The bluegrass band Country Gongbang drew global attention when it became the first Asian winner of the international band performance grant hosted by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in the United States in 2023. That September they represented Asia on the World of Bluegrass stage in Raleigh, North Carolina, meeting global fans.
In 2024 they were invited to about 10 prestigious bluegrass festival stages in the United States, including the Grand Ole Opry and the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and toured for a month. They are also actively performing across Korea in cities such as Daejeon, Daegu and Busan, sharing music with audiences.
They met audiences again through the small-scale popular music performance support program 2025 Lalarawon, held Aug. 19 at the Woojujeonggeojeong venue in Hongdae, Seoul. This time, offstage in conversation, we heard directly about their music and journey.
1. Team formation & musical color
- What led you to aim for a "Korean-style bluegrass" when you formed the band in 2014?
When Jang Hyun-ho (banjo) and Kim Ye-bin (vocal·mandolin) first formed the team, we wanted to make a band with a popular country-rock color within country music. But as we explored country music more deeply, we encountered the bluegrass genre, and we were attracted to the fresh combination of instruments we had never seen before and the genre's unique energy. As we researched and implemented bluegrass's charms in our own way, it naturally became a Korean-style bluegrass.
- What do you pay most attention to when reinterpreting the bluegrass genre in a Korean way?
We don't particularly confine ourselves to the frame of "reinterpreting bluegrass in a Korean way." We think the biggest charm of bluegrass lies in the distinctive sound each instrument creates, so within our music we focus on maximizing the individuality of each instrument and bringing out that charm.
2. Music & stage philosophy
- If you were to describe Country Gongbang's musical identity in one sentence, what would it be?
Unfamiliar but familiar, bluegrass rooted in Korean soil
- Why did you choose the unique stage arrangement of "one-microphone chorus," and what is its appeal?
When bluegrass began in the American South in the 1940s, sound equipment was not advanced, so recording with a single microphone was common. It became a tradition because it was convenient for radio stations and live recording environments. The greatest appeal of one microphone is that the band feels like it moves and breathes as a single resonance. Each member does live mixing by adjusting distance to change volume. For audiences, when it's time for a solo the player moves forward, and when they sing together everyone gathers — those visual movements become a major delight of the performance.
3. Overseas experience & evaluation
- What evaluation you received in the United States is most memorable or gave the members great strength?
Last summer we were invited to perform at several large festivals, and many audience members gave feedback such as, "I've been coming to this festival since it started every year. Country Gongbang's performance was the best I've ever seen." After shows we sell merchandise at the front of the stage, and I can't forget the looks of people who waited in line for more than two hours to buy CDs and ask for handshakes. Even when they couldn't understand the lyrics, remembering how the audience laughed and cried with us always warms my heart.
- You were recorded as the first team to sing a Korean-language song at the Grand Ole Opry; what did you feel at that moment?
It still feels like a dream. When the standing ovation poured out after the song ended, I was truly grateful to the members standing on stage with me.
4. Members & teamwork
- How are the five members' personalities and role divisions arranged?
Country Gongbang has two Ts and three Fs. (mbti) The Ts handle external communication and practical work, and the Fs maintain the group's warm energy so we complement each other. On the U.S. tour, Jongsu constantly emails the organizers, Gihah manages the money, haha, and Hyunho, Seonjae and Ye-bin take walks, buy groceries, cook and drink beer. (haha)
- During tours, how do members encourage and lead each other when they are having a hard time?
All the members are kind, so we don't pass things off to each other; each person quietly finds what they can do first. We bring plenty of basic medicines, so if someone is sick we give them medicine and make sure they eat. We take good care of each other's condition. Just being together gives a sense of stability and comfort. We've become like family.
5. Domestic activities & fan communication
- During your nationwide tour, were there any particularly impressive reactions or episodes from domestic fans?
I think reactions have changed a bit since we entered the U.S. market. When we tell people about winning awards and performing on stages in the U.S., they are proud of us and give a lot of encouragement, which energizes us.
- Did you feel any differences between reactions from overseas fans and domestic fans?
American fans were curious and amazed about how Country Gongbang was formed, what the name means, and how we keep practicing. Above all, they found great appeal in expressing bluegrass with Korean lyrics and enjoyed it with open minds. During performances they reacted with generous applause and cheers, and after shows they expressed emotion with standing ovations, which gave us a big resonance. After concerts they talked with the members, bought records and merchandise, and actively tried to communicate with the artists, which moved us even more. We actively recommend the emotion we gained from these experiences to domestic fans as well. Haha. Like the open-minded and sincere responses shown by overseas fans, we want to share the joy and energy of performances together in Korea.
6. Future plans & aspirations
- What are your thoughts and expectations about being nominated in two institutional sector categories at the 2025 IBMA Momentum Awards?
In 2023 we were selected as one team among teams from around the world outside the United States, but this year just shoulder-to-shoulder with local teams makes us ecstatic. At the 2023 U.S. showcase there were fans who predicted that Country Gongbang vocalist Ye-bin would win Vocal Of The Year, and we earnestly hope that prediction comes true.
※ The 2025 IBMA Momentum Awards are scheduled to be held Sept. 17 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Is there a specific goal or dream Country Gongbang definitely wants to achieve in the future?
We want to hold a bluegrass festival in Korea! With camping in nature! Very cool!
- Lastly, please say a few words to your fans.
Thank you for joining Country Gongbang's bluegrass adventure. We will repay you with even better music and performances. Stay healthy!
[Photo] Country Gongbang
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