A story that begins in solitude, but ultimately ends with people flowing forward together.
Pop Rock / Melodic Rock / Indie Rock from Daegu, South Korea
Independent musician and songwriter Neken Kim (네켄킴), based in Daegu, South Korea, has just released his debut EP, “흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)”. Released on September 26, 2026, this 4-track, 17-minute work takes the listener on a journey through loss, recovery, freedom, and free will, establishing itself as a vibrant, emotive, and reflective sonic journey.
His music is rooted in melodic, straightforward rock and classic pop/rock songwriting approached from a contemporary perspective. Deeply embedded in the independent scene and mastering self-management, his sound also breathes indie rock. Through this release, Neken Kim aims to showcase an example of Korean independent music that continues to explore this tradition alongside K-pop and the broader mainstream music landscape of South Korea.
The Essence of the EP 《흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)》
Exclusively, Neken Kim offers an initial, intimate reflection on the concept of the work:
“《흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)》 is a record about loss, recovery, and ultimately rediscovering the freedom to move forward by one’s own will. To me, “flowing” has two meanings: sometimes it means simply letting time and emotion pass when there is nothing left to hold on to, and at other times it means choosing to accept that current and move with it. Across the four songs, the story gradually shifts from being carried along helplessly to finding the strength to move again. These feelings — loss, standing still, recovery, and the desire to simply be free for a moment — are experiences I believe many people can relate to. I hope the record can be a quiet source of comfort for some listeners, and perhaps a small reason for others to begin moving again. The voices of sixteen people from the Daemyeong-dong music scene also became part of that journey, so a story that begins in solitude ultimately ends with people flowing forward together.”
The Meaning Behind Each Song
The artist explains the essence of each track in his own words:
1. 나루 (Naru)
““Naru” is a Korean word for a place where boats cross a river or a narrow stretch of water. This song is about a quiet kind of helplessness — not an emotional storm, but the feeling of simply drifting, as the lyric says, “I saw the heart drifting calmly / In the tumbling waves.” While “you” are able to swim, “I” remain carried by the water, unable to pull myself out of that state. I wanted to portray depression in a restrained, almost matter-of-fact way, because despair can sometimes feel strangely calm. I hope listeners may recognise something of their own emotions in that quiet drift.”
2. 네가 있다면 좋을 텐데 (Wish You Were Here)
“I wrote this song after losing a close friend, and after spending years wondering what I might have done differently. They used to come and see me whenever I performed, so the thought that I would never see them in the audience again became one of the song’s most personal images. “Time is flowing endlessly / The seasons are changing endlessly / Everything is changing / But only you haven’t changed” expresses the painful contrast between a world that keeps moving and someone whose time has stopped forever. I rewrote the lyrics many times so that the song would not remain only my own story. It is my quiet expression of comfort for anyone who has lost someone they love.”
3. 흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)
“There were times when I felt as though my own clock had stopped, but looking back, I realised that there were always people who quietly stayed beside me. That is why the song moves from “You were the one who stayed by my side” towards its final words, “Together, we flow on.” “As it flows” is not about resignation or simply leaving life to chance; it means accepting what cannot be controlled while still choosing to move forward, one step at a time. Just as someone once helped me stand again, I may one day become that person for somebody else. This song is about how the comfort we receive can continue to flow from one person to another.”
4. 보란 듯이, 오늘만은 (Go Ahead, Just for Today)
“To me, the essence of rock is not rebellion itself, but freedom. The line “Against the world where even imagination is not allowed” is directed at a world where people sometimes try to interfere with even the harmless choices we make for ourselves. The answer is simple: “Go ahead and let’s shout out loud / Throw away all kinds of meddling / And let’s jump high just for today.” Shouting and jumping will not solve everything, but one “today” follows another, and all those “todays” eventually become our lives — lives that belong to each of us, and are not anyone else’s to control. So “just for today” is not simply an escape for a single day; it is about claiming, again and again, the freedom to live a life that is truly your own.”
More About Neken Kim (네켄킴)
Neken Kim is a multidisciplinary artist: in addition to being a musician and songwriter, he is also a photographer and videographer. These are disciplines he cultivates and enhances in harmony alongside his music, providing a broad creative vision. Through this expansive approach, he shapes strong melodies and a direct rock sound. He made his debut in 2015 with WINTER PALETTE at Live Indie, a live music club in Daegu. He later performed as a guitarist and bassist in several bands, including Misty Black, Sindosi, La Ortensia, and Cinnamon Jam. In 2026, he began pursuing his solo career in earnest with the release of this EP.
His songs take moments and emotions from life that might otherwise remain deeply personal and distill them into universal stories that anyone can relate to. Writing, composing, and producing his own music, he carefully shapes both melody and language so that a song born from one person’s experience can ultimately become part of each listener’s own story.
Additionally, to bring this music to the stage, Neken Kim is backed by Neken Kim and the Whales, his live backing band. This group of musicians, whom he deeply trusts, provides the ultimate support for his live performances. Together, they take songs that once existed only as recordings and bring them vividly to life, delivering the raw, immediate energy of rock that can only truly be experienced on stage.
흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows) ~ Neken Kim (네켄킴) ~ Indie Valley Music Review
The complete “흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)” EP by Neken Kim is undoubtedly a compositional work full of authenticity, intimate, reflective, expressive, diverse, vibrant, and existential. It is music with meaning, soul, and conceptual depth. It masterfully demonstrates how an artist can connect their own life experiences—as a source of inspiration—and materialize them into sincere, emotive, and deeply authentic compositions.
On this occasion, we will analyze in depth the title track of the EP: “흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)”.
It is a versatile fusion of pop/rock and melodic rock with roots in indie rock, but it also reveals subtle influences of progressive rock, classic rock (retro rock), synth rock, and, due to its emotional weight, alt-rock. It is an ideal song to enjoy while watching a sunset, during a reflective walk on the beach, to accompany workout routines, driving on the road, or, above all, on a night drive contemplating the city lights. Versatile and accessible, it can captivate any listener eager to discover new, reflective, and authentic music.
Duration: 4:54 | Key: A major | Tempo: 132 BPM.
The song begins with all instruments in unison. The drums kick off with a crash and kick hit, establishing a highly versatile introductory rhythm with clear progressive rock characteristics. The closed hi-hat marks the pulse with great dynamics, while the kick drum accents the off-beats. It is a very present and direct drum kit with a wide dynamic range: a deep, imposing, and comforting kick that never overwhelms; a cymbal kit with balanced volume and creamy brightness; and a snare tuned to highlight mid and low frequencies, sounding deep, full of attitude, and subtly reverberant. Perfectly mixed with a volume that doesn’t overpower, it lays a solid foundation for the rest of the sonic resources to shine. The bass in this section sounds deep, full-bodied, and comforting, perhaps subtly octaved with a touch of light distortion that gives it immense attitude and personality.
On the other hand, the electric guitar with controlled distortion and subtle reverb gifts us an introductory solo that is melodic, vibrant, and full of energy, with tints of progressive, classic, hard rock, and glam. It is a virtuosic execution that captures the listener immediately. A second guitar plays highly dynamic riffs with controlled distortion, accentuating phrasing and timing, reinforcing the progressive attitude. This is complemented by a keyboard with a characteristic 80s classic rock sound, playing subtly reverberated arpeggios that add an immersive, atmospheric, and ethereal layer.
At second 0:13, the drums surprise with a growing fill, with simultaneous hits between the kick and snare, establishing the first verse. The drums now execute a continuous base rhythm in a classic rock style, full of attitude (riding the bell of the ride cymbal). All instruments maintain a continuous, attitude-filled instrumental verse, while the guitar solo announces the entrance of the vocals.
At second 0:30, Neken Kim’s vocals enter with a narrative yet vibrant attitude. They convey security and confidence, but a touch of nostalgia is also appreciated. His tone travels through mid-frequencies, rich in nuances and with a wide dynamic range in the mix. It is a protagonist, crisp voice with excellent modulation and a subtle reverb that provides an immersive sonic aesthetic with reminiscences of the 80s and early 90s. It is a close, captivating, pleasant tone that is hard to forget and stays etched in the mind. The verse flows with total naturalness and synergy, with all sonic resources serving the lyrical narrative, highlighting a more prominent and dynamic bass that gives the song its vibe and groove.
At second 0:57, the drums surprise with a punchy snare roll, passing through the toms and remating on the crash and kick, establishing the Pre-Chorus. The base rhythm feels bigger and more energetic; the ride bell marks the rhythm with attitude, and the guitar riffs become more prominent, setting the foundation for the vocal melodic line.
At minute 1:26, after a minimalist drum fill, the first chorus arrives. Neken Kim’s voice gains strength and volume, reinforced by backing vocals panned beautifully from side to side. The singing is more energetic and protagonist, accompanied by a punchy rhythmic base. The phrasing and modulation are highly dynamic, conveying the sensation of seeking answers or someone talking to themselves in a reflective moment. With small pauses in the vocals that add freshness, it is an energetic, balanced, versatile, and perfectly placed chorus.
After the first chorus, an instrumental section takes over where the synth is the protagonist, deploying a sparkling, reverberant, immersive, and luminous solo. It feels electrifying and vibrant, with a captivating and bubbling sound effect.
At minute 2:12, a new verse section appears where the backing vocals gain slightly more prominence compared to the first chorus, providing a generally more energetic sonority.
At minute 2:23, an elegant bass arrangement in harmony alongside a guitar picking line establishes a new pre-chorus section. All instruments provide a punchy sonic base, working in full synergy for the vocals and their lyrical narrative, with the characteristic ride bell tapping. An exquisite sonic experience.
At minute 2:55, a new chorus arrives: energetic, balanced, and harmonious. It is easy to remember and stays etched in the mind, evidencing great work on the melodic line.
At 3:25, Neken Kim stops singing in the chorus, ending the phrase of this section with an energetic, highly melodic and harmonious vocal shout, projecting a «Yeaah». A vocal resource that brings freshness and great attitude to the song! Right here, a new instrumental section appears where the electric guitar surprises us with a simply masterful solo. With characteristics of hard rock, glam, and progressive rock, it invites us to travel and brings reminiscences of 80s classic rock in the purest style of the epic band Whitesnake (only a reminiscence, as it is an original, timeless, masterful, and unique execution).
At minute 3:53, we return to the chorus’s vocal melodic line, but in a different way. On the drums, only the kick marks the pulse, while the bass and guitar riffs accompany the vocals singing with attitude. It is an anthemic bridge that gives us the sensation of singing in a stadium or a large concert, similar to when the singer lets the crowd sing along to the song for a few seconds. At minute four, the hi-hat enters, marking the rhythm in a growing fashion, opening up gradually and creating that sensation of expansion, firmly marking the pulse on the kick. A very well-placed and accurate sonic resource.
After a drum fill with tom, kick, and snare hits, at minute 4:07 the final chorus arrives: vibrant, full of attitude, a sonic climax that supposedly announces the end of the song.
However, at minute 4:23, when we already thought the track was ending, the song surprises us with an «unexpected coda» or something very close to a «Section C». This arrangement has notable progressive rock traits, playing with the factor of the unexpected and adding layers of versatility and sonic emotion. Along with these new verses, slightly different but full of melody and fitting perfectly with the sonority, the song ends with all instruments and vocals in unison, a subtle crash arrangement at the end, and a general reverberant instrumental layer that projects until the close at 4:54.
Production and Sound
On a technical level, “흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)”, both the original track and the EP as a whole, boasts a musical production rich in attention to detail, masterful, high-quality, meticulous, and carefully crafted. Nothing is missing, nothing is excessive; all sonic resources are at the service of the composition. The mixing and mastering, of the highest level in the music industry, offer a crisp, deep, immersive sound with a wide dynamic range, ideal for any playback system.
Neken Kim (네켄킴) gives us music with soul and meaning, reflective, emotive, and vibrant. A message we will undoubtedly identify with, which invites us to connect, to keep moving forward, and, of course, to enjoy the music.
It is a great honor for us to present this new release, the EP “흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)” by Neken Kim (네켄킴). Listen to it on your favorite streaming platform.
“흘러가는 대로 (As It Flows)” by Neken Kim (네켄킴) is now available on all digital platforms
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