Korean Rock band Catch The Young says Indian beats could inspire next-gen rock: ‘Imagine a progressive twist'

Indian Express

09-07-2025

South Korean rock band Catch The Young, the five-member boy band that debuted under Evermore Entertainment, is fast becoming a name to watch in the music scene. Their songs have been capturing the essence of youth, blending rock and pop in a way that hits with both the old and the new crowd. The group recently dropped a new album, Ideal Type, marking their second release of 2025, after The Young Wave. According to the members, Sani, Jungmo, Kihoon, Namhyun, and Junyong, the band's latest single describes that 'awkward yet honest feeling that comes with taking one step closer to confessing love.' We caught up with the band to talk about the new album, the intent behind it, how they view the industry through a wider lens, and what sparks them to push beyond the usual.
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Your new single 'Ideal Type' has been described as breezy synth-rock with a touch of pop experimentation. Rock, historically, has evolved by absorbing diverse influences. For Catch The Young, what's the intent behind blending pop and rock, as a rock band?
Junyong: Our motto as a band is to create music that can resonate with all generations. We're blending rock elements that older generations can enjoy with pop elements that appeal to younger listeners to ultimately make music that brings different age groups together through sound that everyone can connect with.
India has such a wide mix of sounds, classical, folk, and indie rock. Have you ever come across any Indian music or artist that caught your interest or sparked some inspiration, maybe something you'd want to explore more or even collaborate on in the future?
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Sani: I have experienced Indian music style, and what really stood out to me was how they play with their traditional rhythm so freely. I feel like if that style evolves, it could even lead to something like a progressive metal sound with an Indian twist. If we ever get the chance to do a crossover with Indian music, I think it'd be amazing to create a song that blends those traditional Indian rhythmic elements with our group's colour and identity.
Is there a particular part or lyric in the song that is the group's favourite and why?
Namhyun– My favourite part is the final chorus where it says, 'I'll confess to you now, you're my ideal type.' If you listen to the earlier choruses in the first and second verses, the lyrics are, 'Even I didn't know you're my ideal type,' which conveys a sense of uncertainty. But by the end, the narrator finally finds the courage to confess, which also gives us some courage and strength in real life as well. Since the narrator of the song is building up the courage to confess, I feel like it's a part that can inspire listeners to be brave, too.
Apart from South Korea, the Korean rock scene, just like K-pop, has been rapidly growing in countries like India, Latin America, Brazil, etc. India, especially, has become one of the most curious and engaged markets. In a short span, CTY has headlined major festivals and even pulled off sold-out concerts of their own. They're set to return to the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival and the 2025 Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival for the second year in a row. And for the first time ever, they'll also perform at the 2025 Sound Planet Festival. Known for defining their genre as 'Youth Pop-Rock,' the band has its eyes set on expanding global activities next year, and judging by the momentum, 2025 could be massive.