In case you haven’t heard of YB, the first thing you should know about them is that they are proper legends in Korea. Already 30 years in the business, they’ve already set their sights on becoming the longest lasting rock band in Korea. “We just have to live long now,” quipped Yoon Do-hyun, the frontman and namesake of the band, in a 2021 interview with Rolling Stone Korea.
The band entered the scene in 1996 with bassist Park Tae-hee and drummer Kim Jin-won as part of the original lineup and guitarist Heo Joon joining them later in 2000. When the 2002 FIFA World Cup came to Korea, the band skyrocketed to fame and made an indelible mark not just among fevered football fans but the entire Korean nation as well with the cheer song “Oh! Pilseung Korea (오 필승코리아)” and their take on the immortal folk song “Arirang.”
YB isn’t only an icon of Korean music; they’re true pioneers on the global stage, too. In 2005, they became the first Korean band to tour Europe (with the UK’s Steranko). With their stature, they played renowned stages such as those of SXSW (four times) and the Vans Warped Tour. But as they traveled across the continents, no gig would perhaps be as memorable — nor crowd as tougher — as the ones they played in Pyongyang, North Korea in 2002 and 2018.
Their impact has transcended generations as anthems and ballads like “흰수염고래 (Blue Whale),” “사랑했나봐 (I Guess I Loved You),” and “박하사탕 (Peppermint Candy)” have endured the test of time. But alongside their tender, heartwarming fare, Yoon and the members have not shied away from making music to comment on social ills, even if it sometimes landed them in hot water — 2008’s Coexistence being the notable example.
This 2025, they’ve decided to switch things up with the release of their latest full-length effort Odyssey. Literally alluding to Homer, the six-track album tells a story of conquering “external oppression and inner turmoil.” Strikingly, it’s the first time the band has dabbled in heavy metal for an entire record, invigorating the wide-ranging high-octane sound they’ve developed across the years with abrasive textures, caterwaul-like vocals, and a distinct Djent influence (see: Meshuggah) in all their raw and relentless energy.
“We wanted to explore a heavier sound to push our musical boundaries,” Yoon tells Rolling Stone Philippines, affirming their conscious push to sonically shift gears and “bring fresh energy to [their] music.”
Two lead singles bolster the record: “Rebellion,” a collaboration with fifth generation band Xdinary Heroes (“Watching them work so hard makes me want to give them even more,” Yoon says) clearly built for live performances, and “Orchid,” a soaring seven-minute epic meant to carry the core essence of Odyssey, being a “heavier, more message-driven track.”
In this Rolling Stone Philippines interview, we sit down with frontman Yoon as he reflects on YB’s impact on listeners around the world and their desire to become part of Korean rock’s emerging global success.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Odyssey was two years in the making. You’ve been in this industry for a while. So, did you learn something new or surprising about yourselves throughout the process?
Nothing particularly surprising happened, but one thing I was able to reaffirm was that all of us still have a deep passion for music. Transformation this big is always going to be tough, but rather than focusing on how hard it was, we were all driven to take on the challenge and push through. And [that] spirit really came through again during this process. That made me feel truly happy.
Also on a personal level, I realized how far I could go as an individual, when you push yourself through intense practice you really can break through your limit.
You’ve had quite the career performing around the world: Europe, the US, China, Japan, and even North Korea. How has it felt like sharing your music to these different places and cultures?
Each country definitely has its own unique characteristics. So, the differences bring us a special kind of joy, but it also makes us nervous in a good way. Performing in a new place always comes with a mix of excitement and anticipation. It’s that combination of thrill and curiosity that keeps us inspired as a band.
Especially North Korea, [which] in particular, was completely unpredictable. We honestly were not sure if we could pull it off. But once again, we felt that music truly transcends ideology. At first, the audience felt distant and unfamiliar. But as we played one song, then another, and then another, we could feel a sense of connection building between us. It was a powerful reminder of what music can do.
Have you connected with fans who come from places you haven’t toured yet? Say, for example, those who come from here, the Philippines, or our neighboring countries?
We haven’t been able to perform in some regions yet, but we have connected with fans from those places. For example, we’ve never been to South America, but sometimes fans from there send us supportive messages through social media. We haven’t performed in the Philippines either, but I believe we do have a small number of fans there, too. Every time we hear from them, it makes us want to go and perform live for them as soon as possible. It’s great to hear.
K-Pop idol groups are huge here in Southeast Asia, but there’s also a substantial following for Korean rock already — to name a few: SE SO NEON, HYUKOH, DAY6, and of course, Xdinary Heroes. What do you think of Korean bands making it globally?
Of course, it’s something we’re really happy to see. And honestly, we’d love YB to be part of that moment, too. Whenever we get the chance, we want to connect with different cultures, meet new people and perform. Whether it’s K-Pop or K-Rock, the fact that Korean culture is being introduced and embraced around the world, that alone is something to celebrate. And personally, I’ve always dreamed of doing more international activities, so now I really feel it’s time for us to experience that more fully.
Speaking of Xdinary Heroes… You did “Rebellion” for Odyssey and “iNSTEAD” for them, too. A lot of these younger musicians there at home look up to you and even perform your songs. Do you ever feel that you have a responsibility to nurture the younger generations of artists?
I wouldn’t say I feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility. But knowing that younger artists look up to YB makes me think we really need to keep growing and shining as a band. Working with younger musicians is always a joy.
The recent few months there in Korea must’ve been quite the ride. I know you’ve expressed political views through some of your older songs, so I’d like to ask about how you feel about using your music as a vehicle for social commentary.
From the very beginning, I’ve believed that music should reflect the times and the society we live in. That’s how I started. But over the years, I’ve also learned that speaking out through music can lead to misunderstandings or even attacks from opposite sides. I’ve gone through a lot because of that. Now, I hope that music can play a role not in [causing] conflict, but in healing, creating moments of understanding where there used to be division.
That said, I haven’t abandoned the desire to capture the time in my songs. I still believe that a sense of the era is always present in my music. That’s just who I am.
In spite of the challenges, how do you keep a band going for 30 years and more?
There’s no secret formula, really. But we’ve always respected one another, and there’s a strong sense of trust among the members. When we faced tough times, those experiences actually brought us close together. We’ve always been very clear and fair when it comes to financial matters. When we needed to argue, we argued because a band is in a way like a small society. So we’ve gone through everything that people go through in any community.
One important thing is that we never fought just for the sake of fighting. If we clashed, it was always for growth. And honestly, one of the biggest blessings is that every single member is just a really nice guy.
