The Rose is a South Korean band that unexpectedly had their big break in Europe after their 2017 single “Sorry” went viral on YouTube. Their documentary, “Come Back To Me,” chronicles the group’s rise and struggles, detailing the band’s beginnings and the passion each member has for music, as well as the challenges and obstacles that nearly ended the band.
A pivotal moment in The Rose’s trajectory was a lawsuit against their former management, which they fought for two years and eventually won. Their victory was surprising as a viewer because the K-pop industry is known for notoriously restrictive contracts. The documentary does not go into the details, which would have been interesting, but it is clear that the victory was instrumental in their ability to continue as a band.
Their current label, Transparent Arts, is also an interesting aspect of the band. The label was founded by the artists behind the 2010 hit, “Like A G6,” out of their experience navigating the music industry as Asian Americans. They wanted to create a label that they themselves would have signed to, making The Rose’s partnership with them specially fitting.
“Come Back To Me” touches on broader issues, such as the K-pop industry’s machine-like production of artists that leaves them with little agency, as well as the conflicts that can arise within group dynamics. Additionally, the film focuses on the band’s persistence through difficult times between mandatory military service and the pandemic. The Rose was extremely fragile for some time, but they returned to play sold-out shows at venues like the Kia Forum and eventually performed at Coachella.
I first heard about The Rose when a friend invited me to their concert at the YouTube Theater. A few days later, she asked if I wanted to see the documentary at a small independent theater in Glendale after she came across a TikTok about the screening. Even as someone not into K-pop, the documentary was a thoughtful watch, as it showed how the band found its own way in an industry that is not known to give artists freedom.
