Multi-talented US boy band to perform
The U.S. boy band Why Don’t We will visit Korea in November as part of its Asia tour, “Why Don’t We — 8 Letters Tour.”
Why Don’t We has been referred to as a next-generation band that will storm the global music scene, following in the footsteps of U.K. boy band One Direction and U.S. pop group NSYNC.
In an email interview with The Korea Times, member Jonah Marais explained what makes the group stand out and what Korean fans can expect at the Seoul concert.
He said he was very happy to hear his band being compared to One Direction “It’s amazing. One Direction guys are very talented and I have a ton of respect for them. I’d love to be the next One Direction,” Marais said.
Compared to One Direction, he said Why Don’t We has strengths that few other boy bands have.
“The best part about us is we can do everything. We formed the band together ourselves, play instruments. We write the majority of our music and more,” he said, differentiating the group from their manufactured peers.
The group decided to form a band after renting a house in Los Angeles and trying to sing together.
Gaining popularity on social media even before their debut, it is no surprise that the band’s fan base has continued to grow.
Regarding the band’s name, the singer said Why Don’t We is intended to show that they are not just a “cookie cutter-ed boy band.”
“At the very beginning when we started the band, we were all solo artists and we were friends. It was very spontaneous to start the band, and we all just took a leap of faith,” he said.
“Someone at point said, ‘Why Don’t We just do it guys?’ We like that phrase because we say it in everyday life. We thought it captures our spirit of spontaneity.”
After starting the band, Marais mentioned that there were some differences from solo singing that he appreciated. “It’s nice to have people on stage to back you up,” he said.
“All the members have a similar taste in music. Although we sit down trying to figure out the exact route, we end up making the music that we like to listen to.”
The band debuted in 2016 with “Taking You” and continued with “Something Different” and “Why Don’t We Just.”
In 2017, it was listed in Billboard’s “21 Under 21 2017 Music’s Next Generation.”
The forthcoming concert will be their second visit to Korea.
Marais expressed his appreciation for the fans at the group’s first Korean concert.
“The fans were super, super great. I remember the show was really fun, and people seemed to have a really good time at the show.”
Why Don’t We’s concert will be held Nov. 20 at Yes 24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul.