Guckkasten | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | The C.O.M. |
Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
Genres | Rock |
Years active | 2003 | –present
Labels | Ruby Salon/Mirrorball (2008-2010) Yedang/LOEN (2012-2014) Interpark INT/Windmill (2014-present) |
Website | cafe |
Members | Ha Hyun-woo Jeon Kyu-ho Lee Jung-gil Kim Ki-bum |
Past members | Kim Jin-eok |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 국카스텐 |
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Revised Romanization | Gukkaseuten |
McCune–Reischauer | Kukk'asŭten |
Guckkasten (Korean: 국카스텐) is a South Korean indie rock band. Formed in 2003 under the name The C.O.M. (더 컴), the original lineup consisted of vocalist Ha Hyun-woo, guitarist Jeon Kyu-ho, drummer Lee Jung-gil, and bassist Kim Jin-eok. Due to conscription, The C.O.M. disbanded. In 2007, they regrouped with Kim Ki-bum as bassist under the name Guckkasten, which is the German word for Zograscope. Inspired by Hague's piece called Art and Fire, the band intends to make music with psychedelic images hidden under analogous art.
In 2000, Ha Hyun-woo and Lee Jung-gil met while attending the same university. The following year, Jeon Kyu-ho, who earned a crane operation license at the time, was found through the internet. The band was founded in the Hongdae area of Seoul with the name The C.O.M., an acronym for Compass of Music, in 2003. Due to their conscription, the band was dismantled.
In 2007, the three members regrouped under the name Guckkasten in the Gangwon-do Province, with the addition of Kim Ki-bum. The name "Guckkasten" is derived from the German language, which translates to "Chinese-style kaleidoscope". The band chose the name because they wanted to "show off a never-ending, fire-work like image of the passion of the young and the mirage of life". Initially, Guckkasten attempted to create an independent record label themselves. After negotiations, they were signed a three-year recording contract with Yedang Entertainment. In 2008, the band earned the Hello Rookie of June award by the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) Space Sympathy.