The Rose return with 'Back to Me', 'Alive': Members talk identity, fans and the future

Olivia Munson, USA TODAY
·7 min read

For The Rose, the last year has been quite eventful.

Following their first studio album "HEAL" released in October 2022 and a world tour, the indie band has focused on connecting with their fans, setting the stage for an even more amusing 2023.

The Rose released singles "Back to Me" and "Alive" July 21, ushering in a new era for the band and an introduction to their second studio album "DUAL."

USA TODAY spoke with The Rose about artistic identity, the process of growth and life.

Who is The Rose?

The Rose is a four-member South Korean rock band under Windfall, partnered with Transparent Arts. Members Woosung, Dojoon, Hajoon and Jaehyeong debuted in 2017 with "sorry."

The members, however, met years prior and have been a "brotherhood" ever since.

Dojoon and Jaehyeong connected while busking in the same area, while Hajoon and Jaehyeong were under the same entertainment company. The three formed a band called Windfall – the same name as The Rose's current self-made label. They later recruited Woosung, who was a friend of Dojoon, to create The Rose.

Their debut single "sorry" reached No. 14 on the Billboard World Digital Songs Sales chart and was named among the "best K-pop songs of 2017." In 2018, The Rose was named one of the top five "new K-pop artists to watch" by Billboard.

Since debut, The Rose has released one studio album, two EPs, one single album and countless singles, many of which reached the top charts in South Korea and the U.S.

How many members are in The Rose?

(L-R) Jaehyeong, Dojoon, Woosung and Hajoon of The Rose.
(L-R) Jaehyeong, Dojoon, Woosung and Hajoon of The Rose.

There are four members:

  • Kim Woosung (English name: Sammy) Born Feb. 25, 1993. Hometown: Los Angeles, California.

  • Park Dojoon (English name: Leo) Born April 20, 1993. Hometown: Busan, South Korea.

  • Lee Hajoon (English name: Dylan) Born July 29, 1994. Hometown: Gwangju, South Korea.

  • Lee Jaehyeong (English name: Jeff) Born Nov. 3, 1994. Hometown: Pohang, South Korea.

Reflecting on 'HEAL'

On Oct. 7, 2022, The Rose released their first studio album "HEAL", which helped the band reconnect with fans after being away for a long time, said Woosung.

"We created 'HEAL' for everyone in our community to heal together," he said. "I think it was a great start because that's the main message of The Rose: That the music is healing."

Through the 10-track album and its world tour, The Rose were able to deliver uplifting messages to their fans, who they lovingly call Black Rose.

"HEAL" broke records for The Rose, too. It marked the band's first entry into the Billboard Top Albums chart, peaking at No. 19, as well as hitting the Top Current Album Sales chart at No. 17 and the Heatseekers Album chart at No. 4.

'Back to Me', 'Alive' ushers in the 'amusing part' of The Rose

The band is setting out to showcase a different side in their new releases. On July 21, singles "Back to Me" and "Alive" dropped, marking The Rose's journey with "DUAL," their upcoming second studio album.

This era will bring out the "amusing part" of The Rose, said Dojoon, a side influenced by various festival performances around the world, including upcoming sets at Lollapalooza in Chicago and Life is Beautiful in Las Vegas.

"We basically wanted to talk about how humans can have a great time on their own," said Dojoon. "When they were having fun in their lifetime, we wanted to have that moment in a song."

Woosung added, "If you think back at the music you love, it usually reminds you of the people you were with at the time. It can be any memory. We felt like ('Back to Me') could really be attached to one of these epic memories."

Songwriting over the years

When they started writing songs, they did the whole process together. But over the years, that changed and "we are more efficient than seven years ago," said Jaehyeong.

While they may be writing lyrics or melodies individually now, it's still a collaborative process, and at the end of the day, the most important thing to show "the truth of our music," said Hajoon.

"Maybe we have changed in the way of producing – the way we write music – but the fundamental real core inside we didn’t change because we always wanted to convey great meaning or messages," said Dojoon.

Fostering connection through individual meaning, emotions

Music has become second nature for the members – it's part of who they are.

"That’s just one way for us to express ourselves and maybe it’s the only way," said Woosung. "It’s how we say what’s on our mind and through that, many people take it differently."

No matter the song, The Rose wants people to connect to music in their own way — to see the band's music as a friend.

"Everyone has different experience, a different story," said Jaehyeong. Even if people are listening to the same song, they are not experiencing the same feelings. "I want you to feel the emotion just your own way — through the music," he said.

"I don’t think we feel the same thing as everybody in this world, but if they could connect to a certain message in there for their life at the time, we’re grateful," said Woosung.

Artistic identity and staying true to The Rose's color

At their core, the band's sonic identity and abilities are expansive, allowing them to bend genres and adapt with each track.

"We have to always create genre on top of a genre to fit our sound," said Woosung.

In their new music, The Rose is looking to expand and experiment, while staying true to themselves.

"We were looking to all these songs but we couldn’t find any because we were looking for a new genre we were creating," said Dojoon. "We always had this sonic vibe inside us but it’s now time to put it out there in a different form."

Growing, learning through music and life

The band has matured a lot through the years, said Dojoon. And each experience has shaped them into "a better human being."

"We’re just humans," said Woosung as Dojoon added, "a little bit different is that we do music for living."

Music has uniquely taught and healed each member, and they want to pass that onto their fans.

Hajoon hopes to give others positive vibes, inspiration and influence. "That is the reason we are doing music," he said.

"We wanted to be with our fans all the time when they need us," said Dojoon. "We always wanted to share the moment of the human being experience."

That human being experience is expertly underscored throughout The Rose's discography.

"We’re not the main characters of other people's lives but we are still the main character of our lives and that is very unique and special," said Woosung. "You deserve to be loved by this world and this world is nothing but love. Without love, it would be very sad. Without music, it would be very sad."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Rose: Members talk upcoming album, growth and an 'amusing' future