Dragon Pony’s Calling back Turns Memories Into Two Songs

Dragon Pony’s first single as a three-member band, Calling back, looks at the past from two directions: its title track recalls a lost relationship, while “Back when we were young” revisits the excitement of a first rehearsal. 1

The band’s current lineup brings together leader and vocalist An Tae-gyu, guitarist Kwon Se-hyeok and drummer Go Gang-hun, following bassist Pyeon Seong-hyeon’s departure in August for health reasons. 1 The three members wrote, composed and arranged both songs as the single’s main producers. 1

A breakup song that began by the river

“Calling back” follows someone enduring a breakup by bringing memories of time spent together into the present. 1 Its emotional progression pairs flowing guitar melodies with lively drums and an expressive vocal. 1

The guitar introduction began with a small moment of inspiration: An told OSEN he was sitting by the Han River, watching people on a jet boat, when he recorded a melody on his phone. 2 He later made a guitar demo, then brought it to the other members to develop together. 2

The vocal recording took a different route from the band’s usual sessions. 1 Kwon said they typically recorded together at a studio, but An recorded this song’s vocal in his personal workspace to heighten its emotional impact and immersion. 1 An said that, working alone, he tried to sing the parts in sequence to carry the emotional flow through the song. 1

A first rehearsal, remembered together

Where the title track dwells on separation, “Back when we were young” draws on a shared beginning. 1 Built on a 1990s British-rock sound, it remembers the first rehearsal at the start of a school term—and it was itself created through the members playing together. 1

That subject was personal for Kwon and Go, who were classmates in their first year of high school and shared a first rehearsal. 1 Kwon said they tried to express the feelings of that day, while Go recognized himself in a lyric about trying a little too hard at the first practice. 1

Antenna head and singer-songwriter Yoo Hee-yeol also took part in writing the lyrics. 1 Go told OSEN that the band sought Yoo’s advice, and that he offered memories of his own first rehearsal, along with ideas and guidance on the words and direction. 2

An said the two songs’ shared interest in the past emerged naturally during the writing process. 2 Preparing the single also gave the trio time to discuss their musical tastes and strengths; Kwon said they wanted to bring their individual colors together as Dragon Pony. 3

For listeners looking ahead to the band’s next activity, Dragon Pony has scheduled solo concerts for December 5–6, 2026, at Blue Square Woori WON Banking Hall in Seoul. 4