Balming Tiger on Their Reading Festival Debut and Global Collaborations
South Korea’s genre-bending collective Balming Tiger stepped onto the Festival Republic stage at Reading Festival yesterday (August 24), marking their first performance at the long-running UK event. They are only the second Korean act to appear at Reading & Leeds, following DJ Peggy Gou’s 2023 set.
“It feels incredible to be part of such a historic festival,” said Omega Sapien, while Sogumm noted how meaningful it was for the group to be there.
Their UK stop is part of the World Expo Tour 2025, which has already included appearances at Japan’s Fuji Rock, South Korea’s Pentaport Festival, and Mongolia’s Playtime Festival. Next, the group will headline London’s KOKO on August 26.
Reflecting on their history with the UK, Omega Sapien recalled the band’s first British tour in 2022: “Back then it was just four of us and a tour manager driving around in a van, playing to a few dozen people. Those shows were some of our earliest outside Korea, and they left us with a lot of great memories. Coming back now, with a bigger team and playing Reading & Leeds, really shows how far we’ve come.”
For Sogumm, the UK tour played a crucial role in their artistic growth: “At that point we weren’t even touring Korea, but we were able to tour here. That experience shaped us and gave us a different edge, so returning now feels especially rewarding.”
Beyond the stage, Balming Tiger have been busy with collaborations in 2025. In June, they released “Narani Narani” with Japanese pop mavericks ATARASHII GAKKO!. “They’ve always been a band we admire,” said Omega Sapien. “They present their culture with no hesitation, just as we do, so working together felt very natural.”
In May, the group also appeared on IU’s album A Flower Bookmark, Pt. 3, contributing to her reinterpretation of Shin Jung-hyun And The Yupjuns’ 1974 track A Beautiful Person. Multiple versions of the remake were produced, with one by producer Unsinkable ultimately selected.
“Shin Jung-hyun is one of Korea’s most important rock figures, so it was an honour to revisit his work,” said Omega Sapien. Sogumm, who penned new lyrics for part of the song, admitted it was a daunting task: “He poured his Korean soul into psychedelic rock. I wanted to channel that same spirit in my writing. It was a big challenge, but also a privilege.”
Looking ahead, the group say they’re experimenting with new sounds and approaches. “We’ve got a lot of talent within the team,” said Omega Sapien. “The key is how we bring everything together into one clear vision.”
Mudd The Student emphasised the collective nature of the project: “Our strength lies in Balming Tiger as a unit, not just in individual skills.”
For BJ Wnjn, the process remains straightforward: “Making music is what I love most, so I just keep creating the way I always have.” As for Sogumm, the band’s evolution is ongoing: “We’re still discovering new ways to express Balming Tiger’s energy.”
South Korea’s genre-bending collective Balming Tiger stepped onto the Festival Republic stage at Reading Festival yesterday (August 24), marking their first performance at the long-running UK event. They are only the second Korean act to appear at Reading & Leeds, following DJ Peggy Gou’s 2023 set.
“It feels incredible to be part of such a historic festival,” said Omega Sapien, while Sogumm noted how meaningful it was for the group to be there.
Their UK stop is part of the World Expo Tour 2025, which has already included appearances at Japan’s Fuji Rock, South Korea’s Pentaport Festival, and Mongolia’s Playtime Festival. Next, the group will headline London’s KOKO on August 26.
Reflecting on their history with the UK, Omega Sapien recalled the band’s first British tour in 2022: “Back then it was just four of us and a tour manager driving around in a van, playing to a few dozen people. Those shows were some of our earliest outside Korea, and they left us with a lot of great memories. Coming back now, with a bigger team and playing Reading & Leeds, really shows how far we’ve come.”
