▲ Han Kyung-rok of the band Crying Nut poses in an interview with Yonhap News Agency. (Yonhap) 

 

▲ Han Kyung-rok of Crying Nut sings with a guitar in front of Kim Chang-wan's art work "Self-Portrait," which is on display at the Mapo Art Center in Seoul.

 

▲ This image, provided by Captain Rock Company, shows poster for '2023 Kyung-rok jeol Mapo Renaissance.'

 

 

SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) - "It was not easy to make a living because all the performances were cut off during the three years of COVID-19. But I couldn't stop."

Han Kyung-rok, a bassist of the band Crying Nut, known by the nickname "Captain Rock," said in an interview with Yonhap News on Wednesday, "It is not common sense to make something happen in February, the off-season in the performance industry, but we planned an event that seems like a frog that breaks the ice early winter sleep."

Every year around February 11, his birthday, he holds the so-called "Hongdae's biggest holiday," a music festival called “Kyung-rok jeol." This year's event, which will be held under the name of "Mapo Renaissance," will be held offline for the first time in three years since 2020 at Mapo Art Center and live clubs in Hongdae, and will take as many as five days from the day to the 12th.

Kyung-rok jeol literally began in 2007 with a close musician at a small pub like a small birthday party, but it has grown in size and will feature about 120 popular musicians over five days this year.

The list of performers included a number of famous singers who can be recognized by those who are not "rock enthusiasts" such as "Romantic Singer" Choi Baek-ho, singer Lee Juck and Yangpa, and band Crying Nut, Monni, and Dickpunks.

This year, various art events such as poetry, science lectures, and book talks are to be held, as well as exhibitions of art submitted by Kim Chang-wan, who also works as a painter beyond simple rock and indie performances.

Han Kyung-rok said, "If Kyung-rok jeol had been a mania element among people who love Hongdae indie culture, I wanted to make it a solid festival where children can come this year."

In particular, when asked about the idea of combining indie performances and art exhibitions, he shot a gun out of his eyes, saying, "Art is as fun as entertainment."

"What I pursue in art is fun. I hope it's not as boring as Charlie Chaplin or ‘Indiana Jones.’ I don't want art combined with music to feel pedantic. Isn't it rock and roll to get rid of such prejudice and thresholds? Ha ha."

Han Kyung-rok said, “You will feel like you can hear music from the work submitted this time,” adding, “All those who submitted are musicians or music workers. I hope you stop by the music forest and feel like walking in the refreshing mint field.”

He added, "I wanted to show the works like wild flowers in beautiful nature, not flowers decorated in the garden."

Kim Chang-wan of Sanwoolim, who is also a senior in the music industry, has sent a new work completed this year to help the exhibition. It is a work called "Self-Portrait," which contains 46 years of debut.

Kim Chang-wan introduced his work the previous day in an article titled 'Posted to the Mapo Art Center Exhibition,' saying, "The best way to see myself is not through microscope or telescope, but through a mirror," adding, "When I brush with clunky things that I don't understand and leave mysterious, harmonious pictures like music are often drawn.”

Han Kyung-rok said, "Since play is planning and creation, I wanted to open up an 'artistic singing stage," adding, "I wanted to help others while maintaining my identity as a musician." "I hope Kyung-rok jeol will be a place to introduce culture," he said with a smile.

Alcohol and snacks are a must at a birthday party. As it is an "Indie" festival, we have prepared 2 million cc of beer, the largest number of events ever, with the help of a handmade beer brewery. Performances on the 8th and 11th to 12th will be held offline, and events on the 9th to 10th will be held online.

"It's an event to forget all conflicts, including generation, politics, liberals and conservatives, men and women, and enjoy it just today." It's a time when you're forced to work hard. I hope you can get the rest of your life and get the driving force to live on your own."

One of the welcome names in the performance lineup is singer Yangpa. She is a junior in high school and is said to be close friends with Han Kyung-rok. Choi Baek-ho said that he readily accepted it less than a minute after he was asked for an appearance to help junior musicians who are struggling with COVID-19 this year, following last year.

Han Kyung-rok said, "When I am in a rock band, I just have to enjoy my music, but now that I'm in the position of a planner, I'm preparing in a lower position for the people I'm thankful for." "There are many things I learn while preparing," he lowered his body.

His nickname "Captain Rock" literally means "Leader of Rock." He said he made it a joke in 2003 with his ambition to show the explosive energy. However, at this time after passing the long tunnel of COVID-19, he, who planned a large festival for 120 senior and junior musicians without commercial purpose, became the captain of Korean rock as his nickname is.

"Honestly, I'm not a superstar who sells 1 million albums each, so I feel pressured to plan such an event," Han Kyung-rok said. "But I still think I have to do something for my colleagues after 28 years as an ordinary indie musician."

"During the past month of preparing for the Kyung-rok jeol, I have gotten a lot more gray hair. In fact, I always wonder how long I can do this, but I think I try new things every year. I'm very competitive. Can you do it again this year? It feels like I'm playing tug-of-war with myself. "Haha".


(This article is translated from Korean to English by Yunhee Cho.)

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