interview JANA LETONJA

American alt-pop artist Mark Tuan first rose to fame in 2014 as a member of the globally successful K-pop group GOT7, earning acclaim in South Korea for his skills as a rapper, vocalist, dancer, and singer-songwriter. Following the release of his solo album ‘the other side’, Mark embarked on his first solo tour across North and South America and Asia, with shows selling out worldwide. Beyond music, he’s established himself as a fashion icon, serving as an ambassador for Saint Laurent, regularly appearing at Paris Fashion Week, and collaborating with Calvin Klein. On 15th August, Mark is releasing his new single ‘hold still’.

You spent over a decade as a member of GOT7 before launching your solo career in Los Angeles. How has your artistic vision evolved since making that transition?

I think ever since I started focusing on my solo career, a lot of my songs have become more personal to me. I definitely make an effort to try and make songs that are relatable to my fans and audience. For now, I’m just trying to have fun and experiment more with different sounds.

Your latest single ‘High As You’ came out just after you partnered with Transparent Arts. How different was it releasing it under the new partnership?

I am currently working on a new EP that I will be putting out soon, and I am trying to focus a lot more on trying to create performances and songs that would showcase that. I think ‘High As You’ was a perfect introduction into this next project. Partnering with Transparent Arts has been great and we’ve been working really hard on this next EP so I hope you guys will look forward to it.

Collaborating on the OST for Marvel’s ‘Shang-Chi’ and Riot Games’ anthem ‘SUPERPOWER’ shows your versatility. How do these projects challenge you creatively compared to your solo work?

For my solo work, I’m always trying to create something that I personally enjoy and stuff that suit me. For these type of collaborations, I get to experiment a little with different types of genres that I may not necessary explore on my own. In addition, because all of these projects that I’ve collaborated on so far have been such huge brand names, I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t just recording the songs as it is, but wanted to make sure that the quality was up to par with how global and big the brands are.

Your album ‘the other side’ achieved impressive international success. How did you approach crafting this album, and what story were you hoping to tell?

It honestly started with random studio sessions, that ended up with me writing about the past 10 years of my life and what I went through when I was living in Korea. I was just trying to make a relatable album for the listeners, and I also wanted to share the other feelings and emotions that I had, that I feel were maybe never expressed prior to this album.

Embarking on your first solo tour and performing sold-out shows worldwide must have been a milestone. What have been some of your most memorable moments on this journey?

The first solo tour was definitely different compared to what I was used to with the group. But because the scheduling for my solo tour wasn’t as tight, I got to go out and explore more of the countries that I performed in. I enjoyed having a great time on stage with the band, dancers and the fans. I honestly can’t wait to get back on tour to see everyone.

You’ve become a prominent fashion icon, working with brands like Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein. How does fashion play a role in your artistic identity?

I think fashion and music definitely go hand in hand. I feel it’s just another way, another method of expressing yourself. Every song is also expressed with visuals, and how everything is branded together is crucial. The song, the visuals, and the fashion all need to be in tune with one another.

tank top, jacket and trousers LUU DAN
jewellery CHOPARD
sunglasses CHROME HEARTS

How do you balance your music career with your influence in the fashion industry?

As I feel that both music and fashion go hand in hand, they both allow me to express my identity in different ways. When I plan a performance, or a music video, I pay extra attention to fashion as well, as I feel it becomes an extension of my music rather than something I need to balance separate from my music. It’s been an honor to be able to work with big brands, and them giving me the opportunity to express myself in the fashion world is something I’m grateful for.

How do you balance the creative and business sides of running your own independent label Dreamers N Achievers (DNA)? What has been your biggest learning curve?

I think it’s something I’m still working on. Whenever I release music or am in the process of creating music, that’s when I get to be creative and just have fun. But when it comes to the process of releasing the music, or planning all of the things that happen behind the scenes, that’s when I need to be in business mode. The biggest learning curve was trying to figure out how to navigate the beginning of everything after leaving the label in Korea, where everything was pretty much handled for us.

After spending so many years in South Korea and now in the US, how have your cultural experiences shaped your music and personal outlook?

Being in South Korea for so long, it definitely taught me to be a more hardworking person and made me more disciplined. Those were traits that you needed to get through schedules and succeed while in Korea. Being from the States, I’m able to be more open and expressive about the things I want to talk about or the things I want to do, and I think all of these shape the attitude in which I approach music, as well as my personal life.

2025_EH_MARK TUAN_NUMERONL_000063390011 1.jpg

full look AMIRI
sunglasses VERSACE

How do you stay inspired and motivated across such diverse creative fields?

I think it’s because I feel like I can always do better. I feel like I’m always lacking in some form, and it makes me want to try and better myself. The fans have been steadfast in supporting me throughout the years, and that definitely plays a huge part in me staying motivated and wanting to be better.

You’re releasing new single, ‘hold still’. What can the fans expect from this track?

I think they can expect a different type of performance from this next track. I tried to create something more trendy so I hope everyone looks forward to the new song.

What is coming up next for you, besides the new single?

After this single, the EP will be next. It is coming real soon and I’ve been working really hard on this one so I’m excited to let everyone hear it.

TEAM CREDITS:

talent MARK TUAN
photography ERICA HERNANDEZ
styling ANASTASIA WALKER
makeup HANSERA CHO
hair GASEUL KIM
dop BRYAN ALLEN LAMB
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH MARK TUAN

IN CONVERSATION WITH SÉAMUS MCLEAN ROSS

IN CONVERSATION WITH KUN