Dragon Pony
South Korean boy band
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dragon Pony (Korean: 드래곤포니; RR: Deuraegonponi) is a South Korean rock band formed by Antenna. The band consists of four members: Ahn Tae-gyu, Pyun Sung-hyun, Kwon Se-hyuk, and Ko Gang-hun. They debuted on September 26, 2024, with the extended play (EP) Pop Up.[1]
Dragon Pony | |
|---|---|
Dragon Pony in 2025
| |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2024–present |
| Label | Antenna |
| Members |
|
| Website | https://antenna.co.kr/252 |
Name
Before debuting, the band had been “practice-performing” on clubs under the name ‘Seahamano’(새하마노).[2] The band's name was eventually changed into ‘Dragon Pony’, taken from the members' Chinese Zodiac signs being born in the year of the dragon and the horse.[3][1]
History
2024: Introduction and debut with Pop Up
Prior to their debut, the members auditioned separately and trained under Antenna. Gang-hun and Se-hyuk were first to join the company, training for four years. They were followed by Sung-hyuk who trained for three and a half years, and finally by Tae-gyu.[4]
On March 19, Dragon Pony was officially introduced by music and entertainment agency Antenna as their first boy band to debut.[5][6]
On April 4, Dragon Pony revealed through their official YouTube channel that they were required to complete two missions set by Antenna CEO Yoo Hee-yeol in order to debut. The first mission was to reach 20,000 followers on their official social media account (Instagram), while the second was to hold a solo concert attended by at least 500 audience members..[7][8][9] On April 22, the group surpassed 20,000 followers, successfully completing the first mission.l.[10]
On June 29, Dragon Pony held their solo concert for 500 audience members at Musinsa Garage in Mapo District, Seoul, thereby completing their debut mission..[11][12] During this pre-debut period, the group remained active on their YouTube channel, documenting their debut journey and releasing live performance clips of self-composed songs such as “Morse Code,” “Traffic Jam,” “Waste,” “Snake That Eats Its Tail,” and “Pity Punk.”[13][14][15] Even before their official debut, Dragon Pony performed at several live stages and festivals, including Mint Festa Vol. 73: Fascinating, 66th Live Club Day, and Road to BU-ROCK.[16][9][17] During the same period, Dragon Pony participated in a commercial project titled Samsung Gift Funding Song alongside their labelmates and seniors Peppertones, Jung Jae-hyung, and Kwon Jin-ah.[18][19] They also took part in Peppertones’ 20th-anniversary album, recording a remake version of the song “Deneb.”[20]
On September 26, Dragon Pony officially debuted with their self-composed and produced EP Pop Up.[21][22] Shortly after debut, the group was included in major music festival lineups such as 2024 Hyundai Card Da Vinci Motel, 2024 Busan International Rock Festival, and Grand Mint Festival 2024.[23][24][25]
On October 10 to 12, Dragon Pony held a three-day consecutive busking called 'Dragon Pony Pop-up Busking' held at Sinchon Myungmul Quarter (Seoul), Yangyang Liberty (Gangwon-do) and Hyundai Uplex Sinchon (Seoul).[26] On October 12, the group announced their first club tour, Dragon Pony POP-UP Club LIVE, consisting of performances in four clubs across Seoul, Busan, and Jeonju throughout November.[27] On October 25, Dragon Pony appeared in their first post-debut pictorial and interview with fashion magazine Cosmopolitan.[28] From October 30 to November 3, British heritage brand Fred Perry collaborated with Dragon Pony to open a brand community space titled Fred Perry Agit under the concept “Artist’s Hideout.” The collaboration featured a public exhibition space showcasing Dragon Pony’s props, personal items, and brand storytelling, along with the production of various original content.[29]
On December 8, Dragon Pony performed at their first international festival, Big Mountain Music Festival, held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.[30] They later performed at 2024 SOMEDAY CHRISTMAS in Yeosu on December 21,[31] followed by a performance at Countdown Fantasy 2024–2025 at KINTEX Exhibition Center in Ilsan on December 30 to close the year.[32]
2025: Fan Club Introduction, EP - 'Not Out', First Domestic and International Concert, First OST and Award
On February 8, 2025, Dragon Pony performed at the 'Inomas Music Series' held at BEXCO Auditorioum in Busan.[33] On February, 22, Dragon Pony performed on one of Taiwan's largest festivals 'EMERGE FEST 2025'.[34]
On March 13, Dragon Pony announced their official fan club name, 포용 (For Young)—a name combining “Po” from Pony and “Yong,” the Korean word for dragon. The name can also be read in English as “For Young,” symbolizing shared moments of youth between the band and their fans..[1][35] On March 19, Dragon Pony released their second EP 'Not Out'.[36] On March 29, Dragon Pony performed at 'The Glow 2025' held at KINTEX Ilsan alongside Jannabi, Na Sang-hyun band and Lee seung-yoon to name a few.[37]
On May 3–4, Dragon Pony held their first solo concert since debut named, 'Dragon Pony 1st Concert 'Not Out' in Seoul'.[38] On May 3, Dragon Pony participated in their first OST titled, 'You Pour Down On Me' (네가 쏟아진다) for the television series Crushology 101.[39] On May 15, Dragon Pony was selected as Billboard’s Rookie of the Month.[1] They successfully held their first international solo concert in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 23–24,[40] and on May 29, they performed at their first university festival at Yonsei University’s 140th Anniversary Festival, Scent of Blue.[41]
On July 29, Dragon Pony released the digital single “지구소년 (Earth Boy),” also titled “Radio Silence” in English, which had been written during their trainee days.[42][43]
On August 18, the Koreanisches Kulturzentrum (Kultur Korea) announced that Dragon Pony would be part of the lineup for the 2025 K-INDIE ON Rock Festival, scheduled to be held on September 20 at Säälchen in Berlin, Germany—marking the group’s first performance in Europe.[44] On August 21, Dragon Pony won their first award at the '2025 K-WORLD DREAM AWARDS' receiving the 'Rookie Band Award'.[45]
2026: EP - 'RUN RUN RUN' and Japan Debut with EP - 'Run to Run'
On March 10, 2026, Dragon Pony released their third EP 'RUN RUN RUN'. The EP is fully written, composed, arranged, and produced by the band.[46] On March 21, Dragon Pony performed at 'THE GLOW 2026' held at KINTEX in Goyang.[47]
On April 4, Beautiful Mint Life 2026 announced Dragon Pony's participation on the music festival to be held on May 31.[48] On April 11, Dragon Pony participated in the '2026 MBN Sunset Marathon' at Seaside Park in Yeongjongdo, Incheon.[49] On April 14 to 22, Dragon Pony operate a collaboration pop-up store with fashion brand AFTERMATH.[50] On April 15, Dragon Pony is revealed as part of Premium Music Festival 'Belleforet Week' lineup to be held on June 6.[51] On April 21, Dragon Pony's Vocalist An Tae Gyu sang the opening theme song for 'Pokémon: Rising Again' titled 'Orbit of Fragments'.[52]
On May 1, Dragon Pony appeared on KBS 2TV's "The Seasons - Sung Si-kyung's Ear-Pleasing Boyfriend".[53] On May 2 and 3, Dragon Pony held a solo concert called 'RUN RUN RUN in SEOUL' held in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.[54] This is followed by a solo concert in Taipei on May 23.[55][56] On May 10, Dragon Pony was announced to be part of the 1st lineup for the 35th Seoul Music Awards.[57] On May 12, Dragon Pony was announced to be part of the 1st Lineup for Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival 2026 to be held on July 31 to August 2.[58] On May 13, Dragon Pony performed at the Hongik University festival which is to be followed by festival performances at Hanyang University on May 27 and Yonsei University on May 28.[59] On May 14, Dragon Pony was featured in Marie Claire Korea's May issue.[60]
On June 3, Dragon Pony pre-released 'Run to Win', the title track from their first Japanese EP, 'Run to Run'.[61] On June, 6, Dragon Pony was included in the line-up for music festival 'Belleforet Week – My Volume 2026'.[62] Dragon Pony made its Japanese debut on June 10 with release of the EP 'Run to Run' in partnership with Warner Music Japan.[56][63] On June 13, the band performed in a collaborative concert with the band 'Touched' titled, 'TOUCHED X DRAGON PONY : MINTPAPER 20th SPECIAL LIVE'.[64] Dragon Pony held their first solo concerts after their Japanese debut at Tokyo on June 17 and Osaka on June 21.[65] On June 20, Dragon Pony was given the Band Award at the 35th Seoul Music Awards.[66]
On July 7, Dragon Pony announced that their member, Pyun Sung-hyun, will temporarily suspend his activities due to health reasons. The band will continue as a three-member group for the time being.[67] On August 2, Dragon Pony made their main stage debut at the '2026 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival with KB Kookmin Card'.[68]
Members
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [70] |
JPN [71] | |||
| Pop Up |
Track listing
|
43 | — |
|
| Not Out |
Track listing
|
24 | — |
|
| Run Run Run |
Track listing
|
12 | — |
|
| Run to Run |
Track listing
|
— | 49 |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR DL [75] | |||
| "Pop Up" | 2024 | — | Pop Up |
| "Not Out" | 2025 | 171 | Not Out |
| "지구소년"(Earth Boy) (English title: "Radio Silence") |
— | Non-album single | |
| "Oh Perfect!" (아 마음대로 다 된다!) | 2026 | — | Run Run Run |
Soundtrack appearances
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR Circle | |||
| "You Pour Down On Me" (네가 쏟아진다) |
2025 | N/a | Crushology 101 OST |
Other appearances
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Deneb" (Remake song of the band Peppertones) |
2024 | Twenty Plenty |
| "Samsung Gift Funding Song" (with Peppertones, Jung Jae-hyung and Kwon Jin-ah) |
Non-album single |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 K-World Dream Awards | Rookie Band Award | Dragon Pony | Won | [76] |
| 2026 | 35th Seoul Music Awards | Band Award | [66] |