Biography
Jannabi is a South Korean indie rock band that has gained much attention for its retro, vintage-inspired sound and unique blend of folk, rock and indie elements. Formed in 2012, the band initially consisted of singer and guitarist Choi Jung-hoon, who brought his love of old-school music and vintage styles into the band’s identity. Jannabi’s name, which means “squirrel” in Korean, symbolizes the band’s cheerful yet warm approach to music.
Although their music draws primarily on indie rock, folk and alternative rock influences, Jannabi is known for blending modern elements with retro sounds, often compared to music from the 1960s and 1970s. They have cultivated a loyal following with their captivating sound and distinctive approach to songwriting.
Jannabi Profile
- Name: Jannabi
- Genres: Indie Rock, Folk Rock, Alternative Rock
- Origin: Seoul, South Korea
- Years of activity: 2012-present
- Label: Antenna
Members:
- Choi Jung-hoon (Lead vocals, guitar)
- Kim Do-hyung (Guitar)
- Choi Joon-ho (Bass)
- Lee Seung Jae (Drums)
- Yoon Kyul (Keyboard)
Career
Jannabi’s early years were marked by a slow but steady rise. They gained traction in the Korean indie scene with their first releases, but it wasn’t until their 2018 album “Monkey Hotel” who achieved mainstream success. The album’s title track, “For Lovers Who Hesitate”, attracted significant attention for its retro and nostalgic vibe, resonating with a wide audience. It was this album that marked their breakthrough into the mainstream, earning them recognition as one of South Korea’s top indie artists.
Their fame only grew with subsequent releases and they became known for their exciting live performances and ability to blend different musical genres effortlessly. In 2020, the band took part in the popular Korean variety show Sing againwhere Choi Jung-hoon’s distinctive voice and the band’s musicianship were widely praised, further solidifying their place in the Korean music industry.
Notable songs
- For lovers who hesitate – From Monkey Hotel (2018)
The track that brought Jannabi to mainstream success. Its catchy melody and nostalgic vibe have become a fan favorite. - Summer, summer – From Mono (2019)
A carefree and summery song that captures the essence of freedom and youthful nostalgia. - She – From Mono (2019)
A touching and soulful song that showcases the band’s ability to blend emotional depth with their retro musical style. - I hate you – From Monkey Hotel (2018)
A darker and more intense track than their usual sound, but one that resonated deeply with listeners. - Moonlight – From The land of morning calm (2020)
A slow, dreamy ballad that further demonstrates their range and the emotional depth of their music.
Album
- Jannabi (2015)
Their debut album, which lays the foundation of their unique sound, mixing folk rock with indie elements. - Monkey Hotel (2018)
This was the breakthrough album, which brought them mainstream attention. The album was a mix of indie rock, pop and retro vibes, featuring the hit song “For Lovers Who Hesitate”. - Mono (2019)
Another well-received album that continues to showcase the band’s versatility with tracks like “Summer, Summer” and “She”. It strengthened their position in the indie rock scene. - The land of morning calm (2020)
A more refined album that demonstrates their growth as musicians, including songs like “Moonlight” that showcase their softer, more emotionally charged side.
Controversies
Although Jannabi has enjoyed widespread popularity, the band has faced some controversy over the years.
Indie band Jannabi, who emerged from years of obscurity with a hit album in March 2019, have been hit by violence/corruption scandals involving key members. Keyboardist Yoo Young-hyun made a surprise announcement of his departure on Friday, admitting to raping a classmate 11 years ago.
On August 7, 2022, Jannabi performed at the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, which took place from August 5 to 7. After their performance, a controversial incident started circulating on social media. The band made comments that were perceived as disrespectful towards their next band, Vampire Weekend, who performed immediately after them. Jannabi told the audience: “We started as Pentaport Super Rookie in 2017 and played on the smallest stage. But little by little we got this far. The hills were not far away. They further stated: “One team taking over at this stage is enough. I don’t know what the next team will be, but I want to tell them. We will take control of the Pentaporto. Everyone, go home now. We’ll play ‘Come Back Home’ and leave.”
These remarks sparked backlash from fans and online communities, who criticized Jannabi for their lack of consideration for Vampire Weekend and the festival program.
On August 8, 2024, actress Han Ji-min confirmed that she was dating Choi Jung-hoon, the lead singer of Jannabi. However, their relationship quickly became controversial after it was revealed that Choi Jung-hoon’s father had been sentenced to three years in prison for fraud. This led to significant public backlash.
On November 13, 2024, Peppermint Music, Jannabi’s agency, announced that they would no longer be hiring You Young-hyun as a sound assistant. In a public statement posted on their fan café, CEO Choi Jeong-jun apologized, acknowledging that the process for handling the situation with fans had been inadequate and expressing regret for the disappointment caused by poor judgment and insufficient response .
You Young-hyun had already left the band in 2019 due to controversies over school bullying. However, it was recently revealed that he had been working as a sound engineer during the band’s concerts and rehearsals. This revelation led some fans to raise concerns, prompting the agency to remove protesting fans from the fan café, which escalated the controversy.
Choi Jeong-jun confirmed that he worked with You Young-hyun but stressed that there was no intention to hide or hide the matter. He explained that they planned to address the matter in more depth after resolving an ongoing matter related to You Young-hyun’s past issue. Furthermore, Choi clarified that rumors that You Young-hyun would participate in the music production of Jannabi were false and warned that legal action would be taken against the spread of misinformation.
In response to the growing negative reaction, Jannabi’s lead singer Choi Jeong-hoon issued an apology, expressing regret for the inappropriate handling of You Young-hyun’s inclusion in the troupe and offered a sincere apology to fans.
Fun facts
- Name Inspiration: The band’s name, “Jannabi”, means “squirrel” in Korean, symbolizing the group’s playful yet warm personality.
- Retro style: Jannabi’s distinctive retro sound is heavily influenced by the music of the 60s and 70s, which is a hallmark of their unique musical identity.
- Musical influence: The band cites bands like The Beatles and The Beach Boys as key influences in their music.
- Celebrities on the rise: After the breakthrough with Monkey Hotelhave quickly become a staple in the indie music scene in Korea, and their live performances are known for their heartfelt and emotional delivery.
- Connection to Sing again: Choi Jung-hoon gained even more attention after participating in the popular Korean variety show Sing againwhere he impressed viewers with his voice and gained further fans.
