Drummer Seo Hyun-jung Offers Words of Comfort Through Electronic Music

Seo Hyun-jung, the drummer for the acclaimed Korean indie bands '3호선 버터플라이' (Butterflies on Line 3) and '모임 별' (Gathering Stars), has stepped into the spotlight as a solo electronic music artist. Under the project name SØHJ, she released her debut full-length album, 'Ø: Between,' on October 21. The name SØHJ itself, derived from the symbol for the empty set (Ø), signifies not just emptiness but also the potential for new beginnings.

"The empty set means emptiness, but it's also room for something to start again," Seo Hyun-jung explains. She felt this concept resonated with her transition from solely playing drums to exploring new musical avenues. The album's title, 'Between,' reflects this idea of in-between states: emptiness and fullness, anxiety and stability, endings and beginnings. "People are rarely defined by a single emotion," she notes. "As I told stories about my feelings, I realized everything is in flux, and I felt like I was in the middle of it all."

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The empty set means emptiness, but it's also room for something to start again.

While her previous work was rooted in rock, with guitars, bass, and drums forming the core sound, 'Ø: Between' is built on synthesizers, beats, and vocal effects. Yet, Seo Hyun-jung's identity as a drummer remains palpable. "I can't ignore it, even if I try," she says. "Even when choosing a kick sound, I lay out so many options and start with the rhythm I like best. I spend the most time on the beat."

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I can't ignore it, even if I try. Even when choosing a kick sound, I lay out so many options and start with the rhythm I like best. I spend the most time on the beat.

The album delves into personal emotions, particularly the loss of a childhood friend. The track 'Scofield' is a tribute to this friend, whose life was cut short shortly after starting their career. "I always thought that if I worked alone, I would definitely write a song about that friend," Seo Hyun-jung shares. The process of creating the album was both liberating and solitary, pushing her to be honest with her emotions and lyrics. "Is this truly my genuine feeling?" she repeatedly asked herself.

Ultimately, 'Ø: Between' is an offering of "comfort and stability" that Seo Hyun-jung sought for herself. Beneath its cool, ambient surface lies a subtle warmth. "I made this music with the intention that I had to start something," she says. "I hope that listeners, too, can momentarily entrust themselves to their own unstable moments and feel even a small amount of warmth."

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I always thought that if I worked alone, I would definitely write a song about that friend.

She is also preparing for live performances, arranging the album's tracks with a more energetic feel suitable for a concert setting. "I'm constantly thinking about how to make it feel live," she says with a smile. "I want to make the audience move their bodies. It doesn't have to be grand dancing; even just waddling is fine."

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I made this music with the intention that I had to start something. I hope that listeners, too, can momentarily entrust themselves to their own unstable moments and feel even a small amount of warmth.