TRPP (band)

Lore & Background

TRPP was formed in 2021 by Yoon Jiyoung, Kang Wonwoo, and Jeong Bonggil, who performed under the pseudonyms Chi Chi Cliché, Furukawa Yukio, and Elephant 999 respectively. According to interviews, the band presented a fictional universe: Chi Chi Cliché was described as a Chinese-French woman settled in South Korea, Furukawa Yukio as a Japanese ramen restaurant owner, and Elephant 999 as a man of unknown nationality who forgot his own name. In reality, the members were established South Korean musicians.

The band released their single 'Pause' in May 2021, followed by their first studio album 'TRPP' in July of the same year. They also contributed an OST track to the South Korean television series 'Inspector Koo'. In May 2022, they appeared on 'The EBS space' alongside shoegaze band FOG. Their EP 'Here to Stay' was released on 17 September 2022.

Son Minhyeon of IZM reviewed the EP, describing the band as 'an interesting serendipity in themselves.' The track 'Here to Stay' was nominated for Best Modern Rock Song at the 2023 Korean Music Awards.

Reader's Guide

TRPP occupies a unique place in the South Korean shoegaze scene by blending musical output with a constructed fictional narrative. The band's members, all established musicians from other projects, adopted pseudonyms and invented backstories that contrasted with their real identities. This creative framing added a layer of conceptual art to their shoegaze sound. Their two studio albums, released in 2021 and 2022, established them as a notable act within the genre. The nomination of 'Here to Stay' for Best Modern Rock Album at the 2023 Korean Music Awards signaled recognition from the Korean music industry. Their appearance on 'The EBS space' with FOG further connected them to the broader shoegaze community. TRPP's significance lies in how they used a fictional universe to explore identity and artistic expression, while producing music that resonated with critics and audiences alike.

Did You Know?

• The band's members used pseudonyms: Chi Chi Cliché, Furukawa Yukio, and Elephant 999.
• The fictional backstory claimed one member forgot his own name.
• Their track 'Here to Stay' was nominated for Best Modern Rock Song at the 2023 Korean Music Awards.
• They contributed an OST track to the South Korean television series 'Inspector Koo'.