Written by Nawal Chowdhury
Kim Yongwoo, professionally known as DPR Artic, made his debut on February 2, 2024 with his album KINEMA. As a DJ and producer working under Dream Perfect Regime, abbreviated as DPR, Artic has played a remarkable role in the music scene. He has been working with DPR since 2019, but was officially introduced as a member in December 2023. Artic has been seen performing alongside DPR Live and DPR Ian at notable festivals like Lollapalooza and Coachella. Aside from performing with DPR, he is often seen performing at various clubs in South Korea.
DPR Artic’s debut album KINEMA is intended to be a combination of the words ‘kinetic’ and ‘cinema.’ During an Instagram live session, Artic described the album to have an apocalyptic concept. KINEMA comprises three solo tracks and four collaborations. In an interview with HYPEBEAST Korea, Arctic mentioned that, as a DJ, he enjoys playing a diverse range of genres, including techno and hip-hop. KINEMA is a perfect representation of that.
The intro of the album, “Ism,” has an eerie sound with distant whispering staying true to the album’s concept. It perfectly sets the apocalyptic scene. This track, to me, sounds like it is creating suspense for the title track, “Do or Die.” The track features DPR Ian, who was also involved in writing the lyrics. The title of the track is an idiom that conveys the need to take action during a dire situation. It emphasizes determination. This song reminds me of spending the final days of the world with the ones you love most. “Do or Die” is accompanied by a music video directed by DPR Ian, which you can watch here.
Artic describes the song “Dream” as the surreal feeling an individual experiences when they are unable to differentiate between dream and reality due to sleep deprivation. Lending her ethereal vocals, The Deep enhances the distorted dream-like atmosphere of the song. The track feels like a dream, but the addition of bird sounds at the end brings listeners back to reality. If I was experiencing an apocalypse, I’d have a difficult time discerning between what’s real and what’s not. “Dream” is a perfect contribution to the apocalyptic concept.
The track “EMP” leans towards the hip-hop genre and showcases the talents of Korean-Australian hip-hop group, 1300. Artic confirmed in an Instagram live the acronym “EMP” stands for electromagnetic pulse, which causes disruptions in electronic devices and systems. The transition between “EMP” into the next song is executed brilliantly. The beginning of “POST” reminded me of a glitchy radio before it finally stabilizes, much like electronic devices glitching following an EMP attack. The title of this track refers to a post-apocalyptic scene in which Artic includes siren sounds to emphasize the concept. Artic recruited artists ODEE, oygli, and Roh Yun Ha to collaborate and deliver a stellar rap performance. I enjoy listening to both “EMP” and “POST” as energy boosters when I’m feeling low.
“Escape” features a very upbeat rhythm making it the perfect song for the club. Artic has played this song multiple times during his DJ gigs. Dreamers who’ve seen Artic perform at clubs recognized the track immediately upon release. Personally, I listen to this song while I’m studying. It’s not a traditional study song, but it works for me. I assure you I can finish five assignments with “Escape” on loop.
The outro of the album, “To Nirvana,” refers to the Buddhist belief “nirvana” which represents an end to suffering and the achievement of true happiness and inner peace. I noticed that if you read out “Escape” and “To Nirvana” together, they form the phrase “escape to nirvana.” This suggests that the only way to escape an apocalypse is if you reach the state of nirvana. If KINEMA was the soundtrack to an apocalypse movie, I imagine “To Nirvana” played during the end credits. It finishes the album flawlessly.
If an apocalypse movie was condensed into one album, it would be KINEMA. The album does an outstanding job at portraying an apocalyptic vibe. Artic has mentioned that the inspiration for his name comes from the arctic region. This reflects his desire to create music comparable to the cool, icy landscapes of the North Pole. KINEMA is an ideal example of that. Artic’s versatility and his clever artistic decisions were put on full display throughout this album.
Congratulations to Artic for making the coolest debut.
