Wave to Earth, the three-member Korean indie rock band, will be holding their first group concert in Manila next month and they are excited to meet and interact with fans.
The band, composed of vocalist and guitarist Daniel Kim, bassist Cha Soonjong (John Cha), and drummer Dong Q (Shin Donggyu), will hold their full-scale “The First Era Concert” on March 11 (Monday) and 13 (Wednesday), 8 p.m., at the New Frontier Theater. A second show was added on March 13 after tickets to the first show sold out.
Korean indie rock band Wave to Earth members (from left) Cha Soonjong (John Cha), Daniel Kim, and Dong Q (Shin Donggyu) (Photo from Wavy/@2ee.hyein)
Wave to Earth will hold their first group concert in Manila on March 11 and 13 (Wilbros Live)
Korean indie rock band Wave to Earth (Photo from Wavy/@2ee.hyein) 
Wave to Earth at the concert in Chicago in September last year (X)
Wave to Earth (웨이브투어스) debuted in 2019 with the single “Wave” and released three albums to date: studio album “0.1 Flaws and All” (2023), and mini-albums “Wave 0.01”and “Summer Flows 0.02” in 2020. Their songs are mostly in English.
They have performed in different festivals and will be appearing at 88rising’s Head In The Clouds New York Music & Arts Festival that will be held at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York City on May 11 and 12. The band had a sold-out tour in North America last year.
For their studio album, Wave to Earth bagged nominations at the 2024 Korea Music Awards (KMA), which traditionally gives emphasis on musicality over commercial performance and popularity. The KMA prides itself for focusing on diversity, giving independent musicians and mainstream artists an equal chance to get nominated.
This year, Wave to Earth got nominated for Musician of the Year and Best Modern Rock Album at the KMA.
Ahead of their concert in the Philippines, Wave to Earth members were interviewed by the Philippine media including Manila Bulletin about their Manila concert and career.
Wave to Earth first performed in Manila during the “ON Music Festival” held on Nov. 3 last year at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
They said they always enjoy going to Jollibee, a popular fast-food restaurant in the Philippines.
“The thing that we enjoy about the Philippines, the very first thing we do is go to Jollibee. We always like to go there and always enjoy. It’s always packed,” said Soonjong.
Wave to Earth member Cha Soonjong (John Cha) (Instagram)
Wave to Earth member Dong Q (Instagram)
Wave to Earth member Daniel Kim (Instagram)
The three musicians are Christians and said they always pray before going on stage for a show.
“We always pray before the show. That’s our routine,” said Daniel.
Soonjoong added, “Yeah, we always kinda…This is kinda religious thing but all three (of us) are Christians so we kinda just pray together. That’s the routine, I think.”
Manila concert
Dong Q said he is looking forward to performing in Manila and interacting with fans, given how Filipinos are passionate when it comes to their cheers and reactions during concerts and shows.
“The language is different. I am excited about engaging with the audience. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Daniel said, “It is our first doing a solo [group] concert in the Philippines. The last time was a festival. It will be the very first time to represent our real figure or real performance. We are definitely looking forward to it.”
“And maybe we could prepare for more Tagalog [phrases],” said Soonjong.
Music
For Wave to Earth, performing music in English language and making good music are important parts in the expansion of their presence outside South Korea. They join a growing number of Korean indie bands who have been performing overseas.
“Making music in English lyrics is kinda an important thing. Before that, the essence is always to make good music,” said Daniel.
With their rising popularity, Soonjong said he is thankful for the “opportunity and we kinda set ourselves down and not be, like, arrogant or something. It’s all about music, all about members and I really just enjoy that process.”
Among the songs in “0.1 Flaws and All,” the lyric video for “Bad,” released in July 2023, is the most viewed video on their YouTube channel with 16 million views as of this writing.
When asked on why “Bad” connected well with viewers and listeners, Daniel said, “These days there are many intense music. Wave to Earth’s music kinda has a comfort vibe so maybe that could be the reason.”
“The lyrics kinda (give like) feel more empathy inside. Maybe that is why we’re getting more traction about it because people really relate to it,” said Dong Q.
Career
On whether they have plans to go mainstream from being an indie rock band, Soonjong said, “We are planning to…our goal is kinda to perform abroad in as many as possible countries. The mindset always kinda globalize, international. But the heart is just like music-focused. That’s kinda the pursuit we are having.”
But for the Korean market, they said they are biding their time and not rushing things to go mainstream.
“Getting into mainstream in Korea is vital for us but we don’t really wanna force ourselves or make fast decisions and kinda go like that. Maybe we are quite patient for that process,” said Soonjong.
On music influences, Daniel said his recent influence is Filipino-English singer Beabadoobee.
“I’m listening to Beabadoobee a lot,” he said. Daniel participated as a songwriter in Super Junior member Yesung’s songs including “Floral Sense” featuring Aespa’s Winter that was released last year.
Dong Q said he is listening to BTS member Jungkook a lot while Soojong said he is listening a lot to Daniel’s other band, The Poles, which is preparing to release a mini-album.
On what inspires them to make music, Daniel said, “Spending time with the closest friends is the biggest inspiration and sometimes, nature could be one of those too.”
Wave to Earth’s “The First Era Concert” in Manila is presented by Wilbros Live.