Picture this: a group of unlikely musicians turned rock stars. A would-be actor, a model-turned-drummer, a novice singer who’d never even tried karaoke, and a guitarist who once gave up on his dream – all coming together to make music that stirs emotions from joy to tears. This is 2Z, a band brought together not just by auditions, but by the twists and turns of life’s unexpected paths.

Their origin stories read like the plot of a feel-good movie. ZUNON thought he’d act his way to fame but stumbled into the world of music. BUMJUN picked up the drums just months before debuting, and HOJIN? He hadn’t even sung in karaoke before his first audition! Yet here they are, sharing their passion, and preparing for a European tour while juggling gym routines, existential naps, and the occasional existential crisis. Whether it’s Coldplay on repeat or solo walks to clear the mind, these guys have found their rhythm – both on and off the stage.

We recently sat down with the band for a chat, diving into their creative process, tour prep, and how they unwind after the lights go down.

View of the Arts: First of all, let’s talk about how it all started. Was music a path that has always called to you – was there a moment when you realised that music was for you? 

ZUNON: Originally, I had a dream of becoming an actor. But when I heard about the band audition, I thought it might be a way to become famous and eventually become an actor. Even though I liked singing, I wasn’t very familiar with instruments. Fortunately, I passed the audition and became 2Z’s DJ. As 2Z’s DJ, I learned and played various instruments like keyboard, saxophone, and percussion to contribute to the band’s sound.

BUMJUN: I accidentally ended up auditioning for the band while working as a model. I passed the audition and became the first member of 2Z. At first, I was responsible for the keyboard and vocals, but when the drummer left, I took over the drums. I debuted just four months after I started drumming. The moment I realized music was for me was during our tour, seeing the crowd singing along and our fans being moved—crying and laughing. That made me feel I was in the right place.

HOJIN: I had never even been to a karaoke room before. I auditioned for the band at the suggestion of my friend Ji Seob, whom I’ve known since middle school. I sang for the first time while preparing for the audition, and as expected, I failed the first one. Our company’s CEO told me to sing one last time without regrets, and during the verse, he saw potential in me and let me pass. A few months into my trainee days, I realised for the first time that being a musician was what I wanted to do for life. I was watching a video of Coldplay performing “Viva La Vida” in São Paulo. The thrill and excitement I felt then still stay with me, and I watch that video to lift my spirits whenever I feel exhausted.

JISOEB: I fell in love with the guitar when I was in 3rd grade. A music academy opened in front of our house by chance, and my parents encouraged me to attend. That’s where I discovered my passion for fingerstyle guitar. In middle school, I formed a band and performed at school festivals, and I began dreaming of becoming a guitarist. However, right before entering high school, I hit a slump and put that dream aside, enrolling in a fashion model program at an arts high school. There, I met Hojin, who is now the main vocalist of 2Z. We both chased our dreams of becoming fashion models, but then we heard about a band audition for models. I convinced Hojin to go with me, and I felt it was a chance to revive my dream of becoming a guitarist. We passed the audition, and now we’re part of 2Z as Ji Seob and Hojin. Though there are many lonely and difficult days, seeing our fandom ‘FromA’ at performances heals all my struggles. I believe our fans also gain strength from watching our performances. That’s the power of music and why I keep working hard.

JungHyun: If I talk about destiny, it feels like music called me, leading me to start a band. But after I began playing the bass guitar post-audition, I became even more drawn to music. That feeling has stayed with me, and it’s still the same today. The role of the bass guitar in a band attracted me, and the deep, resonant sound of the bass truly moved me. I’ll never forget the moment I first played the bass guitar, which was from the ‘CHARVEL’ brand. 

VOA: You recently released your 4th single, Playground, with the titled song and 2Z Anthem. If you could tell us more about the creative process and how much you were involved in making the single itself. 

JISEOB: The title song, Playground, came about when one of our producers played a short clip of a song he’d made the night before. The sound was intense. While listening to the short snippet, I thought it would be great if the song had a more chill vibe, so I took over the chorus and developed the verse and melody line. We then worked with the producers to refine it into a better sound. Playground is a song where you can feel a pop-like chill atmosphere in the verse, and then enjoy a refreshing drive in the chorus. It’s a song that perfectly suits summer, and I hope everyone listens to it!

VOA: As you’re about to embark on your first European tour, how do you feel about performing in front of European fans for the first time? What are you most looking forward to on this tour?

HOJIN: Europe holds a special place for 2Z. Right after our debut in 2020, the place that gave us the most support and love was our fandom, FromA, in Europe. It’s already been five years since we promised to visit them. It feels so wonderful and exciting to finally go meet the fans who have waited for us all this time. I’m looking forward to making eye contact and sharing our hearts with each of them.

VOA: Touring a new continent is a big milestone. Are there any particular cities or countries you’re especially excited to visit? How have you prepared to connect with fans from different cultures?

ZUNON: France, especially Paris, excites me as it’s known for fashion, cuisine, art, and romance. When I was young, I read a book about France, and it was the first time I became aware of other countries. That awareness has since stayed with me. During 2Z’s journey, everything has been a first for me, from our first Latin American tour to our Japan tour. Stepping on foreign soil that I had only heard about was an incredible and special experience, full of hope and luck. Over time, my dreams and ambitions have grown, and now, wherever FromA supports us, I want to go and meet them, share our music, and make eye contact with them.

VOA: Has being an artist changed other aspects of your life since you became an artist?

ZUNON: I feel like I’ve gained more responsibility. As the oldest member of 2Z and the oldest in the group, I strive to be someone the members can rely on. As the band’s DJ, I’m responsible for opening and closing the shows, and I always try to be someone the other members can depend on, which comes with a lot of responsibility.

BUMJUN: Being an artist means being a communicator. After starting music, I find myself trying harder to express my thoughts. Before becoming an artist, I prioritised others’ opinions over my own, but now I make a conscious effort to express my views and ensure they are heard.

HOJIN: I think I’ve started to feel more lonely. I’ve always liked being on my own and have been independent from a young age, almost living on my own since middle school. But after becoming a musician, I’ve taken on the responsibility of being the vocalist of 2Z, a group that sings messages of hope. I’ve realised that living in this world isn’t easy, and with that realisation, I’ve started feeling lonelier and more reliant on the other members. At the same time, I’ve begun to understand the pain and loneliness others feel in our society. I’ve learned the importance of communication and empathy, and I want to continue spreading hope to people.

JISEOB: I’ve learned not to think straightforwardly. Instead, I’ve started thinking from different perspectives. When I do this, I sometimes see things that I couldn’t have imagined before. I believe those moments are the ones that help me grow and can even inspire my music.

JungHyun: I’ve become more focused on conveying messages. Whether it’s during a performance or posting something on social media, I constantly think about how to express my thoughts and how to communicate with fans. I always consider how we can convey who we are and how we can share our message more effectively through our performances.

VOA: Improvisation is a large part of the creative process for many artists. How strictly do you separate improvising and composing in your work?

JISEOB: I think improvisation is essentially part of the process of creating a song. 2Z’s Slow Step is a song I created while unconsciously strumming chords on an acoustic guitar during a break in practice. I immediately asked Hojin to come up with a melody, and we created the song through improvisation. I believe improvisation is a great way to produce unexpectedly good songs.  

VOA:  When you are not working and writing songs, what do you do to get away from it all and relax? 

ZUNON: I often take walks to relax. I tend to worry a lot, but when I listen to music while walking, all my worries seem to disappear, even just for that moment.

BUMJUN: I work out to relax when I’m not focused on music. I go to the gym about five times a week, and looking at my pumped-up self after exercising makes me feel refreshed.

HOJIN: I mostly sleep a lot. To be honest, it’s something I’m a bit concerned about because I still don’t know how to properly deal with stress. Being a musician is a lonely and tough profession, but I also think it’s a beautiful one. While we receive applause and cheers from people, loneliness is always lurking behind it. The more time passes, the more I feel this. For now, when my head feels cluttered or I’m having a hard time, I think sleeping for a long time is my favourite form of rest.

JISEOB: I take walks. Even on my days off, I practise with the members during the day, and at night, I take slow walks down empty streets while listening to music through my headphones, without thinking about anything. That’s my only way of relaxing, and it’s also my hobby.

JungHyun: I either go to a café alone to enjoy coffee and a sandwich or spend time with acquaintances. At the café, I reflect on my thoughts and organise things I need to do. Doing this calms me mentally. I also enjoy talking with friends and catching up on each other’s lives.

VOA: Is there a music/artist you like which/who never fails to make you feel good? 

ZUNON: I love I Always Wanna Die by The 1975, which Hojin introduced to me. Listening to it makes me feel like I’m truly experiencing the artist’s thoughts and their view of life.

BUMJUN: For me, it’s Coldplay, especially their song Fix You. It comforts me whenever I feel tired or down. I particularly love the instrumental section where the tempo picks up. Listening to it makes me feel good, no matter what I’m going through.

HOJIN: I think Coldplay’s Viva La Vida always makes me feel better. I’ve loved that song for so long, and it’s a track that reignites my passion for music when I feel exhausted.

JISEOB: The song Gravity by John Mayer always cheers me up. The way it delivers calm yet powerful emotions through minimal elements and excellent control of the guitar inspires me.

JungHyun: Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader is the song that makes me feel the best. Every time I listen to it, my mood naturally lifts, and I feel full of energy. It’s a song that always makes me want to dance.

VOA: What do you find are the main challenges of being a musician?

ZUNON: Even as times change, we want to become a band that is ingrained in people’s memories, a performance that everyone must see in their lifetime—something you must experience before you die. In our country, we often attach phrases like “a food you must try in your lifetime” or “a place you must visit before you die.” As we continue to grow, I want us to become a band that people feel that way about.

BUMJUN: As musicians, I think the most important thing is to play rationally on stage without getting overly excited, while at the same time, exciting the audience. Also, as a drummer, I think the most crucial thing is the synergy with the bassist to maintain the core of the rhythm.

HOJIN: As a vocalist, I think the biggest challenge is “how well can you communicate and empathise with people?” A vocalist isn’t just someone who sings. They are the conductor who conveys the band’s philosophy and message through song and connects the band with the audience. In the past, I used to worry about how high I could sing or how trendy my vocal tone was. But after touring Latin America for three consecutive years starting in 2022 and meeting people from around the world, including on our Japan tour, my perspective has changed. I want to be someone who passionately and joyfully shares emotions with people, not just someone who sings well.

JISEOB: Of course, there are many things like making good songs and having stage presence, but I believe the key is having confidence in everything you do and continuing to trust yourself. That confidence becomes your presence on stage, and it’s the way to grow into a good musician and the challenge you must face.

JungHyun: I think a band’s real battle is on stage. Even if you make good music, if you can’t express or convey it on stage, it’s meaningless. The biggest challenge is figuring out how to express the music to people through performance and how to best communicate what we want to say with our music. Ultimately, I think the most important task is developing the ability to connect with people on stage.

VOA: What are your upcoming plans? Apart from the tour in Europe, are there any other projects that you have planned for the future?

BUMJUN: After the European tour, we have tours planned in Hong Kong, Macau, and the United States. The goal for this year is to successfully wrap up the remaining tours.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Luka Song

_{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.}