LEENALCHI + catbandcat

LEENALCHI is NOT a K-Pop band, but an alternative seven-piece band comprised of four vocalists, two bassists, and a drummer.

Formed in 2019, they have become widely known through collaborations with various brands and advertisements. The unfamiliar sound, influenced by unique vocals and new waves, is very danceable and can be enjoyed with familiarity. Despite the pandemic, they have attracted attention at Korean music festivals and headline shows, as well as touring internationally in European festivals & venues, Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong. The 1st full-length album “SUGUNGGA” released in 2020, won three awards at the 18th Korean Music Awards, including “Musician of the Year” and “Best Modern Rock Song.”

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. 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”. The band members met during a 2018 performance of “Dragon King” at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju.

Work
Their first album was influenced by the pansori play Sugungga. The band released its track “Tiger is Coming” as a non-fungible token. Leenalchi were featured in the 2022 Netflix documentary mini-series Midnight Asia: Eat. Dance. Dream., performing in an episode about Seoul’s nightlife.

Reception
The band has achieved considerable success, appearing in the Korea Tourism Organization “Feel the Rhythm of Korea” video series promoting the cities of Seoul, Busan, Jeonju, Mokpo, Andong, Gangneung, and Incheon 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. Judges called it the “sexiest album of 2020”. The band frequently collaborates with Ambiguous Dance Company.