Korea’s Newest

Rock Band
By: David Owyang
220429

Debuting three years after officially

forming, The Volunteers have finally
officially released a self-titled full-
length album. Comprised of bassist and
producer Koh “Cloud” Hyung-seok,
lead vocalist Baek Yerin, guitarist
Kwak “Jonny” Min-hyuk, and drummer
Kim Chi-heon, the band defies standard
group dynamics and works extremely
collaboratively on all aspects of their
music save for lyrics.
Left to Right: Jonny (guitar), Chi- heon
(drums), Cloud (bass), Yerin (vocals). (The
Volunteers)
The ten-song album, all in English,
includes six songs which the band had
previously unofficially released on
SoundCloud plus four brand new songs.
Headlining the album, which is inspired
largely by 80s and 90s grunge and
alternative rock, are title tracks
“PINKTOP,” “Let me go!,” and “Summer.”

The band’s sound is relatively unique in this era of music, especially in Korea, but some songs
do fall victim to sounding too similar at times. The drums are high up in Cloud’s mix and
Jonny’s guitar shines through Baek’s delicate but hard-hitting vocals.

This hard rock sound combined with the Baek’s voice which was previously only ever lent to
pop and R&B, set the band apart from nearly everyone else in Korea. Overall, the lyrics tell a
story of self-empowerment while staying true to the rock sound so many listeners are familiar
with.
Koh, the main producer, has stated that “’Medicine,’ ‘Violet,’ and ‘Crap’ are grunge rock, and I
think they portray The Volunteers’ identity as a rock band the best.” This grunge sound is
evident throughout every track, as Baek is able to completely change her voice from her sweeter
solo music.

The band spent the three years between their formation and their debut working on individual
projects, and never taking a break from music.
Once Baek founded her label, Blue Vinyl, in late 2019, Koh said he felt that releasing a solo
album for her was the right before having the band itself debut. And what a debut it was!

Jonny (left) and Baek Yerin (right) at their final show at Rolling Hall in Hongdae, Seoul (The Volunteers)
Leading the album, but not technically a title track, is “Violet.” A lovable rock song that is easy
to keep on repeat, “Violet” has very strong guitar that immediately alerts you to what this album
is going to be.

Baek’s defiant entrance into the rock scene is a powerful statement on independence as, over
Jonny’s guitar and Chi-heon’s drums, she sings, “You all goddamn control freaks, All you have
done is say ‘no’ to my face, But everything I’ve done is nothing to you people.”

Baek was previously signed for 12 years to JYP Entertainment, a label that is famously strict on
idols, so it is not surprising that her lyrics would come out so hard-hitting and rebellious.

“Summer” is by far their most popular song. Last on the album, but a title track nonetheless, the
softer rock song with more emphasis on rhythmic guitar melodies was released in 2018 on
SoundCloud along with “Violet” and has amassed over 1 million plays on Spotify.

Leaning more toward the ballads of Baek’s past, “Summer” includes lyrics like “Our eyes are
closed, But we know the sun is near us, We’ll be in love forever” and “Don’t you let me slip
away, When I fight for silly things, Don’t you show your back to me.”
Baek Yerin brings three solo albums, seven years in a K-pop duo, and numerous singles of experience to her role as
lead vocalist. (The Volunteers)
Where “Violet” is a grunge song about defiance and standing up to critics, “Summer” is a song
of longing and love. Two very different themes but the rock sound works perfectly for both.

The range of the album’s lyrical themes and the variety of rock subgenres present really
demonstrate the band’s experience with music and familiarity with each other. In fact, even the
band’s name came from Baek feeling supported by her groupmates during what was “a hard
time” while she was on a hiatus. They compose all the songs together, with Koh ultimately
leading the production and Baek writing all the lyrics.

The Volunteers lacks a clear leader as Koh, Baek, or Jonny could all be seen as occupying
leading roles. This is highly abnormal in Korea where most groups have a clear and official
leader (RM for BTS, Bang Chan for Stray Kids, Jihyo for TWICE, etc.). Their collaborative and
supportive group identity along with their rock sound, set them apart from other groups of this
time.

Writing for Bandwagon, Franchesca Judine Basbas called the group’s take on rock music
“sonically reminiscent of early 90s VH1 music videos and teenage rebellion.” An apt description
considering Baek, in the same article, told Bandwagon she thought “all of [the lyrics] share a
sense of rebellion against society or a certain phenomenon.” This rebellion shines through even
in song titles like “Time to fight back my way,” “Nicer,” and “Let me go!”.
 When listening to this album it is important to recognize that this is Baek’s entrance into the rock
genre after years spent in pop and R&B. The Volunteers bring a polished sound and a fresh
punky grungy take that ought to grab your attention. This album is a must-listen if you already
like rock and want to hear something new, or if you just want to support Korean artists.

The Volunteers - 더 발룬티어스

210527

백예린

고형석

곽민혁

김치헌

블루바이늘 / Blue Vinyl

Works Cited
Basbas, Franchesca Judine. “The Volunteers on Their Debut and the Process behind Their First-Ever
Album – Listen.” The Volunteers on Their Debut and the Process behind Their First-Ever
Album – Listen | Bandwagon | Music Media Championing and Spotlighting Music in Asia., 27
May 2021, https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/the-volunteers-yerin-baek-hyungseok-koh-
jonny-chiheon-kim-interview-debut-album-vanity-and-people-release-new-music-blue-vinyl-
rock-band-korea-2021.
Choi, Ji-won. “[Eye Interview] Baek Yerin Forays into 90s Rock with The Volunteers.” The Korea
Herald, 10 June 2021, http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210610000693.
The Volunteers by The Volunteers - RYM/Sonemic. rateyourmusic.com,
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-volunteers/the-volunteers/. Accessed 20 Apr. 2022.
“The Volunteers Members Profile (Updated!).” Kpop Profiles, 26 Apr. 2020,
https://kprofiles.com/volunteers-members-profile/.
Van Den Heede, Ilse. “[Review] The Volunteers - The Volunteers.” Thekmeal, 27 May 2021,
https://thekmeal.com/review-the-volunteers-the-volunteers/.
Yeo, Gladys. “Baek Yerin’s Band The Volunteers Talk Their Friendship and Long-Awaited Debut.”
NME, 11 June 2021, https://www.nme.com/news/music/baek-yerin-the-volunteers-friendship-
debut-interview-2967007.