K-pop boy band VANNER continued the holiday tradition by releasing their own cover of Mariah Carey’s global hit “All I Want For Christmas is You.”
“All I Want For Christmas is You” is an annual staple come Yuletide season and the song has reached the No. 1 spot again on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
VANNER member Gon (Instagram)
VANNER member Taehwan (Instagram)
Poster for VANNER members Taehwan and Gon's cover of “All I Want For Christmas is You” (X)
VANNER (Instagram)
This winter, VANNER (배너) members Taehwan and Gon recorded their own version of “All I Want For Christmas is You.” The cover was released on Dec. 16 and is available on YouTube.
VANNER debuted in South Korea in February 2019 with five members: Taehwan, Gon, Yeonggwang, Hyesung and Sungkook.
In an interview with Manila Bulletin, VANNER’s Taehwan and Gon talked about “All I Want For Christmas is You,” their achievements this year, and their wishes in 2024.
The idea to record a version of “All I Want For Christmas is You” was brought about by a conversation between Taehwan and Gon.
Mariah Carey (Instagram)
“We talked about it together about the song because we sang the song together before our debut. Before our album, we decided together to do this ‘All I Want For Christmas is You,’” said Gon.
Among the reasons, Taehwan said they chose to cover “All I Want For Christmas is You” because he is a fan of Carey and they would always sing it.
“She is one of my favorite artists. Before pre-debut era, we were in Japan and we would sing the song a lot so there was a very good chance to sing once more officially,” he said.
Achievements in 2023
2023 proved to be a very good year for VANNER.
One of their most important achievements this year was winning first place in Korean TV channel JTBC’s reality competition “Peak Time.”
The show, which ran from February to April, had existing K-pop boy bands competing.
VANNER emerged as the winner and received a prize of 300 million won (about $230,000), a chance to release an album and to have a global showcase.
Taehwan said they did not expect to win the competition.
“When we first started the show, we were definitely not expecting to be the winner. When we were announced, yes, we were really surprised,” he said.
A “Peak Time” video on JTBC’s YouTube channel showed VANNER members crying as they were announced as the winner.
In addition, Vanner’s first mini-album “Veni Vidi Vici” sold 109,586 copies in the first week of release, which made them very happy.
“It really felt like a dream. The number seemed so unreal. We are just thankful to our fans,” said Gon.
VANNER also received the Next Generation Hallyu Star Award at the Newsis K-Expo Cultural Awards, and the Rising Star Award at the Asia Model Awards.
“It actually felt that it was a present for us before we have been going so far ever since our debut. And it’s an award that you can only get it now because it’s like a rising star and newbie award. We felt like it’s such a big present,” said Taehwan.
Among the most memorable and important moments that happened to VANNER this year, Gon considered their “Peak Time” win on top.
“It definitely has to be winning the ‘Peak Time’ this year. And also being able to do a fan concert this year," he said.
Christmas and wishes in 2024
Taehwan said VANNER will be spending Christmas in Korea.
“We will be in Korea this year for Christmas. And we will be spending the special day with our VVS [fan club],” according to Taehwan.
Taehwan and Gon also talked about their wishes and goals as individuals and as VANNER in 2024.
“My goal as a group and individual is to improve as an artist even more. And to make more memories with our VVS,” said Taehwan.
According to Gon, “I would like to have a private concert with VVS.”
When asked if they have plans to visit the Philippines for any activity, Gon said, “Definitely I want to be there.”
Gon visited the Philippines nine years ago where he got his scuba diving license. He was able to visit Manila and Cebu.
About their message to their fans in the Philippines and in other countries, Gon said, “It’s unbelievable that we have fans in the Philippines. We would love to visit for a concert or for any performances.”
“I really, really love the Philippines. We would love to visit,” he added.