K-Interview: Nerd Connection (Rock Band)

Interviewer: Deena Jasmine (Chikkmagaluru, Karnataka, India)

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

A voice for restless hearts, Nerd Connection blends raw emotion with razor-sharp rock, turning quiet thoughts into thunderous anthems.

Nerd Connection is a band that turns emotion into sound with quiet confidence. Formed by guitarist Choi Seong-won, vocalist and guitarist Seo Young-joo, bassist Park Jae-hyun, and drummer Shin Yeon-tae, they create music that feels sincere, thoughtful, and deeply human. Blending indie rock with lyrics that linger long after the song ends, their sound invites listeners to slow down and truly feel. 

From powerful albums like New Century Masterpiece Cinema and And Yet, We Still to memorable singles such as Hymn of the Birds, Back in Time, and Cliché, Nerd Connection has steadily built a strong presence in the Korean indie rock scene. Their work also extends to OSTs and collaborations for dramas and films, showcasing their versatility and depth. After winning the Korea round of the Emergenza World Band Competition, their heartfelt performances have continued to captivate audiences both in Korea and internationally. 

In this interview, let’s explore Nerd Connection’s journey, their evolving sound, and the emotions they pour into their music. 

Could you please introduce yourselves to our audience and share how Nerd Connection came together?

Hi, Hallyuism. We’re Nerd Connection, an alternative rock band from South Korea. 

We met in college and spent a lot of time trying out different paths, both creatively and personally. Music was always there in the background, even when we were focused on other things. 

Over time, we realized that music felt the most honest and natural to us. In the end, choosing music didn’t feel like a dramatic decision—it felt more like acknowledging something that had been there all along. That shared realization is what brought us together as a band. 

Looking back at your debut single ‘Hymn of the Birds,’ what memories stand out from that release, and how did it feel at the time?

It was our first time recording in a professional studio, and it was also our first single, so “Hymn of the Birds” naturally holds a very special place in our hearts. 

We earned that opportunity by winning the Korean round of Emergenza. We recorded the song just before heading to Germany for the Emergenza Festival, and it was released shortly after we returned home. Looking back, that period feels both surreal and unforgettable—a moment when everything began to fall into place for us. 

Your band’s name, Nerd Connection, is memorable. What’s the story behind it, and how does it capture the essence of your music? 

Honestly, it started out in a pretty random way—we actually used Google. There was a band name generator online, and Nerd Connection just came up. At first, we even talked about changing it, but somehow the timing never felt right, and we just stuck with it. 

As time went on, the word “nerd” started to resonate with us in a positive way. To us, it means being deeply immersed in something you truly care about. That’s how we approach music—fully absorbed, genuinely invested. In that sense, Nerd Connection feels right, because what we really want is to connect through music, not only with each other, but with everyone who listens to it.

Your recent single “Cliché” has been gaining attention. Could you tell us the story behind it and what you wanted to express through this song? 

Is it? We hope it’s doing well in India.

With “Cliché,” we were really interested in trying something new. It’s the first song where we put synthesizers right up front, and we paid a lot of attention to rhythm—vocals, drums, bass, guitar, and everything. We wanted the whole track to feel driven by rhythm rather than any single element.

Some people might say it’s not entirely new, but for us, it definitely is. If you look at our past releases, this song marks a clear shift. More than anything, we wanted to show that we’re not afraid to step outside what we’ve done before.

The message was clear from the very beginning. In everyday life, you’re constantly hearing advices. Sometimes it comes from a good place, but a lot of the time it feels more like a judgment or interference. It happens whether you’re making music or not—everyone seems to have an opinion about how you should live.

After a while, it gets hard to tell the difference between sincere advice and not. That’s where the line “all smoke, but no fire” comes from. It’s about advices that sounds meaningful but doesn’t really come from understanding. In the end, “Cliché” is our way of saying that some are just that—clichés.

You recently contributed “Smile for Me” for Motel California (OST Part 5). How was working on this soundtrack different from creating your own albums or singles?

First of all, the composer is actually a close friend we met back in college, so working on the song was genuinely fun. You don’t often get the chance to collaborate so closely with someone you share both history and musical interests with.

That said, we also knew we had to be careful not to let friendship get in the way of the work. We put in effort to approach the project professionally, pushing ourselves to make the song not just good, but really strong and meaningful.

Since the overall structure of the song was already in place, our focus shifted to how we could bring Nerd Connection’s sound into it. Even though it was for a soundtrack, it was still us performing the song, so we wanted our identity to come through clearly while staying true to the world of the drama.

You won first place in the Korea round of the Emergenza World Band Competition. How did that experience impact you as a band? 

Before Emergenza, we hadn’t really made it far in any competitions, so winning the Korea round meant a lot to us. It came at a time when we were still figuring out our place as a band, and that moment gave us the confidence and courage to keep pursuing music. And also just being surrounded by so many strong bands was a learning experience in itself.

Winning the Korean eliminations also gave us the opportunity to travel to Germany and perform alongside winners from different countries. That experience was not only exciting but genuinely meaningful. Even with language barriers, everything seemed to disappear once the music started. It didn’t really feel like a competition anymore—everyone, including us, was simply focused on performing and enjoying the moment.

Being there allowed us to see how different bands approach music and how they translate their ideas and emotions into sound. It was a reminder that music really is a universal language, and it left a lasting impact on how we see ourselves as a band.

What challenges or obstacles have you faced as a group with different perspectives and approaches, and how did you overcome them? 

At the core, we all share the same goal, the same love for music, and we face the same direction. But at the same time, we’re four very different people, each with our own perspectives and ways of thinking. Because of that, working together can be a lot of fun—but it can also be challenging. Our opinions definitely clash from time to time.

Whenever we hit a wall, we remind ourselves that everyone in the room is ultimately working toward the same thing: Nerd Connection’s growth through music and creating something that genuinely connects with our listeners. That shared understanding helps us push through disagreements and find common ground.

As for exactly how we clash and work things out—that part is kind of our team’s secret, so we’ll have to keep some of that to ourselves. Haha.

How has Nerd Connection’s music or approach changed since your debut, and what have you learned about yourselves as a band along the way?

Over time, we’ve really gotten to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. As a band, we’ve learned how to lean into what each member does best, and how to support one another where we might fall short. That balance is one of the most rewarding parts of working as a team. 

We’ve also learned a lot about ourselves on a more personal level. The deeper we go into making music, the more clearly we understand who we are—what we feel strongly about, what moves us, and even what we don’t connect with. Music has become a way of figuring ourselves out, not just as musicians, but as people. 

Musically, we do feel that we’ve grown and improved over time. We hope that progression comes through in our releases so far, and even more so in the music we’re working toward in the future. 

Looking back on your journey so far, what achievements or moments stand out as the most memorable for you as a band? 

Without a second thought, every moment we’ve spent on stage stands out. Being on stage is profoundly meaningful to us. There are no words that can fully describe the gratitude we feel when we see the audience connecting with us through our music. 

Another memorable moment was becoming headliners at the Grand Mint Festival in Korea. Even though it wasn’t the main stage, standing there made us reflect on all the performances we had gone through before our first headline show — the small venues, the long journey, and the many stages that led us to that moment. It felt less like a destination and more like an opportunity that encouraged us to grow further, to become a band that truly deserves to stand as headliners. It motivated us to work harder and keep moving forward.

If you had to pick one album or single that truly represents Nerd Connection, which would it be and why? 

Our first full-length album, New Century Masterpiece Cinema. A first full-length album carries a special meaning for many musicians, and it certainly does for us. 

The album embodies our earlier days — our thoughts, emotions, and the way we saw the world at that time. Of course, our current works also reflect our thoughts and emotions just as deeply, but New Century Masterpiece Cinema feels like the purest essence of Nerd Connection. It captures who we were when we first began to define ourselves as a band. 

What do live performances or concerts mean to you, and is there a particular show that left a lasting impression?

Live performances and concerts make us who we are. Without them, we can honestly say we are nothing. Writing and releasing songs means a great deal to us, but when the audience comes to our shows, it completes the musical journey. That is the moment when the songs truly come to life. 

Live shows are also deeply meaningful because they connect us with the audience. We know that coming to a concert is not easy — it takes effort to buy tickets, make time, and travel. Because of that, we are incredibly grateful. There are no words that can fully express how thankful we feel. 

 How do you feel when your music connects with fans, and how does that connection inspire or influence the music you create? 

That connection is what allows us to keep making music and continue performing. It is our driving force. Our music resonating with people gives us the strength and motivation to do what we love and to keep moving forward as a band.

What upcoming projects, tours, or releases are you most excited about, and what can fans look forward to from Nerd Connection in the near future?

Possibly a new album — but we can’t spoil everything just yet. Haha. We’re also planning a tour in Korea, and we’re doing our best to visit and perform in as many places as possible. 

Musically, we’re working hard to show a more developed and evolved side of Nerd Connection. Please wait just a little longer — we’re excited to share what’s coming next.

 If you could send a thought or feeling to your fans in India through your music, what would it be?

If you’ve made it this far, you might be curious about what kind of music Nerd Connection makes. We sing about the pessimistic and yet still beautiful things of the world, and we dive deeply into a wide range of human emotions. 

We hope you can connect with us not only on a musical level, but on an emotional one as well. Whether you’re feeling down or feeling good, we hope our music can be there for you. We believe our songs can gently amplify those emotions and stay with you in those moments. 

And hopefully, we’ll get to see you someday in India. We truly hope to meet you in person and share our music with you face-to-face.

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 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 below.