HYUKOH
ERASE THE NORM
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formed underground in 2014, consists of lead singer Oh Hyuk and his band of musicians: Lim Hyeon-jae on guitar, Lim Dong-geon on bass and Lee In-woo on drums. The band has a sound all their own — personally I’ve thought of it as kind of a wholesome, yet raw and lighthearted sound, with various cultural influences. Their songs even vary in language: Korean, English, Mandarin Chinese. Hyukoh has a dreamy tone to their music. Their music blends familiar shoegaze and surf rock sounds. From an experience that’s equal parts jazz as it is blues and soul, to elements reminiscent of 90s indie rock sprinkled in give the sound edge and color. It is a music that at once rises, crashes, then stabilizes, giving listeners a chance to fully experience the expansiveness of sound. t h e s o u t h ko r e a n i n d i e b a n d
YUKOH LIKE BREATH F FRESH IR h y u ko h i s l ik e a b r e at h o f f r e s h a ir
The songs hold a lasting impression, creating music that stings and soothes all in one breath. The rough, yet simple sound that tings out in a guitar, the passionate sounds that the drums make, Oh’s deep husky soothing voice, it all melds together to create an almost eerie feeling that teleports you into a complete different place.
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KOH KE ATH
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OH HYU
Oh’s unapologetic dismissal of the expectations imposed by a perfectionist society is not just in his lyrics, but down to the his pierced-lip, tattoo, visual aesthetic. His hair is black and cropped close to the scalp. His brows are short and fades at the ends. There are ball pierced through his cupid’s bow, and the more fashion forward clothes, all of his own choosing — are part of his expression. A place he feels truly free, to express himself through music and clothing. He maintains all creative control over his image, which gives him the freedom to focus on his authentic, individual style. Now, more artists are taking risks and searching for the unexpected. Personal expression is coming to the forefront.
OH H
“I tried writing something that would please the audiences, but I found out that there is no point in it, so I kind of gave up. Now, I’m just going to write whatever I like.”
YUK
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INDIVIDUALITY
What really sets them apart is that the band refuses to play to the country’s aesthetic conventions. A perfectionist streak dominates mainstream Korean society and popular music. Indie music is generally undiscovered in Korea because it forgoes that perfection, but Hyukoh’s mild sound stands out in part for that reason: its the combination of his image and sound provides comfort in comparison to the highly produced songs that frequently top the charts. In East Asia, conformity and rigidity inform everything, from social customs, to the way people dress. Standing out is not exactly something everyone strives for.
RISES, CRASHES, STABILZES
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S Hyukoh has a dreamy tone to their music. Their music blends familiar shoegaze and surf rock sounds. From an experience that’s equal parts jazz as it is blues and soul, to elements reminiscent of 90s indie rock sprinkled in give the sound edge and color. It is a music that at once rises, crashes, then stabilizes, giving listeners a chance to fully experience the expansiveness of sound.
PERCEPTION PERCEPTION Hyukoh tackles a highly charged unspoken concept: mental illness. Many of his song touches on topics such as depression, anxiety, distorted thoughts, and our perception of the world. For many Asians, it is an unfamiliar word. In general, it is not easy to get help or to even discuss mental illness. You’re either not taken seriously, or you’re marked as “broken” and therefore shunned by society. The society heavily rely on harmony to function, and if you’re not able to comply, you’re excluded. Seeing Hyukoh cause disruption like this, on their own terms, and being able to form communities is a major break through in so many ways. With every listen, and every repeat, the songs unveil new meanings. Some days it stimulates an emotional free flow. And other days it is like taking a step away from viewing the world negatively, no longer viewing the world as you once did. There is a heartbreaking tenderness in his tone, a thick layer of honesty that gives each track texture and depth.
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L O ST // Lonely metown I Have No Ho Goundry g Wi Ing Wi In wn Do d Settle Die Alone Reservation
I HAVE NO HOMETOWN
I wanna have falling Endlessly dreams again Long for the rough texture Of Chinese old bricks Wish I could run on the Rugged hill of cornfield again I wanna swim in the Nostalgia of childhood again
LOST
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LEAR N // Tom Boy Ohio Graduation Citizen Kane Jesus Lived in a Motel Room Feels like Roller Coaster Ride Hooka
GRADUATION
We started staring at the other sides Dragging cigs like nothing happens now Rosy cheeks blushing with a nervous smile All the fears are flushing out the way
LEARN
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LEARN
LIVE
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! LOVE YA nd Goes a s Come Seoul GoodBye d Big Bir Mer Wanli y Surf Bo
LIVE
One of Hyukoh’s latest song, Love Ya!, reinforced their desire to challenge Korean social norms. Not only does the melody yell diversity, but the video does too. The music video, directed by Mark Lebon, shows couples of all shapes, sizes and sexual orientation embracing, a rare sight in what is still considered a conservative country. It’s a joy to watch pure love be it in any form, encouraging couples around the world to embrace themselves as they are. Love is love.
LOVE YA!
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LIVE
HYUKOH