BECOMING A.C.E

TAKING IT FROM BUSKING TO COVERING POPULAR DANCE CHOREOGRAPHIES TO THEIR BEGINNINGS TO BECOMING K-POP ARTISTS, AND THEN COMING BACK AFTER A HIATUS, A.C.E’S STORY IS AN INUNDATION OF FOND MEMORIES

- DEBASHREE DUTTA

The first time A.C.E tried their hand at entertaining a crowd was when they were busking in Seoul, creating a space where they could show off their skills and establish a more intimate connection with the audience.

As a busking group, they likely cemented true connections with the public early on, forming a sense of community and sharing experiences well in advance of their renown as K-pop artists. Band member Park Junhee recalls, “I learned so much from performing on the street back then.” “I didn’t expect to say that we started from the bottom, but that’s our story. We started from the bottom!”

Taking it from busking to covering popular dance choreographies to their beginnings to becoming idols, and then coming back after a hiatus, A.C.E’s story is an inundation of fond memories. “All of them are precious, but I think it would be busking if I had to choose one,” adds Park, while member Lee Donghun states, “I still remember the emotions I had during our first concert. A lot of people came to the concert hall to see A.C.E, and I can’t forget the moment when I cried my eyes out.”

Adventure Calling Emotions is an acronym for A.C.E’s mission to evoke feelings in people that inspire them to pursue desired goals and embark on encounters, opportunities, and thrilling experiences. The whole thing kicked off on May 23, 2017, when A.C.E—Lee Donghun, Park Junhee, WOW, Kim Byeongkwan, and Kang Yuchan—debuted with the single “Cactus.” As the quintet gained traction through their gorgeous performances, their sound began to touch listeners worldwide.

"I DIDN'T EXPECT TO SAY WE STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM, BUT THAT'S OUR STORY. WE STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM!"-PARK JUNHEE