[Exclusive Interview] Rolling Quartz: "If there's a chance to turn those wishes into reality, we'll definitely try."

     

    Rock is a genre that is increasingly stepping into the spotlight on the K-pop front - while of course the umbrella covers a wide range of genres the K-rock movement is getting louder. From Hongdae clubs to now global stages, the members of Rolling Quartz, Iree, Arem, Ja young, Yeong eun, and Hyunjung have made an impact since their debut in 2020.

    2026 is proving to be another busy year for the group. Following the release of their latest album Roll the Dice,in May, the girls will be heading on tour across North America this July. Their latest single offered a message of hope, speaking with the members the girls gave great advice on how to overcome your own trials and tribulations. As Ja young beautifully states, “I live with the mindset that things will work out somehow. Not in a careless way, but by doing the best I can without pushing myself to the point of burnout.”

    I spoke to the members to talk about their latest music, the challenges behind the single, and the power of rock. 

    April saw the release of the digital single “Roll the Dice" featuring LEE SIYEON. Firstly, how did the collaboration come together?

    Arem: It actually started with Yoon Do Hyun. After touring Croatia together, he told us he wanted to gift a song to Rolling Quartz. We were incredibly grateful, and that's how we ended up receiving Roll the Dice. 

    Ja Young: When I first heard the song, I thought, "Wow, this is a really difficult song for one person to sing." I still think that, honestly. So our company suggested that a collaboration could work really well. Since it was a pairing that our fans had been hoping for, we felt it could create something really special. 

    Yeong Eun: We had been thinking about collaborating with another artist, and since I've always been a fan of Dreamcatcher, Siyeon was someone who immediately came to mind. We also knew a lot of fans wanted to see us work together, so we reached out to her. Thankfully, she said yes. 

    IREE: The members and our team always try our best to make things happen when it's something our fans have been hoping to see. If there's a chance to turn those wishes into reality, we'll definitely try. 

    Choi Hyun Jung: There were so many memorable moments during the recording process. Yoon Do Hyun personally directed the vocal recording and even joined in on the chorus recording. It was a huge honour, and we're incredibly thankful for the experience. 



    The song itself has a message of hope. Even when life feels like a gamble. What advice would you give to younger people who want that for themselves but are worried to do so? How do you get yourselves into a mindset that embraces taking risks?

    Arem: I think it's completely normal to be afraid. I still get nervous and anxious whenever I face something new. But I've learned that taking the first step is what matters most, even if you don't feel fully ready. Even when things don't go the way you hoped, those experiences help shape your path and teach you something valuable.

    Ja Young: I live with the mindset that things will work out somehow. Not in a careless way, but by doing the best I can without pushing myself to the point of burnout. Everyone's definition of "doing your best" is different. For me, it means giving my all while still taking care of myself mentally and physically. If I push beyond that, I might not have anything left when it really counts. 

    Choi Hyun Jung: Being afraid of challenges is completely natural. I've had plenty of moments where I worried about failing, whether in music or other parts of life. But when I look back, the things I regret most aren't my mistakes, they're the opportunities I never took. Once you try something, even in a small way, you often realize it wasn't as scary as you imagined. Instead of waiting for fear to disappear, just start. The more experience you gain, the smaller that fear becomes. 

    IREE: Before every show, I tell myself, "Let's go all in today." It kind of has two meanings. One is, "Let's crush it," and the other is, "Let's just go for it, even if it gets messy." I carry that mindset into life too. If I take a chance and things work out, great. And if they don't? Well, I'll trust my future self to figure it out somehow. laughs 

    Yeong Eun: I've always believed it's better to try and regret it than to never try at all. If you stay where you are, nothing really changes. Of course taking risks can be scary, but the feeling you get when you overcome that fear makes it all worth it. I just try to do the best I can with what's in front of me and keep moving forward. 

    When it came to recording the track, how did the process go? Did the musicality side begin before the lyrics were written, or was it a natural go-with-the-flow situation?

    Ja Young: When Yoon Do Hyun first gave us the song, it already had an initial demo version. Later, he sent us a second version with changes to both the melody and lyrics. But I really loved the original melody, so our CEO and I ended up reworking the newer lyrics to fit the first melody and combined elements from both versions. 

    Choi Hyun Jung: After receiving the song from Yoon Do Hyun, we went through a lot of back-and-forth during the arrangement process. We kept exchanging ideas, making adjustments, and refining the track until it came together in its final form. 

    The music video, while seemingly simplistic, packs a punch. What was the visual concept for the video? And how did you aim to capture the spirit of the song? As it is, it does it perfectly!

    Ja Young: The director wanted to create a strong contrast between different sections of the song. For my scenes, a lot of that came through the lighting. Depending on how the lighting changed, I tried to express different levels of emotion and immersion to match the mood of each part. 

    Choi Hyun Jung: First of all, thank you for saying that. It's really nice to hear. What's interesting is that we didn't actually coordinate our outfits beforehand. Everyone chose their own styling based on how they interpreted the song, but somehow everything came together naturally. I think each member's individuality added to the raw and powerful feeling of the track. 


    The song itself already had a lot of intensity, and I think the direction and visual effects helped amplify that energy even more. My favorite part is how the effects flow with the rhythm and dynamics of the music. When everything lines up perfectly, it creates some really memorable moments. So hearing that you felt the message came across so well means a lot to us. 

    IREE: Our music videos tend to lean heavily into performance. We spend a lot of time thinking about how to physically express the moments that stand out in the song or lyrics. Before filming, we usually get together and work through ideas as a group, but sometimes inspiration comes much earlier. I'll be practising my parts alone and suddenly think, "This section would look really cool with a certain movement or performance." Those ideas often end up becoming part of the final video. 

    For all of you, what had you gravitating towards rock music in particular? Were there any artists that you looked up to, or was it a natural interest over time?

    Arem: What attracted me most was the honesty and freedom that rock music carries. I love how powerful and energetic it can be while still making room for a wide range of emotions. That combination has always been really appealing to me. 

    Ja Young: I really fell in love with band music after attending an arts high school. Playing in bands, rehearsing with other musicians, and performing on stage showed me how much fun it could be. One of my favourite bands is One Ok Rock, and they've definitely been an inspiration. 

    Choi Hyun Jung: When I was in high school studying practical music, I was exposed to all kinds of genres. But I found myself especially drawn to rock because of the powerful sound of the electric guitar. Back then, I spent a lot of time learning and playing songs by Extreme, and through that process I naturally fell in love with band music. Looking back, those experiences played a big part in shaping who I am as a musician today.

    IREE: Interestingly, I didn't listen to much music when I was younger. Then at some point, I discovered band music and became hooked. I loved how the instruments weren't just backing up the vocals but were just as important to the song. There are so many styles of band music, but for me, rock is still at the heart of it all. I also listened to a lot of rock-influenced pop. Some of my biggest influences are Oasis and My Chemical Romance, though there are many other bands that continue to inspire me as well. 

    Yeong Eun: I first got into rock music in middle school after discovering Linkin Park. Later in high school, I became really interested in fusion jazz. Eventually, I realised that most of the music I'd always loved had rock elements in it. From my twenties onwards, rock became the genre I listened to and played the most. 

    Looking back from your debut days to today, what has been something you’ve been most proud of, be it personal moments or particular releases? 

    Arem: For me, it's definitely meeting fans around the world through tours and live performances. Seeing people in countries we never imagined reaching, singing along to our songs and cheering for us is still hard to believe sometimes. Those moments always make me feel incredibly proud and grateful. 

    Ja Young: The final show of our 2025 North American tour. We visited 34 cities, and the last stop in Vancouver was especially memorable. It felt like the perfect way to wrap up such an incredible journey. 

    Choi Hyun Jung: There have been a lot of meaningful moments, but one that immediately comes to mind is finishing the guitar solo for ReBOLD. I remember listening back to it over and over and thinking, "Wow, I really nailed this one." It was one of those rare moments where I felt both proud and completely confident in what I'd created. 

    IREE: I always feel proud when I get to share the stage with bands I grew up listening to. One example is performing alongside Crying Nut at Kyungrakjeol. Getting to stand on the same stage as musicians I admired for so long and realising we're now peers in the same industry is a really special feeling. 

    Yeong Eun: I've felt especially proud whenever I've had the chance to perform alongside artists I looked up to growing up. Seeing our music appear on streaming charts was also a really exciting and rewarding moment for me.

    Having gained momentum through YouTube during the pandemic, which led to a rise in popularity. How important is it for you to connect with the fans through social media platforms? And what kind of content do you like to make besides music?

    Arem: Social media is incredibly important because it's one of the closest ways we can stay connected with our fans. As for content, I enjoy making vlogs that capture everyday moments. Whether it's me as Rolling Quartz's bassist Arem, a friend, or a family member, I like documenting the little moments that make life feel meaningful and memorable. 

    Ja Young: I really enjoy talking and having conversations, so interacting with fans is something I genuinely like. Outside of music, I also love drawing, so creative content related to art is always fun for me. 


    Choi Hyun Jung: Since so many people discovered us online during the pandemic, social media feels like a really special space for us. It allows us to stay connected with fans no matter where they are in the world, and being able to communicate directly with them is something I really value. 

    IREE: I know how important it is, but honestly, I don't think I'm very good at it. I always want to be sincere when I interact with fans, and when I don't have the energy to give that, I sometimes hesitate to engage because I worry about coming across as distant or half-hearted. To be honest, I already use a lot of my energy just getting through daily life, so I'm not the most active person online. Whenever I see messages and comments that have piled up, I feel a little guilty because I'm grateful for every one of them. 

    Yeong Eun: One of the best things about social media is that it allows us to connect with fans all over the world without having to physically be there. Thanks to that, we've been able to build a global fanbase, and it's even created opportunities for us to visit countries where our fans are. That's something I'm incredibly thankful for. Outside of music, I think it would be fun to create more content that shows our everyday lives and personalities. 

    The last year has seen you on tour meeting fans in person. What is the most satisfying moment from being on tour, and how do you approach creating a solid setlist that satisfies both yourself and your fans?

    Arem: The most rewarding moments are when fans tell us that our music gave them comfort or helped them find strength. Those comments always stay with me. It's especially meaningful when you realise that even if we don't speak the same language, we're still able to connect through music. As for the setlist, we put it together through discussions between the members and our producers. 

    Ja Young: Like I mentioned earlier, the final show of our North American tour stands out the most for me. When it comes to building a setlist, we work closely with the company and focus on the overall flow of the show, deciding which songs fit best and where they should go. 

    Choi Hyun Jung: One of the most amazing moments is hearing audiences in countries with completely different languages and cultures singing our songs back to us. It's such a proud and emotional feeling. Even though we're far from home, it reminds me that music really can bring people together. Hearing a venue full of people singing and enjoying the show is something I'll never get tired of. 

    When we create a setlist, we pay a lot of attention to pacing. We don't want it to be nonstop high-energy songs from beginning to end. Instead, we think about the overall journey of the show and try to balance different moods and energy levels so both the band and the audience can stay engaged all the way through. Of course, the setlist also changes depending on the type and purpose of the event. 

    IREE: Nothing makes me happier than seeing fans smiling while they're watching us perform. Seeing those faces gives me energy too. Sometimes I get a little too excited on stage, but that's only because I'm having so much fun, so please forgive me. laughs 

    For the setlist, we think about the flow of the songs and try to create a clear beginning, middle, and climax. We usually start by getting the crowd fired up, then give them a chance to catch their breath before building the energy back up and finishing strong. 

    Yeong Eun: Whenever I look out from the stage and see fans smiling and genuinely enjoying themselves, it feels like all the hard work and challenges we've gone through are worth it. And hearing people say that our music has given them comfort or hope is one of the most rewarding things I could ever hear. 

    As for the setlist, we discuss it together before every show and adjust it to fit the purpose and atmosphere of each performance. 

    Arem, having grown up in Daegu, what was the local rock scene like? Was there a particular artist that inspired you and led you into wanting to become a musician? 

    Arem: There were so many bands playing in small venues, and each one had its own unique style and identity. The scene wasn't huge, but what I remember most is how genuine it felt. You could really feel everyone's passion for music, and the energy at live shows was incredible. 

    Watching those performances and seeing the connection between the bands and the audience made a big impression on me. That's when I started thinking, "I want to be up on that stage someday too." 

    Iree, rock festivals are a staple for many live acts. What would be your dream festival that you as a group have yet to play? 

    IREE: I'd love to play at Glastonbury. It's one of the most iconic festivals in the world, and so many of the bands I admire have performed there. It's always been a dream of mine. I'm really curious what it would feel like to stand in front of a crowd that massive and perform our music. 

    Yeong Eun, as a drummer over the years, what have you seen yourself improve on, and for you, what do you love to incorporate that is your own signature style?

    Yeong Eun: I think I've grown the most by pushing myself to play things that once felt impossible. There were parts I honestly wasn't sure I could perform live, but after a lot of practice, I was able to make them happen on stage. 

    In the beginning, even getting through ten songs felt challenging. Now I can perform twenty-song sets, which really shows me how much I've improved. As for my personal style, I'd love to keep developing my twin-pedal playing and make it a signature part of my sound. 

    Ja Young, while your nickname is “Energayoung”, how do you maintain that level of energy on the stage that makes for a powerful performance?

    Ja Young: Honestly, that's just how I am naturally. That's just my default setting. My secret is pretty simple: to relieve stress is to eat a lot of good food!

    Hyunjung, you not only play the electric guitar but also a range of traditional instruments, from violin to samulnori and gayageum drums. Would you ever incorporate these traditional elements into future Rolling Quartz tracks?

    Choi Hyun Jung: Up until now, Rolling Quartz has focused on the core elements of a rock band, drums, bass, and guitar, and using those instruments to create powerful energy. But if the opportunity comes up, I'd love to experiment more. 

    Whether it's traditional Korean instruments, electronic sounds, or influences from other genres, I think it would be exciting to blend different elements together and create something richer and more dynamic in the future. 

    Latest Posts