Omar and the Eastern Power proves music has no borders

Moroccan musician Omar Benassila poses at southern Seoul's Dosan Park, Sept. 3. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Omar Benassila, a musician originally from Morocco, has always amazed me with his passion for music. Probably, many people who know him feel the same way.

Since 2007, he has been an integral part of Korea’s music scene. With a career that spans continents and cultures, he has established a name for himself through his band, Omar and the Eastern Power, and his solo electronic project, Seed Le Moor.

He first arrived in Korea nearly two decades ago, spending seven and a half years in Seoul before relocating to Jeju Island, where he lived for 12 years. However, he recently decided to return to the capital.

“There were personal reasons, of course, but also, after COVID-19, I became more musically active. The music market really happens in the big cities, so I was always traveling back and forth. I wanted to be closer to the heart of what’s happening. Seoul is vibrant and dynamic, and I felt I needed that energy again," he told The Korea Times.

“Life in Jeju was beautiful and relaxing, but maybe a little too comfortable. I needed to step out of my comfort zone and return to the concrete jungle — a place that challenges me and keeps me moving. And I like that. I'm very thankful for the experience. So far, it is hard, very hard, but also very thankful for that because I get some energy from it and I can express it in my music.”

Omar and the Eastern Power is a five-member band combining a Moroccan, an Egyptian and three Korean musicians on bass, guitar and drums. The band is known for its attractive grooves and rhythms that get audiences moving, something that isn’t always easy in Korea. “It’s really amazing to see Korean people dance in front of you," Benassila said. "Their reaction gives us the energy to keep going.”

Its music is entirely original and defies easy categorization, drawing inspiration from all over the world. Formed on Jeju Island, the band fuses desert blues, Afrobeat, psychedelic rock, dub and Korean musical elements into a powerful, borderless sound. The songs explore themes of migration, identity and cultural memory, with immersive rhythms and spiritual energy.

“What I make personally is a mirror of what I am. Our music is unique; you can find many genres within it. There are many elements of African music as well,” he said.

The band recently played at 2025 Incheon Pentaport Music Festival, one of Korea’s biggest music events.

“At the festival, we were amazed when we started playing — almost everyone came to our stage," he said. "Their reaction was amazing, even though it was the first time they’d heard our music.”

He mentioned that international audiences are also starting to take notice. His band has been invited to perform at the Visa for Music festival in Morocco this November.

“I’m proud to share what’s happening in Korea with the world; it’s something truly unique,” he said. “Our band itself is a beautiful mixture of people from different backgrounds. At a time when immigration issues and right-wing movements are growing globally, it feels meaningful to show that diversity and multiculturalism can create something beautiful. Music proves that when people come together, they can make something powerful that speaks to everyone.”

Omar and the Eastern Power / Courtesy of Omar and the Eastern Power

While K-pop dominates Korea’s music industry, Omar believes there is a rich underground and alternative scene that deserves recognition.

“Our job is not to follow K-pop, but we totally respect it, and we want to show that there is an amazing diversity of music in Korea," he said. "There are many good bands here, and slowly but surely, they are gaining international attention.”

He and the band create music with a message, often carrying strong social and political themes. Their single "Wahaemaenae" (Korean for "all I care about"), released last year, addresses the impact of war on innocent children in Palestine, Sudan and beyond. He says that those responsible for the situation are the politicians, but the ones who lose the most are the children who didn’t choose to be born on either side.

He said that a new four-song EP is planned for release by the end of this year, after delays because of the challenges of financing, touring and recording.

For Benassila, music is more than entertainment; it's a bridge for diversity and a tool for building understanding. “When you mix new people into society, there will be clashes and challenges, but there can also be beautiful things," he said. "Music is an innocent language that everyone can feel without words. It’s an honor to show something positive through this fusion of people and cultures.”

The band is also part of the upcoming Block Party arts festival in central Seoul's multicultural Haebangchon and Gyeongnidan neighborhoods on Sept. 20 and 21. Omar and the Eastern Power will perform at Togul at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Visit omarandtheeasternpower.bandcamp.com to listen to Omar and the Eastern Power, or follow @the_eastern_power on Instagram for more information.

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.