Ahead of the highly-anticipated concert in Singapore of pop group LEENALCHI, let’s dig into the creative process and inspiration behind their music via an exclusive interview.
Table of contents
- The Inspiration behind LEENALCHI’s Unique Sound
- Exclusive Interview
- 1. Can you disclose what prompted you to select “Sugungga” as inspiration for reinterpretation?
- 2. Do you have further plans to reimagine other traditional tales like “Sugungga”?
- 3. Are there particular songs or artists that inspire the members? What are some of your favorites?
- 6. How do you feel about performing in a foreign country like Singapore? Do you have any worries and expectations about the difference compared to a domestic concert?
- 7. What’s your most memorable experience while performing so far?
- 8. Are there any experiences you are looking forward to having while in Singapore?
- Future Plans for Singapore
The Inspiration behind LEENALCHI’s Unique Sound
LEENALCHI boasts a unique sound that fuses traditional Korean elements, specifically the traditional musical storytelling art “pansori” with modern pop, funk, and electronic music.
Pansori was the popular music of the Joseon Dynasty. Although traces of it remained in the commercial market until the 1980s, it began to gradually disappear starting in the 1990s.
Nevertheless, LEENALCHI believed that there were still compelling elements in Pansori that could resonate with contemporary popular music, and based on this, they started working on it.
Pansori is more closely related to literature than to musical form. First, a rhythm is established, and then, while singing Pansori, the performer selects parts they find appealing. These selected parts can range from a single beat to several measures. Afterward, considerable effort goes into reconstructing these parts into a structure that contemporary audiences can relate to.
The three vocalists of LEENALCHI are all experts who have majored in Pansori and have trained extensively over many years.
Exclusive Interview
1. Can you disclose what prompted you to select “Sugungga” as inspiration for reinterpretation?
There are five main Pansori stories that have been passed down: “Chunhyangga”, “Simcheongga”, “Jeokbyeokga”, “Heungboga”, and “Sugungga”. Among them, “Sugungga” has the most playful and mischievous vibe.
Since the music of LEENALCHI is meant to be something people can enjoy with a smile and dance to, there wasn’t much hesitation in choosing it.
(“Sugungga” tells the story of the Dragon King of the Southern Sea, who can only be cured from his illness by consuming the liver of a rabbit. A terrapin, one of the king’s servants, volunteered to do the task of finding the rabbit’s liver. He then tricked the rabbit to the palace, but the rabbit quickly realized the truth and tricked the terrapin back.)
2. Do you have further plans to reimagine other traditional tales like “Sugungga”?
There are no plans to work on a full album with traditional stories like “Sugungga”. However, we are open to event-based projects. For instance, the song “Bird”, which was featured in the recently aired drama “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born”, and the upcoming performance of “JebinoJeonggi” (The Swallow’s Journey – Bidan Nanjang) at ACC (Asia Culture Center) in the second half of this year can be seen as projects in that context.
3. Are there particular songs or artists that inspire the members? What are some of your favorites?
YI-HO: It changes from time to time, but lately I’ve been into Sanullim. I love their quirky yet heavy vibe. I’ve been helping with the lyric writing for the second album, and whenever I hit a creative block, I tend to revisit Sanullim’s songs.
HYO-JEONG: One artist who has really inspired me is Pansori grandmaster Im Bang-ul. I especially love the version of Jeokbyeokga released by Oasis Record Music Company – it’s just amazing!! The artists I consistently listen to and love are RHCP and The Prodigy. These two always make me happy no matter when I listen to them. Recently, I’ve been really into Balming Tiger. The more I listen to them, the more I think of a band called The Garden (I like them too), and in some ways, they remind me of Ethan as well, so I’m really into them these days.
YONG-JIN: It’s a tough question because it changes from time to time, but I guess The Beatles are the artists who inspire me the most.
NODDY: These days, I mostly listen to playlists curated by Spotify, and sometimes I enjoy discovering new sounds from lesser-known music.
6. How do you feel about performing in a foreign country like Singapore? Do you have any worries and expectations about the difference compared to a domestic concert?
There isn’t really any “special” preparation for performing abroad. The challenges and joys of the stage are the same, whether it’s in Korea or overseas. What we can offer is good music and a great performance. The show will go well as long as we practice, and if the performance goes well, the tour will be comfortable. That makes adapting to a new environment easier, and we can enjoy that process as well.
7. What’s your most memorable experience while performing so far?
HYO-JEONG: I can’t exactly remember if it was in Australia or New Zealand, but it happened at WOMAD Festival. While singing “Yaksseongga”, there was someone in the back who started dancing spontaneously. It matched so well with the song that it felt like a perfect blend of vocal, instrumental, and dance art. It was such a great feeling, like we created the stage together with the audience.
YONG-JIN: The performance in Australia and New Zealand last year stands out. We performed at WOMAD Festival, and the way the audience immersed themselves in the festival was really impressive.
SU-IN: The most memorable performance was our first overseas tour in Australia. I was so nervous for our first show that I ended up holding the mic stand like it was a bus handrail for almost the entire 50-minute set. Everything was so unfamiliar, but it was a raw, honest moment that I’m both embarrassed and proud of. It was a precious first experience where I truly felt that music can communicate beyond language.
NODDY: Overseas festivals have definitely left a strong impression on me. The audience is always ready to enjoy, and each region has its own unique culture, so I get to experience something new every time. Among them, the performance at the Fusion Festival in Germany stands out. The atmosphere was so unique and free-spirited that it felt almost unreal.
8. Are there any experiences you are looking forward to having while in Singapore?
NODDY: It’s so cold in Korea right now, so I’m really happy just thinking about going to warm Singapore. I want to enjoy the weather and the clean air, swim, and even get a tan.
YONG-JIN: I hope we’ll have a great time dancing and playing together with the audience in Singapore, losing ourselves in the moment!
HYO-JEONG: I want to experience Singapore firsthand. If I can walk the paths you walk, eat the food you eat, hear your language, and communicate through our music, that will be happiness. I want to immerse myself in that and briefly be part of your lives. I believe that’s what true communication and unity is.
SU-IN: Since it’s a country that has endured the flow of dynamic history and is known for its culinary delights, I’m excited to enjoy Singapore’s vibrant culture and have a delicious meal! ❤
YI-HO: Sing-along!
Future Plans for Singapore
On the other hand, since the end of last year, LEENALCHI has been gradually releasing singles from our upcoming second album. We dropped “Look At Me, Look At Me” and “Watch Your Step” in November, followed by “Hihihaha” in December. Our latest track, “The God of Mud”, is set to be released in early February, with another new song scheduled for the end of the month. Their upcoming performance in Singapore will offer a unique opportunity to experience LEENALCHI’s past, present, and future—all in one show.
Additionally, the Singapore concert of LEENALCHI will be the first live performance of the two new songs that will be released in February.
