VIDEO Singing for stress-free workplace
From left, vocalist Han Sang-youn, rapper Kim Hyun-ju, vocalist Cho Hyun-Jai, members of KOLAVO, an office workers' rock band, pose for a photo before an interview. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
7-member in-house band release new album
By Kang Aa-young
Like other amateur bands, the seven-member rock band KOLAVO had humble beginnings.
Cho Hyun-jai, 35, a publicist who has worked for Kolon Group for 11 years, first came up with the idea of forming an in-house music five years ago. It was a passion-driven project, not something that came out of the blue.
Cho likes music and thinks it has power to heal stressed-out urbanites. He spread the word about his intention to create an in-house band and began recruiting likeminded coworkers.
The name of the band is a portmanteau of the words Kolon and bravo. As the members come from all different divisions of the company, the name also comes with the connotation of the collaboration of Kolon staff.
There was a time when KOLAVO had 11 members. But like other companies, career transition-driven ins and outs of its members have reduced the band to seven members.
As the band has been smooth sailing, Cho and other members became ambitious.
“We just want to let people in other countries know there are ordinary office workers like us in Korea,” he said during a recent Korea Times interview.
The band translated the song's lyrics into six languages―English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish and Korean―so listeners could upload their music on YouTube with the subtitles in all the different languages.
Earlier this month, local indie label Mirrorball Music released their first digital single, “Salary Man,” with a focus on their office life. The song has a ska beat and comes with catchy lyrics: “Just go through hell to get promoted.”
The song is about normal working life in Korea, and the band believes many office workers can relate to the lyrics of the song.
“There is no hierarchy when we gather to practice and play,” Cho said. “We call each other by oppa, unnie, (brothers and sisters in Korean).”
Even though Cho started the band as an amateur band, he said it has become more and more professional.
Cho Hyun-jai, far left, and other members of KOLAVO, an office workers' rock band, pose for a photo at The Korea Times office./ Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Q. How did you form the band?
A: (Cho) We started inside the office. At first, we auditioned Kolon employees who wanted to play music. There were about 15 people we selected for each part.
The final competition came down to one out of two. But we didn't expect the members to play like they were pros. We picked members who were passionate enough to participate in company events. We named our band because we wanted the members to mingle without hierarchy.
Q. How does the company feel about your project?
A: (Cho) Our company supports us in many ways. At first, they held an audition for us and the company's executives were helping us with the audition by participating as judges. We then had a chance to play at a series of company events.
It was not easy to run a band, though, since we were office workers. Some members left the company and moved on. There are many reasons members quit, including marriage and childbirth.
A: (Han) It was my first time participating in a band. I enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot too. I learned much from our mentor who was provided by the company.
Q. Did you ever have a crisis while in the band?
A: (Han) Reality hits us hard sometimes. But our families have always been there to support us. We try to practice on the weekend since it's difficult to manage our time during the week when we work.
Q. How do foreigners relate to your music and video?
A: (Han) We got some comments from overseas. Especially we received good reactions from Japan and South America. All the subtitles for our video are made by foreigners. Since we work, we have a good network that helps us run the band.
Q. What are some of the distinguishing characteristics of KOLAVO?
A: (Cho) We are shameless. We have talent that is suppressed when we work in the office, and when we play it bursts out.
Q. Is your image inside the office and outside the office different?
A: (Han) Founding member Cho is well known as a bald guy in the office. He stands out and he works as an emcee for company events. Aside from that, we take this band seriously. We do not think it is an extension of our work life. We do this because we love music.
Q. Any last comments?
A: (Cho) As you know, the song's title is a familiar everyday subject. We want people to relate by listening to it. People in other countries must have hard times too. Workers are all the same globally. We just wanted them to know we are here, just like them.
A: (Han) We have a hard time making both work at the same time. Personally, when I give a lecture, since it's my work, I recommend that people try something new instead of staying in the same everyday life. I hope other office workers do things that make them happy.