A specific kind of warmth, tinged with wistfulness and an air of gentle defiance, emanates from Seoul today as genre-defying South Korean band SE SO NEON, the visionary project spearheaded by producer and multi-instrumentalist Soyoon Hwang, unveils their latest dreamlike offering: the single “New Romantic”.
Released simultaneously in both Korean and English versions, the track arrives as a beacon of intimate expression from an artist known for navigating the intricate landscapes of emotion and sound with equal dexterity. Captured beautifully in an accompanying photograph by Bahno Jung, Hwang’s presence feels both grounded and ethereal, a fitting visual companion to a song that glides effortlessly on airy, shimmering synths and her unmistakably tender vocals, wrapping listeners in a sonic embrace that feels like a warm, melancholic yet comforting glow. This isn’t merely a new song; it’s a portal into Hwang’s philosophical and deeply personal understanding of connection, serving as a poignant preview to the band’s long-awaited debut album, aptly titled ”, slated for arrival on August 15th. Fans eager to be enveloped by this new atmosphere can stream “New Romantic” immediately.
The essence of “New Romantic” is deeply intertwined with Hwang’s own reflections on the complexities and necessities of human connection. “I admit that I have a spectrum of quite diverse aspects, but the one that makes me feel awkward and a little embarrassed is when I have tremendous warmth towards others,” she confesses, revealing a vulnerability that resonates through the track’s delicate fabric. This admission unlocks the core philosophy driving the song.
Hwang elaborates, painting a picture of romantic connection that transcends conventional definitions: “Even if it’s platonic love, a humanitarian love, or even if my relationships with others is unclear, romantic connections with ‘people’ offers the courage to feel life most keenly and to take significant strides forward, even though they might seem pointless.”
For Hwang, this “romantic” impulse isn’t confined to traditional love stories; it’s a fundamental, animating force, a way of engaging with the world and others that infuses existence with vibrant intensity and propels one forward through uncertainty. “New Romantic,” she clarifies, is the purest manifestation of this worldview in musical form – “my own romantic way of expressing love to someone.” It carries a profound hope: “I always hope that my non-superficial way of conveying love will succeed.” This desire for authenticity, for a love expressed deeply and sincerely beyond surface pleasantries, pulses at the heart of the song’s melancholic beauty.
This latest offering finds its home on ”<NOW>,” SE SO NEON’s highly anticipated debut full-length statement. The album promises to be a culmination of the band’s evolving sound, a signature blend meticulously crafted over years that effortlessly weaves together lo-fi textures, vintage warmth, and a remarkably wide spectrum of influences.
Listeners can expect journeys through the raw emotion of blues, the expansive soundscapes of psychedelic rock, the driving rhythms of new wave, and the shimmering melodies of synth-pop – all filtered through Hwang’s unique artistic lens. While primarily sung in Korean, the band’s music possesses a universality rooted in its connection to the present moment and the natural world.
Hwang firmly believes this transcends language: “People will feel my energy and my soul,” she proclaims, suggesting that the emotional resonance and sonic textures of ” will forge a direct, visceral connection with listeners globally, regardless of linguistic barriers.
The path to the “'<NOW>” album was not without its moments of profound doubt. Following the release of her critically acclaimed second solo album under the moniker So!YoON!, ‘Episode1: Love’ in 2023, Hwang found herself grappling with significant anxiety about the band’s next chapter. The weight of expectation and the creative unknown became overwhelming. Seeking a catalyst, a rupture from the familiar, she made a decisive move: immersing herself in the bustling, relentless energy of New York City to focus solely on shaping the future of SE SO NEON. That change of scenery proved transformative. Spending marathon sessions, often clocking nearly ten hours a day within the confines of a studio in the heart of the city, proved invigorating rather than draining.
The intensity of the environment and the singular focus on creation acted as a crucible. Crucially, it led Hwang to a powerful personal epiphany: the need to relinquish the paralyzing grip of future anxieties and instead anchor herself firmly in the present moment. “That’s why the album title is ”'<NOW>” she reveals, pinpointing the origin of the evocative title.
Hwang’s time in New York pulled her back from a precipice of creative exhaustion: “I had been thinking, ‘I’m done. I’m not going to do music anymore.’ But after that New York experience, I felt hope.” The city didn’t just provide inspiration; it offered a lifeline, reigniting her passion and reshaping her perspective towards immediacy and presence.
This concept of ‘<NOW>’ is intrinsically linked to another fundamental element in Hwang’s life and art: nature. Her guitar playing, a central and defining force throughout the album, is described as aiming to “defy genres to create a wholly unpredictable, yet utterly natural landscape.” This aspiration mirrors her deep reverence for the natural world, a reverence cultivated during her childhood in Korea and further nurtured during her time as a young adult in Los Angeles.
“I love nature—sky, sunshine,” she states simply, yet profoundly. This love isn’t merely aesthetic; it’s foundational to her being and, consequently, to the album’s thematic core. ‘'<NOW>’ is about nature,” Hwang affirms, “because I’m from nature.” This connection suggests that the album’s embrace of the present moment is also an embrace of the organic, the raw, the ever-changing beauty of the world around us, positioning the album as a sonic ecosystem as much as a collection of songs.
The tracklisting itself hints at this blend of the personal, the immediate, and perhaps the elemental: beginning with “Twit Winter” and “Remember!”, flowing through the newly unveiled “New Romantic” and the titular “Now”, traversing diverse emotional territories like “Secret Police”, “Small Heart”, “Eden”, “Jayu”, “Kidd”, “Revolution”, “Pandq”, and concluding with the enigmatic “O”. Each title promises a facet of the journey through the present that Hwang has meticulously crafted.
SE SO NEON’s journey to this pivotal debut album began in 2016 when Soyoon Hwang first formed the band. True to their eclectic sound, the group’s lineup has seen various iterations over the years, with Hwang remaining the unwavering creative nucleus and anchor. Their impact was immediate and undeniable.
In their very debut year, SE SO NEON achieved the remarkable feat of winning both Rookie of the Year and Best Rock Song of the Year at the prestigious Korean Music Awards, instantly cementing their status as leading figures in South Korea’s vibrant and ever-evolving indie rock scene. Their trajectory continued upward with the 2020 release of the EP ‘Nonadaptation’. This release garnered significant international acclaim, finding a place on Pitchfork’s esteemed list of ‘The 35 Best Rock Albums of 2020’ and Paste Magazine’s ‘The 40 Best Rock Albums of 2020’.
Further solidifying their rising global profile, SE SO NEON was selected as one of Fender’s coveted ‘Next Artists of 2020’, a recognition highlighting their instrumental prowess and future potential. Adding to these accolades, they earned the distinction of being the only South Korean band chosen for YouTube Music’s global artist development program, YouTube Music Foundry, that same year. This recognition speaks volumes about their unique appeal and the global resonance of their music.
That resonance is quantifiable: boasting over 145 million global streams to date, SE SO NEON’s popularity extends far beyond their home country. Their fanbase has shown particular strength across Southeast Asia, with key regional cities like Jakarta ranking #2, Bangkok #3, Singapore #5, Taipei #6, and Kuala Lumpur #7 among their top global listeners, demonstrating a powerful cultural connection across the region. This dedicated international following eagerly awaits the expansive journey promised by ”.
Today, with the release of “New Romantic” in both its Korean and English incarnations, Soyoon Hwang extends a heartfelt, intimate invitation. It’s an invitation to experience that potent mix of awkward warmth and courageous romanticism she describes, channeled through a soundscape that is both nostalgically vintage and strikingly contemporary.
That is a glimpse into the philosophy of embracing the present moment that fueled the creation of ‘'<NOW>’ amidst personal doubt and creative renewal in the heart of New York City. It’s a testament to a band, anchored by Hwang’s vision and exceptional guitar work, that has defied easy categorization from its award-winning inception, drawing strength from nature and weaving together diverse musical threads into a tapestry that feels simultaneously unpredictable and utterly natural.
As the shimmering synths of “New Romantic” fade, they leave behind that distinctive warm, wistful glow – a signature of SE SO NEON and a promise of the depth, authenticity, and captivating sonic landscapes awaiting discovery on the imminent ”.
The single is available to stream now, and the album, a significant milestone in the band’s journey, awaits pre-order ahead of its August 15th release.
Hye Rin Choi is a writer and entrepreneur from Seoul, South Korea. She breathes Korean culture and history. She’s passionate and committed to helping people learn more about her fascinating country.