VANNER gets new life after ‘Peak Time’

For K-pop boy group VANNER, 2023 is undeniably a banner year.

After four years of obscurity, the quintet has gone from zero to hero, rising to fame on cable channel jtbc’s survival show, “Peak Time.” VANNER was crowned the winner on the program in April after edging out 22 boy bands.

Despite their musical prowess, the VANNER members — Taehwan, Gon, Hyesung, Ahxian and Yeongkwang — had to walk a bumpy road to earn recognition. Since they were represented by VT Entertainment, a small label that only houses VANNER, they did not have much of a chance to promote themselves in Korea and beyond. Soon after their debut in 2019, they were hit hard by economic hardship, which prompted them to find part-time jobs.

Ahxian worked as a food delivery driver at fast food chain Lotteria and Gon got a job at coffee franchise Ediya. Yeongkwang worked at multiplex cinema chain CGV and Hyesung was a part-timer at cosmetics retailer Lush Korea. Hyesung also worked at a tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes) restaurant with group leader Taehwan, who had loads of work to do for VT Entertainment too. According to him, he managed VANNER’s social media platforms, edited its YouTube videos and even handled the group’s schedule because his company lacked sufficient human resources.

But now, the boys of VANNER are singing full-time.

“Our company consisted of VANNER and our CEO only, so I used to have a lot of things on my plate,” Taehwan recalled during a media interview at a cafe in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, May 24. “However, thanks to ‘Peak Time,’ we met a new company. Now, we are so happy that we can just focus on our musical activity. But even when I had to juggle multiple roles, I was still happy because I was working for myself and our members. It was part of pursuing my dream — singing and performing.”

After ranking first on “Peak Time,” VANNER signed a three-year management deal with KLAP Entertainment — a subsidiary of game developer NCSOFT — and received 300 million won ($226,000) in prize money. Such an achievement has transformed things for the group.

“I finally felt like I have become a filial son for my parents,” Yeongkwang said. Yeongkwang is an ardent fan of Lee Gi-kwang, a member of K-pop boy group Highlight. His stage name is the combination of his real name “Yeong-jun” and “Gi-kwang.”

The singer added, “The number of followers we have on our social media platforms has doubled, and the number of fans in our fan community has quadrupled.”

Gon says more people recognize him when he goes out these days.

“Hardly anyone recognized me in the past, but I recently met a person on the subway who knew me,” he said with a radiant smile. “I was a bit shy, but very thankful. I even saw that person searching my name online.”

“Peak Time” allowed VANNER to realize its competitive edge too.

“In the past, we did not know what our strength was, but the judges of the program told us that we are good at performing live,” Taehwan said. “Thanks to their feedback, I think we will be able to perform with more confidence in the future and show off our skills to the audience.”

VANNER’s take on “Love Killa” (2020) — a song by K-pop act Monsta X — is one of its most remarkable performances on “Peak Time,” which has drawn more than 680,000 views on YouTube. Known for its refreshing vibe, VANNER received rave reviews for its “Love Killa” performance as it revealed its unexplored side.

“It was our first time to try something hot and conceptual,” Hyesung said. “We were anxious about displaying our new side, fearing that the viewers will find it awkward. But we still attempted to push the envelope, and I think we were successful.”

For VANNER, however, “Peak Time” is just the start of a long professional journey.

“We want to be active until we turn 87,” Gon said. “We also dream of entering the Billboard chart, so we will pour a lot of effort into attaining our dream.”

Ahxian added, “I know it will be challenging, but we will work hard so that we can perform at the MAMA Awards, a major music awards ceremony in Korea.”

Thanks to their feedback, I think we will be able to perform with more confidence in the future and show off our skills to the audience.