreign environment to me. It felt like a second home.
You’re currently on tour around Asia. What’s the experience been like, especially now that you’re solo?
It’s very different not having the other boys with you. I’m responsible for the entire performance, and staying in good health is crucial to putting on a great show. It’s definitely a different experience compared to touring with a group.
In a recent livestream, you spoke about the release of your new album. Can you tell us more about that project?
It’s called Fallin’ and it was just a fun project that I made in the studio. I released Carry Me Out earlier this year and I played it for the first time during one of my shows. It’s more of a pop/rock song and I really liked the vibe of it when I was performing, so when I found the time, we tried to make some more songs that were a part of its universe.
In describing your music, you often mention wanting to keep a certain simplicity and down-to-earthness for your fans. After so many years of being a celebrity, what do you think are the tools to preserve your authenticity and humility?
I think it’s my family and friends. They keep me grounded and humble. At the end of the day, I’m just a regular person and grateful that I got the opportunity to do what I love to do. I think having a great team helps a lot, and that all the experiences I’ve had in the past have moulded me into who I am today.
You started your solo endeavours more than a year ago. What has been the growth you’ve gone through as an artist? And how has it been for you mentally?
I think it was really a time for me to think and figure out my own sound. As the “rapper” of the group, I’ve had to make the transition to do more singing. I was going to give this life up completely but after coming back to LA, I got into a studio session and thought, “There’s no way that I could do that.” I had a lot of fun [in the process] and that reignited the spark I once had. I’m glad I was able to find it again.
In what moments do you feel like you miss your GOT7 brothers the most?
I think there are just random moments when you feel like that. But when I’m on tour or during rehearsals, that’s when I think of them the most.
When was the last time you guys had a get-together? And can Ahgases expect anything new from the group as a whole soon?
We haven’t had one since our last comeback. I think it may be a while until we get back together, but you never know!
How do you think the Mark from five years ago would feel about where you are right now?
I think he would be shocked because Mark five years ago would have thought he would still be in Korea.
A lot of teen idols go into acting - was that ever an option for you? And if you could act in any movie that already exists, which movie would that be?
That is something that I would still want to try one day. Any of the Marvel movies.
Interview by Gabrielle Valda Colas
Photography by Shane McCauley
Fashion by Karolyn Pho
Grooming Zaheer Sukhnandan
Photographer’s assistant Dan Patrick
Stylist’s assistant Ella Jepson
All clothes Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello