YB, one of the country’s most iconic rock bands, will be celebrating 20 years of rocking with the release of new single “20-years,” as well as by holding four concerts in Seoul later this month.

“It has not been an easy ride and many bands do not make it this far, so this is a very special feat,” said band leader and vocalist Yoon Do-hyun during a press conference held at Ilchi Art Hall in Seoul on Tuesday.

With Yoon at the helm over the past two decades, YB has not only solidified its name as one of the Korean rock industry’s most successful acts, but is looking to continue to make its mark overseas.

Last year, YB made its debut in the U.S. and the U.K. with the band’s English single “Cigarette Girl.” And earlier this year, the bandmates joined the megastar rockers of Smashing Pumpkins as the group’s opening act for its “In Plainsong” U.S. tour. 

As can be expected with any music act, the members have faced their fair share of difficult slumps throughout the years -- enduring a number of member changes and nearly disbanding shortly after their debut.

“I think the most difficult period for me was in 2000, when the band almost broke up,” Yoon explained. “At first I thought I would feel freed, but then later I felt as though something would be missing. ... In my life, all I have is music and I realized that then.”

“I have been a member of this band for 15 of the past 20 years, and actually I feel like we are getting younger, not older,” guitarist Heo Joon said. “I think our concerts have gotten livelier and are a lot more fun compared to our shows in the past.”

The band’s new single, released Monday, was written and cocomposed by Yoon. The rock track is a genre hybrid, mixing the band’s signature high-soaring vocal rock style with a splash of contemporary electronic beats. The song’s lyrics reminisce on the good old days and what it was like to be 20 years old, but telling oneself to keep looking forward, not backward. 

YB’s upcoming “20-years” solo concert series will be held from Oct. 15-18 at LG Arts Center in Seoul, with ticket prices ranging from 77,000 won ($67) to 121,000 won.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)