The Rose: A Year of Growth, Connection, and New Music
For The Rose, the past year has been full of exciting events. After the release of their debut studio album “HEAL” in October 2022 and a successful world tour, the indie band has been dedicated to connecting with their fans and preparing for an even more thrilling 2023. Their latest singles “Back to Me” and “Alive,” released on July 21, mark the beginning of a new chapter for the band and serve as an introduction to their highly anticipated second studio album, “DUAL.”
USA TODAY recently had the opportunity to speak with The Rose about their artistic identity, the process of growth, and life in general.
Introducing The Rose
The Rose is a South Korean rock band consisting of four members: Woosung, Dojoon, Hajoon, and Jaehyeong. They debuted in 2017 with their single “sorry.” Despite their official debut in 2017, the members have known each other for years and consider themselves a tight-knit “brotherhood.” With Dojoon and Jaehyeong connecting while busking in the same area and Hajoon and Jaehyeong working together under the same entertainment company, the foundation for The Rose was formed. They later brought in Woosung, who was a close friend of Dojoon, and together they created The Rose.
The band’s debut single “sorry” gained significant recognition, reaching No. 14 on the Billboard World Digital Songs Sales chart and being named one of the “best K-pop songs of 2017.” Billboard also recognized The Rose as one of the top five “new K-pop artists to watch” in 2018. Since their debut, The Rose has released one studio album, two EPs, one single album, and numerous singles, many of which have achieved top chart positions in South Korea and the United States.
The Members of The Rose
The Rose consists of four talented members:
- Kim Woosung (English name: Sammy) – Born on February 25, 1993, in Los Angeles, California.
- Park Dojoon (English name: Leo) – Born on April 20, 1993, in Busan, South Korea.
- Lee Hajoon (English name: Dylan) – Born on July 29, 1994, in Gwangju, South Korea.
- Lee Jaehyeong (English name: Jeff) – Born on November 3, 1994, in Pohang, South Korea.
Reflecting on ‘HEAL’
On October 7, 2022, The Rose released their first studio album, “HEAL.” According to Woosung, the album served as a means for the band to reconnect with their fans after an extended period of absence. He stated, “We created ‘HEAL’ for everyone in our community to heal together. I believe it was a powerful start because healing through music is the essence of The Rose.” Through the album’s ten tracks and accompanying world tour, The Rose was able to convey uplifting messages to their fans, who they affectionately refer to as Black Rose.
“HEAL” also marked a significant milestone for The Rose. It became their first entry on the Billboard Top Albums chart, peaking at No. 19. Additionally, it reached No. 17 on the Top Current Album Sales chart and No. 4 on the Heatseekers Album chart.
‘Back to Me’ and ‘Alive’: A New Chapter Begins
With the release of their singles “Back to Me” and “Alive” on July 21, The Rose is embarking on a new chapter in their musical career. These songs serve as a glimpse into the band’s upcoming second studio album, “DUAL.” In this era, The Rose aims to showcase a more entertaining side, influenced by their experiences performing at various festivals worldwide, including their upcoming performances at Lollapalooza in Chicago and Life is Beautiful in Las Vegas.
According to Dojoon, the band wanted to capture the essence of individuals enjoying themselves in the songs. He said, “We wanted to convey the message that people can have an amazing time on their own. We wanted to encapsulate those moments of pure joy and fun into our music.” Woosung added, “Many great memories are often associated with the music we love. ‘Back to Me’ has the potential to evoke those extraordinary memories in people.”
The Evolution of Songwriting
When The Rose started writing songs, the process was collaborative, with all members contributing together. However, over the years, their approach has evolved. Jaehyeong mentioned that they have become more efficient than they were seven years ago, often writing lyrics and melodies individually. Nevertheless, the essence of collaboration remains intact, as the band prioritizes expressing the truth through their music, as Hajoon explained.
Dojoon emphasized that although their approach to producing music may have changed, their core values and desire to convey meaningful messages have remained constant. He said, “Perhaps our way of producing, the way we write music, has changed, but deep down, we haven’t changed. We have always wanted to deliver something meaningful or send a message through our music.”
Fostering Connection Through Personal Meaning and Emotion
For the members of The Rose, music is an integral part of their identity, serving as a means of self-expression. Woosung stated, “It’s the way we communicate what’s on our minds. Through our music, people interpret it in their own unique ways.” Regardless of the specific interpretation, The Rose wants their music to connect with listeners on a personal level, with each individual forming their own emotional connection.
Jaehyeong expressed his desire for listeners to experience the emotions conveyed in the music in their own unique way. He said, “Even if multiple people are listening to the same song, they will each have a different emotional experience. I want each person to feel the music’s emotions in their own way.”
Woosung added, “We understand that not everyone will feel the same things as us, but if our music can resonate with someone during a specific moment in their life, we are grateful. Music has the power to connect people.”
Artistic Identity and Staying True to The Rose’s Sound
The Rose’s sonic identity is expansive, allowing them to explore and blend genres seamlessly. Woosung mentioned, “We always create a new genre on top of an existing one to fit our sound.” With their new music, The Rose aims to push boundaries and experiment while remaining authentic to their artistic vision.
Dojoon explained, “We were looking for songs, but we couldn’t find any because we were looking for a new genre that we were creating. We have always had this sonic vibe within us, and now it’s time to present it in a different form.”
Growth Through Music and Life Experiences
The band has grown significantly over the years, both musically and personally. According to Dojoon, each experience has contributed to their growth as individuals and musicians, making them “better human beings.”
Woosung emphasized their humanity, saying, “We are just human beings. The only difference is that we make music for a living.” Music has played a unique role in teaching and healing each member of The Rose, and they aim to pass that positivity on to their fans.
Hajoon expressed his hope to provide others with positive vibes, inspiration, and influence. He said, “That is the reason why we make music. We want to be there for our fans whenever they need us. We always want to share the experiences of being human.”
The Rose’s discography perfectly embodies the essence of the human experience. As Woosung eloquently put it, “We may not be the main characters in other people’s lives, but we are the main characters in our own lives, and that’s something special and unique. You deserve love from this world, and this world is nothing but love. Without love, it would be a sad place. Without music, it would be a sad place.”
Are you excited for more from The Rose? Stay tuned for their upcoming endeavors in the world of K-pop!
Check out these K-pop interviews:
- TWICE Interview: Members discuss their record-breaking US tour and future ambitions.
- ATEEZ Interview: The members reflect on their growth since debut and their devoted fanbase, ATINY.
- B.I Interview: K-pop soloist opens up about his latest release, inspirations, and personal growth.
- P1Harmony Interview: The group shares insights on their album ‘Harmony: All In’ and their future performances.
- XG Interview: Girl group talks about their songs ‘Left Right’ and ‘Shooting Star’, and sends messages to their fans.
- CIX Interview: Get to know more about this K-pop group and their music.
- NCT Dream Interview: The members of NCT Dream discuss their first US tour and their individual journeys.
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
Denial of responsibility! Samachar Central is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
