Interviewer: Aanchal Tekriwal (Godda, Jharkhand, India)

Editor: Pooja Vishwanathan (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India)

Blending raw emotion with soaring soundscapes, LUAMEL is redefining K-Rock for a new generation.

From the lively streets of Hongdae to the global indie music stage, LUAMEL (루아멜 ) is making waves as one of Korea’s most exciting rock bands. The group is made up of vocalist Hwi-Jun Son, bassist Joseph (Seok-joon) Choi, drummer Young-soo Tak, and guitarist Kyeong-cheol Heo, creating music that blends dreamy soundscapes with raw emotion. With their album Orbital and the track “In Between Days” featured on Apple TV’s Pachinko, LUAMEL has proven that indie music from Korea can resonate far beyond Seoul. In this conversation, we talk about their journey, what inspires their unique sound, and how they continue to stay true to their music in a K-Pop dominated industry.

Could you please introduce yourselves to our readers and share how LUAMEL came together as a band?

Hi! We’re LUAMEL, a rock band based in South Korea. Just like Day6 performs at the huge Gocheok Dome, we proudly represent the strong and growing indie scene at the iconic Hongdae FF. We actually first came together through a small show we put on with some of our friends. After the show, it felt too good to leave it as just one performance. We didn’t have a bassist back then, but our vocalist Hwijun brought in Joseph (Seokjoon) and completed the band.

The name LUAMEL is quite unique and poetic. What’s the story behind it, and what meaning does it carry for your identity as artists?

The name LUAMEL came from an image of the moon over a desert, with nomads and camels crossing through it. “LUA” means “moon” in Portuguese, and “MEL” comes from “camel.” We liked the idea of moonlight being the only thing nomads can rely on at night, like a sort of guide through the dark. That’s the kind of feeling we hope our music can bring. Oh, and Hwijun is surprisingly good at imitating a camel, so yeah.

Your music blends post-rock, alternative, and dreamy soundscapes. How did the four of you, with different musical influences, arrive at this signature sound?

One of the reasons we first came together was because we all thought ambient sounds were just so beautiful. We each tried to add ambience in our own ways using different pedals and gears, and that eventually led to our first album, “Livelapse.” Since then, we’ve come a long way, but trying to blend ambient characteristics is still a key part of what we do.

In 2021, LUAMEL was selected among the Top 5 in the Band Discovery program and performed at Sangsang Madang Live Hall. How did that recognition and stage experience shape you as an indie band?

Back then, we had to perform online in the finals of the Band Discovery program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It could’ve been worse, but we got to share first place with another band, ‘Herd,’ and started to perform in lots of other shows in Sangsang Madang Live Hall. One thing I remember the most is having an online concert with a great bassist called ‘Captain Rock’ of ‘Crying Nut,’ and we learned how to bring out our full energy on stage.

In 2020, you re-debuted with Universal Music. How has working with a major label changed the way you make or release music?

Before working with Universal Music, we mostly recorded everything at home, so going to recording studios was pretty new to us. They introduced us to a whole new side of things, like how music videos are made, what it’s like to do professional photo shoots, and everything involved in releasing music on a bigger scale. The best part was that it really helped us improve the overall quality of our music.

Your 2021 album Orbital was described as “cosmic and human at the same time.” What was the vision behind that record, and how did it shape your artistic direction?

When we worked on the album “Orbital,” we thought a lot about how human life and supernatural phenomena have a lot in common. We wanted to express the connection between the universe, nature, and people through the album. We hope that listeners will enjoy our music like an open-ended story, interpreting it in their own unique way as they listen.

After completing military service, you returned with singles like “Lotus,” “ITSOKAYTOHURTME,” and most recently “Thread.” How did that pause reshape your creative process as a band?

During our time away, we had the chance to reflect as individual artists, thinking about what kind of music we’re drawn to now and how we want to move forward as a team. It really opened us up to the ideas we wouldn’t have thought of. For example, “Clearly” was meant to have a vibe close to our earlier track “Path,” but with lyrics that are easier for Korean audiences to relate to. “Lotus” was created with some festival stages in mind, which gave us a chance to try things we hadn’t before. Our latest single, “Thread,” represents the new direction we’re taking as a band of 4 members. It’s got a more vintage sound but still carries that explosive energy along with LUAMEL’s original vibe.

LUAMEL’s sound feels very cohesive, yet each member brings a distinct influence. How do you balance individual creativity with the collective identity of the band when writing new music?

It might sound obvious or even a bit cliché, but it’s true. We all have different colors and tastes, and we each like different kinds of music. We’ve been playing together for about 7 or 8 years, so I know exactly when a rhythm or line I’m trying to play fits well with what everyone else is doing and when it doesn’t. Basically, we start with one simple idea, maybe a riff from the guitar or bass, a rhythm from the drums, or a melody from the vocals. From there, we add pieces one at a time until it all comes together.

Many fans describe your live shows as immersive, almost like stepping into another world. How do you translate LUAMEL’s layered sound into a live performance experience?

Our live shows are all about making people feel like they’re inside our music. We use effects pedals and backing tracks to keep the layered sound alive on stage, and good sound mixing helps make everything clear. The lighting and visuals really help set the mood and make the experience even more immersive.

The Korean music industry is often dominated by K-pop. What has been the biggest challenge of carving your own space as an alternative band, and how do you continue pushing forward?

Being a rock band in a K-pop-dominated scene definitely is challenging, but we see it more as an opportunity than a limitation. Since there’s no set path for bands like us, we get to shape things in our own way, and that’s actually kind of exciting. We’ve always made the kind of music we love without worrying too much about trends. Of course, it’s not always easy, but being in it together as a team makes everything more meaningful. That’s more than enough to keep us going.

Outside of music, what do each of you enjoy doing in your free time? Do those personal passions ever find their way back into LUAMEL’s music?

We’re all into different things outside of music, like coffee, anime, games, dogs, and, of course, movies. Those interests sometimes sneak into our music, whether it’s the mood of a song, the visuals, or just how we vibe during writing sessions.

Finally, do you have a message for your Indian fans, and what can audiences expect next from LUAMEL in terms of upcoming albums, tours, or projects?

We really appreciate everyone in India who has discovered our music. It means a lot to us. Right now, we’re preparing to release a new single on September 23, followed by a full album later this year. There’s a lot coming up, and we’re excited to share it with you. We hope to perform for you all someday. Thanks!

Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your precious time and for sharing insights about your journey. Thank you so much. On behalf of the entire team at Hallyuism, we wish you all the best for your future projects and lots of love from India!

We hope you all loved reading this interview as much as we loved conducting it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!