Narotic is a four-piece band consisting of Woong (Gt./Vo.), Seddon (Ba), Hyuk (Key), and Ethan (Dr).
Narotic blends art rock and psychedelic rock to explore hopelessness and love, environmental and societal collapse, and the edge of reality. Their debut in 2018 with the single “Coincidence”.
They released their first full-length album, “KindA,” and in 2023, they released the digital EP, “Hatred.” In March and November 2023, they toured Japan in Kansai and Tokyo. They toured Thailand in January 2025. On March 20, 2025, they released their second full-length album, “AT LAST.”
“AT LAST” was conceived as a complete narrative rather than just a collection of songs. Set against an apocalyptic atmosphere, it tells the story of two individuals struggling to survive amidst fading hope. The album sheds light on issues the world faces today, such as war, environmental pollution, and polarisation, encouraging listeners to reflect on these topics through its music. It aims to provide an experience akin to reading a novel, transcending mere music appreciation. The album spans various genres but maintains an overall dreamy and melancholic atmosphere to maximize the emotional flow. The beginning expresses anger and sarcasm, the middle deepens into despair and resignation, and the latter part culminates in enlightenment or nihilism. Particularly, the vocal changes intensify this emotional journey, starting with intense and rough vocals to convey anger and sarcasm, gradually transitioning to softer, whisper-like singing that incorporates deep emotions. Following the album’s release, Narotic held a successful showcase on March 21, 2025, concluding the event with great success.
Interview & Text：music/And..., Sofia
Photo：Chris
#1 The concept of “AT LAST” is that it’s a story album, but what kind of story is it? Also, why did you come up with that kind of story?
Woong: This story is set in a post-apocalyptic world. In the year 2070, civilization has collapsed due to war, disaster, and pollution. Amidst the ruins, a boy happens to encounter a fallen angel, and together they begin a journey to survive. The reason I created this story is because I believe that if humanity continues on its current path without a sense of urgency, this kind of ending is inevitable. The deepening of inequality and reckless consumption are accelerating our downfall. That’s why I felt compelled to imagine and tell this story.
#2 Were there any works or creations that you referenced when you were thinking about the story?
Woong: I’ve always been a huge fan of Pink Floyd, and when I listened to “The Wall” and watched the film, it left a deep impression on me. It was shocking—in the best way—and it made me want to create an album like that one day. That desire became one of the driving forces behind this project. In terms of the story, I was heavily influenced by Margaret Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake” and the “Mad Max” series, both of which helped shape the apocalyptic world and atmosphere of my work.
#3 It’s been about a month since the release of your second studio album ”AT LAST”. Among the reactions you’ve received so far, what stood out to you the most? Have your own feelings toward the album changed in any way?
Woong: There were more musical changes than I expected, but I was truly grateful to see that the fans still loved it. It made me feel that I wasn’t wrong. I want to promote the album more and share it with as many people as possible.
Hyuk: First of all, we’re really grateful for all the kind words people have shared about the album. Since “AT LAST” is a story-driven album, we also performed the tracks in order during the showcase. What left the strongest impression was hearing from so many people that they really felt the dramatic arc of the show.
Ethan: First of all, I want to thank Woong, Hyuk, and Seddon who worked so hard on this album. After the release and showcase, we had a shift in mindset, and reflected more seriously on what direction we should head in moving forward. We’ve also received a lot of positive feedback, saying that the album was successful as a story-driven piece, and I’m just very grateful for that.
Seddon: I’m truly grateful to everyone who has been looking forward to our work. All I can say is that I’ll keep working even harder from here on out.
#4 It’s been four years since your previous album “KindA“, during which time you’ve released singles, EPs, and gone on international tours. What did this period mean to the band?
Woong: Our working speed has improved compared to before, and the members are really good at responding to what I ask for. It feels like we’re becoming more and more unified as one band.
Hyuk: Over the past four years, we’ve experienced both conflicts and moments of compromise. It was a period of many changes. As we continued touring abroad and building up shared memories, we feel like we’ve grown closer as a band.
Ethan: Honestly, some of the time passed by without much awareness, and there were moments we couldn’t focus properly. But even through that, we supported each other, went on overseas tours, and grew a lot as a band. We were always close and like family, but we became even closer now. The production and live performances required a huge amount of practice, which helped us build a much stronger dynamic together.
Seddon: Well, while the band certainly grew, I think it was more of a time for each of us to grow individually. A lot happened during that time, and I believe we experienced meaningful growth. Personally, my solo work evolved, and I also improved my abilities as a bassist.
#5 Since last year, your collaborations with external artists have noticeably increased. For example, ILWOO from the experimental Korean instrumental post-rock band Jambinai contributed taepyeongso on “River,” and saxophonist PillJoo joined you on stage for songs like “Things that disappear,” “Not much left,” and “Anyway.” We also understand that for the music video of “Ophelia (a fallen angel),” you collaborated with a professional film crew for the first time. What sparked these diverse partnerships? And through them, what kinds of new approaches or expressions were you hoping to explore?
Woong: Working with others made me realize how much more colourful the music can become. When a third party gets involved, things can go in unexpected but good directions. Communication takes more time, of course, but I’d love to work with other musicians again in the future.
Hyuk: What struck us the most through these collaborations was the realization that there are ways of interpreting our music beyond how we see it as members. The addition of perspectives from other musicians or producers brought something new and exciting to the songs—transforming them into even more compelling works.
Ethan: Personally, I didn’t find it too difficult, but recording with Korean traditional instruments and releasing that as an actual track was a very fresh and cool experience. It felt like an exciting new experiment.
Seddon: Being active in the indie scene for a long time naturally led to meeting more people. I think collaborations came about quite organically through those connections. I didn’t find working with external collaborators difficult—in fact, it helped me recognize my shortcomings and gave me opportunities to grow.
#6 What kinds of instruments or musical motifs did you incorporate to express the theme of “AT LAST“? For example, the powerful production in “Enemy” was particularly striking.
Woong: I didn’t decide on specific instruments from the beginning. As I wrote each song, I naturally thought, “This kind of sound would work well here.” For “Enemy,” the lyrics were really intense, so I focused a lot on incorporating distortion sounds to match that energy.
Hyuk: While working on this album, we found ourselves listening to a lot of jazz records. Sound design was of course important, but this time we were especially focused on musical expression through performance—particularly piano playing. We aimed for a more horizontal rather than vertical approach to composition and performance.
Seddon: We incorporated traditional Korean instruments and tried something different rhythmically. I just didn’t want to make something that felt the same as before.
#7 We’ve heard you have an interest in traditional Korean instruments. Are there any you’d particularly like to incorporate into your music in the future?
Woong: Personally, I really love the sound of the haegeum. I’d love to try using it in place of a cello in our arrangements.
Hyuk: Every traditional Korean instrument has its own unique character and charm. Among them, I’m especially drawn to the pyeong-gyeong. I’d love to incorporate it into one of our songs—especially in a live setting rather than just recordings. Its clear tone and visual presence could bring a new layer of freshness to our performances.
Ethan: I find the sounds of the daegeum and haegeum incredibly beautiful, and I’d love to learn to play them myself. I’ve loved those sounds since I was young, so if I get the chance, I definitely want to work on a project with them.
Seddon: If we’re talking traditional instruments… maybe the sogo (small hand drum)? Personally, I’d also like to try adding sounds from DJ gear. It just seems fun!
#8 How would you describe the differences between studio recordings and live performances in terms of energy and expression?
Woong: In terms of sound, it might be a bit lacking. We try to fill in the gaps as best as we can, but there are limitations in live settings. It’s hard to completely reproduce the studio sound. However, the energy and emotion we deliver in real-time during live performances can reach the audience more directly, I think.
Hyuk: Compared to studio recordings, our live performances carry a much rawer texture and stronger energy. I think this makes the sound hit harder for the audience. That said, studio recordings have their own merits in terms of refined and concise delivery.
Ethan: Of course, in studio recording, there’s the advantage of being able to layer the sounds you want and try out different approaches to craft the track. But a drawback is that once it’s released, that’s it—you can’t change it. And if the source doesn’t turn out the way you envisioned, compromises have to be made. On the other hand, live performances allow us to express a wider range of emotions and dynamics. The ability to communicate directly with the audience is also a huge plus. But I’d say the downside is that there are aspects of the music that we can express in a recording but not fully replicate live.
Seddon: With this album, I felt a bit of a limitation in the bass sound. As a bassist, I often use thick, fuzzy tones, but I didn’t get to express that as much this time. Especially the drive in the bass—I think I can bring that out more during live performances.
#9 How did your approach to making “AT LAST” differ from how you created “KindA”?
Woong: The first album was like a best-of collection, made up of songs we had written up to that point. But for this album, I wrote the songs with the intention of creating a story album from the beginning. So I think there’s a much stronger sense of cohesion. While the first album’s songs each had their own unique character, this one feels more unified and harmonious throughout.
Hyuk: For me, “KindA” was an album approached almost mathematically. Looking back, it felt more like assembling puzzle pieces than making music in the traditional sense—very focused on vertical layering. In contrast, “AT LAST” was created with a more horizontal flow in mind. We tried to let the music guide us and unfold naturally.
Ethan: With our first album, we wanted to introduce Narotic to the world—kind of saying, “This is who we are.” Looking back, it all feels like a whirlwind. I can’t even remember some parts clearly, and there were definitely many challenges.
With the second album, I thought more deeply about myself and what more I could do. Having gone through the process once already, I approached things more carefully and intentionally this time around.
Seddon: If “KindA” was a more polished album, then “AT LAST” could be described as more raw. The vibe of the songs is quite different from our first and second albums.
#10 Was there a particular moment or episode during the production process that left a lasting impression?
Woong: The most enjoyable moment was when all the music production was finally done. I felt this huge sense of relief—like, “We finally finished it.”
Hyuk: Recording the opening track “GALBI” was especially memorable. It was our first time recording live together as a band, playing all at once. That experience was really fun and left a lasting impression.
Ethan: Honestly, I’m not sure if I had any particularly “fun” moments, haha. But I do have a lot of good memories, and I felt deeply connected to the work during that time. Every song turned out great, and that makes me happy.
Seddon: To be honest, I didn’t feel particularly happy during the recording process. I became more sensitive and unsure about what to do. The moment the album was released was when I felt the most joy. Also, since we were performing while preparing the album, our trip to Thailand for a show was probably the most enjoyable part. Through that, I think I gained a better understanding of how to approach production.
#11 Several previously released singles—such as “Ophelia (a fallen angel),” “Storke,” “Not much left,” and “GALBI”—were reworked for the album. What was the reasoning or intention behind that decision?
Woong: There were many parts in the mixing that I wasn’t fully satisfied with, so I focused on fixing those elements when reworking the songs.
Hyuk: Even right up to release, we kept questioning and refining the songs. But there are always little things that only become apparent after release. So before re-releasing the singles as part of the album, we discussed and revised those aspects to present them in a more complete form.
Seddon: As an indie band, we grow with every album. But after releasing this one, I felt a bit dissatisfied with the mixing, so I made some adjustments afterward to improve it.
#12 We’ve heard that “Things that disappear” was particularly challenging to complete. What made it difficult?
Hyuk: We wanted the saxophone and piano to flow together—not by playing the same line, but by blending in a way that felt cohesive. That balance was something we spent a lot of time working through.
Ethan: There were no technical issues at all. The difficulty came from the fact that I physically couldn’t keep up with the demands of the song at first. I had to prepare and record many tracks, and that caused a lot of mental stress, which made it hard to get a good take.
But after a lot of hard practice, when Woong said, “This sounds really good,” I was incredibly moved.
#13 What is the concept behind the cover art of “AT LAST”?
Woong: I wanted to express how chaotic this world is. I watch the news a lot, and most of what I see is depressing—natural disasters, accidents, corruption in power… it’s always something. Of course, I wish these things wouldn’t happen, but humans have been like this in the past and will likely continue in the future. So what should we do? My answer was to keep raising our voices. That’s why I made this album—because I believe that by speaking up, even a little, we might be able to make things better. The world feels so chaotic to me right now, so I tried to visually represent that with intense and messy imagery.
Hyuk: Since “AT LAST” is a “post-apocalyptic story album,” we had a meeting where each member shared their vision of the apocalypse. Elements from that discussion were incorporated into the artwork. Our mascot “yag”, bleeding in the artwork, really matched the apocalyptic mood, and we’re quite fond of that image.
Ethan: I loved the apocalyptic vibe and especially the color palette. It felt like a conceptual continuation of our previous EP, and I really liked that clever connection.
Seddon: As indie artists, I think there’s real value in the fact that we handle things like the design concept ourselves within the band.
#14 Could each member share their favourite track from the album and tell us why it stands out for you?
Woong: My favourite song is “Survivor.” I think the melody and structure really capture who we are, and since it came about spontaneously during a rehearsal, I feel especially attached to it.
Hyuk: Personally, I really like “River,” which features Ilwoo from Jambinai. I love the sound of the taepyeongso in that track and the build-up that leads to it. Woong and I set up the studio and recorded that part ourselves, which made it a particularly fun memory.
Ethan: My favourite track is No. 9, “Forgive Us.” The melody, progression, lyrics—everything about it is perfect to me.
But the song I feel the most affection for is track 12, “Things That Disappear.” A fun fact: this one took over 1,000 takes to get right… haha.
Seddon: Rather than having a single favourite song, I remember creating the initial idea for a track called “GALBI,” which we later developed together as Narotic. The working title was originally “Kimbab.” We changed it to “GALBI” while we were in Japan. I also really like the bass riffs in “Anyway” and “Survivor”—since I wrote them, I feel like they reflect my personality and style well.
#15 As Narotic, how do you perceive your relationship with current Korean society and politics?
Woong: I believe that art should reflect the times. Whether it’s woven into a love story or expressed more directly, that’s the kind of social role artists can and should take on. Some people dislike political expression, but I think that in itself is the most political stance. Politics is directly tied to our lives. If we don’t talk about it, then who will? In a massive collective like a nation, if citizens don’t speak up about what’s wrong, I think the nation loses its meaning. I hope a day will come when I no longer feel the need to talk about these things.
Hyuk: On April 4, 2025, a long battle finally came to an end. I believe everyone fights in their own way to reclaim and assert their rights. As musicians, we have the ability to speak through our music. We want to continue expressing messages of resistance and standing against injustice through our work.
Seddon:Recently, many things have happened in Korea, and some of the lyrics in “AT LAST” reflect a critical stance on those events. But I think Narotic’s lyrics go beyond just domestic issues—they also deal with the challenges people face as they try to live within society. I believe there are many different ways to approach these themes.
#16 How did your 2023 tour in Japan and your 2025 tour in Thailand compare? What impressions stayed with you from those experiences?
Woong: Every tour feels like a trip, and I really enjoy that. I get to meet new fans and bands, learn through new experiences, and grow. I know these are experiences not everyone gets to have, so I’m always grateful.
Hyuk: We had some amazing exchanges with artists in both Japan and Thailand, but the most memorable episode was reuniting with Mömoku—who we performed with in Japan—at AGMH Festival in Korea. Sharing the stage again felt really special.
Ethan: Unlike Korea, the reactions from the audiences overseas were very diverse and warmly welcoming, and I’m truly thankful for that.
There were so many memorable moments outside of the shows too—you can check them out in our Narotic Vlogs!
As for the venues, I can’t say enough: Japan and Thailand were absolutely amazing.
Seddon: Everything was quite different from Korea, so the whole tour experience left a strong impression on me. The cultures are different too. Korea tends to be more reserved, while in Japan and Thailand, the audiences were a bit more expressive. That said, I didn’t find the difference to be extreme—just a little. Honestly, they’re quite similar. In some live venues in Thailand and Japan, the engineers were more systematic in handling the sound. But that varied from venue to venue. What stood out the most overall was the diversity of the bands. They had more individuality. It felt a bit different from Korea—there were more artists who really wanted to express themselves.
#17 We’re already four months into 2025—what plans or projects do you have for the rest of the year?
Woong: Aside from a few scheduled shows, there’s nothing concrete planned yet.
Hyuk: This year, we’re looking forward to presenting more thoughtfully curated live shows. If possible, we’d love to do a domestic tour in Korea as well.
Ethan: To try out new ideas, I’ve actually been preparing a lot personally. I’ve been practicing hard and want to explore new gear as well—though I’m not quite in a position to make it all happen yet. Still, we definitely plan to work on another great album and would love to go on a domestic tour in Korea.
Seddon: I want to interact with more artists and try out various projects. I believe that collaboration leads to growth—not just for the band, but also personally. You have to let stagnant water flow out for new water to come in. As for releases, I think once we’ve accumulated enough songs, we’ll naturally put out singles, then EPs, and eventually a full-length album again. Since Narotic just released an album, I think we’ll focus on promoting and performing this one for now.
#18 Lastly, do you have a message you’d like to share with your fans and listeners?
Woong: Thank you always. Please stay healthy. And if you can, share our music with the people around you too.
Hyuk: Thank you always for listening and supporting us. We hope our music has offered even a bit of comfort, and we’ll continue to pour our energy into every performance. Thank you.
Ethan: Through Narotic, I’ve received so much love and attention. We’ll continue to put in the effort, stay mindful, and keep making music. Thank you so much for all the love you’ve shown Narotic so far, and thank you in advance for continuing to support us. We’ll always keep moving forward. Thank you!
Seddon: I do believe geniuses exist in this world. But even if someone is a genius, without effort, their brilliance will only be fleeting. Effort never betrays you. The ones who survive through effort are the truly strong, talented, and cool people. Let’s all survive together.
リリース情報
Artist : Narotic
Album Title：AT LAST
Release Date : 2025-03-20
Label：Mirrorball Music
Track List：
01. GALBI
02. Stroke
03. River (FT.ILWOO LEE from JAMBINAI)
04. Survivor
05. Ophelia (A Fallen Angel)
06. Enemy
07. Escape
08. Separate
09. Forgive us
10. Anyway
11. Not Much Left
12. Things that disappear
13. Wings
14. Bye
■ Link：Spotify
■ Narotic：Instagram / X
