![[INTERVIEW] Years later, K-pop boy band Vanner says it finally hit the 'Jackpot' - Kpop Breaking Daily News](https://kpoppie.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/vanner-700.jpg)
Few had heard about boy band Vanner up until early last year. But after the hardworking band hit the “Jackpot” with the audition program “Peak Time” (2023), Vanner now has ambitious plans, including hosting a so-called dinner show, for years to come.
“In the short run, we hope to hit the jackpot by receiving our first weekly music show trophy, and in the long run, we hope to host a dinner show. I think that will be a true jackpot for both Vanner and our fans,” member Hyesung said during a group interview with the local press, held at a cafe in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, a few days before the release of Vanner’s second EP “Capture the Flag” on Tuesday.
“Jackpot” is the lead track of the new EP.
Vanner, with its five members Taehwan, Gon, Hyesung, Sungkook and Yeonggwang, debuted almost five years ago in February 2019, but was relatively unknown for the first four years of its career, with minimal opportunities for publicity. The band at one point earned the moniker “part-time idol” when the story surfaced of the five members, alongside the only remaining staff in the agency, the CEO, all took part-time jobs to keep the band going.
The band got its first big break after joining JTBC’s “Peak Time” last year — a boy band audition show aiming to shed light on the lesser-known and undervalued boy bands in K-pop. Vanner, with their determination and skills, won the show, taking home the cash prize of 300 million won ($224,430) and earning the opportunity to release a new album and hold a showcase.
“Capture the Flag” comes five months after the release of “Veni Vidi Vici,” the band’s first EP that released in August after winning “Peak Time.”
“Vanner winning ‘Peak Time’ was our own jackpot, to say the least,” Sungkook said. “But we are not limiting ‘Jackpot’ to the one-dimensional, gambling sense. It can be something trivial and it also can be something major — we didn’t want to limit ‘Jackpot’ [to just good luck].”
“In fact, while ‘Peak Time’ has been a jackpot moment for Vanner, the jackpot we discuss in our music video is about the tight friendship we have between the five members,” Hyesung added. “I think the strong teamwork we had was the jackpot [to the success] we had.”
The members added that “Jackpot” refers to the band’s will to “hit the jackpot in the industry,” Hyesung said, while also referring to the fact that it has been like winning the jackpot to meet the fans of Vanner, VVS.
VANNER(배너) 2ND MINI ALBUM
— VANNER 배너 (@VannerOfficial) January 25, 2024
[CAPTURE THE FLAG]
Online Album Cover
🎧 2024.01.30 6PM (KST)#VANNER #배너#CAPTURE_THE_FLAG #JACKPOT#20240130_6PM pic.twitter.com/uubgaFr7nG
Who Are Vanner?
VANNER (배너) is a five-member boy group under KLAP Entertainment. They debuted on February 14, 2019 with the studio album V.
Their name is a combination of “Victory” and “Banner”, meaning to put the flag of victory at the top.
2019: Debut with V, “5cean : V”
On February 14, 2019, VANNER debuted with the release of their first studio album, V.
On September 4, the group made their first comeback with the single album “5cean : V”.
2020–2021: “Life”, first fanmeeting
On December 1, 2020, the group released their second single album “Life”.
On November 1, 2021, VANNER announced that they would hold their first U.S fanmeeting Form & Fan, which was held from November 12 to 21 across five cities.
2022: First U.S tour, “Take Off”
On January 31, 2022, VANNER announced that they would hold their first U.S tour 2022 US Tour: Boost Up Part. 1. The first 14 stops were revealed the same day and will begin on March 16 in Chicago.
On February 20, the group released the schedule plan for their third single album “Take Off”, to be released on February 28.
2023: Peak Time, new agency, Veni Vidi Vici, “Performer -Japanese ver.-“
On January 21, 2023, it was confirmed that VANNER will partake in JTBC’s Peak Time. Their silhouette was revealed through a performance of “Crown” by TXT. On the last episode aired on April 19, VANNER was revealed to be the winner of the show.
On May 4, KLAP Entertainment announced that they signed a three-year contract with VANNER. On June 15, KLAP announced that VANNER signed a contract with Intertwine CEO Eshy Gazit for their management in the United States.
On August 1, the group announced their first mini album, Veni Vidi Vici, to be released on August 21.
On October 16, it was announced that the group will soon be releasing their first Japanese digital single. The song will be performed at their upcoming fan concert in Japan. On October 26, VANNER released “Performer -Japanese ver.-“.
2024: Capture the Flag
On January 8, the group announced their second mini album, Capture the Flag, to be released on January 30.
Members
| Name | Position(s) | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Taehwan (태환) | Leader, Main Vocalist, Center, Face of the Group | 2019–present |
| Gon (곤) | Main Rapper, Main Dancer, Vocalist | 2019–present |
| Hyesung (혜성) | Lead Vocalist, Lead Dancer | 2019–present |
| Sungkook (성국; formerly Ahxian (아시안)) | Lead Rapper | 2019–present |
| Yeonggwang (영광) | Vocalist, Visual, Maknae | 2019–present |
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