TofuPOP: It’s an honor to have a chance to interview you again! Actually, your first overseas performance in Thailand as a part of GOT7 was with us, TofuPOPRadio at the Tofu Music Fest 2014. Do you still remember meeting your Thai fans for the first time?

Mark Tuan: Wow! Time passes so quickly! It’s been so long but I remember it was a show with other artists and we were still rookies. But the fans were all singing along and doing the fanchants for our songs. It was insane, having so much support from the Thai fans. I remember the boys all got excited while performing.

TofuPOP: If you could describe your album “the other side” in a few words, what would you say and why?

Mark Tuan: I would go with personal, dark and emotional. I wrote the songs wanting to share the emotions I’ve felt in the last 10 years so there’s quite a bit of ‘me’ that went into the album. The emotions I wanted to share are a little dark and penning down the lyrics, it was just me being emotional and vulnerable.

TofuPOP: What is your recent single ‘far away’ about?

Mark Tuan: It is about missing someone after a relationship ends. Go check out the MV on Youtube!

TofuPOP: Most of the time, since GOT7 days, you’ve been promoted as a rapper. But these days, along with rapping you are also singing more. Was this a big transformation for you as an artist? How do you find the balance of Mark Tuan as a soloist?

Mark Tuan: I’m still not sure about rapping! With the group, I do a lot of rapping because that was the role assigned to me and I was given rap classes. But now, I feel raps are more melodic so it just feels like a natural transition into singing. I know fans are still always asking for rap though, so I’m leaving it open. Maybe I’ll have more rap in the next album? We’ll see!

TofuPOP: Which genres of music have had a big influence on you, especially on this album?

Mark Tuan: I’m still trying to figure out where my sound is but for this album at least, I think the pop genre had quite an influence. But I don’t think I can pick only one genre, I was influenced by a lot of genres while working on the album.

TofuPOP: If you can describe yourself as a genre of music, what would that be?

Mark Tuan: I would rather not be a specific genre. I want to be fluid, to be able to pull off different things. I want people to think, “Oh he can do this too?”

TofuPOP: You’ve mentioned ‘wanting to runaway’ in your lyrics from time to time, like in the track ‘exhausted’ or ‘running away’. If you needed to run away, where would you go? Or if you could run away, where or what kind of place would make you feel better?

Mark Tuan: My safe space would be my family. I think it’s really important to be around people who support you, who have your back, who care for and love you. Being around my family helps me to get through the tough days.

TofuPOP: This album sounds pretty lonely. Are you actually a lonely person or feels empty when no one is around? Or do you tend to be good on your own, like enjoying doing your own thing, being able to have fun by yourself?

Mark Tuan: I think being alone has its pros and cons. There are times when I want to be alone, just to disconnect from everything. Times like that, I don’t feel lonely. In fact, it helps. But there are also times when I feel like I’m alone and there’s no one by my side. Those moments feel extremely lonely. It’s not one or the other for me, I feel both, just like everyone else I think! 

TofuPOP: If ‘the other side’ is a more cloudy side of yourself, how important is it to realize what you’ve been through and come out ok? Do you have any words of wisdom for those who are having a bit of a rainy day at the moment?

Mark Tuan: To hold on a little more. The days will get better. You’re in a tunnel now and it may feel like it’s darkness all over and it doesn’t end but a tunnel doesn’t exist without an entry and an exit point. You will get to that exit point, just have a little bit of faith and trust in yourself, give yourself a bit more time.

TofuPOP:  From what we’ve seen, GOT7 members are always there for each other. The relationship among GOT7 members is like everyone’s friendship goal! How do you maintain such a strong bond?

Mark Tuan: We’ve been together for so long! We’ve fought so much that we don’t have anything to fight about anymore. We know what makes each other upset so we avoid doing those things. There’s respect and trust between all the members. We’re family and it only makes sense for family to be there for one another.

TofuPOP:  You’re embarking on a North American Tour in October. How do you prepare and what can we expect from the show?

Mark Tuan: It’ll be an intimate show compared to the GOT7 concerts we’ve done. I want it to be personal and I hope it gives a different energy from the hyped shows we’ve done as a group. I’m excited to meet the fans and perform my songs! I hope everyone has fun with me.

TofuPOP: Please leave a message to Thai fans

Mark Tuan: Sawadee kap! I hope everyone is enjoying the album and the MV. I know Thai fans are asking for me to bring the tour to Thailand too so please wait just a little more! Thank you for always showing so much love and support to all my releases and all the things I put out. I always miss you guys and I can’t wait to go back. See you…. soon?

You can listen to Mark Tuan’s ‘far away’ and other songs from ‘the other side’ album on TofuPOPRadio.FM or download the Tero Radio App.

Special Thanks to Mark Tuan Official and DNA Records for this exclusive interview!