Perception is often the story others insist on telling about you, a narrative shaped by their gaze, experiences, and sometimes, their projections. In a world where social media exposes every moment, and even the smallest choices are circulated and scrutinised, being seen can easily feel like a burden. It is no wonder that many young people admit to feeling uneasy with the very idea of being perceived at all.

As a member of P1Harmony, a rising fourth-generation K-pop boy group, perception is unavoidable. Every smile, gesture, and performance is catalogued and interpreted. Yet despite the scrutiny, the image Hwang Intak leaves is overwhelmingly warm: group member Keeho describes him as bright and endlessly positive, while fans have affectionately dubbed him the “puppy of the group.” Playful as these labels are, they hint at something genuinely authentic beneath the celebrity persona.

At 22, Hwang has spent much of his life embodying cheerfulness, as he reflects in #P_riends’ Episode 2. Many people see happiness as something to cultivate through conscious effort, thinking with optimism, speaking with energy, and finding satisfaction in daily patterns. For Hwang, joy feels almost instinctive. “I don’t try too hard; I guess it grew on me. Being cheerful is just in my tone and the way I talk.”

It is precisely this natural brightness that makes his perspective so compelling. How does someone who radiates positivity see life, ambition, and the world around him? As the year comes to a close, looking back feels natural, and it seemed like the perfect moment to sit down with Hwang and hear how he has navigated and shaped the past twelve months.

For the Men’s Folio Dec/Jan ’26 issue, we had the chance to do just that. Our cover star, Hwang, shares his thoughts, lessons, and reflections from someone who does not just shine for himself but illuminates the people around him.

What were the best P1Harmony moments for you this year?

Entering the Billboard 200 Top 10 with our EX album. Getting on Billboard is not easy, so for P1Harmony to achieve something so challenging and meaningful makes me extremely proud. Moving forward, my next goal is even higher: to reach the Top 5, or even the Top 3.

You turned 22 this year. What’s something you did that you’ve never done before?

I’d say the biggest new challenge for me this year was learning how to play the drums. I’ve always wanted to try it ever since I saw Bruno Mars open his Super Bowl performance with a drum solo. I remember thinking, “If I could dance and play the drums on stage, that would be such a cool performance.”

One lesson you learn from being 22?

Every year, I work hard to grow, be it singing, dancing or anything else. I used to struggle with being satisfied with myself, even when I was improving. This year, I learned how to recognise my own efforts a little more. I’ve gotten better at saying, “You did well,” and encouraging myself to keep moving forward. I think that mindset is the biggest improvement for me.

What would your 12-year-old self envision you doing at 22, and how close is that to your life now?

It’s actually very close. When I was 12 — in fifth grade — the first thing I told my parents was that I wanted to learn how to dance. That was the year I really started dreaming of becoming a singer. So the life I imagined back then is very similar to the life I’m living today.

Which member did you grow closer to this year?

To be honest, I don’t think I got especially closer to anyone this year. We’re already like family. We balance each other, push each other when we need to, and support each other when things get tough. We’re so close that it’s hard to imagine getting any closer, so there wasn’t a single person I bonded with more than the rest.

How do you think the perception fans have of you differs from how the people closest to you see you?

I don’t think there are any major differences. I’m naturally bright, optimistic, and outgoing, so I think I come across similarly to both fans and the people close to me. If I had to point out one thing, I’d say I’m actually more calm and quiet than people might expect.

Have you ever felt anxious or worried about how people perceive you?

I’m not someone who spends much energy worrying about things like that, so there isn’t really anything I worry about often. But sometimes I wonder if people might not notice my more serious side because I tend to be very bright and optimistic. Still, if I continue to show my passion and the things I work hard on, that sincere and serious side will naturally come through.

But when those moments do come, how do you move through them?

I think I overcome those feelings on stage. Performing reminds me every time that there’s a place where I can show what I love and what I’m good at. Whenever I’m on stage, those worries and moments of anxiety fade away.

What mindset or habit do you want to leave behind as you enter the new year?

I want to enjoy the stage more. I always end up overthinking, preparing too much, trying to be perfect, and that pressure sometimes keeps me from really having fun. But when I see fans feeling happy and excited watching us, it makes me realise the mindset I carry should bring me joy, not stress. So I hope that moving forward, I can just approach the stage with a sense of enjoyment, letting myself play andhave fun rather than carrying all that pressure.

The holiday season is your rare break. What does a perfect day off look like for you?

For me, it’s playing soccer. If I actually had a full day off, I’d want to spend it doing the things I enjoy, like playing soccer or catching a movie I haven’t had time to watch. Sometimes I like going to the cinema alone just to clear my mind. I’d love to spend the day doing things I usually don’t get enough time for.

When was the last time you watched a movie, and what was it?

The most recent movie I watched was Frankenstein. I went into it without knowing much, but its themes of loneliness and sadness stayed with me long after it ended. I’d like to recommend it to P1eace as well.

Is there a holiday tradition, either from childhood or within the group, that always lifts your mood?

It’s hard to call it a holiday tradition exactly, but there’s something we make sure to do at least once or twice a year. Since we’re all busy and don’t always have time to really talk, we promised ourselves we would have a team dinner where we can open up completely and anything we’ve been holding inside, whether it’s frustrations or tough moments. It has become a really special tradition for us and always leaves us in a good mood.

What did you guys eat at the first team dinner?

We had yuringi, fried chicken with a special sauce. [laughs]

What is a gift you secretly hope someone gives you this year?

I really love LEGO. My very first Christmas present in kindergarten from “Santa” was LEGO, and that’s how it all started. I still collect LEGO now, I’d feel really touched if someone gave me a set this year.

By the end of 2026, what do you hope you will be proud of, both as Intak and as a member of P1Harmony?

I want us to be Billboard No. 1 artistes. People always say to dream big, and I really believe that if you say it out loud and work for it, it can happen. Next year, I hope I can proudly say, “We reached No. 1 on Billboard.”

Your members often describe you as cheerful. Would you say you see yourself as a positive person?

I think so, yes. I’d call myself positive, but not necessarily someone who’s always bursting with energy. I used to be energetic everywhere I went, but these days I try to save that energy for the moments where it really matters. I’ve learned that knowing when to show your energy is part of being a professional.

But when that energy dips, how do you keep that sense of positivity steady?

I don’t try to force myself to be upbeat. Instead, I let myself slow down and just accept whatever I’m feeling. When I’m stressed, I’ll watch funny videos or write things down so I can understand what’s actually weighing on me. That helps a lot.

So with all of that — doing your best, staying grounded — what does success mean to you these days?

To me, success is being able to live doing what I love and treating the people I care about to a good meal. I recently went on a family trip with my parents and younger brother, and I felt so happy being able to buy them everything they wanted to eat, see, and try. If that isn’t success, then what is? This question makes me realise I’m already living a successful life, and it makes me want to work even harder so I can bring them to even better places next time.

Photography Kim Ji Young

Creative Direction & Styling Izwan Abdullah

Grooming Yun Hye Jeong

Film Director Jung Bo Kyung

Producer Oh Seo Yul