Do Hanse, also known as Hanse and DOHANSE, continues to emerge bolder and fiercer with each new step. Once known as the charismatic rapper of K-pop boy group VICTON, he has now thrown himself headfirst into the unfiltered and more exciting world of punk rock and emo. With a devil-may-care attitude and a thirst for artistic freedom, DOHANSE is making it abundantly clear: he’s not here to fit into a mold – he’s here to shatter it.

Since leaving his agencies and VICTON behind, DOHANSE has begun a bold new musical chapter that’s loud, rebellious, and unapologetically his own. He’s no longer trapped to polished K-pop aesthetics; instead, he’s thrashing on stage with a band, wielding a guitar, and belting into the mic with the kind of reckless abandon that would make his teenage emo self proud. His solo work combines punk-rock and emo influences with some elements of hip-hop, fully embracing his new direction.

DOHANSE’s solo releases are a reflection of his growth. Without a doubt, the artist has poured his heart into a sound that diverges from his idol beginnings, bringing intense instrumentals with well-written lyrics. It’s obvious that this is not a fleeting moment, it’s the realisation of the artist he has always dreamed of becoming. And while some fans may still be adjusting to the transformation, DOHANSE couldn’t be happier.

“I know some people might be surprised,” he admits, “but I don’t think I’ve changed – I’m just finally showing the side of me that’s always been there.”

I’m grateful for VICTON and everything we did together. That’s a huge part of my life, and I wouldn’t be here without it. But now, I get to make the music that feels most authentic to me.

DOHANSE’s current image, a mix of punk-rock aesthetics and streetwear, is a far cry from his polished idol days. With tattoos sprawling across his arm and his signature unruly hair, he looks every bit the rockstar. But he’s quick to point out that this isn’t just a persona, it’s his truth.

“People think I ‘transformed’ into this, but honestly, this is just me being myself. I used to hide a lot of it, but why should I anymore?” he says with a laugh. “I grew up listening to My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, and all those bands. That kind of music shaped me, [and taught me to embrace who I am without fear of judgment].

However, before fully embracing punk-rock, DOHANSE spent years making a name for himself in K-pop. He joined Plan A Entertainment as a trainee in 2016 and debuted as a member of VICTON in November of that year. Even then, he wasn’t just another idol rapper, the artist was involved in songwriting, contributing to the majority of the group’s tracks. His writing style, particularly on songs like Time of Sorrow, revealed the depth he’s capable of as an artist.

In 2021, while still with VICTON, Hanse took his first official step as a soloist with his self-composed track Where is Love? on the group’s album Voice: The Future is Now. Later that year, on his birthday, he released his first solo album Blaze as a digital album, with the title tracks Take Over and Public Enemy. The record showed his production skills and musical range, a sign of things to come.

Performing with a live band is insane. There’s something about the unpredictability of it that I love. Every show feels different, and that’s what makes it so exciting.

Beyond music, DOHANSE is no stranger to fashion. In 2020 and 2021, he walked the runway at Seoul Fashion Week, proving his versatility as both an artist and a trendsetter. And in 2022, he collaborated with indie artists like Kim Mi-jeong and Chu Seo-jun, further expanding his creative horizons.

Since stepping into his own as an independent artist, DOHANSE has taken full control of his music, steadily releasing new tracks, including the single album Gummy Bear (featuring BIGONE) and the song How Time Flies.

Despite going solo, DOHANSE doesn’t shy away from acknowledging his K-pop past. “I’m grateful for VICTON and everything we did together. That’s a huge part of my life, and I wouldn’t be here without it,” he reflects. “But now, I get to make the music that feels most authentic to me.”

Authenticity, it turns out, is DOHANSE’s biggest priority. He’s not interested in chasing trends or appealing to the masses. Instead, he strives to create music that truly connects with people, even if it means taking risks. “I want my music to be raw. I want it to be emotional. I want people to feel something when they hear it – whether that’s excitement, nostalgia, or just the urge to scream along.”

And people are feeling it. His live shows are electric, with fans headbanging, and screaming every lyric back at him. It’s a far cry from the synchronised choreography of his idol days, but it’s exactly the kind of energy DOHANSE thrives on.

“Performing with a live band is insane,” he says, his eyes lighting up. “There’s something about the unpredictability of it that I love. Every show feels different, and that’s what makes it so exciting.”

The artist’s creative process has also evolved as he works independently. “I have more freedom, but the issue is I have to handle everything myself. But I’m adapting,” he shares.

I want my music to be raw. I want it to be emotional. I want people to feel something when they hear it – whether that’s excitement, nostalgia, or just the urge to scream along.

Punk rock and emo-influenced music are still relatively niche in the Korean market, and DOHANSE does not really pay attention to how big or small the market for certain music genres is. “Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s not really important to me. I don’t know what people like or dislike, and I don’t care to know. When I was in an idol group, I spent so much time worrying about what people thought, so now I don’t want to worry about that anymore. I just want to make the music I want to make and live the life I want”, the artist reflects.

But beyond the stage persona, DOHANSE remains down-to-earth and refreshingly candid. He jokes about his chaotic creative process, the constant battle between perfectionism and impulse, and his tendency to get lost in rabbit holes of inspiration. “One day, I’ll be obsessed with a certain guitar riff, and the next, I’m deep-diving into 90s punk history for no reason. It’s a mess, but it’s my mess,” he grins.

As for what’s next, DOHANSE has no plans of slowing down. He’s already teasing new music, hinting at collaborations, and dreaming up ideas for future projects. “There’s so much I want to do. I just want to keep pushing myself and see where this road takes me,” he says.

One thing’s for certain: DOHANSE is done playing by the rules. And in doing so, he’s finally found the freedom he’s always craved.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of DOHANSE

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. While we already offer rich content to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by exploring Asian music in greater depth. At the same time, we remain committed to present the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that shape these industries worldwide.}