There are inevitable psychological scars that every one individuals want to handle as soon as they attain maturity. Whether or not tackled by means of remedy, medicine, meditation, music, train, dietary supplements or some other means, The Rose got here to be taught that they may deal with trauma as personal people and members of their chart-topping Korean rock band. The quartet says their new, record-breaking album Heal is not only phrases of knowledge to share with followers however nightly mantras for themselves, too, whereas touring the album all through the globe.
After greater than two years aside to settle drama with their earlier Korean label and deal with South Korea’s obligatory army enlistment, The Rose reemerged in August final yr with a brand new partnership alongside Clear Arts (the leisure company based by Billboard Sizzling 100 hitmakers Far East Motion) to launch their first full-length album Heal. Preceded by the singles “Childhood” and “Bitter,” Heal landed within the High 20 of each the High Album Gross sales and High Present Album Gross sales charts, whereas peaking at No. 4 on the Heatseekers Albums too. Since its launch, Heal has earned 12,000 equal album items, based on Luminate whereas their 2018 EP Void is their greatest launch within the U.S. with 25,000 items earned to this point.
After The Rose’s 2017 debut with “Sorry” led to the band incomes a breakout Ok-pop artist to observe honor by Billboard, these profession highs practically 5 years after their mainstream introduction mark the band’s all-encapsulating dedication to what initially introduced them collectively.
“The primary message of The Rose once we first created the band was ‘therapeutic along with music,’” explains the group’s Korean-American chief Woosung, who constructed up his solo pop profession alongside Clear throughout the band hiatus. “Coming into this new chapter of The Rose, we actually needed to remind ourselves and likewise remind our listeners.”
These reminders got here through Heal‘s inventive course of (The Rose handles practically all the pieces on this LP with contributions from pop and Ok-pop songwriter-producer Brian Lee on the stadium-sized anthem “Treatment” and vocals from Clear labelmate James Reid on the euphoric collaboration “Sure”), plus singing their lyrics again to themselves all through their ongoing Heal Collectively world tour (that’s already performed North and South America, Asia, and is presently in its last leg in Europe).
“We attempt to maintain connecting with what we write and what we sing, attempting to remind ourselves that life may be stunning,” Woosung provides earlier than vocalist-guitarist-keyboardist Dojoon provides how usually a “lyric involves us and it hits completely different each time. That’s a extremely good factor to have as a musician.” Bassist-singer Jaehyeong admits sure songs on the highway make him tear up, whereas drummer-singer Hajoon lets the setlist take him again to moments in time.
Talking with Billboard throughout some downtime amid touring, go on The Rose’s therapeutic journey to dig deeper into Heal, reflections from tour, future music plans and extra.
Jack Vu
Jack Vu
Congratulations on the chart success of Heal. You set new information for Korean-rock teams; how did that really feel?
Woosung: We’re simply very grateful and blessed, to be trustworthy; that’s what we’ve been feeling. We don’t really feel overly excited actually, as a result of our followers have been pushing so onerous for us that the numbers made sense for us. All we wish to do is simply thank them. And we’ve been attempting to present our greatest present and maintain our situations sturdy in order that we may, a minimum of, have that point be satisfying for followers—that’s how we give again.
Dojoon: It is perhaps a extra widespread Korean expression however we “don’t really feel it in our pores and skin but.” It doesn’t really feel actual, however we’re so grateful.
That is your first album in partnership with Clear Arts, which Billboard broke the information about in August. What was completely different with this album behind the scenes?
Woosung: The largest distinction is, now, we’ve our companions that belief our visions. We’re creating visions collectively and we belief their imaginative and prescient. The largest factor is simply the openness and the honesty that makes us who we’re and makes Clear who Clear is. It’s humorous as a result of Kev [Nishimura, Transparent Arts co-CEO] got here up with this phrase, “We’re the weapons to the Roses.” We’re studying a lot with James Roh [COO/Management at Transparent] and Daniel “Dpd” Park being a part of our crew.
Dojoon: We discovered quite a bit and we’re studying on a regular basis, however an important lesson and factor has been teamwork.
Woosung: There’s a phrase we at all times say, proper? [Transparent co-CEO] Kirby [Lee]’s son says…
All: “Teamwork makes the dream work.” [Laughs]
Dojoon: It could possibly be a cliché, however we actually imply it and imagine in that phrase. They’ve completely different personalities and completely different ideas, and, likewise, we’ve completely different personalities and completely different ideas. We all know the way to pay respect; each time we see them and so they see us, we be taught quite a bit from one another. I believe it’s a extremely good synergy.
Did Clear Arts deliver James Reid onto “Sure”? He’s such an ideal vocal match.
Woosung: No, James introduced himself. [Laughs] We have been ending up the album in Joshua Tree, and James was there simply hanging out with us…
Dojoon: James even mentioned, “I wish to go. I actually wish to come! Can I come?”
Woosung: We’re like, “Yeah, in fact, you’re at all times welcome.” He got here, frolicked with us, after which he was listening to what we had made up to now and he’s like, “I like this one, I wish to be on this one.” We thought, “Yeah, it is sensible. You’re on it.” [Laughs] And he knew he was an ideal match too. James was like, “That is my sh-t proper right here.”
Dojoon: And, naturally, there was a commerce. Sammy [Woosung] acquired to be on James’ tune [“Hold on Tight” off Reid’s Lovescene: album released in October 2022].
Heal is The Rose’s first full venture since your break to deal with army enlistment and different tasks. What did you be taught by yourself that you just delivered to this venture?
Dojoon: Individually, we acquired to spend time on our personal, and we had a variety of time enthusiastic about ourselves and the crew individually, which made us understand how taking this time isn’t a foul factor. So, we acquired extra peace of thoughts. We actually acquired to be taught extra about the way to keep calm and maintain going—I believe that’s the very best lesson we discovered from that hiatus.
Woosung: Truthfully, we matured in our personal manner, which could be very useful for our group. Now, I believe there’s peace of thoughts the place we will suppose extra about what others really feel and actually attempt to perceive how one another feels which grows us as a crew as a result of we couldn’t at all times actually perceive the place the opposite individual is coming from. We’re bringing that into our album, our day by day lives, all the pieces.
Jaehyeong: I met new individuals, so that they influenced me by way of music. There have been a variety of issues; among the individuals I met throughout that point performed classical or conventional music, so that they influenced me.
I can hear a few of that in “See-Noticed.” I wish to get into among the matters within the album and songs. The title is easy however very highly effective. When did you resolve that Heal was the identify of the album?
Woosung: It was simply random, we have been simply speaking.
Dojoon: Oh, however it was a four-letter phrase: H-E-A-L.
Woosung: Our albums have solely been 4 letter phrases: Void, Daybreak, Heal. That’s on objective however once we first acquired collectively, all 4 of us have been simply catching up, sharing our tales of what we went by means of and the way we had form of gone by means of life with out every others’ presence. And we actually felt how that the primary message of The Rose once we first created the band was “therapeutic along with music.” Coming into this new chapter of The Rose, we actually needed to remind ourselves and likewise remind our listeners. And simply basically, we felt like individuals had a variety of therapeutic to do by way of little issues or massive issues on this life: it may be childhood trauma, traumas that you just don’t even do not forget that you should heal from, a latest incident that you just wish to heal from. We actually imagine that music is a common language that does a variety of therapeutic so we simply needed to create this instrument for everyone that listens to the music to form of information them, and information us as effectively, by means of this therapeutic journey.
Why is that world “heal” so vital to you guys, whether or not it’s as a band or independently?
Woosung: Properly, I discovered over the previous two or three years of my traumas, the childhood traumas that I had which introduced out sure behaviors, sure pondering, sure actions, sure manner of speaking, sure manner of dealing with issues. I believe, actually, the basis of it was from a childhood trauma that I had even forgotten. I didn’t actually perceive it till I considered it so, that was an enormous turning level for me for positive; the way to conversate and the way to actually deal with issues.
Dojoon: I had somewhat problem expressing my emotions to associates or individuals who I like. By speaking quite a bit with our members and going by means of that, I’m attempting extra to specific myself somewhat extra. And that’s my activity any more, however I’m on a therapeutic journey as we go.
It sounds such as you guys will help each other in your therapeutic journeys.
Woosung: For positive. We’re in it collectively.
Dojoon: We have now a tune known as “See-Noticed” and writing it was a really therapeutic expertise. It’s a narrative of its personal, there’s a component within the lyrics the place we reply again to Jaehyeong. I believe that’s an excellent factor to have as a band the place we truly can heal by performing it each time.
Jaehyeong: We simply had a live performance in Toronto the place we sang “See-Noticed,” it was solely our fifth live performance on tour. I didn’t cry on the present, however I don’t know, our followers grabbing their telephones, turning on their flashlight, our members singing, and that half that made me so emotional. I used to be crying, and I believe that crying helps me discover extra readability and overcome my very own trauma. That’s my therapeutic time.
So “See-Noticed” is the tune that makes The Rose cry?
Dojoon: One in every of them, yeah! [Laughs]
Jack Vu
Jack Vu
Every little thing I’m listening to makes it clear that “Childhood” was the proper single to start this album and these matters. Was that on objective?
Woosung: That’s appropriate. As a result of all the pieces begins from our childhood, proper?
Dojoon: We have been all a baby as soon as, each individual.
The lyrics of “Childhood” say, “Don’t neglect if you have been a baby…/ Let it keep in your thoughts.” How do you guys stay that lyric?
Woosung: Properly, that’s the factor: once we write the songs, it’s not us saying that we’re higher and already know the way to do it—it’s additionally reminding ourselves. We’re identical to the listeners; there’s nothing extra particular between listener and performer. The music is what’s particular and we’re attempting to stay and keep in mind these messages by means of music. So, we strive however we’re human as effectively—we neglect. It’s onerous to chase these childhood desires generally and actuality makes it onerous. However we attempt to maintain connecting with what we write and what we sing, attempting to remind ourselves that life may be stunning, life is gorgeous, and we wish to stay it superbly.
Dojoon: Talking of forgetting, we are inclined to neglect our songs. Then once we hear again, after just a few months or just a few years, we’ll understand, “Oh yeah, we talked about this.” And this lyric involves us and it hits completely different each time. That’s a extremely good factor to have as a musician.
I additionally actually wish to provide you with props for the “Childhood” music video too. It’s so effectively executed and never like something I really feel like I’ve seen from a pop group primarily based in Korea. I beloved the way you confirmed so many various our bodies, you confirmed your our bodies, inform me about conceptualizing the video.
Woosung: The primary message behind that visible was simply that we’re all born bare, we’re all equal, we’re all youngsters as soon as, we’re all people. That was what we wish to showcase. You don’t should be good—as you possibly can see, we don’t even have good our bodies. We acquired somewhat intestine. Hajoon had a fairly good physique, he’s been understanding. [Laughs] However me, I simply hang around. However we needed to showcase the naturalness of simply human beings and the great thing about being pure. And likewise showcase nature as a result of that’s as pure because it may get.
What’s the very best tune to carry out on tour?
Woosung: My favourite efficiency is “Definition of Ugly Is,” the primary tune on the setlist. I believe it actually units the temper. I actually love the messaging behind the tune, which is just like the Ugly Duckling: you’re a swan, you don’t know but, however all people thinks you’re particular, they choose on you, however you develop into a swan, you have been simply within the improper group…that’s my favourite tune to play.
Dojoon: I believe, “Bitter.” “Definition of Ugly Is” is the main, first tune for the present however “Bitter” is the final tune. Properly, when the viewers is basically into the live performance and actually, feeling it, that’s the time when “Bitter” comes out. I really feel like all people can relate to the melody, they sing together with us rather well, and I’ve a lot enjoyable doing that tune.
Jaehyeong: For me, the primary one is “See-Noticed” however the second is “Black Rose.” You understand, it’s our first time to sing this tune to our [fans known as] Black Roses. We’re not taking part in our devices; we solely sing and sing collectively to our followers. It appears like very particular and so emotional. I adore it. Loads of followers come as much as us to say, “I actually beloved the ‘Black Rose’ out of the entire setlist.”
Hajoon: For me, “Sorry” is my favourite to carry out as a result of the tune is our first tune. So, once I play that, I really feel like once we began the band, it’s like coming again to the start. I believe our followers really feel the identical too. They know the lyrics very effectively as a result of it’s been on the market for nearly six years.
Trying forward, what’s coming subsequent as the brand new yr begins?
Woosung: We have now the world tour and all the pieces wraps round March-ish. We’re actually excited to only be on the highway, see our followers, actually carry out. Between these instances, we’re visiting these cities and doing publicity. We’re even doing information platforms in new cities, it’s been nice. We’re excited to complete that up sturdy, give a very good efficiency to every metropolis, and we’re going to go on a break for one month, from March to April 1st. Then after that, it’s begin over. We’re going to prepare for an additional album, speak about the place we wish to take that album and get again into it.
Dojoon: Yeah, we’re actually excited for the following manufacturing.
Any hints you can provide? Or influences you guys have been feeling currently?
Woosung: The album’s going to be 4 letters.
I assume we may count on that.
Dojoon: We’re going to make one thing very…
Hajoon: Cool!
Dojoon: A cool, city-ish vibe?
Woosung: Sure, metropolis vibes. You know the way Heal was our Joshua Tree vibe? In nature?
Dojoon: It’s going to be the alternative now—possibly.
That’s a very good tease. The rest so as to add for the followers?
Woosung: We actually simply wish to thank our Black Roses. They’ve been wonderful, making us pattern on Twitter for like day by day on tour. They’ve been doing fan occasions collectively. We’re very grateful simply to be constructing this group and being part of this group. We wish to share our experiences as effectively, and we’re joyful that we’ve a group that we will have interaction in and discuss with, even maintaining with them on Discord. So, thanks, Black Roses, we “Rose” you. We Rose all of you. And we hope to see you very quickly.
