Defining Korean-Rock with Kapacity

For the past 20 years, Korean students at the University of Pennsylvania have created a safe haven for other talented East Asian students to showcase their musical talent. From biology labs to decrepit basements on Locust Walk and frat parties, their presence has expanded, carrying forward a legacy of experimentation and cultural representation.

Since 2006, Kapacity began as a Korean rock band of, by, and for Korean international students looking for a community far from home. Over time, the band has evolved into a multi-genre, multi-ethnic group of nearly 20 members that blends their cultural interests with indie, alternative rock, and pop. 

I sat with five of its members; Dana Bahng — senior and master’s student, Class of ’27; Co-President and Keyboardist; studying Cognitive Science and Product Design; Peter Cho — Junior, Class of ’27; Music Director; studying Philosophy; Brandon Yan — Junior and master’s student, Class of ’27; Lead Guitarist; studying Computer Science; Jinhyeok (James) Kim — Junior undergraduate; Co-President, Keyboardist and Drummer; studying Mathematics and Physics; Paul Kim — Class of ’27; Wharton—studying Finance and Legal Studies; Bassist and audio technician. It is safe to say school is in session for this talented quintet, shaking University City, Philadelphia, with their original spin on rock.

FRONTRUNNER is proud to present our conversation with Kapacity.

How did Kapacity start?

Jinhyeok: Kapacity started out as a Korean rock band for the Korean international student community at UPenn. That’s where the “K” in Kapacity comes from—Korea. And we play rock, alternative, and pop music. Dana: A major shift that transformed the band was a change in demographics. It started out fully Korean—and now it includes Korean Americans, Chinese students, and other Asian ethnicities. Back then, we had a more Korean audience, and as the members changed, the audience also diversified.

Dana: We play mostly on campus and have gigs that are sponsored by the college, including events with fraternities and collaborations with other student groups.

It’s extremely impressive that you are mostly STEM majors. We find that to be a growing trend among many college bands. How do you balance music and academics?

Brandon: Maybe skip class? (we laugh)

Jinhyeok: You have to sacrifice a lot. I usually say that the band is only as great as our worst performer. When you have to study, you go study, and sometimes that means slacking a little in rehearsal and vice versa. I admit—sometimes I come to rehearsal underprepared because I had a lot of exams that week. The key is communicating with our members and with yourself. You have to ask yourself, “What do you want to spend time on at that moment?” And this is a priority for me and all of us.

Dana: I want to give kudos to every member. There are so many people who show up for our rehearsals every Friday night from around 6:30pm to 10 p.m. Many members are pursuing dual degrees, double majors, or MLS programs. That’s time they could be spending going out, with friends, or doing something else.

Jinhyeok: Any sensible person would know how valuable a Friday night is, so that’s a big sacrifice!

What makes each of you interested in music?

Paul: There was a period when I wasn’t intending on coming back to Kapacity after my military service in Korea. I’ve been playing bass since middle school and high school, and it’s become a strong part of my identity. During the army, I had time to think about my experience at school. Kapacity is very demanding, and I had to decide whether I should come back or leave the band. I’ve played in other bands before, and it’s really hard to find people with similar creative mindsets. The number of ideas people bring to each song creates a lot of opportunity, and it’s a great learning experience. That’s what kept me going and helped me stay. 

Brandon: For me, I got into music primarily because of my dad—he always played Michael Jackson, John Mayer, and a lot of funky blues. That influences the kind of music I suggest for the band. His taste shaped my taste and my performance in how I play. We take music as a feeling—we connect to the lyrics and the instruments. Music, of course, is a constant challenge. When I first started guitar, I always loved to learn new techniques—the slides, the bends…everything. There’s always more to learn, and that’s why I love it.

Peter: We also have a lot of members and alumni who come back to join us for performances. At the end of every year, each senior gets a “senior song,” and whatever song they pick, we have to perform it because it’s their last semester. We have a member who graduated two semesters ago and has come back to play for our shows ever since. 

Jinhyeok: Just coming together and sharing music is so powerful. There were certain moments during rehearsal that I would just shed tears on the keyboard because the energy makes you so emotional. There’s no more that I can ask for. 

Are there specific artists or bands that you try to emulate?

Peter: For the past two years, there have been four bands in particular that are always on rotation in our setlist—MUSE, Day6, YdBB (유다빈밴드), and THORNAPPLE (쏜애플). They’re in our setlist largely due to our members who like those bands. They’re very energetic and play hard-hitting rock music. Day6 is a Korean rock band that’s almost like K-pop, and we love to infuse that into our sound.

Jinhyeok: My favorite is YdBB. They are a Korean band that plays mostly indie and alternative rock. What I find most compelling in their music is their storytelling. Their lyrics speak to your heart, something that the audience can resonate with—philosophical concepts that deal with isolation, relationships, and youth. 

What’s the hardest part about making music?

Dana: Our voting process. We throw our votes in a ring and democratically vote on a setlist to perform. And you have to select what resonates with the audience, balanced with what the band wants to have the best possible outcome.

Jinhyeok: We have to go through the process of making these songs our own. We don’t just copy them verbatim, because if we do, a lot of meaning gets lost. Finding the balance between how much we cover and how much we change is one of the challenges of being a “cover” band.

What is something about performance that’s daunting for you?

Dana: Performance is scary because you spend so much time practicing and just want to present yourself well. But ironically, performing in a band makes it less scary. Some of us come from classical backgrounds where recitals were harsh and very strict, being a one-person performance. However, in a group, there’s synergy—even if you make a mistake, it’s not the end of the world. You’re not being evaluated; you’re just having fun.

Brandon: I get nervous on stage, especially during guitar solos when I have to switch pedals or modes. But once you get into the groove, those moments become memorable. The crowd makes it fun, and the interaction creates an insane high.

Under harsh college deadlines and taxing disciplines, this band continues to prevail. Through it all, they show up consistently with an unmatched passion for their craft. We hope to continue seeing them thrive in the college music scene and beyond as the next cycle of members take over.