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Loren (musician)

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LØREN
Loren performing in April 2024
Born
Lee Seung-joo
NationalityKorean
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
FatherLee Hae-jin
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Guitar
  • Drums
Years active2015–present
Labels
Websitewww.lorensbasement.com
Korean name
Hangul
로렌
Revised RomanizationRoren
McCune–ReischauerRoren
Birth name
Hangul
이승주
Revised RomanizationI Seungju
McCune–ReischauerI Sŭngju

Lee Seung-joo (Korean: 이승주), better known by his stage name Loren (Korean: 로렌, stylized as LØREN), is a South Korean singer, songwriter and producer under The Black Label, and releases music through his own indie label Fire Exit Records. He debuted as a singer on November 13, 2020, with his heavy rock track "Empty Trash". He is credited as a arranger on G-Dragon's 2017 song, "개소리 (Bullshit)", and as a lyricist on Blackpink's songs "Pretty Savage", "You Never Know", and "Lovesick Girls."[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Loren was born to South Korean parents. His father is Lee Hae-jin, Naver's founder and Global Investment Officer (GIO), and his mother is Lee Young-rin.[2] He also has one sister, Lee Yeon-joo.[citation needed]

When Loren was around 5th grade, he moved to Singapore and studied at the Singapore American School.[3] After graduating from high school in 2013, he moved to Japan and decided to try to be an EDM producer.[4]

Career

[edit]

2015–2017: Career begins and contract with The Black Label

[edit]

Between the age of 19 and 20, Lee's main goal was to make rap and dubstep beats. He would send the music he made to people he thought might listen to his work, including The Black Label. They offered Lee the chance to work with them and practice as a producer. Lee soon went on to Seoul's nightclub scene to hone his skills as an EDM producer and DJ. Through this work, Lee got the chance to work with one of the best-selling and well-known artists in Korea, G-Dragon. From this connection, Lee obtained a producer credit, under the name Cawlr, on one of GD's hits, "개소리 (BULLSHIT)".[4]

Lee also worked as a model, posing for W Korea and for the brand of Korean designer Choi Moo-yul, Vlad Vladis.[5] In October 2017, a celebrity launch party hosted by Italian fashion house Fendi called "F is for.." celebrated Taeyang's collection with the brand in Hong Kong. Lee was one of the DJs at the event, alongside other well-known DJs in the Asian music scene.[6][7]

2018–2022: Work with Blackpink, solo debut and first fashion appearances

[edit]

In 2020, Lee participated in Blackpink's The Album; he is credited as a co-lyricist on three of the eight tracks - "Pretty Savage", "You Never Know", and "Lovesick Girls". Lee also had a cameo appearance in the music video for "Lovesick Girls".[1] Before participating in the music video, Lee featured in two studio live streams with Rosé as a guitarist. Additionally, Rosé, on her 25th birthday, surprised her fans by uploading on her personal Youtube channel three covers of songs by Coldplay, Neck Deep and Oasis, with the help of Lee playing the acoustic guitar.[8][9]

Under The Black Label, Lee has his own indie record company, Fire Exit RECØRDS. He also has a distribution company AWAL.[4] The Black Label states that he isn't a singer under the company and that his company is separate from the label.[2]

Lee said the meaning of his name comes from one of the tattoos on his chest, "LØNER". The word is formed by changing the positions of R and N.[4] Lee's fandom is called Løners, inspired by the same tattoo.[citation needed]

Lee made his debut on November 13, 2020, with the release of "Empty Trash".[10][11] The song is influenced by early 2000s rock bands with heavier rock sounds.[12] Lee released his second single, "Need (ooo-eee)", on July 21, 2021. It is a post-grunge, melancholy punk pop song,[13][14] with lyrics which recalls the summers of his childhood.[13] In November 2021, he released his third song, "All My Friends Are Turning Blue". This song marks the first time Lee played with a band.[15]

Fashion magazine Dazed Korea put Lee on the cover of its 2022 March issue with Rosé. Eight covers were published, all with Rosé and Lee wearing Yves Saint Laurent's fresh collection.[16] Lee was also spotted at the Paris Fashion Week in March 2022 at Yves Saint Laurent's fashion show by Anthony Vaccarello.[17][18][19] In April of the same year, he uploaded on Instagram a photo of him alongside the logo of the fashion brand, Saint Laurent, announcing Lee as a model and representative of Saint Laurent's 2022 Eyewear Campaign. Lee was the first male solo artist from Korea chosen by the brand as their model.[20][21][22][23]

2023-present: Release of first album

[edit]

In March 2023, alongside the announcement of his debut EP Put Up a Fight, Lee signed to the recording label 88rising, through which he would release his project in partnership with The Black Label.[23] NME regarded his album as "a collection of defiant alternative rock anthems, soaring guitar riffs inspiring the kind of adrenaline that comes with a battle for survival."[24]

Lee shared that the five songs on the album were the ones he felt most dear about as they pushed his musical boundaries. Put Up a Fight allowed him to express the frustration from the public eye and how quickly people have an opinion about somebody just because someone else says so, and also about the self-doubt he faced while writing the album.[25]

After a successful showcase at SXSW,[26] Løren performed as part of Coachella's 2023 line-up, marking his first appearance there.[24][27][28]

In 2024, he released the single "Gasoline" in cooperation with 88rising's group 1999 Write The Future.[29]

Influences

[edit]

Lee states that his music is mainly influenced by the style of the 90s and 2000s.[4] The songwriters and performers he most admires are Julian Casablancas, Jack White, Damon Albarn, Liam Gallagher, Kurt Cobain, and Pete Doherty.[30][31] In an interview with NME, he talked about how music helped him throughout his teenage years, as the message of freedom of speech and opinions charmed him. At that time, he recalls, artists like Paramore, Muse and Vampire Weekend had sparked his love as well.[24]

Discography

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, showing selected details
Title Details
Put Up a Fight

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions, and name of the album
Title Year Peak chart
positions 		Album
KOR
"Empty Trash" 2020 — Non-album singles
"Need (ooo-eee)" 2021 —
"All My Friends Are Turning Blue" —
"Folks" 2023 — Put Up a Fight
"Gasoline"

(with 1999 Write The Future)

2024 — Non-album singles
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Composition credits

[edit]

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.[32]

List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album
Title Year Artist Album Composer Lyricist Arranger
"Bullshit" (개소리) 2017 G-Dragon Kwon Ji Yong Yes No Yes
"Lovesick Girls" 2020 Blackpink The Album No Yes No
"Pretty Savage" No Yes No
"You Never Know" No Yes No
"Empty Trash" Himself Non-album singles Yes Yes Yes
"Need (ooo-eee)" 2021 Yes Yes Yes
"All My Friends Are Turning Blue" Yes Yes Yes
"Folks" 2023 "Put Up a Fight" Yes Yes Yes
"Temporary" Yes Yes Yes
"Sticks And Stones" Yes Yes Yes
"Panic" Yes Yes Yes
"Frown" Yes Yes Yes

Videography

[edit]

Music videos

[edit]
Title Year Director Ref.
"Empty Trash" 2020 Himself [11]
"Need (ooo-eee)" 2021 [33]
"All My Friends Are Turning Blue" [34]
"Folks" 2023 [35]
"Panic" — [36]
"Gasoline"

(with 1999 Write The Future)

2024 Mamesjad [37]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Baek, Yoongi (November 13, 2020). "[단독]'이해진 네이버 창업자 아들' 로렌, 가수 전격 데뷔" [[Exclusive] 'Lee Hae-jin, the son of Naver founder' Loren, makes his debut as a singer]. E Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2022 – via Naver.
  2. ^ a b Hwang, Hye-jin (November 13, 2020). "로렌=네이버 창업자 이해진 아들 이승주, 더블랙레이블 "소속가수 NO"(종합)" [Loren=Lee Seung-joo, son of Naver founder Lee Hae-jin, singer of The Blacklabel "No" (Overall)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via Naver.
  3. ^ Singapore American School (June 5, 2013). Singapore American School Senior Class of 2013 Then & Now. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ a b c d e Anderson, E. (September 1, 2021). "Løren wrote K-pop bangers". Vice. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via i-D.
  5. ^ Choi, Hoon-min (March 15, 2019). "네이버 이해진 총수의 아들이 YG 소속? '카울러' 이승주에 관심 집중" [Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin's son is in YG? Focus on 'Cooler' Lee Seung-joo]. Sunday Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Nam, Hyun-ji (September 11, 2017). "Forever Young". Vogue Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Chan, Cindie (August 2, 2017). "Fendi's 'F IS FOR…' party". Lifestyle Asia. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  8. ^ Dailey, Hannah (November 2, 2022). "Blackpink's Rosé Rings in Her 25th Birthday With a Cover of an Oasis Classic: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  9. ^ Chin, Carmen (February 11, 2022). "Coldplay react to Blackpink's Rosé's cover of 'Viva La Vida'". NME. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Dailey, Hannah (April 24, 2023). "Why Alt-Rocker Løren says 'being miserable' motivated him to work with Blackpink and step out on his own". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Løren - 'Empty Trash' M/V. The Black Label. November 13, 2020. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ Basbas, Franchesca Judine (November 11, 2020). "TheBlackLabel producer Løren debuts with new single 'Empty Trash' - watch". www.bandwagon.asia.
  13. ^ a b Chakraborty, Riddhi (July 29, 2021). "Løren delivers Pop-Punk Excellence on 'Need (ooo-eee)'". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  14. ^ Kara, Bodegon-Hikino (July 29, 2021). "TheBlackLabel producer Løren drops new single 'Need (ooo-eee)' - watch". Bandwagon Asia. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  15. ^ Dunfoy, Julius (December 1, 2021). "Løren's Latest Single "All My Friends Are Turning Blue" is a Throwback to Punk's Glory Days". Sparky. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  16. ^ Dhan (February 21, 2022). "Blackpink's Rosé and Naver's son Loren grace the covers of Dazed Korea's March issue". Kbizoom. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  17. ^ WowKeren, Tim (March 2, 2022). "Mark Tuan personel GOT7 Dan Solois Pria The Black Label, Loren, Sama-sama Hadir Di Acara Pertunjukan Musim Gurur/Musim Dingin 2022 Yves Saint Laurent Di Paris. Intip Adu Gaya Mereka" [Mark GOT7 and Loren battle it out at YSL event, he's rumoured to be dating Rose BLACKPINK]. Wow Keren (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  18. ^ Carvajal, Rosa (March 1, 2022). "Jisoo de BLACKPINK, Mark de GOT7 y más asisten a «Paris Fashion Week 2022»" [Blackpink's Jisoo, GOT7's Mark and more attend "Paris Fashion Week 2022".]. Unnie Pop (in French). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  19. ^ Kim, Ki-tae (March 8, 2022). "로렌 (LØREN, 이승주), 파리 패션위크 다녀왔어요 (공항패션)[뉴스엔TV]" [Loren (LØREN, Lee Seung Joo), Paris Fashion Week (Airport Fashion)[NewsenTV]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Hong, Seong-hoo (April 29, 202). "로렌, 생로랑 2022 아이웨어 캠페인 모델 선정" [Loren is the face of Saint Laurent's 2022 eyewear campaign]. NBN News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Yong, Won-jung (April 29, 2022). "로렌, 생로랑 '2022 안경'캠페인 모델 선택" [Loren chooses model for Saint Laurent '2022 glasses' campaign]. Slist (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  22. ^ Hwang, Ji-young (April 30, 2022). "로렌, 명품 브랜드 아이웨어 모델" [Loren, eyewear model for a luxury brand]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Eggertsen, Chris (March 13, 2023). "88rising Signs Korean Alt-Rock Artist Løren". Billboard Pro. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c Yeo, Gladys (April 7, 2023). "Løren talks debut EP 'Put Up A Fight': "I just want to give back to the world"". NME. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  25. ^ Bora (June 7, 2023). "Løren is bringing Korean alt-rock up from the underground". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  26. ^ Special Reporting Team (December 8, 2022). "[단독 현장르포] 관객 150명, 가창력 등 과제 많았던 네이버 창업자 아들의 싱가포르 공연" [[Exclusive] NAVER founder's son performs in Singapore with an audience of 150, vocal skills and other challenges]. Asia Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  27. ^ Siroky, Mary (April 12, 2023). "Fan Chant: Løren Breaks Down His Hard-Hitting New Track and Music Video for "Panic"". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  28. ^ "Backstage Camera Roll: Løren at Coachella 2023". FLOOD. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  29. ^ "1999 WRITE THE FUTURE and LØREN Link Up for New Single "Gasoline"". Hypebeast. June 28, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  30. ^ Cheung, Karma (April 12, 2022). "獨家專訪 YG 明日之星 Løren：「第一次接觸搖滾音樂時，我完全被震撼。」" [Exclusive Interview with YG's Next Star Løren: "The first time I was introduced to rock music, I was completely blown away."]. Vogue HK (in Chinese). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  31. ^ Basbas, Franchesca Judine (March 24, 2023). "Løren on "getting it all out there" in his debut EP, "Put Up a Fight"". Bandwagon Asia. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  32. ^ "Songs Registered Under Lee Seung-joo (10015622)". Korea Music Copyright Association (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  33. ^ Løren - 'Need (ooo-eee)' M/V. The Black Label. July 29, 2021. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via YouTube.
  34. ^ Løren - 'All My Friends Are Turning Blue' M/V. The Black Label. November 25, 2021. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ Løren - 'Folks' M/V. The Black Label. March 24, 2023. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ The Black Label (April 7, 2023). Løren - 'Panic' M/V. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via YouTube.
  37. ^ 1999 Write the Future, Løren - Gasoline (Official Music Video). June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024 – via YouTube.
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