AMPERS&ONE ask listeners to define meaning on [DEFINITION] - Men's Folio Malaysia

AMPERS&ONE ask listeners to define meaning on [DEFINITION]

The seven-member group expands their sound and turns inward on their fourth mini album, where identity becomes personal, not prescribed

Unity. It is a word that carries weight, suggesting togetherness, alignment and shared purpose. For FNC Entertainment’s seven-member boy group, AMPERS&ONE, it is the principle that defines them. While members Kamden, Brian, Jiho, Siyun, Kyrell, Mackiah and Seungmo come from vastly different backgrounds, they have chosen to unite as a single team. Their music, their style and their identity are built on this belief: that strength is found not despite difference, but because of it.

In AMPERS&ONE, unity extends beyond culture or upbringing. It runs through passion, friendships, taste and work ethic. Some of the members first made their mark on survival shows like Boys Planet with each other, while others trained under major agencies before finding their way to FNC. Together, they have built a group that is freer in spirit and more fluid in style than many contemporaries.

From its second single album ONE HEARTED(2024), which centred on loyalty, honesty and connection, to 2025 releases like ONE QUESTION, WILD & FREEand LOUD & PROUD, AMPERS&ONE has shown an ability to move across sounds and moods while remaining cohesive in identity. Unity, for the members, is not static. It evolves and is expressed through rhythm, tone, and how they carry themselves collectively.

In 2026, the group entered a new chapter with its fourth mini album, [DEFINITION]. While its title and visuals might suggest rebirth and ritual, the project is not about being defined by the world, but rather focused on finding unity within oneself. It is reflective and introspective, marking a shift from the carefree energy of their earlier work into a space that explores growth, identity, and inner strength.

As AMPERS&ONE navigates this more mature territory, Men’s Folio speaks with its members about the making of [DEFINITION], the evolution of the band’s sound, and what it means to remain one in an industry that often celebrates individuality over cohesion.

THE FOURTH MINI ALBUM IS TITLED [DEFINITION]. WHAT IDEAS OR THEMES IS AMPERS&ONE TRYING TO DEFINE THROUGH THIS PROJECT?

KAMDEN: We define ourselves. No one else does.BRIAN: We’re showing that we’re not tied to one genre or image. The identity comes from how we move between different sounds.

JIHO: It’s about making that identity clearer. Not starting from zero, but sharpening what we already have.

SEUNGMO: And also trust. At the end of the day, the only thing we really believe in is our team, and this album reflects that.

COMPARED TO THE GROUP’S EARLIER RELEASES, WHAT FEELS THE MOST DIFFERENT ABOUT [DEFINITION] WHEN IT COMES TO THE LYRICS, SOUND, AND OVERALL MOOD?

JIHO: The sound changed the most. We brought in Eastern elements and layered them with hip-hop and trap, which gave everything a new texture.

KYRELL: Especially on “GOD”. Mixing traditional Korean instruments with modern production makes it feel familiar, but also new.

SEUNGMO: The overall mood is calmer and darker. We also experimented with instruments we haven’t used before, which gives the album a whole different atmosphere.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE LISTENERS WOULD IMMEDIATELY UNDERSTAND UPON THEIR FIRST LISTEN?

KYRELL: That it’s ok to be yourself. There’s a lot of pressure to follow a certain path, but this album encourages you to trust your own pace, even if it’s different from everyone else’s. It’s also ok to feel deeply, even the heavier emotions. Accepting that is part of finding your identity.

WHAT PART OF THIS COMEBACK ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT?

KAMDEN: Performing our title track, “GOD.”

BRIAN: The performances, and being able to see ANDEAR again.SIYUN: We spent much more time practicing together, so I’m excited to show how much we’ve grown on stage.

THE VISUALS AND CONCEPT FEEL QUITE OPEN-ENDED. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU AIM FOR?

MACKIAH: Absolutely. We don’t want to hand people one idea or tell them how to feel. That would be too rigid.

BRIAN: Everyone listens from a different place in life. Leaving space for interpretation lets each listener connect in their own way, and that makes it more personal.

SONICALLY, WHAT PUSHED YOU THE MOST ON THIS ALBUM?

JIHO: The intro of “GOD.” The gayageumis subtle, but it sets the tone for everything. It changes how you hear the track from the start.

SIYUN: The performance side! I think the choreography is sharper this time, and more linear than before. It demands a different type of control and attention to detail, so we had to rethink how we move together as a group.

MACKIAH: And blending traditional instruments with trap beats. You have to fully commit to that contrast or it doesn’t work. It was a balancing act, but that made it exciting.

IF THERE’S ONE TRACK THAT DEFINES THE ALBUM, WHICH IS IT?

BRIAN: “My Way.” It’s straightforward and captures the message of trusting yourself.

JIHO: I’d say “GOD.” It shows the biggest shift musically and visually.

KYRELL: I agree with “GOD.” The whole album started from that track.

ANY PERSONAL PICKS FROM THE ALBUM?

KAMDEN: “All Eyes On You

SIYUN: “Tears In Your Smile”

HOW INVOLVED WERE YOU IN SHAPING THIS COMEBACK?

KAMDEN: I focused heavily on writing the rap, drawing from actual experiences. I wanted the songs to be authentic, instead of it being just a hollowed concept we were putting on for show.

MACKIAH: I worked on the rap across the album as well, and having that creative space made a big difference. It allowed me to leave a personal mark on the music.

SIYUN: We were also deeply involved in the visuals and styling. The small details — hair, props, subtle elements — really shape the overall feel, and they all add up to create impact.

JIHO: Choosing the title track was a collective decision too. We discussed different directions extensively before settling on “GOD”, and it felt like the choice truly represented us.

SEUNGMO: This was probably the most collaborative process we’ve had as a group. There were so many discussions, so much back-and-forth. It genuinely felt like a team effort in every sense.

WHEN IT COMES TO VISUAL CONCEPTS, ARE THEY OPEN TO INTERPRETATION RATHER THAN LITERAL REFERENCE?

BRIAN: I think we lean towards openness. Everyone experiences life differently, so rather than spelling everything out, we want our visuals to be a space where people can find their own meaning, reflect on their own stories, and connect with it in a personal way.

WERE THERE MOMENTS FROM FILMING OR RECORDING THAT STUCK WITH YOU?

KAMDEN: Seeing myself with bruises and scars for the MV. It felt unfamiliar, but it helped me get into the concept.

SIYUN: I had to hit Brian with a brick… it was supposed to break easily, but it froze because of the cold. I felt really bad.

BRIAN: I actually woke up with a bump on my head. So yeah, that happened. [laughs]

JIHO: The dance break scene with the tree and cherry blossoms, it looked really beautiful in real life. That moment stayed with me.

YOU ALL COME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS. HOW DOES THAT SHAPE THE GROUP?

KAMDEN: Everyone has their own style, even in how they approach their parts. 

JIHO: It helps us think from different perspectives, especially when we’re making music.

KYRELL: We share a lot of ideas, and that naturally expands what we can do as a group. It also helps us connect with more people.

WHAT ARE SOME VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED FROM PRODUCING THIS COMEBACK, AND HOW WILL THEY INFLUENCE AMPERS&ONE’S SOUND AND IDENTITY MOVING FORWARD?

BRIAN: I realised how much hard work pays off. Preparing “GOD” was tough, but going through it together made us stronger.

JIHO: Pushing ourselves with new concepts keeps us growing. Each comeback is a chance to show a different side.

SIYUN: Communication. We spent so much time discussing details. Being honest and listening to each other made everything work.

MACKIAH: This time we found a tone that really clicks with all of us. It feels like a foundation we can build on while still experimenting.

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