Choosing the most successful ‘Late bloomer’ (a phenomenon indicating a song becomes popular long after its release) song in K-Pop may vary from person to person. However, no one can deny that Melomance’s ‘Gift’ is one of the most representative songs climbing back up the chart.
Melomance, a duo consisting of vocalist Kim Min-seok and composer and performer Jeong Dong-hwan, has now become a mid-career band in its 9th year.
The standards for determining whether a band is good or bad may vary, but it is evident that composition plays a crucial role alongside vocals. Consequently, Jeong’s contribution to Melomance is significant, although he doesn’t seek to stand out. The key to the band’s longevity is the ‘harmony’ among its members.
Being a composer in a band might appear solitary, especially when the vocalist takes all the spotlight, leading to conflicts within the group. However, Jeong clarifies that this is not the case at all. “Min-seok and I know our respective roles within the group,” he said, “Mutual respect is the secret to our ability to make music together for over 10 years.”
Jeong is currently considered one of the most talented artists in the Korean music scene. He had the privilege of being accepted into both the Berklee College of Music and the Practical Music department at Seoul Institute of the Arts.
After much consideration, he decided to pursue his music studies at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. When asked if he regrets his decision, he smiled and replied, “I have no regrets because it’s where I met Min-seok, my musical partner and lifelong friend.”
Jeong’s family background is closely linked to his musical talent. Many of his maternal cousins are classical musicians, specializing in instruments like the violin and flute. “I think I grew up naturally in an environment where I can always hear music,” he said.
Jeong’s musical abilities extend beyond band music. As his SNS’s ID, ‘Jazzman’, suggests, he has a deep interest in jazz. Over his 20-year musical career, he has collaborated with prominent Korean stars like Kim Dong-ryul, Kim Bum-soo, and Park Hyo-shin.
Currently, Jeong is working on Melomance’s next album and serving as the bandmaster for KBS The Seasons. The following is a Q&A with Jeong.
Could you briefly introduce yourself?
“I am Jeong Dong-hwan, a pianist. I handle composing and writing for MeloMance. This year, I am also the bandmaster for The Seasons.”
What is a bandmaster?
“A bandmaster is a director who reinterprets music from a specific genre in a band style. It’s about rearranging an artist’s songs to fit our band’s personality.”
What are Melomance’s plans for this year?
“We are currently in the process of planning several performances, as we usually do. Moreover, since next year marks the 10th anniversary of Melomance’s debut, we are thinking of releasing a single album in advance. The album is being prepared in a Korean-style R&B and ballad genre, and it is expected to be enjoyed by old Melomance fans.”
How is your relationship with Kim Min-seok?
“It’s great. We’ve had our fair share of arguments, but those were all part of the process that strengthened our relationship. He was the friend I relied on the most in college and still is one of my dearest friends. Although our personalities and lifestyles are quite different, our shared passion for music remains the same. (Laughs)”
How did you come up with the name Melomance?
“When we were getting ready to make our debut, we realized that we needed a good name for our team. So, Min-seok and I started looking for words with positive meanings in our studio. We encountered two interesting words: ‘Melo,’ a Korean-English term for romantic, and ‘Romance.’ After combining them, we decided to call ourselves Melomance. Our aim is to create music that reflects the listener’s emotion by singing about love in everyday life and creating cherished memories for our fans through our music.”
Your song, ‘Gift’ has received a lot of love.
“It really is a gift-like song. We had released several songs as Melomance before, but the love we received for that song was so great it feels like before and after ‘Gift’. The love the fans gave us at the time still remains with me like a gift. I believe it’s only right to reciprocate when you receive a gift, so I am always thinking of ways to give back to the fans.”
Can you describe your song-making process? Do you have any special routines?
“You have to do something first if you want to produce something. The pain of creation is tremendous but if you don’t push through the challenges, you won’t make any progress. Even though it can be painful, it’s important to keep working at it until you achieve the desired outcome. Of course, there may be times when inspiration strikes and a great idea comes to you easily. However, I believe that those moments of luck are only possible because of the hard work and persistence that came before them.”
What is your goal as an artist?
“I want to be a musician loved by other musicians as well. Being loved by both the public and musicians means that one has achieved both musicality and popularity, which is a kind of acknowledgment.”
Do you have plans for solo activities?
“I released an album with a few piano songs during the COVID pandemic, and if given another opportunity, I plan to release more music. As Melomance, we are also thinking about giving a change to our musical style. Although we do not intend to change our musical style drastically, we are considering small music projects as fun events for our supporters.”
Do you have any messages for your fans?
“You have been with us through good and hard times. Even during our early days, the few fans who sought out MeloMance made us vow not to give up. The love you send us now still feels overwhelming. We promise to repay this love with lots of music and activities.”
