Every great band has an origin story, and 2Z’s sounds like the kind of plot you’d pitch for a feel-good coming-of-age movie. With various background stories, and by all logic, 2Z shouldn’t have worked. But somehow, against all odds and with a lot of late-night rehearsals, they found harmony in chaos and turned everything into music.

Since their debut, the Korean four-piece, Junghyun, Hojin, ZUNON, and Bumjun, have built a reputation for making good quality music. Their songs are cinematic, filled with emotional storytelling and rock energy. Yet, just when fans thought they had 2Z figured out, the band decided to switch frequencies. With their latest EP, Highness, 2Z step into new territory. Collaborating with DJ plomo, whose background lies in techno and big beat, the group delivered a sound that proves their versatility and fearless creativity.

Recently, the members of 2Z sat down with View of the Arts for an honest conversation. From the creative tug-of-war behind Highness to the enduring love story with their fans, FromA, this is 2Z at their most reflective and daring; proof that even in the unpredictable rhythm of life, they’ve learned how to make every note count.

View of the Arts: Highness feels like an evolution for 2Z, mixing rock and electronic textures. How did the idea of collaborating with plomo come about, and what excited you most about combining these worlds?

Junghyun: First of all, DJ plomo is an artist who mainly works in the Techno and Big Beat genres. What’s interesting is that before becoming a DJ, he was actually the bassist in his high school band. So, whenever we talked about music, it was clear that he loved rock bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam. He also told us he’d always dreamed of collaborating with a live band. One day, earlier this year, he proposed the idea of a collaboration album with 2Z. Together with the GOGO2020 producing team, we officially began working on it in February. Step by step, the project came together, and now we’re finally able to release it.

VOA: The title track Borderline is split into two contrasting parts, exploring struggle and hope. Can you walk us through the creative process behind structuring the song this way?

Hojin: It all started from a simple thought, “I want to do something different.” Part 1 of Borderline carries a Big Beat and electronic sound, while Part 2 shifts into hard rock. Combining two tracks that differ in both BPM and genre was a huge challenge for us. To make it work, we knew the story and message had to be strong. That’s when the idea came: “Everyone stands on a borderline.” We liked how the two contrasting parts could be divided and united by that very line.

Part 1 expresses the struggles we faced after debuting – the difficult times, conflicts within the band, and the anxiety of feeling like the people who once supported us were fading away. Then, as Part 2 begins, the message changes: don’t collapse, find our true selves again, and share our renewed determination with our fandom, FromA. Like everyone else, we’re walking our own inner borderline, always balancing between emotions: happiness, sadness, excitement, fear, and relief. What kind of borderline are you walking on? Let’s talk about it together.

VOA: Unreal is described as romantic and unconventional. Who – or what – was your inspiration when writing this track?

Hojin: Of course, it’s our fandom, FromA. When I was in middle and high school, I never really went without a girlfriend. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I was quite popular back then (laughs). But since deciding to pursue band life in 2019, I haven’t dated anyone. It would be a lie to say I was never lonely, but I also never seriously thought about wanting to meet someone. Looking back, I think that’s because I already had people who gave me a love far more passionate and powerful – our fans. The people I sing to in Unreal are those fans. They’re close yet somehow unreachable, always sending me endless love, even when I don’t realise it. Every night, I try to meet them in my dreams – that’s why I wrote, “Every night I float in space, to find you.” To me, FromA are unreal beings – beautiful and almost otherworldly.

VOA: Working with plomo, a DJ and producer whose style influenced ZuNon, must have been fascinating. How did his approach challenge or complement 2Z’s rock identity in the studio?

ZUNON: Working with plomo was truly exciting. Sharing our musical perspectives and exchanging ideas gave me a lot to learn from. During the sessions, we created something new, music that allowed a DJ and a band to coexist, and even made remixed versions of 2Z’s original songs.

In the first half of Borderline, you mainly hear Big Beat-driven DJ sounds, while in the second half, the band’s sound hits powerfully, merging two different energies into one cohesive piece. Similarly, Unreal builds on Big Beat but uses synth-pop-style chords and live instruments to express our sound.

Through changes in structure, drum loops, and effects, we created music where DJ and band styles balance each other rather than compete. Looking back, I think we were trying to preserve 2Z’s rock essence in the originals, while plomo brought rock elements into the remixes.

VOA: With three remixes reinterpreting your earlier tracks, what was it like hearing your own songs through plomo’s electronic lens for the first time? Did any surprise or delight you?

ZUNON: It was really fun. like hearing our music rebuilt from the ground up. You can sense plomo’s thoughts and intentions in every new element: the voice samples, beat loops, and new track layers. I found it fascinating and inspiring. For example, in 2020 March, there’s this repetitive vocal loop that gradually builds up the energy, and that kind of moment really thrilled me. Remixing, I realised, is like deconstructing a song completely and rebuilding it from scratch, a kind of musical reconstruction. It was a joyful process.

Bumjun: When I first heard them, I was thrilled. Especially How Do We Know, it had this dreamy, almost hypnotic vibe, and then the rhythmic hook brought such excitement. Later, the shift toward a beat-driven section with strong sounds gave me chills. It’s amazing how music can transform and still feel fresh. Performing these tracks live with plomo makes the sound so full and powerful, I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.

VOA: Your fans, FromA, have been with you since the beginning. How did their support influence the emotional direction of Highness?

Hojin: Even right now, as I write this, I’m sure there are people out there wondering what we’re up to, waiting for us to come back. FromA are everywhere, all over the world, in different languages and skin tones, but since our debut, they’ve given us endless love.

Honestly, most of our songs are inspired by them. In our early days, we often held fan call events. Seeing their happy faces and hearing their voices through the screen always gave me comfort and inspiration. Maybe some of them have grown tired and drifted away, but we’re still standing in the same place, waiting.

Part 1 of Borderline expresses the fear of failure as a band, and the longing for those early fans we might no longer see. That’s how much FromA influences us.

Do you know what a pronoun is? It replaces a person or a thing – something you can’t just change. For me, the capital U isn’t just a letter – it’s you, our fans, FromA. In my world, that U will always mean one thing, FromA, forever.

Junghyun: Borderline represents the “line of life.” Musically, it’s made of two contrasting tracks that blend into one, and that’s part of its message.

In Part 1, we express the anxiety and uncertainty within ourselves. In Part 2, we look back and find hope, rediscovering what makes us 2Z. That message comes directly from our connection with FromA. Since 2020, they’ve been the reason we could keep believing, keep working, and keep overcoming obstacles. This EP is dedicated to that journey – and to them.

VOA: 2Z has always been known for great live performances. How do you imagine these new electronic elements translating to your concerts? Any ideas for integrating them on stage?

Hojin: We think deeply about stage production. The emotion and excitement that visuals and direction bring are just as important as the music itself. For Borderline Part 1, since it doesn’t need the full band setup, we’re planning a performance featuring plomo, our own DJ ZUNON, and me as the vocalist. Then, as the beat transitions into Part 2, the rest of the band joins in naturally. We’re also thinking of having plomo play some of his remixes between our songs to create seamless transitions — no breaks, just continuous music. That flow helps the audience stay emotionally connected and fully immersed in the story of our set.

Junghyun: We’re already rehearsing for next year’s tour with DJ plomo, preparing the setlist and stage direction. Having a second DJ with a different role from ZUNON gives us more creative freedom on stage. For example, plomo might open the concert 20–30 minutes before we appear, warming up the audience with his set and building the mood. We’re also rearranging some of our older tracks so he can join us live. There are so many possibilities, and we can’t wait to show everyone.

ZUNON: There are countless ideas. What I really want to express is duality, the refined and the raw, the control and the chaos. Beneath our polished surface lies the raw power that only a band can deliver. You’ll see that duality in our performances, visually, sonically, and emotionally. It’s something you have to experience live.

Bumjun: We’re rehearsing the setlist with plomo right now. What I love most is how the music never stops, and the flow is continuous. From the very start of the show, we’re preparing something intense and immersive. As a drummer, Highness challenged me with its electronic tones, so I’ve been blending real drum sounds with electronic beats to find the perfect balance. I’m especially excited to perform live with plomo — maybe one day, he and ZUNON will share the stage like Daft Punk or The Chemical Brothers.

VOA: Unreal explores awe and fear intertwined; can you tell us how this duality reflects your approach to music or life as a band?

Hojin: I believe everything has two sides, like a double-edged sword. Humans are constantly standing at crossroads, just like in our song Crossroad. There are times we walk dangerously close to our own inner borderline. I think wonder exists because fear exists, and love exists because pain does. Even if I know I might get hurt, I still choose to love; even when afraid, I still chase what feels wondrous and unreal. I’m the type who runs straight ahead, like a racehorse, not always looking around. I live true to my instincts and emotions. If I’m scared, I’ll say I’m scared. If I love, I’ll say I love. That’s who I am, and I’ll keep living that way. If you like that about me, just follow me, I promise you unforgettable emotions and experiences. And one more thing: I believe entertainment is the “art of contrast.” Contrast creates drama, and as a frontman, that contrast is my greatest weapon.

VOA: Genre-blending can be risky, especially for a band with a strong rock identity. Did you encounter any moments of doubt or creative tension while crafting this EP? How did you overcome them?

Junghyun: When I first heard we’d be doing a collaboration EP with DJ plomo, especially working in genres like House, Techno, and Big Beat, I honestly couldn’t imagine what it would sound like. But instead of doubt, I felt excitement. It was our first time trying something like this. When we decided to remix some of our past songs too, I thought, “Wait, are we about to have our own The Chemical Brothers or The Prodigy moment?” [laughs]. Now, I often listen to the remixes in my car, especially 2020 March (plomo’s Rhythm Institution). I think it’s the coolest track on this EP, and I highly recommend listening to it alongside the original.

ZUNON: Normally, I’m the kind of person who overthinks and doubts everything. But this time, I didn’t want to. I wanted to fully embrace something new. It was an exhilarating experience, creative, spontaneous, and full of heart-pounding energy. There’s time for doubts later. Right now, I just want to show everyone the energy we’ve created.

VOA: Looking forward, does Highness indicate a permanent shift toward electronic experimentation, or is it one of those chapters in 2Z’s ongoing evolution?

Hojin: This collaboration made me fall deeply in love with electronic music. I’ve always liked synth-pop songs like Like a Movie or HOPE, tracks led by synthesizers rather than guitars. After Highness, I want to explore that more. But I’ll never forget the essence of 2Z, our harmony and chord voicing, the core of our sound. We don’t want to be defined by any one genre. Our dream is for 2Z itself to become a genre. And yes, Highness has definitely been a meaningful turning point in that journey.

Junghyun: I see it as a special chapter in our evolution rather than a permanent shift. This project was a bold experiment, fresh for both us and our audience. While it might not signal a full stylistic transformation, the great response from fans shows us that it’s a direction worth exploring again.

ZUNON: To me, Highness was a necessary challenge, a step we had to take as a band. It’s not the end of our experiments; we’ll keep exploring new ideas and sounds. Watching the bands we’ve always admired taught us to keep learning, creating, and delivering emotion through music. And no matter how far we go, we’ll always build on what defines us: harmony, balance, and the emotional depth of chord voicing.

Bumjun: For me, it’s a special chapter in our evolution. We’re always challenging ourselves to show something new. Collaborating with a DJ has been our dream, and this album made it come true. I hope our music, in whatever form it takes, continues to reach people’s hearts and resonate deeply.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of GOGO2020

_{*THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BEFORE 2Z’s NEW MEMBER, NUA, JOINED THE BAND.}

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}