Interview with 2Z: a breath of fresh air in electro music, in collaboration with DJ Plomo

2Z (pronounced TUZI) is a K-rock band from South Korea, formed in 2020. Since their debut, they have released a string of original songs—they already have more than 50!—and have become known for their positive messages and energetic concerts. You've probably heard them without even knowing it, as they've contributed to numerous soundtracks.

Their music blends powerful rock with beautiful vocal harmonies, and more recently, they've added an electro touch with their latest EP Highness, in collaboration with DJ Plomo.

Intrigued? Find out more in the following interview. 

For those who don’t know you yet in France: how would you introduce 2Z in just a few words?

HOJIN: Hello to everyone in France! :) We are 2Z, “the kids who sing hope”!

We’re a Korean rock band that debuted in 2020, and we already have over 50 original songs. Our fandom is called FromA, and we even have FromAs in France who’ve been waiting for us for six years. :) Through the language of music, we communicate with people all over the world, often sharing a message of hope. We’d love for you to listen to our music after reading this interview!

If you had to recommend one 2Z song for the French audience to “fall in love” with your universe, which one would you choose?

JUNGHYUN: We currently have over 50 original songs. First, I’d recommend Doctor(Reworks ver.). Since we’re a rock band, I chose it because it showcases our sound and identity. Lyrically, it carries a hopeful message: “We’ll heal you” which ties to our debut nickname, “the kids who sing hope”. After that, I’d suggest [(Even if not) I’m OK], a medium-tempo, softer track. It was part of the OST for the web drama Kissable Lips. We also perform it acoustically at shows and it highlights one of our strengths: beautiful vocal harmonies.

HOJIN: I recommend “CrossRoad”. It’s our most meaningful song for me. It deals with a heavier theme addressed to people thinking of suicide, or those about to leave. The core message is: “Say tomorrow, a day together, see u tomorrow.”The lyrics mean so much to me that I even have them tattooed on my body. It’s a heartbreakingly beautiful song. If you listen to it with this in mind, it will touch you even more deeply.

BUMJUN: I’d choose “Not without U”. The hallmarks of our music are harmony and message, and this song shows both perfectly. It’s also a fan-favorite anthem sung together with our fandom. I think it best conveys the hope that 2Z wants to share.

ZUNON: I’d recommend “Superstar”. It captures the emptiness and loneliness we feel right after stepping off stage, even though on stage we shine brightly and show only our best. Despite those hidden feelings, the song expresses our determination and hope: that no matter what, we will continue on, because we are Superstars.

Evolution and inspiration 

Your new EP Highness represents the beginning of a new era for your group: in just a few words each, how would you describe it? 

HOJIN: For me, it feels like a step closer to our dream. As a band, of course track quality matters, but what’s most important is live performance. The thing we value most on stage is the dramatic structure, the four-act flow. Now that we have a DJ with us, I expect we’ll be able to create more diverse dramatic sequences and bring even more emotion and excitement to audiences :)

ZUNON: I see it as the meeting of “Big Beat” and “Band”. Highness is a collaboration album with DJ Plomo, bringing a Big Beat and synth-pop sound that you couldn’t hear in 2Z’s music before.

JUNGHYUN: I’d call this EP “the new paradigm of 2Z”. It breaks away from our old musical frame and tries new approaches. It’s a special EP but that doesn’t mean our music will now fully switch to electronic. Still, with the new songs and remixes we made with DJ Plomo, we’ll be able to create much more colorful performances on stage, so I’m very excited.

BUMJUN: Do you know the Korean cocktail somaek (soju + beer)? It’s my favorite, and I think it’s the best mix. For me, this collaboration with the DJ feels exactly like that; two things blending perfectly.

This year marked a major change with the arrival of a new member (NUVorn) and the departure of JISEOB. How has this new group dynamic influenced you?

HOJIN: JISEOB had been with us since 2Z’s beginning, and NUVorn joined at our most difficult, unstable time, giving us a lot of strength. When JISEOB first left, all the members went through a really hard time. For me it was even tougher, since we’d been friends since middle school. Still, we had to pull ourselves together for the sake of the band’s name, 2Z. At that point, just before our Japan shows, NUVorn joined and gave us a lot of support.

We eventually parted ways with him due to different musical perspectives, but we’re still close like brothers, cheering each other on. NUVorn, who loved J-pop and J-rock, inspired us to write songs like Great Force and Summer of War.

Now without a guitarist, we’ve shifted focus to music we can create with a DJ: electronic, big beat, house… not just for Highness, but for future tracks and remixes too, since we already have a DJ, ZUNON, in the band.

A new guitarist will be joining soon, we’re already rehearsing together and dreaming of a bright future. Since people say “a guitarist is the flower of a band”, as the vocalist I’ll do my best to help them bloom in 2Z. I hope everyone reading this interview will look forward to it, and warmly welcome them into our family, “FromA to Z(2Z)” :)

How did the idea of blending electronic music with your rock-rooted style come about?

JungHyun: DJ Plomo is a techno and big beat DJ who had always dreamed of collaborating with a band. Since we were in the same company, one day the idea for a collab album came up. With the GOGO2020 producing team, we began making the album in February this year, working step by step until its release.

How was this collaboration with DJ Plomo born, and what does it bring that’s new to your universe?

ZUNON: One of our main goals is always to put on shows that audiences can both enjoy and be moved by, so we’ve tried many genres and even split concerts into full-sound and unplugged sets. Building on those experiments, this time we released Highness, an album uniting big beat and band sound with DJ Plomo. We also released remixes of our songs through his style. I think this lets fans experience 2Z’s music in a fresh new way, with DJ and band together.

Are there any artists who inspire you and with whom you would like to collaborate?

HOJIN: My all-time favorite musicians are Depeche Mode. Recently, since working with DJs, I’ve also been inspired by Underworld and The Prodigy. Someday I’d love to collaborate with the French DJ Justice. I love their signature synth sound and danceable electronic style, and since 2Z is also very interested in grooves that make people dance, I think we’d be a great match :)

JungHyun: Since this album is a DJ collaboration, the first person who comes to mind is David Guetta. We should dream big, right? Even if it breaks, the pieces will be big. I’d love to see how our songs would sound remixed by him, and perform together on a huge festival stage. Just imagining it gives me chills!

You’ve recorded several songs featured in successful dramas, including Heo’s Diner this year. What did this experience mean to you?

BUMJUN: We’re always taking on new challenges to let more people know about us. By working on drama OSTs this year, we were able to reach new listeners who didn’t know 2Z. We’ll continue to take on such opportunities whenever they come. Plus, video and music are inseparable in popular culture, there’s an undeniable magic when our music is paired with visuals.

Concerts and stage performance 

On which stage would you most like to perform, both in South Korea and abroad? Are there legendary venues where you dream of holding a concert?

ZUNON: Recently, 2Z got to perform at an NC DINOS baseball game in Korea. We threw the first pitch and also performed during and after the game. The atmosphere was amazing, full of energy. That experience made me want to try something similar again.

Our dream would be to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, where so many legendary musicians we admire; Michael Jackson, U2, Prince, Paul McCartney, and more have stood.

What drives you the most during your performances? What makes you feel the most alive when you are performing?

BUMJUN: When the crowd cheers loudly, that’s when I feel most alive. Also, when I meet my bandmates’ eyes on stage, hear their heartbeats, and play together, that’s the ultimate thrill. That’s trust. Feeling how our years of trust turn into pure stage energy is nothing short of miraculous.

To wrap up, is there anything you would like to say to your fans, the FromA, in France and Europe?

HOJIN: Dear friends in France and Europe, we always feel sorry toward you. Our 2024 Europe tour was canceled, so we couldn’t meet you after you’d already waited six years. That makes us feel even more attached to you. But thanks to the fans who told us, “We’ve waited six years, what’s one or two more?”, we didn’t give up. We’ll keep preparing and come see you. The moment we finally perform in Europe, that will be our shared Highness :)

ZUNON: Thanks to this interview, I feel one step closer to a European tour :) I actually prefer taking photos over being photographed, so if we tour Europe, I’d love to capture beautiful landscapes and food with my eyes, my heart, and my camera. Most of all, I want to bring amazing performances filled with good energy to our FromAs there!

BUMJUN: I have a special feeling toward France. Back when we were fashion models, we dreamed of entering France, the mecca of fashion, as models. Now, to think we can go there as a band and musicians feels like a dream come true. Through this interview, I can’t wait even more to meet our fans in France and Europe. Let’s jump and play together!

JungHyun: First, I want to share this: since 2022, we’ve toured Latin America every year, and last year and this June we toured the U.S. twice. We also had an Asia tour this year. But one place has always been in our hearts, France and Europe. We’ve tried to plan Europe tours several times since debut, but unfortunately had to postpone or cancel. Now, I really want us to visit different European countries, feel their unique energy and vibe, and meet the fans we’ve connected with through A.A.I interviews face-to-face.

Thank you sincerely to A.A.I for inviting us to this interview. We’re counting down the days until we meet our fans and we’re deeply grateful to all the FromAs in Europe who continue to support us.

Thank you to the members of 2Z for taking the time to answer our questions, and to Laury Verdoux of Moonlight PR for arranging this interview. Translation from Korean to English by Moonlight PR, from English to French by Gabin Fontaine.

Alexandra Boiteux et Gabin Fontaine