𝕊𝕦𝕡𝕖𝕣

I can't wait to be back now, and see you. I already told Emma that when we get back, you're going to be our tour guide and translator. I've been travling a lot, so trust me I am in that same boat. I was born and grew up in California, so it's safe to say that I am used to that weather. I've been in enough cold places now though that I don't mind it, but I still love the Cali weather.

I look forward to it. Please, I'd do that easily and I will make sure to have a list of the best places to show you. I feel that. I was born and grew up in California as well. I make fun of my group members whenever they think it's too hot there. I miss that weather whenever we get winter in Seoul. Though I do love the snow. I couldn't agree more. My mom loves both and she enjoyed her visit to see me. Though I got to see her again since I went to the Golden Globes.

i think i'm looking forward to a work break and to fully enjoy the holidays, and then it'll be back to it. however that break, i feel so festive and get so decorated and relax — i think we all need it, right ? i hope you get that, plus maybe while you're back around LA we could possibly hang. i think that'd be cool.

I don't even blame you. You deserve a nice work break after everything you've been doing at the moment. I love decorating honestly. It's always a good time to put up lights and other festive decor. Exactly. Need to have the festive cheer everywhere possible. I hope so as well. I'd love that. We can make plans to do so even. I don't know when I'll be in LA again but I look forward to spending time with you. I think it would be as well.

It sucks that we didn’t have a lot of time free that wasn’t for the show, so next time I go I’ll make sure to be going for fun and not work. I’ll even bring my girlfriend Sabrina along, and you can show us all the cool places. Working on music? Holiday season is fully underway for me and my family too, which is going to lead to good food and arguments. I hope you get to see her, and spend some time.

It does but next time you'll get more free time I'm sure. Please, I'd love that and I'll make sure to be the best tour guide for you both. I'll even be your personal translator as well. Yup. Always working on music it seems. I love that though. All for the good food and just being around family. I'm crossing my fingers. She loves to come by and visit. I'll just have to make sure to remind her to pack warm clothes since I know she gets used to LA weather.

i loose track of everything and everyone sometimes, i swear. i'd lose my head if not attached, haha ! i've been good, keeping busy mostly with ❛ outer banks ❜ but otherwise preparing for holiday madness. thanksgiving, christmas, new years and just mentally losing it, haha.

I feel that and tend to do the same myself. It would be easy to do though, haha. Everything else is going on so you lose it all. That's good to hear! Yes, the holiday madness is a lot but I don't mind. I've been busy with work but I look forward to Christmas. Hoping I get to go home to LA or see if my mom will be able to come visit me. It's easy to lose it during this time of year, you got this though.

It was really cool to hangout with you when Emma and I were doing Wednesday press, and thank you again for being our guide. I would have been lost, and you were a great tour guide. I already know who I am going to reach out to if I find myself there again. What have you been doing since then? Been busy?

I'm glad you thought so! I had a ton of fun getting to hangout with you both as well. It was nice doing something a little different and getting to show you around. Oh, I'd definitely be all for it. I can even show you all the other cool places that you missed out on before. I've been a bit busy. Working on different things while also preparing for the holidays. Hoping I can go see my mom or have her come see me so we can celebrate together.

Oh yeah, I can imagine it's a similar feeling. We're not touring the world, we're just touring the UK. We're doing a fair bit of travelling but it's not on par with a music tour. It's been fantastic, we just did our 150th show, and we've still got about 15 or so to go. There'll be a little break after we're done, we'll recharge our batteries, I'll bother my children for a little bit, get some antiquing done, then we'll start working on the next project.

Touring the world is fun but definitely a lot with all the time zone changes as well as with the back to back shows. It's still nice though and I'm sure everywhere you go in the UK has been amazing. I'm glad to hear that. It will be nice to recharge afterwards. Don't need any burn out happening. You are reminding me that I need to go bother my mom at some point when I have a break. It's been a bit since I've flown out to LA for a solo trip. I'm sure the next project will be just as amazing.

It's definitely bittersweet for sure to see something you've been apart of coming to an end. I always feel the same way when it comes to ending a tour. I love seeing the fans and getting to travel so when that all end, I end up feeling a bit sad after. Though this all just means more opportunities will show their face at some point. I'm sure you'll do so many amazing things even after this and will the memories of the fun you had will always be there.

I do that all the time but in reverse, I’ll be halfway through a sentence and suddenly forget the English word I need, so I just trail off and hope someone fills it in for me. Total professional move. And lying about being fluent? Honestly, same. Manifesting through delusion is powerful. Your mom sounds amazing, though. That’s the best kind of home base, good food, good energy, and someone making sure no one survives on fries and caffeine alone. Next time you’re in LA, I’m joining one of those meals.

I feel that though. It's like my mind just breaks and forgets a simple word out of no where. It can be a bit embarrassing but I just brush it off like it's nothing. I love lying at times. My group members Jun and Minghao have the issue of knowing at least 3 languages. I can only imagine what goes through their mind when they are talking. I mean, that's how I live my life. I manifest anything even if it's just me lying. I couldn't agree more and my mom just loves them. Please do! The more the merrier.

See, that’s the thing, I’ll forever be impressed by people who can switch between languages like it’s nothing. Total superpower. My stepdad is from Spain, and I spent all my summers there growing up, and still my Spanish is so shitty. So the fact that you’re able to just flow between both and even help your group out like that? Very cool. And yeah, I get it, fast food is always the easy fallback, but having you drag them toward actual good food is a public service.

It's definitely a tough skill to learn. Like I sometimes will think in Korean then have to translate it to English when I'm doing certain interviews. I can only wonder how it feels for those who know more than two languages. I mean I get that plus it takes time to successfully learn another language. I know some Spanish but I love lying by saying I'm fluent. It's an ongoing joke at this point. I do my best. I never wanna leave one of them hanging. It's easy to especially when you can get something not too expensive to eat. I always try to when we are in LA. Plus if we stay with my mom, she makes sure they are fed as well.

Text 📲Joshua

"Do you know how weird it is to hear straight men trying to pick you up and take you home? Then we have to have the awkward conversation of how they're going to have the surprise of their lives back at home. I just like to look pretty; pretty men exist, too. Is it a weird backwards compliment?" @hfrpstarters

Oh, I definitely know how weird that is. Had to deal with my fair share of that plenty of times. Guess they don't understand that some of us do like looking pretty. I enjoy looking pretty as well and it makes me happy. I seems like it. I'd pay people like that no mind. They just go based off looks which sucks. Hope you are doing well though. I know you know Minghao a bit so though I'd talk to you.

Honestly, that makes so much sense. If your mom hadn’t pushed you to stay connected, it might’ve been a completely different story, but you owning it no matter what is such a good look. And yeah, Korean food is untouchable, I’d eat it every day if I could. I agree, variety keeps things fun! I can totally picture you going back to your LA staples and then playing food ambassador for the rest of your group. That’s a solid gig. The debates don’t surprise me at all, they’re inevitable with food people. But yes, tacos win every single time. And if you don’t drag them out next trip, I volunteer as backup muscle. If I were in your group, I’d be insufferable with color-coded lists and Yelp reviews, so they’re probably lucky it’s you.

I couldn't agree more plus I'm proud of it as well. Plus being able to speak both languages is so helpful especially when one of my group members doesn't know a certain word in English. It really is. Like I always find something to enjoy when in Seoul. I really do and I think they appreciate it cause I know they'd just end up eating any fast food place they'd find. They really are and it be so passionate as well. It becomes a mess and chaos. I'd appreciate it if I don't get the chance. I know they love the tacos a ton. Haha, you'd fit right in though with doing that.

Yeah, I think it’s amazing your mom made sure you stayed proud and embraced your culture, especially with how tough that can be for some kids. This will sound bad, but some kids can be assholes for making fun of others. And honestly, good Korean food is one of the best things in life, so I’d say you lucked out. You’re right! my childhood meals weren’t exactly traditional, but there was variety for sure, one day sushi, the next PB&J, sometimes questionable mystery casserole. I can totally picture you being the go-to for food recs when your group’s in LA, that’s a solid role to have. And the fact that you all share food finds when you’re apart? That’s genius. I’m not surprised there have been food debates. Bagels and pizza might win some rounds… but nothing beats a perfect LA taco at 2 a.m

I think so too. Wouldn't be the same if my mom hadn't done that. I feel I wouldn't have been as into my culture if it weren't for her. I mean, you aren't wrong. I always embraced it no matter what. I couldn't agree more. You can't go wrong Korean food. Exactly and you can't go wrong with some good variety. I always go for certain foods whenever I'm in LA by myself so I make sure to show a variety to my group members. We all love making sure someone knows about the good food that is around. There always is with us it seems. We all love to debate about food. True but yes, it can't beat an LA taco at that time. Might have to drag them out to have one whenever we are in LA again.

I'd be lying if I said that we weren't nervous to release new music since it's been a while. We're scared that it won't be what people want to hear, but I think that's just us overthinking. Thank you. You know I appreciate you being my number one support system. I can agree with that. We already have a pretty strong relationship, I don't think work will get in the way of it. If anything, it'll only make me more clingy when we do get to see each other. Be careful with what you say, babe, I will definitely take the opportunity to keep on yapping. I'm sure we can find a cake that will look cool and suit both of our needs. But I'm also willing to compromise with stuff. I don't mind doing something different if you want us to.

I mean I get that but I'm sure it will be amazing, babe. You guys put so much of yourselves into your music that I know people will love it. You know I always will be no matter what. Nope, work won't get in the way at all. Already know we'll be making sure to text or even video chat when apart. I won't mind that. Probably will be pretty clingy myself. Oh, please keep on yapping. I won't stop you at all and will love it. I'm sure we can. Any place would gladly fulfill whatever request we have for our cake. I know you are. I don't mind the idea of it being our favorite color and then it having things we enjoy on the cake. It will represent us perfectly.