Last spring a vocal instructor at a private music studio that trains students for college auditions in the greater Seoul area took a call from a mother. The woman was not asking about admissions to a college music program. She asked the instructor, surnamed Lee, to look out for her child, who was under heavy stress from the college admissions grind. The student Lee met at the studio had started university the year before, found her major a poor fit, became socially isolated and dropped out. She was preparing to apply all over again. At the first lesson Lee showed her a list of songs that work well for training. The student wanted something else. “She told me she wanted to sing the song with those lyrics — ‘I won’t abandon you. You think the same, don’t you?'” Lee said. The song was “0+0,” by the rock singer Hanroro. Reached by phone on Aug. 13, Lee explained why that request stood out. “At music academies we don’t recommend Hanroro’s songs first to students preparing for auditions. Her music isn’t the kind of material for showcasing vocal range or building instrumental skill. They’re ea
