Se So Neon

South Korean indie rock band

Se So Neon

새소년

Se So Neon performing in 2021

Background information
Origin| Seoul, South Korea
Genres|

* Indie rock
* psychedelic rock

Years active| 2016-present
Labels|

* BGBG Records
* Magic Strawberry Sound

Members|

* Hwang So-yoon

Past members|

* Park Hyun-jin
* Fancy Moon
* Gangto
* U-su

Se So Neon (Korean: 새소년, commonly stylized in all caps) is a South Korean indie rock band. The band currently consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Hwang So-yoon.[1] Since its formation in 2016, the band has released the EPs Summer Plumage (2017) and Nonadaptation (2020).[2] In 2018, the band won the awards for Rookie of the Year and Best Rock Song at the Korean Music Awards.[3]

## History

[edit]

### 2016–2018: Formation, awards and Summer Plumage

[edit]

Se So Neon was established in 2016 and began as a project band between Hwang So-yoon and Gangto. Their name translates to 'new kids' or 'new boys', and was chosen by Hwang after coming across an issue of the now-defunct children's magazine Sae So Nyeon in a bookstore.[4][5] Shortly after formation, the band recruited bassist Fancy Moon to become a trio.

In October 2017, the band released its first EP여름깃 (Summer Plumage) through BGBG Records. The EP went on to be nominated for Best Rock Album at the Korean Music Awards, while its lead single "The Wave" won an award for Best Rock Song. During the ceremony, Se So Neon also won the award for Rookie of the Year.[3]

In December 2018, Se So Neon announced Gangto and Fancy Moon had left the band to perform their military service.[6] They were replaced by Park Hyun-jin on bass and U-su on drums, who were recruited by Hwang through a self-tape audition.[4][7]

### 2019–2024: Nonadaptation and lineup changes

[edit]

In 2020, Se So Neon were named Fender's Global Artist of the Year.[8] In 2021, the group were the only Korean act to be included in YouTube Music's global foundry program.[9][10]

In February 2020, Se So Neon released its second EP Nonadaptation under Magic Strawberry Sound. The EP received a nomination for Best Rock Album at the Korean Music Awards, along with a Best Rock Song nomination for its lead single "Go Back".

In February 2021, the band released the single "Jayu".[11] It was followed by more non-album singles such as "Joke" and "Kidd".[12][13]

In August 2022, the band announced the departure of U-su, citing his wish to continue activities as a solo drummer.[1]

In 2023, Se So Neon's performance at Sungkyunkwan University was boycotted by students after social media comments by Hwang surfaced online.[14] Hwang had previously publicly responded to the Nth Room scandal in 2020 by sharing an op-ed which criticized South Korean society for downplaying sexual exploitation and due to the high number of members in the Telegram chats, called for all men to be treated as potential criminals.[15][16][17]

In 2024, Se So Neon performed at SXSW despite a boycott over the festival's sponsorship by the United States Department of Defense. Two days after the performance, the band released an apology expressing their regret, citing ignorance due the lack of Gaza-related coverage in South Korean media and extending condolences to civilians affected by Israel's invasion of Palestine.[18]

### 2025–present: <NOW> and transition to solo project

[edit]

In February 2025, the band announced the departure of bassist Park Hyun-jin, leaving Hwang So-yoon as the only remaining active member.[1]

On May 16, 2025, Se So Neon released their first single as a solo project featuring a music video self-directed by Hwang.[19] The song, titled "Twit Winter", is co-produced by Hwang and Kenny Gilmore, and mixed by Nathan Boddy.[20] On May 19, the band announced a North American tour that would take place later in that year to promote an upcoming album.[21]

On June 19, the band released the second single "Remember!" and officially revealed their debut studio album <NOW>, which is scheduled for release on August 15, 2025. The album will include 12 tracks, including the previously released single "Jayu", and new songs such as "Secret Police", "Small Heart", "New Romantic" and "3Revolution".[22]

## Members

[edit]

Current members

* Hwang So-yoon – lead vocals, guitar (2016–present)

Former members

* Park Hyun-jin – bass guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals (2018–2025)
* U-su – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2018–2022)
* Gangto – drums, percussion (2016–2018)
* Fancy Moon – bass guitar (2016–2018)

## Discography

[edit]

### Albums

[edit]

Title  | Album details  | Peak chart positions  | Sales

|
|
|

<NOW> |

* Released: 15 August 2025
* Label: AWAL
* Formats: LP, Digital download

| —  | —

### Extended plays

[edit]

Title  | Album details  | Peak chart positions  | Sales

|
|
|

KOR
[23]
Summer Plumage (여름깃)  |

* Released: 26 October 2017
* Label: BGBG Records
* Formats: LP, CD, Digital download

| 57  | —
Nonadaptation (비적응)  |

* Released: 18 February 2020
* Label: Magic Strawberry Sound
* Formats: Digital download

| 13

### Singles

[edit]

Title  | Release details  | Album

|
|

"Long Dream" (긴 꿈)  |

* Released: 20 June 2017
* Label: BGBG Records
* Formats: LP, CD, Digital download

| Summer Plumage
"The Wave" (파도)  |

* Released: 26 September 2017
* Label: BGBG Records
* Formats: Digital download

"Go Back" (집에)  |

* Released: 4 October 2019
* Label: BGBG Records, Magic Strawberry Sound
* Formats: Digital download

| Nonadaptation
"Cat (Digging Club Seoul Version)"  |

* Released: 10 December 2019
* Label: Magic Strawberry Sound
* Formats: Digital download

| Non-album singles
"Nan Chun" (난춘)  |

* Released: 10 May 2020
* Label: Magic Strawberry Sound
* Formats: Digital download

"Jayu" (자유)  |

* Released: 5 February 2021
* Label: Magic Strawberry Sound
* Formats: Digital download

"Joke" (joke!)  |

* Released: 23 November 2021
* Label: Magic Strawberry Sound
* Formats: Digital download

"Kidd"  |

* Released: 27 July 2023
* Label: Magic Strawberry Sound
* Formats: Digital download

"Twit Winter"  |

* Released: 16 May 2025
* Label: AWAL
* Formats: Digital download, streaming

| <NOW>
"Remember!"  |

* Released: 19 June 2025
* Label: AWAL
* Formats: Digital download, streaming

## Awards and accolades

[edit]

Awards and nominations  Year  | Award  | Category  | Nominee  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2016  | Shinhan Card Rookie Project  | —  | Se So Neon  | Silver  | [24]
2018  | Korean Music Awards | Rookie of the Year  | Se So Neon  | Won  | [3]
Best Rock Song  | "The Wave" (파도)  | Won
Best Rock Album  | Summer Plumage | Nominated  | [25]
2020  | Best Rock Song  | "Go Back" (집에)  | Nominated  | [26]
2021  | Best Rock Album  | Nonadaptation | Nominated  | [27]
Best Rock Song  | "Nan Chun" (난춘)  | Nominated  | [28]
Year-end lists  Publication  | List  | Work  | Ref.

|
|
|

Pitchfork | The 35 Best Rock Albums of 2020  | Nonadaptation | [29]
Paste | The 40 Best Rock Albums of 2020  | Nonadaptation | [30]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "박현진 새소년 탈퇴, 황소윤 1인 체제로 [공식]". iMBC 연예 (in Korean). 2025-02-25. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
2. ^ "새소년 "부적응 아닌 '비적응'에 많은 것 함축됐죠"". Yonhap News (in Korean). 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
3. ^ a b c "방탄소년단, 대중음악상 '올해의 음악인'…혁오 3관왕". Yonhap News. 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
4. ^ a b Choi, Ji-won (2021-02-05). "Indie rock band Se So Neon sings of a flight to freeness in 'Jayu'". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
5. ^ "Se So Neon - BGBG Records". BGBG Records. 2019-08-13. Archived from the original on 2020-02-17.
6. ^ Jung-ho, Lee (2019-08-13). "고건혁 대표 "새소년은 3인조로 계속..새 멤버 찾는 중"(인터뷰③)스타메이커" [CEO Go Geon-hyuk: Se So Neon Will Continue as a Trio, Looking for New Members]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-12-16.
7. ^ "새소년, 2년 반 만에 새 EP [비적응] / 미니 인터뷰". Visla Magazine Korea. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
8. ^ "Meet the 25 rising guitarists that Fender is championing this year". Guitar.com. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
9. ^ "Beyond K-pop: 10 Korean Indie Artists You Should Know". ELLE. 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
10. ^ "SE SO NEON return with vibrant new single 'Twit Winter'". Bandwagon Asia. 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
11. ^ Yoo, Noah. "Se So Neon: "Jayu"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
12. ^ "Interview: We Caught Up With Korean Indie Rockers SE SO NEON". Life Without Andy. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
13. ^ "새소년 SE SO NEON: Kidd (2024)". Nowness Asia. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
14. ^ 조선일보 (2023-05-11). "대학 축제도 젠더 갈등... 성균관대 '남혐' 논란 밴드 섭외에 시끌". 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-06-01.
15. ^ ""중립은 결국 괴롭히는 사람 편"…새소년 황소윤, 'n번방 사태' 목소리 내는 이유". 엑스포츠뉴스 (in Korean). 2020-03-23. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
16. ^ "'n번방 사건'에 스타들도 분노…혜리·황소윤·조권도 국민청원 나서". 네이트 뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-06-01.
17. ^ "정려원부터 황소윤까지, 'n번방' 관심 촉구한 연예인들". 노컷뉴스. 2020-03-23. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
18. ^ Chin, Carmen (2024-03-18). "SE SO NEON apologise for performing at SXSW amid boycott: "We feel deeply embarrassed"". NME. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
19. ^ Angeline (2025-05-16). "SE SO NEON, Indie Rock Project of Soyoon Hwang, Shares Vibrant New Song "Twit Winter"". KAvenyou.com. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
20. ^ "Se So Neon Embarks on a Conversation With Themselves in "Twit Winter"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
21. ^ Iahn, Buddy (2025-05-19). "Se So Neon unveils 'Twit Winter,' announces North American headlining tour". The Music Universe. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
22. ^ "Se So Neon's North American Tour 2025 Details". AXS. Archived from the original on 2025-06-19. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
23. ^ "Gaon Album Chart "새소년" search". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-02-28.
24. ^ 입력 2016.08.03 22:51 (2016-08-03). "올해의 루키 '더베인'… 신한카드 스테이지 오른다". 중앙일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-03-19.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
25. ^ "새소년(SE SO NEON) [여름깃] – 2018 최우수 록-음반". Korean Music Awards. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
26. ^ Mathew, Ilin (2020-01-23). "How and when to watch Korean Music Awards 2020". International Business Times, Singapore Edition. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
27. ^ "새소년(SE SO NEON) [비적응] – 2021 최우수 모던록-음반". Korean Music Awards. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
28. ^ "새소년(SE SO NEON) '난춘(亂春)' – 2021 최우수 모던록-노래". Korean Music Awards. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
29. ^ Pitchfork Staff (2020-12-15). "The 35 Best Rock Albums of 2020". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
30. ^ Paste Staff (2020-12-23). "The 40 Best Rock Albums of 2020 – Paste". Paste. Retrieved 2021-07-20.