INDEX
Bleach: A Creation Born from Letting Go, with “Youth” as Its Ever-Present Theme
Can you tell us about the album? First of all, the Japanese edition of Bleach was released under the long-established indie label “P-VINE” as part of their K-ALT series.
Hyuky: We’ve always talked about it, right? How we wanted to release something in Japan one day.
June One: Yeah. We’ve always felt that the physical market, like CDs and vinyls, is smaller in Korea. We grew up in a generation that listened to CDs, not subscriptions or digital data, so we really understand how important physical media is. Japan still has a strong market for physical sales and listeners who appreciate it, so we always talked about wanting to release something here. We’re really grateful for this opportunity to finally do so at the right time.
Zayvo: P-VINE is the best! [laughs].
Launched in 2024 by the long-established Japanese record label P-VINE, the K-ALT series supports alternative Korean artists with a cult-like sense of immersion. So far, the series has released works from Glen Check, trilingual R&B singer Jiselle (who sings in Japanese, English, and Korean), and DJ/electronic producer swimrabbit. Upcoming releases include the debut album Playground by rising Korean R&B singer Otis Lim on November 20, and a 2-in-1 release of the 1st and 2nd EPs by the smooth and comfortable indie music group orange flavored cigarettes on December 4.
More details here
Glen Check’s music has a core of electro-pop and synth-pop, but the mood and atmosphere of each album can drastically change. The freedom to not be confined to one genre is one of the appealing aspects. However, with Bleach, there seems to be a more introspective tone compared to the previous danceable approach. There was a gap of about 9 years between the release of YOUTH! and Bleach. Do you think this period of time has influenced the style of this album?
June One: Yes, that’s right. As you create music, you naturally acquire more knowledge and skills. But sometimes, I became too focused on those things and started to feel trapped by a set of rules, like “If I do this, then I should do that next.” I wanted to break free from that and make music in a more liberated way. It took time, but the result of that was the album Bleach.
Dazed & Confused and 4ever, which are both included in the album, became a hot topic in Japan this year after being featured in Netflix’s romance reality show Boyfriend. Did you hear any feedback about that?
June One: I first noticed it when the number of streams on Spotify suddenly increased. I remember being really surprised.
The music video for Dazed & Confused on YouTube has many comments saying things like, “It fits perfectly with the world of Boyfriend,” and “Whoever chose this song has great taste.” The title Confused suggests a feeling of confusion—what was the thought behind creating this track?
June One: For us, this song represents Youth. It’s about the confusion that comes from overthinking, that moment when you just can’t make sense of anything anymore! The emotional fluctuation in that moment is “Youth.” And within that concept of Youth, what I always think is the most important is to “not overthink.”
So, is the song’s lyrics based on personal experiences, including that sense of Youth?
June One: Rather than incorporating personal anecdotes, I draw inspiration from my experiences and build a story around that. The lyrics are meant to be shared with those who listen to the song.
“Youth” has been used as an album title before. Is it a message that has always stayed the same, or is it a sentiment that has grown stronger in Bleach?
June One: The way we convey the message may differ with each album, but the core message—whether it’s the meaning of Youth, or the idea of letting go of thoughts and resetting—hasn’t changed.
Even for today’s younger generation, there are so many moments where we overthink. Sometimes, overthinking leads to something good, but we’ve also learned that resetting our thoughts can bring something valuable. Through Youth, we realized this, and that’s why we always try to tell people, “Sometimes, just don’t think at all.”
Would you say that Youth is about struggling or questioning?
June One: Yes, exactly. But overthinking isn’t the only aspect of Youth. There are also moments without worries or troubles. I think it’s the moments when we are on the border of those feelings, constantly questioning and shifting, that are the most beautiful.
Do you also find yourself struggling with things often?
June One: I used to struggle a lot when I was younger. About the future, about life, and with Bleach, there was also the issue of mandatory military service, so I had to take a break from activities for a while, which made me think a lot about time. But since Bleach, I feel like I’ve stopped worrying. The title Bleach comes from the idea of letting go of all worries, of “bleaching” them away, and this album became a very important point in my life.
Worries never really go away, right? Hyuky and I went to an international high school, and we were both under a lot of stress, especially with college entrance exams and other things. Back then, we’d talk about things like, “Which university should I go to?” or “Where will I be safe?” and sometimes I would get scared if I felt like I was stepping off that path. But there will always be some kind of worry, so I think it’s important not to get too caught up in it and to try doing things without thinking too much.
When writing lyrics, do you discuss them with Hyukki and June One?
June One: I talk a lot with Hyukki to brainstorm ideas.
Hyukki, you’ve spent a lot of time together, so how do you feel about the lyrics?
Hyuky: I think I understood the change in mindset before and after making Bleach, and I deeply resonated with the content of the lyrics. But, actually “letting go of thoughts” is something that’s easy to say, but really difficult to do. I’m still working on it.
Zayvo: Hyukki is the one who thinks the most! [laughs]
Hyuky: I guess I’m the type to think the most when doing something! [laughs]
But I think it’s because you’re all putting effort and thought into the music that you create songs that really resonate. When I listen to Glen Check’s music, the word “Youth” comes to mind, and I really felt connected to it after hearing your story.
June One: We’ve grown older, but I believe we always carry Youth in our hearts.
