Walking After U

This article is about the South Korean band. For the song by Foo Fighters, see Walking After You.
Walking After U
워킹 애프터 유
Walking After U in Busan Rock Festival on 8 August 2015
Walking After U in Busan Rock Festival on 8 August 2015
Background information
Also known asWAU
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genresemo rock, indie rock, modern rock
Years active2014 (2014)–present
LabelsLODIS Company Co., Ltd
MembersHaein, A-zzang, Hangyum
Past membersBaemi, Song Jia, Minyeong, Sunny

Walking After U (Korean: 워킹애프터유) is a South Korean female rock band based in Seoul, South Korea. It was formed in 2014 as a merger of Rubber Duckie and Swingz.

Members

Current

  • Baek Haein 백해인 (lead vocals, guitar)
  • Seo Ahyeon "A-zzang" 서아현 (drums, backup vocals)
  • Jo Hangyum 조한겸 (bass)

Former member

  • Bae Mihye "Baemi" 배미헤 (bass, backup vocals)
  • Song Jia 송지아 (guitar, backup vocals)
  • Cho Minyeong 조민영 (bass, backup vocals)
  • Kim Seonghee "Sunny" 김성희 (keyboard, backup vocals)

History

The band is a merger originating from a collaboration at the Girls' Rock Festival Season 6 between Rubber Duckie and Swingz. Rubber Duckie was led by technical guitarist Jia starting in the early 2000s, along with (then) drummer Sunny. Rubber Duckie had attained much recognition as a strong female rock group, and had released two singles and a full album. Swings was led by vocal and bassist Haein, along with drummer A-zzang. Swings received much critical acclaim and mainstream popularity when proceeding through several elimination rounds on 'Top Band - Season 2'. Both Rubber Duckie[1] and Swings[2] were featured in episode "Breaking Down Our Prejudice" of Arirang TV's program "Rock on Korea" in July 2013.

After the Girls' Rock Festival, and much discussion by management of both bands, an agreement was reached to draw talent and form a single new band. Walking After U drew from both bands' previous work, taking strengths and finding a new style. Many songs in the current repertoire still come from one of the previous bands' catalogs.

In 2017, Walking After U represented South Korea at the Emergenza World Band Competition after they won the national round at Hongdae V-Hall in Seoul.[3]

Walking After U competed in Mnet's band competition Great Seoul Invasion in 2022, in which they performed their song You in the first round with postive reaction from the other competing bands, but weren't chosen by any of the team leaders. They however scored high in the band pool system and were then chosen by judges No Min-woo and N.Flying's Jaehyun and Hun.[4] In the second round of the competition, they performed an arrangement of DNA by BTS as part of a mini mission and were praised for their interpretation of the song by the judges, but did not advance to the next round.[5]

Touring

After releasing their debut album in 2014, Walking After U toured South Korea extensively. Playing in clubs, bars, coffee shops, and concert venues, the band focused on building a wide fanbase. Following their Korean tour, they also performed in other East Asian countries, including a club tour in Tokyo. They also toured in South Korea after they released their albums Running Wild (2016) and Arirang (2018).[6]

In 2023, they performed across South Korea as part of their tour The most important thing is not to lose your mind. With more than 40 performances, the tour lasted from April to September.[7]

Discography

Compilation albums

  • Different Color #blue (2022)[8]
  • Walking After U (2023)

Extended plays

  • Unleash (2014)[9]
  • Running Wild (2016)[10]
  • Arirang (2018)
  • Six of Swords (2020)[11]
  • Are We Ready? (2021)
  • Annyeong (2022)[12]

References

  1. ^ "Rock On Korea - Rubber Duckie". Arirang Culture. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Rock On Korea - Swings". Arirang KPop. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  3. ^ "[뉴타포토]EMERGENZA(에머겐자) 세계밴드대회 결승 위너 '워킹애프터유'...'독일 갑니다'". Newstown. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  4. ^ 김지영 (2022-08-05). "'그서인' 워킹 애프터 유, 완벽하게 입증한 실력…2라운드 진출". 아이뉴스24 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  5. ^ 서병기 (2022-08-21). ""탄탄한 길을 가고 있는 밴드"워킹 애프터 유, BTS 노래로 또 한 번 증명한 존재감". 헤럴드경제 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  6. ^ 기자, 이승록. "'10주년' 워킹 애프터 유 "음악 포기 안한 이유? 우리가 할 줄 아는게 음악뿐이다"". 마이데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  7. ^ "[인디레이블탐방] (95) 워킹애프터유, 공연으로 모든 것을 사로잡다". 스포츠Q(큐) (in Korean). 2023-08-29. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  8. ^ "뜻깊은 선물 되길…워킹 애프터유, 리마스터링 앨범 깜짝 발매". mydaily.co.kr. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  9. ^ "Unleash..." iTunes. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  10. ^ ""韓国最強ガールズ・バンド"Walking After Uジャパン・オフィシャル・サイト". "韓国最強ガールズ・バンド”Walking After Uジャパン・オフィシャル・サイト. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  11. ^ "걸스 록밴드 '워킹 애프터유', 'Six Of Swords' 발매와 쇼케이스로 활동 시작". 경상일보 (in Korean). 2020-02-08. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  12. ^ "밴드 워킹 애프터 유, 13일 EP '안녕' 발매 "코로나 시대 위로 되길"". sports.donga.com (in Korean). 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2022-12-14.