ARTMS has had a chaotic past few years, re-debuting, label changes, and lawsuits. However, things are starting to calm down for the girl group. Just a few days before their world tour, the group held their first solo concert in Seoul. The group takes pride in their personal participation in the tour, from choreography, stage direction, to setlist. Their attention to detail isn’t just a reflection of their understanding of fans but also a result of years of being held back from making creative decisions.
Before joining Modhaus, whenever the group was given an album or song, it felt like they were just put on stage to do as they were told. But now, they have control over how to express themselves on stage and how a song should be made to best convey its meaning. ARTMS’s former lives as members of K-pop group LOONA also remain close to their hearts and minds. During the concert, ARTMS surprised fans with reworked versions of hits from their LOONA days, alongside songs from their debut album ‘Dall.’
Additionally, the five members took the tour as an opportunity to showcase themselves in new ways. HeeJin played an electric guitar for an emotional cover of ‘난춘’ by her favorite band SE SO NEON. ARTMS surprised audiences with an energetic cover of TWS’s hit song ‘Plot Twist.’ ARTMS intends to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience at each stop, with each show having different variations in the choreography and performances.
Their creative endeavors under the project made it clear that debuting as ARTMS would not mean shedding their identity as LOONA. It was simply a way for them to broaden their distinct worldview. ARTMS’ debut album, ‘Dall,’ marked the first time any of them have worked on a full-length record, and they were heavily involved in its creation. Although the album signifies the birth of ARTMS as a new group, it also draws significantly from their past.
As ARTMS opens a new chapter in their ever-evolving story, it’s apparent that they aren’t closing the door on LOONA. Instead, that experience has emphasized their need to perform and express themselves even more. They’ve created an identity that is unique and distinct, yet intrinsically tied to their past. ARTMS will blossom in the future with their hard-fought freedom, forging their path as a quintet for the first time
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