JUNHEE on the pressures of taking the stage alone
During a recent stop in Toronto, the singer chatted about trying Canadian cuisine and teased his upcoming album [LOVE METHOD]
(Photo credit: H&P Entertainment)
Taking the stage on his own is something JUNHEE admits he’s still getting used to.
As the leader of the K-pop group A.C.E., the singer has grown accustomed to performing with his bandmates over the last decade. But since the 32-year-old embarked on a journey as a solo artist in 2025, he now faces the challenge of calling all the shots on his own as a self-described “perfectionist.”
“Before, I could just move forward if the members said something was good enough,” he tells bunni pop in an interview following a recent concert in Toronto.
“Now that I'm on my own, I have to check and go over everything myself. There are a lot of moments when I honestly don't know what the right answer is, and I end up overthinking so much that I am paralyzed.”
Still, JUNHEE is enjoying the ride, thanks to his fans who allow him to alleviate the pressure he feels to take the stage on his own.
“When the fans enjoy the show with so much passion, I forget all about it and just perform. That's always amazing to me and I'm so grateful.”
JUNHEE was last in Canada seven years ago while on tour with A.C.E, but 2026 marked his very first as a solo artist. The singer’s Into The Ocean tour saw him visit Vancouver, Halifax and Toronto in early July as part of the Canadian leg of his tour.
Below, JUNHEE chats about trying Canadian cuisine, exploring different genres of music and teased his upcoming album [LOVE METHOD], which comes out on August 7th!
Conversation has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
(Photo credit: Pan Entertainment)
Welcome to Canada! Is there anything you did during this tour in your downtime that you enjoyed?
Honestly, on the days with no shows I was always traveling to a different city, so all I remember is sleeping on the flight and in the car (laughs). So I think it was probably Vancouver, but after the show we went to a restaurant to eat, and the GPS system happened to take us to a different location. It turned out to be a pretty famous spot. There was a steam clock [Gastown Steam Clock]. Anyway, all the lights around the town were so beautiful, and I remember having a lot of fun filming a cover song video there with the staff.
You have been trying different Canadian dishes in your stops in Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax. In Toronto, you tried a peameal bacon sandwich. What do you think of the unique cuisine Canada has to offer?
It was amazing. There was so much more good food in Canada than I thought! I especially remember a dessert I had during my show in Vancouver, called Ninaimo?Nanaimo?! I hadn’t had something so sweet recently! (laughs)
(editor’s note: the Nanaimo bar is a bar named after the British Columbia city. It consists of a chocolate ganache on top, along with a base made of wafer, nut and coconut crumbs.)
Now that you are taking the stage on your own, what have you learned about yourself as an artist?
I’ve definitely realized that I’m a huge perfectionist. I was always a bit like that, but before, I could just move forward if the members said something was good enough. Now that I’m on my own, I have to check and go over everything myself. There are a lot of moments when I honestly don’t know what the right answer is, and I end up overthinking so much that I am paralyzed. Of course, logically I know there’s no such thing as the perfect choice, but I’m only human, and when I’m actually in that situation, I often realize I can’t control my thoughts as well as I’d like.
What has been the biggest challenge for you in preparation for touring on your own?
I think having to fill the stage truly “by myself” feels like a lot of pressure every time. But when the fans enjoy the show with so much passion, I forget all about it and just perform. That’s always amazing to me and I’m so grateful. This tour was especially meaningful because it made me feel the absence of the A.C.E members, what my own shortcomings are, and what I need to work on and prepare more for in the future.
(Photo credit: H&P Entertainment)
What are the biggest lessons you have learned in this journey, now that you are also the CEO of your own company, H&P Entertainment?
I realized that if there’s anything I want to do or try, I have to just do it somehow as soon as possible. I’m sure that the moment I do that, my life will change once again. I’ve realized that there’s no end to learning, and there’s no end to experience. That’s why I feel that life can be short for some people, and long for others.
You saw great success in cities like Cologne, Berlin and Paris during earlier stops of your tour. What have you enjoyed about meeting fans in different cities?
Just the fact that I am receiving so much love from all those places itself, of course!
I know very well that not everyone gets to experience life like this. I’m grateful every day to the fans who support me and make it possible for me to live this kind of life. My solo journey began with them, and it’s still continuing to the present. That is truly amazing. That’s why I want to share my love with them, too.
During this tour, you have pulled out songs from your past and present. But you’ve also done covers, from Bazzi, Justin Bieber to keshi. Can you tell me a bit about challenging yourself to cover songs by artists you admire?
It definitely made me realize I need to keep practicing more and working even harder. One of the reasons I do cover songs is of course out of admiration for those artists, but also it helps me recognize and learn a lot of information, such as which sounds I can’t recreate very well or even at all. In that sense, I think it’s one of the essential things a singer should do. And I also hope that one day, just like the artists I admire, I can become that kind of artist for someone else!
You have mentioned artists like DPR Ian as an influence to you. What kind of creative ambitions do you have for yourself down the line?
I just want to make music that honestly and vividly expresses the images, visuals, and sounds I have in my head. I think that’s the best way to express my own colour.
And ultimately, I hope to become a musician who sings about love and peace and shares those messages, like Michael Jackson.
You released your first mini album last September, where you played with different genres like disco, pop-rock and funk. What can we expect from you next in your new album [LOVE METHOD]?
I poured my thoughts and emotions even more intensely into [LOVE METHOD] than my first album. What I wanted to express through this album was: What has love meant to me throughout my life? I looked back on myself and turned the feelings and thoughts I had at those moments into songs.
You sang a song called “Lemonade”, which is reminiscent of EDM and electropop. Can you tell me a bit about exploring this style of sound in this single?
I just wanted to keep trying new kinds of music. I also thought it would be a good song to release in the summer! More than anything, I wanted to keep pushing myself to create a more upgraded sound than last year.
What kind of music have you been listening to while writing this album?
I listened to a lot of EDM, like pop-based EDM, deep and progressive house music, rock, etc.
How have you pushed yourself to try new things musically?
Working with a variety of producers and musicians. Every song has a different feel, and the emotions, sounds, and everything about them have their own unique charm. Every time I worked on a song with a new producer, I would say, “I want to make an album about love. Let’s talk about the different emotions and situations that come with love.” I think that’s how we always started our first conversation before working on the music.
What do you hope listeners will get out of the new album?
Simply put, it contains emotions that everyone has probably experienced at least once in their life. After all, people’s lives aren’t all that different. We cry, we laugh, we fail, we get back up, we understand, and we encourage one another. I hope my idea of love can be shared with everyone through this album.
Message for the Canadian fans?
Hello, Canadian fans!!!! I was so, so happy to see you all this time. I’ll come back to see you again with a new album before too long! Until then, stay healthy, and please keep showing lots of love for my music!! I love you!!
Follow JUNHEE on Instagram and YouTube! His album [LOVE METHOD] comes out on August 7th!
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