For JOOCHAN, stepping onto the stage alone meant shouldering a weight he’d never fully carried before.

As one of the powerful vocalists from the criminally under-rated boy group Golden Child, he’s long been recognised for his ability to command attention in a group setting – but his recent fan meeting event, Jubichbam : Hidden Track, marked JOOCHAN’s first time filling an entire stage under his own name. The prospect felt daunting at first – the kind of responsibility that can make even the most seasoned performers hesitate – yet it also pushed him to become more ambitious, more attentive, and more determined to craft something unforgettable.

The title itself is more than just a poetic phrase. “Jubichbam” was a playful idea JOOCHAN first introduced before debut, a late-night corner that resonated deeply with fans. Reviving it here, in the form of his first solo fan meeting, ties his present moment of growth back to his earliest bond with Goldenness, the fandom name for Golden Child.

That thread of sincerity runs through the way he sees his voice and artistry. Fans may praise the contrast of rasp and purity in his tone, but JOOCHAN himself describes it as a voice still in motion, fuelled by both ambition and uncertainty. Musical theatre, too, shifted his perspective, teaching him to look beyond the sound itself and into the meaning behind each lyric. 

But go beyond the stage, and you’ll find that JOOCHAN is still every bit the entertainer fans adore – the quick-witted foil to his groupmate JANGJUN, the curious creative who turns to instruments, sketches, or photography as extensions of expression. In this fan meeting, he hoped to show more than just charm or variety, and his wish is simple and resolute: to be remembered as an artist who loves music, who leaves fans eager for the next performance, and whose voice continues to grow, surprise, and connect. Jubichbam : Hidden Track may be the first step, but it’s clear he intends for it to be far from the last.

This is your first solo fan meeting. How does it feel to finally hold one under your own name?

Unlike performing on stage with my members, having to fill the stage entirely on my own from start to finish felt like a huge burden at first. But thanks to the support of Goldenness, my members, and my friends, I was able to complete the performance successfully.

The title is “Jubichbam : Hidden Track.” What meaning does that hold for you, and how does it connect to what fans will experience?

Before debut, there was a reality program where I jokingly created a corner called ‘Joobitbam (JOOCHAN’s Street Light Shining Night).’ When we used that title for content, Goldenness really loved it, so I wanted to make sure my first fanmeeting carried that name. Since I knew I would feel a lot of nerves and pressure for my first stage, I wanted to remind myself of those moments when I could talk and sing comfortably, and bring that same relaxed and happy feeling to the performance. Just as that program once provided a source of comfort for us, I hope this concert could also bring comfort to everyone who comes.

How did preparing for a solo fan meeting feel compared to preparing for group activities with Golden Child?

When preparing for group performances, I could always lean on my members and naturally gain strength from them. But with a solo fan meeting, I have to carry the entire stage on my own, so the burden felt much heavier. The biggest challenge was the thought of having to fill such a big stage by myself, which made me pay even closer attention to managing my condition. And since I was making all the decisions alone, I think I became even more ambitious about every single stage.

Fan meetings are often a chance for closer interaction — is there a particular moment with fans you’re most looking forward to?

What I look forward to the most are the expressions of Goldenness as they enjoy the songs I sing. Especially at this fan meeting, I’ll be performing an unreleased song for the first time, and I’m really excited and curious to see the fans’ reactions—almost like they’ve received a surprise gift.

Fans often describe your voice as both soulful and angelic. How do you see your own vocal identity?

I believe my voice has a lot of potential to grow—it’s a vocal with both ambition and worries, which pushes me to keep improving. And I want to take this chance to thank my parents for giving me this voice in the first place 🙂

Your vocal stylings have been praised for feeling very mature for your age. How do you approach expressing emotion through your singing?

To be honest, I don’t have any special method. But whenever I sing, I try to be as honest with my emotions as possible. I believe that if that sincerity comes through, fans will be able to connect with it more deeply and enjoy it even more.

Having experience in musicals, how has that shaped your approach to performing on stage?

In the past, I used to focus mainly on the sound itself when singing. But after experiencing the musical stage, I began to think more deeply about the meaning of the lyrics. As I started to reflect on why I was delivering a certain story, my expressions naturally became much richer.

You and JANGJUN are known as one of K-pop’s funniest duos. What do you think makes your chemistry work so well?

I think a big reason is that we’ve spent so much time together and our energy levels are quite similar. Plus, since we’ve hosted a lot together since the beginning of our Golden Child days, and we’re both quick to pick up on things, we just developed natural chemistry.

Fans know you can play instruments, draw, and take great photos. Do you see these as hobbies, or do they influence your artistry as well?

As someone who loves art, I feel it’s such a blessing to be able to express my experiences in different ways. Even if I’m not perfect at it, I can keep going because it brings me joy and happiness. The stories told through instruments, drawings, and photos have, at times, connected back to my activities, and I treasure the fact that they allow me to show even more sides of my expression.

After this fan meeting, what do you hope fans will understand about you as JOOCHAN, not just as a member of GOLDEN CHILD?

Through this fan meeting, I hope people can truly feel that I’m someone who loves music and enjoys singing. I want to be remembered as an artist who makes people look forward to what’s next, and as a singer whose future performances they can’t wait to see.

What’s something you’d still like to challenge yourself with, musically or as an entertainer?

This fan meeting was the first time I sang so many songs on my own, and it made me want to share my voice even more in the future. I hope to stand on many more stages, delivering love through my music, and in return, become an artist who receives just as much love.