sEODo BAND: “ONE” Album Weaves Ancient Tales into Modern Rock
sEODo BAND / Courtesy of sEODo BAND
In the vibrant landscape of K-Pop, where innovation meets tradition, sEODo BAND stands out as a pioneering force. Known for their captivating fusion of traditional Korean pansori with dynamic rock sounds, the five-piece group is on the cusp of releasing their highly anticipated first full-length album, “ONE.” This album, hitting shelves on Friday, August 14, is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a journey nine years in the making, born from an inventive solution to a common band problem.
Before they captivated audiences on shows like JTBC’s “Poongryu” (2021) and sEODo’s appearance on “Sing Again” Season 4 (2025), sEODo BAND faced a familiar challenge: filling a 30-minute performance slot. Their solution? A brilliant dive into history. They ingeniously wove together highlight passages from the 18th-century Korean love epic, “Chunhyangga,” creating a seamless half-hour narrative that told the entire story. This foundational set has now blossomed into “ONE.”
“It turned out to be more fully realized than we expected,” vocalist sEODo shared during an interview, reflecting on the album’s creation. “Making a full-length in that shape became something the band had wanted to do for years.” The album’s title, “ONE,” is particularly rich in Korean, where “won” signifies “circle” – a nod to the cyclical plot of “Chunhyangga,” the resentment and longing driving its lovers, and the band’s own journey coming full circle with their first full-length release. As sEODo explained with a smile, “An old story survived across time, and our recreating it now is another turn of the circle.”
The members of sEODo Band pose backstage during the 2026 Korea Memorial Festa at Nanji Hangang Park in Seoul’s Mapo District, June 7. The five-piece, known for blending pansori with rock, releases its first full-length album, “ONE,” on Aug. 14. Courtesy of sEODo BAND
Beyond “Joseon Pop”: Defining Their Unique Sound
Formed in 2017, sEODo BAND unites the classically trained sEODo (in traditional Korean vocal music) with a conventional rock ensemble: guitarist Yeon Tae-hee, bassist Kim Tea-joo, drummer Jeong Hyun-bin, and keyboardist Kim Seong-hyun. After their 2024 five-song album, “Break Through,” “ONE” marks a significant milestone.
The label that often precedes them, “Joseon pop,” is one the members have thoughtfully considered. “I can’t explain [Joseon pop] as a genre defined by using a particular rhythm or a particular scale,” keyboardist Kim Seong-hyun clarified. “If you call it a term that holds the emotional register Koreans can feel, that’s broad enough to cover what our band does.” sEODo himself admitted the band moved past technical definitions, realizing such explanations often “weren’t sure it meant anything,” and that they “shouldn’t be boxing in the music we make.”
Instead of rigid definitions, sEODo BAND offers connection. Their live shows consistently conclude with “Ganggangsullae,” the universally known Korean circle dance, a testament to the shared cultural fabric their music taps into. “Our music has something that can be shared through that kind of inner resemblance,” sEODo mused, emphasizing that it’s not about exclusivity but invitation: “It’s more like, there’s something only Koreans have, maybe you could give it a try?”
Vocalist sEODo of sEODo Band performs during 1901 Live Road at Sangsang Platform in Incheon’s Jung District, March 28. Courtesy of sEODo BAND
Musicians, Full Stop: Navigating Tradition and Modernity
Navigating the intersection of traditional and modern music, sEODo BAND finds themselves in a unique, largely uncriticized space. “In the traditional music scene we’re the pop act, and in pop we’re the traditional act,” sEODo observed, leading to a “space of respect.” However, sEODo hopes to transcend this respectful categorization. He articulated a desire for listeners to “see us not through the lens of a traditionally trained musician doing something, but as musicians, full stop, with a traditional element folded in.” Ahead of “ONE”‘s release, the band is hosting a listening session for critics, aiming to spark discussion rather than mere deference.
sEODo is particularly optimistic about the expanding landscape of artists blending traditional Korean music, citing the newly debuted gugak-idol duo Dodree. “It’s the one weapon in the global music market that nobody can copy,” he stated, highlighting the unique strength of Korean cultural sounds.
“ONE”: A Global Invitation to Korean Sound
For international listeners keen to explore “ONE”‘s 12 tracks, sEODo recommends the opening track, “Arirang,” built on the circular triple meter foundational to Korean traditional music. Yeon Tae-hee suggests “Love Song,” an R&B-leaning track featuring a pentatonic scale that playfully defies typical expectations. The album intentionally carries no English, and features five “aniri” (spoken narration from pansori) passages, each uniquely produced by a band member.
“Like the name says, a circle keeps rolling,” sEODo concluded. “It has rolled from the Joseon era until now, and we’ve set it moving again.” sEODo BAND’s “ONE” promises to be a pivotal release, inviting listeners worldwide into their ever-expanding circle of sound.
sEODo Band performs during the 2026 Korea Memorial Festa at Nanji Hangang Park in Seoul’s Mapo District, June 7. Courtesy of sEODo BAND
