Leenalchi

Leenalchi (Korean: 이날치) is a South Korean pansori pop band formed in 2019.

Leenalchi (이날치)
Leenalchi at WOMAD in 2023
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	pansori, Alternative rock, gugak
Years active	2019–present
Labels	HIKE
Members	Kwon Song-hee An Yi-ho Jang Young-gyu Jeon Hyo-jeong Noddy Woo Lee Yong-jin
Past members	Lee Chul-hee Lee Narae Shin Yu-jin Jeong Jung-yeop Park Soo-beom Park Jun-cheol

Members

The band has a unique lineup, with two female and one male traditional Korean singers, two bassists and a drummer. The traditional singers are graduates of Seoul National University's traditional music department.^[1] Bassist Jang Young-gyu scored the films "The Wailing" (2016) and "Train to Busan" (2016) and played bass for SsingSsing. Fellow bassist Jeong Jung-yeop previously played bass for Kiha and the Faces. Drummer Lee Chul-hee was also drummer for SsingSsing. The band is named after Lee Nal-chi, a pansori master and jultagi performer of the 1880s. All members participate in coming up with a song in a rhythmic way, "like a Wikipedia article written by many contributors".^[2] The band members met during a 2018 performance of "Dragon King" at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju.^[3]

Work

Their first album was influenced by the pansori play Sugungga.^[4] The band released its track "Tiger is Coming" as a non-fungible token.^[5]

Reception

The band has achieved considerable success, appearing in the Korea Tourism Organization "Feel the Rhythm of Korea" video series^[6] promoting the cities of Seoul, Busan, Jeonju, Mokpo, Andong, Gangneung, and Incheon^[7] and winning three prizes at the Korean Music Awards in 2021 for Musician of the Year, Best Modern Rock Song, and Best Jazz & Crossover Album.^[8] Judges called it the "sexiest album of 2020".^[9] The band frequently collaborates with Ambiguous Dance Company.^[10]

Members

Current members^[11] Kwon Song-hee – vocals, keyboards (2019-present) An Yi-ho – vocals (2019-present) Jang Young-gyu – bass (2019-present) Jeon Hyo-jeong – vocals (2023-present) Noddy Woo – bass (2023-present) Lee Yong-jin – drums (2023-present) Former members^[12] Lee Chul-hee – drums (2019-2023) Lee Narae – vocals (2019-2023) Shin Yu-jin – vocals (2019-2023) Jeong Jung-yeop – bass (2019-2021) Park Soo-beom – vocals (2019-2020) Park Jun-cheol – bass (2021-2023)

References

1. Shin, Yu-jin. "Excitement explodes in Seoul national university". Retrieved 8 August 2021.
2. Park, Ji-won (7 July 2020). "Leenalchi blends alternative pop, traditional pansori". The Korea Times. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
3. Kim, Ho-jeong (30 July 2020). "Breathing new life, and rhythm, into traditional Korean music". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
4. Kang, Haeryung (13 July 2020). "Korean Pop, Away From The Hit Factories". NPR. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
5. Yoon, Soyeon (25 June 2021). "Leenalchi to release 'Tiger is Coming' as an NFT". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
6. "Tourism promotion videos featuring Leenalchi back with more Korean cities". Korea JoongAng Daily. Yonhap. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
7. "Sequel to Feel the Rhythm of Korea Revealed!". Korea Tourism Organization. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
8. Lee, Minji (18 February 2021). "BTS, Leenalchi, Jeongmilla sweep prizes at Korean Music Awards". Yonhap. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
9. Kim, Hoo-ran (26 February 2021). "Swift as a flying fish, Leenalchi breaks new ground". Korea Herald. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
10. Byun, Hye-jin (26 May 2021). "Leenalchi, Ambiguous Dance Company return to LG Arts Center". Korea Herald. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
11. "K-MUSIC 2023: LEENALCHI + JAMBINAI ⁠". KCCUK. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
12. "안녕하세요. 이날치입니다. ⁠". Instagram. Retrieved November 8, 2023.

External links

• Leenalchi on Instagram
• Leenalchi on Bandcamp
• Leenalchi on YouTube