Match made in synthpop heaven

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Match made in synthpop heaven

Posted : 2013-02-19 18:41

Updated : 2013-02-19 18:41

Kim Jun-one, left, and Kang Hyuk-jun of Glen Check
/ Courtesy of Soundholic Entertainment

Indie duo Glen Check injects fresh new beat in K-pop-dominated music scene

By Kim Young-jin

In Korea's music scene, synth-pop duo Glen Check is something of an anomaly. Their edgy sound doesn't fit K-pop's glossy, export-oriented formula and their English-language lyrics differ from bands targeting the domestic audience.

That uniqueness, combined with an unmistakably indie spirit, may be the best thing the band has going for it. Call them crazy, but Glen Check think they have what it takes to break through to a larger audience by doing things their own way and they may be right.

"No one in Korea needs any specific ‘instructions' to this ‘success' people speak of," said Kim Jun-one, lead singer and guitarist, in an email interview from Spain, where the band is working on a new album. "They already have everything which is better than a molded key, they just don't realize it."

The band appears to be on to something, having turned heads with the release of first full-length album, "Haute Couture" last year, an infectious collection of keyboards, drum machines and minimalist lyrics that, at times, draw inspiration from the international fashion industry. This is most apparent in the single "60's Cardin," released in 2012.

The song showcases the excitement that the band can whip up live and in the studio. Building slowly from a spare, poppy synthesizer lick, it quickly builds into a wall of propulsive drums and fuzzy keyboards that would have K-pop die-hards and indie purists alike bopping their heads.

The young duo, which also includes Kang Hyuk-jun on keyboards and programming, have traveled a long way, literally, to reach their current sound as both members spent a significant portion of their childhood overseas.

"It did affect our taste in music since we never had the chance to listen to the latest Korean pop music at the time, and were used to our fathers' track lists," said Kim Jun-one, who lived in the United States and France. The experience "helped us get along well with people from other parts of the globe, indiscriminately where one is from, but we've always wanted to do something cool in Seoul."

Once they were both in Korea, they bonded over music and uploaded their songs
on the internet, mainly to share with friends.

The band was eventually signed by Soundholic Entertainment, the label in Hongdae, Seoul, which represents famous indie band Jaurim.

Kim said he came up with the name Glen Check while studying at fashion school and he saw the phrase used in an industry magazine. "We thought having a name that directly pointed the directions of the band's philosophy was not cool," he said.

It made its first splash in 2011 with its EP "Disco Elevator," whose title track ― featuring heavy guitars and a thumping beat ― announced the band as one to watch. It has been active since, building a fan base while frequenting to the festival circuit. It followed up "Haute Couture" with another EP, "Cliche," on which the duo experiments with retro sounds from the 1980s, in homage to artists such as Michael Jackson and Prince.

Kim said Hongdae, the area surrounding Hongik University that is known for artistic community, was a perpetual source of inspiration.

"It's beautiful. People (there) are always interested in doing things in a collective form, they're always fantasizing about the outside world, not realizing they're (the ones) doing the most creative things. We love crazy and brave people, like many in Hongdae, since we're really shy and quiet people compared to them," he said.

The band is now in Barcelona, seeking a muse for their next full-length.

"We were in a basement studio for two straight years, it was about time for us to see the sun and paint some pictures in our heads. We're just spending time here imagining, discussing, writing down ideas," he said.

The vocalist said Glen Check sees K-pop, which has blown up in recent years, as a good soft-power tool for the country but also a challenge for the band as it continues to carve out its own unique spot as a Korean band.

But he was confident about the band's ability to grow its audience at home and abroad. "Watch your backs," he added. "We'll be there."

yjk@koreatimes.co.kr