[K-Pop Expansion②] Despite Expert Praise, Still Hungry... Applied While Venting Frustration

Rock Band 'Isangui Nalgae' Moon Jeongmin Wins Korean Popular Music Awards Modern Rock Album Award
"Desperate to Enter Overseas Markets... Want to Promote Korean Post-Rock with Oriental Lyricism"

Isangui Nalgae is a male rock band formed in 2011. Their signature song is "Ingan Silgyeok" (No Longer Human). With bizarre and melancholic melodies, they stir the audience's inner emotions. They are not consumed by a self-destructive nature. In "Nalgae" (Wings), they point to hope through lively performances, and in "Bulgeun Haneul" (Red Sky), they explode condensed energy with dramatic twists. They have built a unique character by adding subtle lyrics whose meanings change depending on the mood. Recognized for their originality, they won the Best Modern Rock Album award at the Korean Music Awards in 2017 and again this year.

Despite these valuable achievements, opportunities to perform on stage are rarely given. They have wandered for 11 years, crushed by the structure of the popular music industry that encourages selective tastes. The showcase at the Seoul International Music Fair (MUCOn), encountered in despair, is like a ray of light. They were able to explore new possibilities in front of overseas music industry professionals. It is a dream of overseas expansion that was previously unimaginable. The following is a Q&A with vocalist and guitarist Moon Jeongmin (pictured).

- There are many platforms like YouTube to promote music now.

▲ Perhaps because we pursue lyrical music, there are limitations. Our atmosphere is far from a joyful, playful vibe, so opportunities to perform are scarce. Unlike in Korea, modern rock is quite popular in countries like Japan and Taiwan. There is a well-established cyclical system where many audiences gather and performance opportunities are given again. This is why overseas expansion feels so urgent.

- Even though you have won the Korean Music Awards album award twice, has your situation remained the same?

▲ Yes. I expected things to change if we received praise from experts. However, after winning this year, there were no bookings for outdoor stages. We only played a few times in small clubs. I wrote the MUCOn showcase application with a heart full of frustration.

- Do you have experience performing overseas?

▲ I have performed on stage in Taiwan with other bands. The response was quite good. I also often met overseas audiences at domestic performances. They came from diverse nationalities such as Germany, Russia, Brazil, and Iran. Most said they found us through introductions on overseas rock-specialized websites.

- If an opportunity arises, how do you plan to promote your activities?

▲ I plan to emphasize Eastern lyricism. Since it is a characteristic not found in other groups, I want to maximize it by combining it with media art and other elements. Our role model is Jambinai. Like them, I want to work with pride as a national representative of post-rock. Just being continuously given opportunities to perform on stage would be a motivation to continue my musical activities.