Catch The Young, a South Korean Rock band, will capture your attention for sure. Formed on November 1st, 2023, and consisting of Sani, Kihoon, Nanhyun, Junyong and Jungmo, there is no denial that they are a breath of fresh air. 

The group, with their debut mini-album Catch The Young: Fragments of Youth, has revived the golden era of Rock and Pop with exceptional creativity in music production. While not all songs are infused with heavy melodies, most of them catch the essence of that nostalgic period. The band’s fresh take on classic Rock and Pop not only entertains the true enthusiasts of 80s and 90s music but also introduces a new genre to Gen Z listeners: Youth Pop-rock.

Despite their predestined union, the members, who didn’t know each other previously, not only connected musically but bonded on a personal level too. Namhyun even confessed to discovering Sani through YouTube before becoming part of the group. It is worth mentioning that Catch The Young: Fragments of Youth comprises seven well-produced songs, including If You Love Me, an English-language composition that, in some ways, aims at foreign listeners.

In the heart of Seoul, on a chilly day, I found myself at the Evermore HQ, ready to unravel the story behind Catch The Young’s debut mini-album, Catch The Young: Fragments of Youth. Greeted warmly by the company’s staff, I sensed the excitement and as I entered the room, the band greeted me with smiles and a tinge of nervousness, however, their nerves disappeared the moment we began our comfortable and candid conversation.

In the spotlight of their debut mini-album, let’s first trace the roots of Catch The Young; did each member harbour dreams of becoming a musician and stepping into the music industry?

Sani, the leader, bassist and sub-vocalist, kicked off the responses, sharing his childhood fondness for musical instruments, particularly the piano and guitar. His journey into bass began unexpectedly, filling the void left by a departing church bassist. Namhyun, the main vocalist and keyboardist, found his musical calling in middle school, “I began my musical journey during middle school, initially playing various instruments. Subsequently, I took on drumming responsibilities at the local church. Additionally, in middle school, I became part of a band, taking on the role of vocalist, a position I found to be the most fitting for me.” 

Kihoon, the guitarist, confessed, “I was once an athlete, specifically an inline skater. Music was my pre-game ritual, setting the tone before matches or races. However, unforeseen circumstances led me to abandon inline skating, prompting me to pursue my true passions. Given my deep love for music, I decided to explore it further. Joining a school band, I found the guitar intriguing, and it became my instrument of choice. Eventually, I went to an art school, perfecting my skills in music composition as well.”

Jungmo, the drummer, ventured into music at the age of 19, initially exploring drumming as a hobby. Junyong, the keyboardist and vocalist, said that, “In second grade, I started piano lessons, attending a piano academy for a couple of years. Transitioning into the third grade, I delved into singing, participating in numerous competitions. My singing experience extended to musicals, a path I continued until the ninth grade. Currently, in high school, I am actively engaged in practical music while also contributing to Catch The Young.”

Now, shifting the spotlight to their debut mini-album, Catch The Young: Fragments of Youth, our conversation moved forward effortlessly. This release is musically diverse, with seven various songs. I began with YOUTH!!!, a song that radiates carefree joy while carrying a message of hope and resilience. The song itself was written by Sani and Kihoon with AKADU producing it. Sani shared insights into the collaborative process, acknowledging AKADU’s role in setting the tone for YOUTH!!!.

“For the track YOUTH!!!, AKADU established the mood, providing the guidance we aimed for. While adapting some songs to suit the band’s style, the process involved discussions, brainstorming, and idea exchange rather than encountering creative differences or conflicts. AKADU actively participated during the recording, fostering extensive discussions throughout the production phase.” Sani elaborated with Namhyun adding that for the vocals, “we initially had a guide for basic melodies. During the live recording of the vocal parts, we adhered to the original melody, but when we felt the need to incorporate or remove certain elements, discussions took place, and adjustments were made accordingly.”

The song’s intentional nod to the 1980s and early ’90s Pop-Rock sound prompted a question about their motivations. 

“We intended to capture the essence of reminiscing and the vibrancy of the music from that era. We were mindful of this right from the start, concentrating on crafting sounds that echo nostalgic memories. Our goal was to present it as new music to the younger generation, particularly in terms of guitar sounds. We acknowledge that some may perceive our sound as mysterious, given our influence from older rock bands. However, we want to assure the younger audience that there’s nothing mysterious about it; the sounds and the bands that inspire us are still actively contributing to the music scene.” Kihoon explained. 

Next on the roster was Cactus Boy, a track written and composed by Sani and Kihoon. Sani shared that the song’s maturity wasn’t intentional, but rather a sincere expression of personal experiences. The collaborative effort during the early days of the band involved extensive studio sessions and discussions, with Kihoon playing a crucial role in refining the song.

“Initially, I didn’t set out to create such a mature song, lacking any specific direction. My primary goal was to bring my experiences and address the issues mentioned in the song based on my journey. The sincerity and honesty poured into the song contributed to its successful outcome. During the early days of our band, as we were just coming together, this song marked our initial collaboration. Rather than pressuring myself to deliver an exceptional performance, I concentrated on expressing my emotions and thoughts. Writing the lyrics and crafting the demo occurred in tandem, followed by collaborative studio sessions. We continuously worked on and made changes to the song until we achieved the desired results, with valuable contributions from Kihoon during the process.” Sani confessed. 

The conversation then shifted to My Own Way, influenced by Western Punk-rock and Pop-rock. Sani highlighted the original inspiration from bands like Blur and Green Day, while Kihoon amusingly recounted rescuing Sani’s discarded work from the bin, ultimately shaping it into a song. The collaborative process involved changing melodies, adding synthesisers, and working on various elements together. 

I love how the band effortlessly mixes Rock and Pop. Kihoon detailed the creative process, emphasising the group’s strengths and their commitment to show a powerful collective impact. He also playfully acknowledged the undeniable Pop essence in Talking To Myself.

“Our approach depends on the song’s concept; we adjust the ratio to suit the specific musical theme. When a song leans towards a more poppy sound, it naturally becomes more popular. However, our collective goal is to highlight individual strengths, with each of us playing different instruments and contributing distinct elements. This diversity creates a strong individual presence, both in terms of vocals and instruments, giving the overall impression that we lean more towards Rock than Pop as a band. It’s worth noting, though, that Talking to Myself stands out as undeniably a Pop song.” 

As I went deeper into the album’s themes, Sani highlighted their goal of presenting the band’s diverse colours and individual strengths, “Regarding the album’s concept, we collaborated closely with our company in shaping it. When considering the meaning behind Fragments of Youth, we aimed to show the different facets of both ourselves as individuals and as a band. Our primary focus was on presenting the very best of what we collectively have to offer.” Kihoon also added that the name Catch The Young wasn’t limited to their generation but aimed to let anyone, regardless of their age, appreciate good Rock music.

Reflecting on personal favourites from the album, each member contributed their thoughts. Junyong favoured My Own Way for its encouraging lyrics, relating to his own life’s attitudes. Jungmo expressed a deep connection with The Way To You, citing the technical and emotional intensity he poured into the recording. Kihoon’s favourite was the title track, YOUTH!!!, where he pushed his guitar skills to the limit, aiming to bring both nostalgia and freshness.

“In terms of the lyrics, the song delves into embracing challenges, adopting a fearless and passionate approach toward pursuing one’s aspirations. During my transition from being an athlete to venturing into music, many questioned the feasibility and success of this choice. Despite the scepticism, I harboured a deep love for music, which made me move forward even in the face of what appeared to be a daring and uncertain undertaking.” Kihoon shared. 

Namhyun confessed that he likes If You Love Me, with Sani stating that, “Cactus Boy holds a special place as my favourite track. While attempting to replicate its essence in another song, I encountered challenges. Currently, my focus lies on the compositional process, contemplating how to refine and enhance my songwriting skills. Yet, Cactus Boy stands out as a special song, flowing naturally from within me during that particular time. It carries a distinctiveness that I believe only I could have brought into the song, making it exceptionally meaningful to me.”

The decision to include softer songs like Cactus Boy and If You Love Me in the album’s lineup was a deliberate choice to show the band’s versatility. Sani pointed out the importance of portraying the highs and lows of their journey, reflecting on the diverse experiences they’ve faced.

If You Love Me also stood out for being written in English, a departure from their usual Korean lyrics. Sani revealed that while he wrote lyrics in Korean, the term “when I wake up” naturally came to him in English. However, as his English skills are slightly limited, AIVAN, a member of their company, stepped in to assist with the lyrics.

As the conversation was about to end, the group discussed their future. Sani said they have a lot of songs lined up, “We’ve prepared numerous songs, enough to create a concert setlist. Instead of contemplating the types of songs to produce, we’re currently deciding which ones to prioritise. Our upcoming second mini-album will show a completely different side of our musicality, offering our fans a new perspective when they witness our live performances.” Kihoon also said that Catch The Young is a band constantly exploring and evolving, promising a completely different side with their next release.

In the intimate dialogue with Catch The Young, the depth of their new musical careers and the creative process behind Catch The Young: Fragments of Youth were revealed. Their debut mini-album shows that their talent in combining Rock and Pop is undeniable.

As the cold Seoul day faded into memory, the warmth of the band’s personalities and the vibrant sounds of their music in my head, left a big impression on me. The journey of Catch The Young has only just begun, and we eagerly await for their second mini-album to be released.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Interpreter: Roc Lee

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}