(Photo courtesy of DAWN)

[Hanteo News = Reporter KIM YEONWOO] Singer DAWN, known for his distinctive personality and bold performances on stage, has turned his attention to the sounds of nature. Visiting sites associated with Korea's national heritage, he has collected sounds from their surroundings and reinterpreted them through an ambient music album. The project marks not only a musical transformation but also a new effort to highlight the value of Korea's traditional culture.

On October 23 at 1 PM, DAWN released his first album, ‘green house’, under the name "Kachi service", his new identity as an ambient music producer. The album marks his first musical project as the executive producer of ‘Gachi Ieum’, an initiative that explores Korea's traditional artisans and national heritage. Ambient music is a genre that brought DAWN a sense of peace when he began practicing meditation, and the album reflects his attempt to recreate that feeling of relaxation through sound.

The album is also the culmination of the field recordings DAWN previously showcased on MBC's variety show ‘I Live Alone’. In an episode aired in September, he was seen bringing recording equipment to national heritage sites and collecting sounds from the surrounding environment. He also documented the scenery with a film camera, revealing his sensitivity to capturing not only visible beauty but also the fleeting sounds that might otherwise go unnoticed.

DAWN visited Gwangneung Forest, which has been preserved for more than 500 years, the forests near Namhansanseong Fortress, and Bijarim Forest, home to nutmeg trees that are hundreds of years old. The natural sounds collected from these three locations, each steeped in history, were transformed into five tracks, including ‘Ancient Future’ and ‘Patience & Devotion’. Berlin-based mastering engineer Zino Mikorey also contributed to the project, further enhancing the album's overall quality.

What makes this project particularly noteworthy is DAWN's longstanding interest in Korea's traditional culture and intangible heritage. On ‘I Live Alone’, he demonstrated his appreciation for traditional craftsmanship by making lighting fixtures from traditional Korean hanji paper and carving wood to create his own objects. He also introduced works by traditional artisans, including kite maker Bae Musam, fan maker Lee Gwanggu, and umbrella maker Yoon Gyusang, highlighting the craftsmanship and beauty behind their creations.

While DAWN has made a strong impression on stage with his daring performances and distinctive style, his everyday life reveals a more romantic and contemplative side. He finds value in old objects and immerses himself deeply in the things he loves. These interests have grown beyond simply collecting traditional crafts. His desire to introduce the works of artisans and Korea's traditional culture to a wider audience eventually led to the ‘Gachi Ieum’ project and this album.

 


DAWN debuted in 2016 as a member of PENTAGON and has since expanded his musical horizons as a solo artist. Through songs such as ‘MONEY’ and ‘Dear My Light’, he has showcased his distinctive musical style and vocals, while also expressing his creative sensibilities through fashion, visual arts, and other fields. More recently, he released the single ‘Too Much’ and took on the role of executive producer for ‘Gachi Ieum’, continuing to explore new avenues of artistic expression.

‘green house’ stands out as a distinctive and meaningful new chapter in DAWN's career as an artist. Unlike his previous musical projects, the album places greater emphasis on the sounds created by nature itself rather than artificial sounds or elaborate arrangements, preserving and transforming them into music. It may offer a new listening experience not only for DAWN's fans but also for audiences who have had few opportunities to appreciate Korea's natural landscapes and traditional culture.

Beginning with ‘green house’, DAWN plans to continue documenting the sounds of nature and the beauty found throughout Korea. As he expands his musical world, he is also giving new meaning to familiar landscapes and sounds that people may have overlooked.

Attention is now turning to whether this latest creative endeavor will inspire more people to discover and appreciate the beauty of Korea through a different perspective.

 yeonwoo38@hanteo.com