The Volunteers (South Korean band)

The Volunteers (더 발룬티어스, abbreviated to TVT) is a South Korean rock band originally formed in 2017. Their first EP, Vanity&people, was independently released on September 15, 2018 through YouTube and SoundCloud. Prior their official debut, the group already amassed a fan base, with three million streams on Soundcloud and one million music video views on YouTube.

The band consists of three members: Yerin Baek (vocals, guitar), Jonny (leader, guitar), and Chiheon (drums). Music producer and guitarist Cloud, who was a long-time collaborator of Baek on her solo activities left the band after the official termination of their contract and the closing of their agency Blue Vinyl. The band is currently under the agency peoplelikepeople.

According to Baek, the idea behind the name came from when the other members used to volunteer to help her create music and record without compensation, becoming "the people who volunteer to provide music that can do good for others.”

2017-2020: Formation
Members Jonny and Cloud debuted in 2011 as members of the South Korean indie band, Bye Bye Badman and Baek was introduced to Cloud and became long-time collaborators from the release of her first solo EP, Frank (2015), after she left the JYP duo, 15&. Drummer Chiheon got connected with the members through Cloud as a junior from his university.

The group was loosely formed at a drinking party on 2017, and though there was no plan to start anything, the members started making music around that time. According to Cloud, Baek's voice "sounded like rock material," and leader Jonny stated that the reason for not being able to debut sooner is due to the members being signed under different labels. Drummer Chiheon also mentioned that there were a lot of personal stuff going on and the members were all looking for the perfect timing.

The band cited influences such as Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Avril Lavigne, French pop band Tahiti 80, Japanese rock band Tokyo Jihen, British alternative rock band Wolf Alice, The Cranberries, and The Beatles.

On September 15, 2018, the band's Instagram account announced the release of their first independent EP, Vanity&people which contains five tracks, some of which were previously released on the band's SoundCloud account. On May 27, 2019, the band released their single "Radio".

2021-2023: Blue Vinyl, The Volunteers, and solo concerts
On May 9, 2021, the band posted a recording behind-the-scenes video on their YouTube channel. A few days after, it was announced that the band officially joined Baek's independent label Blue Vinyl along with Baek herself and Cloud. On May 27, 2021, the group announced the release of their official commercial debut album, The Volunteers, consisting of new songs and previously released demos, marking the group's official debut.

On June 21, 2021, Blue Vinyl announced the band's first solo concert, Join the TVT Club, at the Hongdae Rolling Hall, with eight dates from July 15 to 25 of the following month, with all the dates sold out within 30 seconds. Following the tour, the band performed at the 17th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival, and the Incheon Pentaport Music Festival.

On June 22, 2022, a year after the announcement of the band's first solo concert, their second solo concert, This Is TVT Club was announced, with three dates from July 15 to 17 all immediately sold out. On July 7, 2022, the band revealed the artwork for their single, "New Plant", which was released on the 12th containing two tracks. Following the tour, the band performed at the Incheon Pentaport Music Festival, and Busan International Rock Festival.

2024-present: Cloud's departure, "L", and world tour
On March 3, 2022, following the end of the artists' contracts with the independent label Blue Vinyl, Cloud announced that he will officially withdraw from the band. The label also announced their closure the following month.

On June 10, 2022, the band announced their North American tour, confirming that the band will continue with three members. The tour kicked off in Seattle, and will end in Chicago. On June 14, 2022, the band announced the establishment of the new creative label, peoplelikepeople, with Baek acting as the creative director. The same day, the label's Instagram posted photos of the remaining members, signifying the band's new management, along the teaser photos for the band's second EP, "L", which was released on the 25th.

On July 1, 2022, the band announced their Asia Tour, spanning 10 cities across Asia.

Members
Current members
 * Yerin Baek – vocals, guitar
 * Jonny (Kwak Min-hyeok) – leader, guitar, backing vocals
 * Chiheon (Kim Chi-heon) – drums, backing vocals

Former members


 * Cloud (Ko Hyeong-seok) – bass, backing vocals

Concerts

 * Welcome to TVT Club (2021)
 * This Is TVT Club (2023)

World tours

 * 2024 The Volunteers North American Tour
 * 2024 The Volunteers Asia Tour