自称是另类K-POP乐队的来自韩国的收藏家Balming Tiger(伯明老虎)。他们凭借其充满活力的表演和独一无二的声音和视觉吸引了全世界的关注,自2024年4月起一直担任涩谷PARCO的内部背景音乐选择器。11月,他赶来庆祝涩谷PARCO更新5周年的活动的开幕派对,表演了仅限一夜的特别的现场表演。从现在有11名在籍成员中,我们将向大家介绍表演者欧米伽萨皮恩、索格姆、bj元金、Mad The Stedent、视觉艺术家洪昌熙的采访,以及现场充满热情的现场直播影像。
- Photo
- Tsukasa Kudo
- Movie
- Atsuki Ito
- Text
- Tomoko Ogawa
- Edit
- Satoko Muroga(RCKT / Rocket Company*)
―-Balming Tiger在所有视觉表现中都能感受到独特而有趣的创意,包括视频、音乐视频、纪录片、艺术品和造型,是如何创作这些作品的呢?
在洪昌熙队中,基本上能处理两个以上种类的人很多,我想这是很大的影响。例如,队长Sun杨参加了指导,出演了演唱会,还参与了造型,成员李秀浩也制作了影像。自己也负责设计,有时也会站在舞台上。本来,Balming Tiger聚集了很多对流派感兴趣的成员,所以我认为这些都是自然融入其中的。
―——大家活动的基础是轻松开放,从某种意义上来说也有包含愚蠢的幽默,我想这独一无二的气氛会让看的一方卷入其中,让观众乐在其中。
我们真的喜欢互相笑着开玩笑、开玩笑。因为一起度过的时间很开心,所以我觉得这样自然地开玩笑的部分反映在表演、影像、歌曲中。
索格姆大概是因为有富余吧。在Balming Tiger创作的时候,几乎没有“必须帅气”或者“必须展现最前卫的东西”的意识。当然也有乐趣,但是正因为心里充裕,才能加入这样的幽默。
正如Mad the Stedento欧米伽萨皮恩所说的那样,虽然会互相开玩笑,但基本上是因为有大家一起表演的能量而聚集在一起的。虽然很难说明这是什么,但总之我们有自己的代码,以彼此的信赖为基础,所以看到这些的人们会感觉到更紧密的羁绊。
——站在表面上的人、幕后人员、职务等角色分担也是如此,在音乐流派中,如果用一句话来表达Balming Tiger的创作,那会是怎样的表现呢?
bj元镇游戏。
虽然马德·The Student各自想表现的东西有很多,但是我认为最终需要将其团结在一起的能量。所以,是流程啊。
不仅仅是制作洪昌熙音乐,还制作录像、拍照、造型等,我们真的有很多好的讨论。从好的意义上讲,是对话吗?
――与东京的影像导演Pennacky在多部音乐视频和短篇电影《Moving For Word》等作品中继续合作,对于Balming Tiger来说,Pennacky是什么样的存在呢?
我想所有成员都感受到了像欧米茄那样的Mad所说的我们表演的能量,以及无法用这句话表达的感觉。他很好地发挥了我们想要用音乐表现的视觉潜力,使我们在他的视频中的音乐潜力得到了提升。互相以良好的平衡互相咬合,我觉得很搭。还有就是朋友,那是最好的地方吧。我遇见Pennacky是在加入Balming Tiger之前,在日本上大学的时候。当时,我一个人演奏音乐,第一次观看音乐视频的次数大约在800-1000次左右。Pennacky找到了那个视频,觉得很帅,所以来看了现场表演。也就是说,这是很久以前的关系。我不知道那个视频为什么会出现在他的算法上,他感觉到了什么,但我们有相通之处。
是索格姆的命运吧。
——从2024年4月开始担任涩谷PARCO的BGM监修,是以怎样的过程进行选曲的呢?
因为制作了索格姆4个季节的我们的播放列表,所以每人选了25首歌曲,4、5个人负责了1个季节。虽然分成了春夏秋冬,但是即使不那么讨论,也没有大的问题,和好的感觉相匹配。比如说,负责春天的成员对春天各个季节的印象都相似。
为了配合洪昌熙季节,大家收集了选择的东西,如果有稍微不合适的曲子的话就取下来,以换成更合适的曲子的感觉制作了播放列表。
因为是bj元金不久前的事,老实说我不记得详细的事情,但是我记得在我们心中非常慎重地进行了确认。
——从涩谷PARCO的大楼里遇到的曲子这一点来看,你有没有意识到过呢?
MAD THE Student PARCO虽然是一家历史悠久的百货商店,但现在也有年轻的感觉吧。所以选曲的时候,也没有把以前的曲子和最近的曲子分开,而是一边混合着调和的曲子一边选择。
索格姆我负责春天的工作,所以给人一种“开花的游乐园”的感觉。在PARCO,不管年龄大小,大家都像回到了小时候一样,像在花圃里玩一样,希望大家忘记时间度过幸福的时光,这样的想法制作而成,是非常开心的工作。
如果您对PARCO有什么印象的话,请告诉我。
洪昌熙我喜欢的平面设计师井上嗣也先生,是一位从事着80年代到90年代PARCO广告的人,但是看到他的广告视觉效果的时候觉得非常好,一听到PARCO就会想到那个广告。
是一个独自解释和追求索格姆艺术性的东西,配合时代的潮流,持续受到很多人喜爱的地方。去年夏天,我和朋友一起去涩谷PARCO的时候,穿着拖鞋,在一楼的COMME des GARÇONS GIRL,买了和非常可爱的粉红色VANS的合作运动鞋。我不怎么穿有颜色的鞋子,但是来到PARCO,总觉得像被吸引一样,自己心中有其他的自己醒来的感觉,给我留下了深刻的印象。
——我认为现场表演给观众带来了在Balming Tiger活动中最令人兴奋的体验。在世界各地巡回演唱会和举办演唱会的喜悦是什么?
在欧米茄皮恩舞台上,不管怎样很多人都在看我们正在做的事情吧。但我认为这对我来说是最真实的时刻。在演唱会的时候,我非常喜欢那一刻。
如果长时间持续bj元杜松旅游的话,有时会感到厌倦。但是,在登上舞台之前,大家都有时间祷告。那个时候,大家和谐的感觉总是很好的。
以前在小型演唱会上也有很多,近年来在大型演唱会上也出现了很多,但是即使规模不同,思想准备也大致相同。站在舞台上的时候,和成员们一起表演很开心。这种乐趣,是最大的动力。
通过洪昌熙之旅,我觉得能够经常去新的地方呼吸新的空气,穿新的衣服,在新的卡车上表演,这样的新体验是很幸福的。
2、3年一起去索格姆旅行,经常说两句话。一个是“一步一步地”,另一个是“以危机为契机”。在巡演中,什么东西不会一下子跳起来,是必须一步一步地前进的状况。事实上,有着数不清的危机。行李没有了,演唱会前成员不能坐飞机。在这种情况下,我学到了很多把危机变成机会的方法。通过巡回演唱会,在再次举办演唱会的过程中,我切实感受到大家越来越强大,团结在一起。
Balming Tiger, a South Korean musical collective, identifies as an alternative K-pop band and is gaining worldwide attention for its energetic performances and one-of-a-kind, addictive sound and vision. Since April 2024, the musical collective has been the background music selector at Shibuya Parco. In November, the collective attended the opening party for the fifth anniversary event celebrating the renewal of Shibuya Parco and gave a special one-night-only live performance. Among the eleven current members of the band, performers Omega Sapien, sogumm, bj wnjn, Mudd the student, and visual artist Chanhee Hong sat down for an interview. In addition to the interview, we are sharing footage from the live performance that electrified the venue.
- Balming Tiger’s visual expressions span videos, music videos, documentaries, artworks, styling, and more and are infused with a distinct, playful creativity. How do you create such unique productions?
Chanhee Hong: I believe this is largely because our team includes many members who can comfortably handle multiple genres. For example, our leader San Yawn is involved in directing, performing live, and styling, while the member Leesuho takes part in the production and creation of videos. I am also in charge of design and occasionally take the stage as well. In the beginning, people with an interest in multiple genres joined Balming Tiger, and their skills have naturally blended together.
- Your activities are rooted in a relaxed, open-minded, and somewhat silly sense of humor. That unique vibe has created an atmosphere that captivates and entertains the audience.
Omega Sapien: We truly enjoy laughing, joking, and goofing around together. We have so much fun hanging out with each other, so our playful nature and light-hearted vibes naturally come through in our performances, videos, and songs.
sogumm: I believe it’s because we have extra mental space. When I take part in a creative project as a member of Balming Tiger, I feel no pressure to be cool or showcase the most avant-garde parts of the work. Of course, I find it enjoyable, but I believe it’s because I have enough mental space that I can incorporate humor into the work.
Mudd the student: As Omega Sapien said, we joke around, but the main reason we came together as a group was our shared energy for performing. It's hard to describe, but we have our own code built on mutual trust, and our audience senses the strong mutual connection that we share.
- In one word, how would you describe Balming Tiger's creative works, which transcend conventional boundaries by redefining roles like performers and background staff as well as musical genres?
bj wnjn: "Playful."
Mudd the student: Each of us has many ideas that we want to express, and I believe it takes effort and energy to bring them together and shape them into the final work. So, I would say, "flow."
Chanhee Hong: We go through many meaningful discussions, not only while making music but also while creating videos, taking photos, and developing our style. So, I would say, "dialogue" in a good way.
- Balming Tiger and Pennacky, a Tokyo-based movie director, collaborated on numerous music videos and the short film, Moving For Word. To Balming Tiger, what presence does Pennacky have?
Omega Sapien: Mudd just mentioned the indescribable energy of our performance. All the members of Balming Tiger feel that same sense of energy from Pennacky. He is very good at bringing out the visual potential that we wanted to express in our music, and in turn, we can enhance the musical potential of his movies. We click very well with each other in a good balance. We are a good match, and above all, we are good friends. That is the best part. I first met Pennacky when I was a college student in Japan before joining Balming Tiger. At that time, I was making music on my own, and my first music video only had around 800 to 1,000 views. Pennacky saw that video, liked it, and came to watch my live performance. In other words, our relationship goes way back. I’m not sure how my video ended up being suggested to Pennacky through the algorithm or what he thought when he watched it, but I think there was something about it that created a connection.
sogumm: It's fate.
- You have been supervising the background music for Shibuya Parco since April 2024. What process do you go through to select music for Parco?
sogumm: Our task was to create playlists for the four seasons. First, we each selected 25 songs. Then, we formed four groups of four to five members with each group responsible for creating a playlist for a specific season. We divided the members into groups responsible for the spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Without much discussion, we created playlists that seamlessly matched each season without any major issues. For example, the members assigned to spring shared similar ideas about the season, and this held true for the groups assigned to the other seasons as well.
Chanhee Hong: We started by gathering and selecting songs for a specific season. Then, we removed the songs that didn’t fit and replaced them with tracks more appropriate for the season. This is how we created the playlist.
bj wnjn: Honestly, I don’t remember all the details of the process since it was a while ago. But I do remember carefully and thoroughly checking and discussing each song as they were selected.
- Were you especially mindful when selecting songs while keeping in mind that customers would hear them in the Shibuya Parco building?
Mudd the student: Parco is a department store with a long history, yet it still has a youthful feel, doesn’t it? Therefore, when selecting songs, we didn’t separate old songs from more recent ones; we blended them together to create a harmonious mix.
sogumm: I was assigned to spring, so I chose songs that matched the mental image of an amusement park where flowers bloom. I wanted shoppers to feel as though they were reliving their childhoods while shopping in Parco—as if they were playing in a flower garden and losing track of time. It was a very enjoyable process.
- Please share your impression of Parco, if any.
Chanhee Hong: Tsuguya Inoue is my favorite graphic designer, who created many of the iconic ads for Parco in the 80s and 90s. I really enjoy his ad visuals, and whenever I hear the name Parco, I immediately think of the ads he created.
sogumm: Parco is a place that has been loved by many people for its unique interpretation of artistic items and its ability to stay connected to the ever-changing trends of the times. Last summer, when I visited Shibuya Parco with friends, I was wearing slippers. On the ground floor at Comme des Garçons Girl store, I discovered and bought a super cute pair of pink sneakers, a collaboration with Vans. I don’t usually wear colorful shoes, but I distinctly remember being at Parco on that day, I was drawn to that pair and couldn’t resist; it was as if some unseen force was leading me toward them. It felt like a different version of myself was awakening inside.
- Among your variety of activities as Balming Tiger, live performances are when you deliver the most exciting experience for your audience. What do you consider as the joy of touring and performing live around the world?
Omega Sapien: When we are on stage, so many people are watching what we’re doing. I believe that is the most authentic moment for me. I really enjoy those moments when I’m performing live.
bj wnjn: Sometimes I become bored when touring for a long time. But before we go on stage, we take a moment to pray together. It is always comforting to feel that everyone is in harmony at that time.
Mudd the student: We used to perform live on smaller stages a lot. In recent years, we have been performing live on many larger stages. Regardless of the size of the stage, our mindset stays consistent. I enjoy performing alongside the other members when I’m on stage. That enjoyment is the biggest motivation.
Chanhee Hong: When we are on tour, I am happy to be able to constantly experience new things—visiting new places and breathing in new kinds of air, wearing new outfits, and performing new tracks.
sogumm: I always said two phrases while touring with these members for two to three years: "One step at a time," and "Turning a crisis into an opportunity." While on tour, nothing ever happens as a sudden leap forward all at once. So, we must steadily make gradual progress step by step. In fact, we have faced so many crises that I’ve lost count. We have faced the crises of lost luggage or members missing a flight before a live concert. Through those situations, I learned a lot about how to turn a crisis into an opportunity. Through our experience on tour and creating concerts, we have grown stronger than ever and become more united.
Balming Tiger
从亚洲有名的软膏“虎婆”中取名,是一个多样的另类K-POP组合。亚洲艺术文化与收藏。由表演者Omega Sapien、sogumm、Bj wnjn、Mudd the student、制作人San Yawn和Unsinkable、视频导演Jan'qui和Leesuho、视觉艺术家Hong Chanhee、DJ Abyss和作家Henson Hwang组成的团体。各艺术家在表现不同的艺术特征和能量的同时,有着将时代投影到作品中的创作愿景。2023年被Rolling Stone杂志评选为今年备受关注的音乐家,以参加富士摇滚音乐节为开端,成功完成了世界巡演。在European Festival Awards中获得今年的新人奖,发行了以第一张专辑《January Never Dies》收录曲为基础制作的短篇电影《Moving For Word》。从2024年4月开始担任涩谷PARCO的BGM监修,每两个月、一年内共推出6个播放列表。
A diverse alternative K-Pop group named after the famous Asian ointment Tiger Balm. An Asian art culture and collective. The group consists of performers Omega Sapien, sogumm, bj wnjn, and Mudd the student, producers San Yawn and Unsinkable, video directors Jan' Qui and Leesuho, visual artists Chanhee Hong and DJ Abyss, and writer Henson Hwang. Their creative vision is to infuse their productions with the vibes of the times with each artist contributing a unique artistic identity and energy to the group's artistic expression. In 2023, the group was selected by Rolling Stone magazine as artists to watch this year, and they successfully completed a world tour, starting with an appearance at the Fuji Rock Festival. The group won this year’s Newcomer of the Year award at the European Festival Awards. They also released the short film Moving For Word, inspired by the songs from their first album January Never Dies. Since April 2024, the group has been curating the background music at Shibuya Parco and is currently creating a new playlist every two months for a total of six playlists throughout the year.
https://www.balmingtiger.com
Instagram（@balmingtiger）
