Korean pop rock band CATCH THE YOUNG recently released their third digital single, “Ideal Type,” midway through a busy summer season for them. Debuting back in November 2023 with their first mini album, Catch The Young: Fragments of Youth, the group is now preparing for the release of their first full-length album. In addition to creating new music, the group is also scheduled to perform at multiple festival performances this summer, notably the Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival 2025 (JUMF) and the Incheon Pentaport Music Festival 2025. Amidst all their preparations, the group took the time to sit down and share some of their thoughts on their activities.
Compared to their previous releases, “Ideal Type” featured a much brighter sound that bassist Sani said “best captured the group’s refreshing vibe that fits well with summer.” The members themselves have always been heavily involved in both the writing and composing of their songs, with each member having credits on most of their work. When asked about their creative processes, Sani shared that while their technical skills are crucial, “inspiration is something you can’t ignore,” going on to explain that no matter the source, he can draw inspiration from emotions he feels in the moment. Lead vocalist Namhyun said that the message behind the song was for listeners to enjoy it and imagine their own ideal type, but beyond that it can also “represent following and pursuing your dreams and hopes.”
As the band will be performing at JUMF for the first time and Incheon Pentaport Music Festival for the second, their minds are on how to best showcase their music. Sani shared that time constraints make curating a setlist for festivals quite difficult. The group aims to “create a flow that feels like watching a short film,” rather than performing songs one by one. Drummer Jungmo also said that a way that helps the band stand out from others at festivals is incorporating choreography into their live performances “to create stages that are not only musically engaging but also visually exciting.”
On their evolving style, Sani said, “with every release, I do think our unique color and style are becoming clearer.” As they plan to show new sounds in their upcoming release, the band is eager to release their first full-length album later in the year. “Our motto as a band is to create music that can resonate with all generations,” keyboardist Junyoung began. “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.”
