Paper Cruise, the only punk band in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, is making waves in a city better known for traditional culture, apples, and mountains than rebellious rock music. The band has experienced both advantages and challenges from their unique position in the traditionally conservative city, where punk rock culture remains virtually nonexistent.
Bassist Cho Yeong-geun's introduction to punk came at an unexpectedly young age during a local festival. "My first exposure to punk was at a local festival, where I saw a band. I think I was about to start kindergarten at that time," he recalled. "Looking back, I think it was a skate punk band. I remember they were wearing baseball caps and plaid shirts. It was an outdoor concert, and the audience was all seated, just watching the performance, so the performer said, 'Everyone, get up! I came because Miryang people said it would be fun, but this is nothing.' That memory really stuck with me, and I think that's why I could easily get into punk."
The current music scene in Miryang offers little support for punk or alternative music. Original guitarist Cho Chang-rae explained the limitations they face: "First of all, there's really no 'scene' in Miryang when it comes to music. There are no clubs or venues like that. If there are any, they're just bands made up of people who used to play back in the day or older guys who learned instruments late and play regular gigs. The music that's dominant here is 70s-80s Korean pop and trot. I think we're the only punk band in Miryang."
Despite the lack of a punk scene, the band has found receptive audiences when they perform locally. "There's enough infrastructure to have a couple of rock concerts a year, and surprisingly, people do come when such events are held," Yeong-geun noted. Chang-rae added that while reactions weren't overwhelmingly positive, they weren't entirely negative either: "Of course, the response wasn't amazing, but it wasn't terrible either. People were kind of curious, giving us a 'What kind of music is this?' kind of look. I don't think they hated it, though. Personally, I found it fun." Yeong-geun shared a memorable moment: "I remember during one show, there was a kid who walked by and plugged his ears with his hands. It was amusing."
The band recently gained wider recognition through their appearance on "Hyper-Dimensional CD Vol.1," a compilation album featuring six songs by six bands released earlier this year. Paper Cruise contributed the track "Snail Food" and also participated in a song with Charge! Chestnut Flowers. The compilation's cover art draws inspiration from anime aesthetics, reflecting the band's cultural influences.
Musically, Paper Cruise exemplifies what's known as "cheongchun" (youth) punk, a particularly intense subgenre that originated in Japan. This style heavily incorporates themes of youth culture, including the struggles of adolescence and references to anime and comic books. The band frequently draws comparisons to Green Flame Boys, another Korean punk band that helped establish this subgenre in Korea. Drummer Cho Su-mok explained their musical approach: "I think the reason we pursued a sound similar to Green Flame Boys is because we wanted to convey that unknown, emotional impact that punk can give. It also had to feel like something anyone could do, that kind of simplicity and rawness."
The band has undergone significant changes as both the bassist and drummer relocated to Seoul, where they've maintained the group by recruiting three additional members. This move to the capital has quickly earned them recognition within Seoul's established punk scene. Fans can follow their continued journey and upcoming performances by checking out paper_cruise00 on Instagram.
