Bang Yongguk, a Seoul-based artist, first gained recognition as the leader of the boy group B.A.P. Before that, he was active in the underground hip-hop scene under the name “Jepp Blackman.” His rise to prominence began in 2011 with his feature on Song Ji-eun’s hit Going Crazy, and later, with his solo work and collaborations like I Remember and Bang & Zelo. Through contemplative works such as Hikikomori and his 2019 self-titled album, Bang Yongguk, he showed that he is an artist with a voice and vision. After serving in the military, the artist returned with fresh releases, including Race and the EP 2. Known for his diverse influences and personal conscious-driven lyrics, Bang has continued to evolve, intertwining his past experiences into his current creative pursuits.

In 2023, after signing with YY Entertainment, the artist has been actively pursuing his music career, releasing works such as THE COLORS OF LOVE and 3. The latter represents a bold evolution in his sound, featuring EDM influences that display his ability to blend fast-paced electronic elements with his signature style. On top of this, he has reconnected with members of B.A.P for new music, with Zelo currently serving in the military. Following his successful The Colors of Bang Yongguk tour, he is preparing for a European tour in October 2024, hitting cities like Cologne, Warsaw, Paris, Helsinki, and London.

Ahead of this tour, View of the Arts enjoyed catching up with Bang to discuss his latest projects, including his EP 3, and his upcoming ventures.

Bang Yongguk on His Music and Life

Reflecting on the past year, it’s been a rollercoaster for Bang. At the beginning of 2024, he wrapped up a U.S. tour and collaborated with Jung Dae Hyun, Yoo Young Jae, and Moon Jong Up on new music. As he prepares for his European tour, he shared, “It seems like 2024 is quite a busy year for me. I haven’t had the chance to take a proper vacation yet. However, I’m having some personally meaningful experiences. Looking back, I think this year will be one to remember for a long time. I’m planning to share all the tracks from EP 3 during the tour, and if the response is good, I hope to perform songs from my upcoming album as well.”

His latest EP, 3, offers daring experimentation with genres. For instance, MOVIMIENTO incorporates intense EDM, which Bang had previously avoided. “I think I had a preconceived notion that fast tempos don’t mix well with my top-line flow. That’s why I hesitated to explore EDM or house genres,” he explained. “But with recent albums, I’ve used more melodic elements, which made me realise it might be worth challenging myself. My priority was to work on a track that, when you listen to just the instrumental, you wouldn’t immediately think, ‘This is Bang Yongguk’s music.’” The result was an unexpected track that expanded the horizons of his sound.

Another song, BAD, featuring YOUHA, introduces a pop-rock influence that Bang skillfully incorporates with his recognizable style. When discussing the collaboration, he shared, “When I was working on GREEN for EP 2, I started to feel that my voice blended well with that sound. BAD is the result of my efforts to create something more mainstream. YOUHA was the first artist that came to mind for a female vocalist, and after completing the initial draft, I sent it to her. Her involvement marked the completion of my favorite track on this album. BAD is a song that expresses how foolish a man becomes when he’s in love. The illusion of remembering the worst moment as the happiest one is also a hidden aspect of love. I wanted to weave these lyrics into a lovely melody.”

Songs like IXLU and BUSS IT DOWN emphasise Bang’s talent in combining different musical styles, integrating elements of drum and bass, pop, and hip-hop. Without a doubt, these songs illustrate his endowment to experiment across genres while keeping his music fresh and dynamic. “For IXLU, I varied the drum line in each section, which required the top-line structure to be diverse as well,” he said. The song’s complexity reflects Bang’s ambitions to create multi-layered compositions, an approach that required collaboration with both Korean and foreign writers.

Bang’s personal experiences are a driving force behind his work, and 3 is no exception. “This album personifies the theme that, in art, one must not confine themselves within self-imposed boundaries,” he said. “It’s no longer a hard task for me to infuse my personal experiences into my music because it naturally reflects my life – after all, it’s the music I create. However, there are times when I only create what I’m good at or what I want to show. That’s usually when I become too serious. Starting with my last EP, I tried not to take things too seriously, and that approach has permeated this album as well. But when I eventually grow tired of this concept, I’ll likely become very serious again. The way I express myself must always be fresh and original. Artists, don’t trap yourselves within walls.”

Moreover, Bang continues to challenge the traditions of hip-hop, mixing his music with different genres. His track NUMB is a key example of this innovative approach. While the lyrics maintain a hip-hop vibe, the sound leans more towards pop and rock. “The key thing about this song is that it doesn’t contain a single line of rap,” Bang explained. “In music, anything is possible. I enjoy singing on a three-minute hip-hop track without rapping at all, just as it’s possible to rap throughout an entire three-minute traditional track. We approached this project with more freedom, without being trapped by any specific rules. For NUMB, I needed the ideas of other writers more than my top-line concepts. I remember when my friends sent me a melody line, I replied, ‘Great. I’ll try singing it in my own way.’ So, I didn’t rap a single line. I think we ended up with some free-spirited and creative melodies, which became the core element of this track.”

Another song, BUSS IT DOWN, takes an energetic leap with its Drum & Bass sound, specifically made for live performances. “I aimed to create a hip-hop track that was louder and more hyper than any of my previous ones,” said Bang. Reflecting on its impact during his U.S. tour, he shared, “I want everyone listening to this song to close their eyes and dance right in front of me.” The intense energy of this track has made it a fan favourite, and Bang looks forward to seeing how European audiences will react during his upcoming tour.

The title 3 is a reflection of Bang’s internal journey. “The meaning behind ‘3’ is to express my internal struggle to break free from preconceived notions about myself,” he said. The number also holds multiple interpretations, representing the three distinct elements that define his artistic identity, a continuation from his previous EP, 2.

Bang Yongguk in London – Show Review

Looking ahead, Bang hints at new possibilities. “There’s a possibility that I might release the single album I’ve been preparing after finishing my solo tour – or I might not,” he joked. However, he also recognises the need for rest and balance, saying, “I haven’t had a chance to truly rest this year. I think I’ll need some serious time to reflect on myself. I’ve been finding it quite challenging to balance both being an artist and a producer lately. I’m hoping for something interesting to look forward to as well.”

Bang’s evolving sound, tireless work ethic, and passion for music remain at the heart of his artistry. His upcoming tour promises to be another exciting chapter in his journey, with us, and fans, for that matter, waiting to see where his music will take him next.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Translator: Kim Sang Yeon

Featured image © YY Entertainment

_{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.}