Backstage with 82MAJOR: YECHAN's Toronto homecoming
The K-pop group caught up with bunni pop for a quick chat before playing a show at Toronto's Parkdale Hall
(Photo credit: Nick Wong)
The moment YE CHAN enters the room with his 82MAJOR bandmates, he shakes my hand and says, “Hi, I’m Timothy.”
There’s an air of happiness and comfort in his voice. After all, he is finally playing a concert in his hometown of Toronto after moving to Korea to pursue his dreams of becoming a K-pop idol.
In 2023, YE CHAN debuted as part of 82MAJOR with members SEONG IL, SEONG MO, SEONG BIN, SEOK JOON and DO GYUN. Since their arrival to the K-pop scene, the group has released three EPs, with 2024’s X-82 hitting multiple Billboard Charts including including World Sales, Current Album Sales and Emerging Artist.
Now two years since their debut, 82MAJOR has finally reached North America for a tour, with stops in Montreal and Toronto.
(Photo credit: Nick Wong)
YE CHAN, who hails from Markham, Ontario (a city just outside of Toronto), says “it feels amazing to be back” on Canadian soil. Toronto is the second Canadian city 82MAJOR is visiting, having just played a show in Montreal the day before (June 22).
“Obviously, it's my first time being back after I debuted. I'm with my group as well so it's more special than being back by myself,” he said. “I hope that they get wonderful memories of being in Toronto.”
When asked of their impressions of Canada, the 82MAJOR members also expressed their excitement of being in YE CHAN’s home city, and spending it with their fans, known as 82DE.
“The Canadian fans are extremely loud!” SEONG MO says.
“This might be the happiest birthday of my life so far. It’s just something I didn’t expect,” SEONG BIN added. The rapper celebrated his 21st birthday in Montreal the day before.
As bunni pop catches up with 82MAJOR backstage, the group has just finished an energetic soundcheck in front of fans at Toronto’s Parkdale Hall.
Below, 82MAJOR dish about their favourite backstage snacks, which member they’d take with them on a deserted island and what characters they’d like to play next in their music videos.
Conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
(Photo credit: Nick Wong)
Please introduce yourselves to Canadian 82DEs!
YE CHAN: My name is YE CHAN, or Timothy depending on where you’re from. And I’m from Toronto!
DO GYUN: Hello, I’m DO GYUN. And I’m the youngest member of 82MAJOR!
SEONG BIN: I’m SEONG BIN. I’m a rapper and yesterday was my birthday. Yay!
SEONG MO: Hello, my name is SEONG MO and my favourite Canadian soccer player is Alphonso Davies!
SEOK JOON: I’m SEOK JOON and my favourite sport is bowling!
SEONG IL: Hello, I’m SEONG IL, I’m the leader of 82MAJOR. And I’m an all rounder.
You’ve been on tour for quite a while now. What are some of your pre-show rituals?
SEONG IL: We wish each other good luck, and say “Hwaiting!” (화이팅) to each other before going on stage.
What is your must-have backstage snack?
DORITOS! (multiple members)
DO GYUN: These days, we eat Doritos!
YE CHAN: What? Am I the only one that’s out of the loop? I don’t know…water.
82MAJOR members: Monster! Coke. Sweet chilli nachos!
(Photo credit: Nick Wong)
You guys have played secret agents and vigilantes in your music videos. What characters would you like to play next?
YE CHAN: I’d say super villains. Why not? We’re going down that path anyways.
DO GYUN: Athletes!
Which member would you take with you on a deserted island?
SEONG MO: DO GYUN, because he’s really strong.
DO GYUN: I’ll bring SEONG IL. He can do everything, I think.
YE CHAN: I’m bringing SEOK JOON. He has a hyper fixation on things, so if I tell him to build a cottage, he will.
SEOK JOON: I’ll bring SEONG IL. I think he will be able to adapt to that really tough life.
(Photo credit: Nick Wong)
YECHAN, you don’t have a ton of time at home. But what are some go-to places in this city you’d like to show your members?
YE CHAN: So if you want to do a lot of things in a quick succession, there's obviously the Harbourfront. Then next to the Harbourfront, there's the CN tower, and there's also Ripley's Aquarium. So if you want to just hit all of those at once, perfect.
You could probably go to the market, eat some local food, just have a nice chill day. I'd [also] say maybe go to Bloor, and just walk down the street. There's lots of different cafes, lots of different bakeries and pastries that you can try.
You’re performing in front of people you know tonight. Are you nervous? And did many of them know about you pursuing the K-pop idol life?
YE CHAN: No way! Most of them definitely knew. Some maybe not. If they’re coming tonight, they are close enough to me.
(Photo credit: Nick Wong)
We’re speaking now just after your soundcheck. What’s your message to all those Canadian 82DEs waiting for you out there?
SEOK JOON: It’s been really good to come to Canada to perform for 82DEs and I hope that they have a lot of fun watching!
SEONG IL: Since coming to Canada, we’ve gotten a lot of energy during the concerts. Even though it’s our first time performing here, it’s motivating us to make even better music and come back to Canada in the future.
SEONG MO: We want to come back to Canada soon. Even though it is our first time touring here, already, we’ve gotten so many loud cheers and screams from the Canadian 82DEs. And I’m so thankful to all of them for having waited so long for us to come.
SEONG BIN: I could tell how much the Canadian 82DEs have really loved us, and that's something that's going to motivate me to work even harder in the future.
DO GYUN: I’m really thankful to be able to come to YE CHAN’s hometown and make good memories there.
YE CHAN: I just want to say thank you to everyone that came out today and out in Montreal because it's my first time being back in so long. Having so many people welcome me back with such warm embraces has been amazing.
Now that I'm finally back, just seeing all the Canadian 82DEs and everyone here, I'm just super stoked, and I'm just super happy to be back.
Related links:
K-pop group 82MAJOR breaks through the noise with new EP [SILENCE SYNDROME]
K-pop Rookies 82MAJOR Make an Impression with Hip-Hop Style and Flair
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