Yugyeom and JB (JYP Entertainment)

GOT7 is back on the music scene. But this time, it’s JB and Yugyeom, the main vocalist and dancer of the seven-piece act, making up new subunit Jus2.

The duo’s new song, “Focus on Me,” lead track of EP “Focus,” is an alternative rhythm and blues track that is smooth and sensual, highlighted with reverberated vocals, quite different from GOT7’s usual faster, catchy tunes.

“I am very satisfied with the new album because we got to sing and work on music style that we personally enjoy,” Yugyeom said in an interview at a cafe in Seongdong-gu, eastern Seoul. “Both JB and I enjoy R&B and bass genre and this album contains many R&B elements that we always wanted to do more.”

JB (JYP Entertainment)

JB, whose real name is Lim Jae-beom and who goes by “Defsoul” as a producer, said he tried less to think about making a chart-topping or popular song, and more on creating a song they like and enjoy.

The result is a six-track album of songs written and composed by the talented two with the help of other artists.

“This album has an underlying theme of different senses” said JB. He explained that “Focus on Me” centers on sight, while second song “Drunk on You” delves into smell and third track “Touch” is about touch, as its title suggests. “Senses” talks about a new type of sense, while “Love Talk” centers on sound and “Long Black” on taste.

“It is important to have an overlying theme for the album,” said JB. “That way, the album has spirit and the story and the music becomes more unique and endearing.”

While the latest album from JB’s other subunit JJ Project -- with bandmate Jinyoung -- delved into the more serious topic of youth and hardship, the latest Jus2 is lighter, more dreamlike and sensual.

The duo said they worked hard to put on a captivating performance for “Focus on Me,” the staging of which will be unveiled Tuesday at a showcase.

Yugyeom (JYP Entertainment)

“The performance will be sensual and also sexy, accompanied with special effects, fashion style and other details,” said Yougyeom. “It’s more of subtle sexiness that is more natural, which is less vivid and sensational.”

Due to slower tempo and the lounge-like vibe of the song, JB and Yugyeom, who are more used to high-speed, synchronized moves, admitted they had a difficult time coming up with the choreography.


“The sound can feel emptier due to the minimal tempo,” said Yugyeom. “So it was important to control between more powerful and softer parts of the song when coming up with choreography to match the vibe. The choreography can be seen as laid-back, but it also comes with powerful and speedy moves, so it is more difficult than it looks.”

The bandmates admitted they had spent many long hours working to get the final green light for the choreography from label JYP Entertainment’s eponymous head Park Jin-young.

The music video of “Focus on Me,” which was released Monday, is receiving rave attention for its sleek and aesthetic style that matches the music.

“I think the music video is different from previous music videos produced by JYP Entertainment,” said Yugyeom. “Unlike more bright and popular music videos in the past, this one is has darker mood, with a unique vibe.”


With the release of new album, Jus2 is kicking off its Asia concert tour series by heading to seven cities -- Macau, Tokyo, Taipei, Osaka, Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore -- mindful of its international fans.

On GOT7’s immense popularity overseas, the boys cited diversity of the members behind the success.

“The fact that we have three non-Korean members helps to connect with global fans easily,” said JB. “We have good diversity among members, but are able to create good harmony with each other.”

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)