D82’s Inspiring Story in Exclusive Interview

Get to know Korean band D82 in this exclusive interview.

D82, a promising four-member band formed through Mnet’s survival show Great Seoul Invasion in 2022, has been steadily making waves in the Korean rock scene with their impressive musical abilities. The band consists of leader and keyboardist Kim Changhyun, vocalist and guitarist Han Seungyun, bassist Kim Eunse, and drummer Hwang Minjae. Each member brings their own wealth of experience and skill, which they showcased during the competition, earning attention for their strong performances and musical versatility. The name D82, derived from South Korea’s country code, symbolizes their ambition to reach beyond the local scene and make a mark on the global stage.

Following their official debut with the mini album Take Off in April 2024, D82 wasted no time in carving out their place in the Korean rock scene. Their first single, 숲, released in August 2024, introduced a dreamy yet powerful sonic landscape that resonated with fans. Known for their ability to fuse emotional depth with technical precision, the band effortlessly bridges genres, creating a sound that is both fresh and familiar. Their latest release, Vinasse, released on February 2, 2025, continues this trajectory, further refining their identity with layered instrumentation, evocative melodies, and introspective lyricism. The track explores themes of transformation and perseverance, reinforcing D82’s reputation for crafting music that leaves a lasting impact.

In an exclusive interview, D82 opens up about the creative process behind Vinasse, the stories that shaped its composition, and what fans can expect from them next. From their journey since Great Seoul Invasion to their vision for the future, the members share insights into their musical growth, their inspirations, and the driving force behind their sound.

Hellokpop: Welcome, D82! Could you each introduce yourselves and your roles in the band?

D82: Hello! We are D82, a band from Korea! We are a four-member band consisting of Changhyun (Leader, Keyboard), Seungyun (Vocal, Guitar), Eunse (Bass), and Minjae (Drums).

HKP: Your band name, D82, represents Korea’s country code with the ambition to be recognized globally. How do you feel your music is evolving toward that vision?

D82: Recently, we’ve started writing lyrics in English and successfully completed three concerts and fan meeting events in Japan. We hope to have more opportunities in the future to travel and perform around the world!

CHANGHYUN

HKP: Congratulations on the release of Vinasse! What inspired this song, and what message do you hope listeners take away from it?

D82: Thank you! Vinasse was inspired by Arcane, a work set in the League of Legends universe. In particular, the city of Zaun left a strong impression on us. It’s a place devastated by pollution, yet people continue to live brightly despite the circumstances. Even in moments of deepest despair, they struggle to hold onto hope—sometimes in the right way, sometimes in the wrong way. Each person has a different path, but they try their best to stay on the right one. That feeling resonated with me, and it was impossible not to pick up my guitar. I hope no one loses hope—let’s hold on to it with as much kindness as possible!

HKP: How does Vinasse compare to your previous releases, Take Off and 숲? Were there any new musical elements or influences you wanted to showcase?

D82: We never stop challenging ourselves with new genres. In the past, we’ve experimented with synth-pop, jazz, funk, and punk. With Vinasse, we’ve infused our message into a hard blues-rock sound. Also, we don’t want to limit ourselves to just one genre. In fact, our vocalist, Seungyun, personally feels that ballads are his strongest suit. However, we are shaping our own style through a variety of musical experiments and challenges.

HKP: The title “Vinasse” is quite unique. Can you share the meaning behind it and why you chose it for this single?

D82: That’s a secret! (laughs). The hint is hidden in the song! We hope you’ll discover it yourselves!

SEUNGYUN

HKP: What was the most challenging part of creating “Vinasse,” whether in songwriting, recording, or production?

D82: We weren’t always used to creating strong, punchy energy in our music. It was challenging to produce an explosive sound that felt like an outpouring of raw emotion. With this album, we focused more on capturing that energy. We especially wanted to create a sound that completely contrasted with our previous Forest album, and we’re happy we achieved that goal.

HKP: Were there any unexpected moments during the making of “Vinasse”—a creative breakthrough, last-minute changes, or a moment that defined the song?

D82: There weren’t any particularly difficult moments, but the genre of the song changed several times along the way. Seungyun first sketched out the track, and even he didn’t expect the final result to turn out like this. Since we all participate in songwriting, composing, and arranging, unexpected outcomes happen from time to time. Also, a signature feature of D82 is our flashy keyboard solos. We added a brilliant piano solo at the end to amplify the energy.

HKP: Your group first gained attention on MNet’s Great Seoul Invasion, where your musical skills and individual strengths stood out. How has your experience on the show influenced your growth as a band?

D82: All four of us were already active musicians and vocalists before forming this band. D82 came to life through the show Great Seoul Invasion. Honestly, the show itself wasn’t a huge experience for us, but the many opportunities that followed helped us take off smoothly.

EUNSE

HKP: D82 is known for its strong musicality. How does your creative process work? Do you typically write music together, or does each member contribute in different ways?

D82: When one of us sketches a song, our leader, Changhyun, finalizes the arrangement first. Then, Seungyun completed the vocal topline, and we worked on the demo. After that, we come together to rehearse and refine the song as a team. It feels like all of our work happens within this larger framework. Personally, I don’t think the songwriting process always needs to be completely democratic.

HKP: If you had to describe D82’s signature sound in three words, what would they be?

D82: Easy to listen, a brilliant play, and a hard sound—these three concepts define D82.

HKP: Since debuting, what’s been the most defining moment for D82 so far?

D82: After parting ways with our previous agency in 2023, there was a moment when we almost disbanded. Since we were all busy with our individual schedules, we needed a strong reason to keep going. The turning point came when Changhyun suggested that even if we decide to quit, we should at least release one album before we do. That moment was crucial in keeping our team together.

MINJAE

HKP: What’s something new you’ve learned about yourselves or each other while working on Vinasse?

D82: We’re proud that we pulled off a rock-blues style so well! When arranging this song, we weren’t sure if we could perform this style live—but we nailed it!

HKP: What can fans look forward to next? Are there any upcoming projects or performances you can tease?

D82: Our new single will be released on March 15! Please look forward to it! This year, we plan to increase our live performances and hope to participate in more international rock festivals as well.

HKP: Lastly, please leave a message for your fans who have been supporting you on this journey!

D82: Thank you for always supporting D82! We want to become a band loved all over the world. Please continue to follow our journey! We look forward to seeing you again anywhere in the world!