Last Updated on 2026-04-04 by a-indie
Looking Forward to Their First Time in Japan
-maririnn: This is your first time coming to Japan! What are you most looking forward to about the shows and your time here? We also heard that playing in Japan was something you had in mind even early on — what first sparked your interest in Japan?
PTG: popcorntvgulchan is very interested in gyudon, tonkatsu, ramen, and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
And as for what first drew me to Japan… it was probably anime. (laughs)
Neither PTG nor Sannie has ever been to Japan before!
We had heard so many great things about how amazing the Japanese band scene is, and we’d been wanting to experience it for ourselves and become part of it in some way. Then we got the opportunity to join the Music Bridge Tokyo showcase festival, and that became the starting point for planning this tour. We’re incredibly excited.
Sannie: There’s also a funny story behind it. By chance, I went to see bed perform in Korea (my friend was doing the opening act!) — and on that very same night, I went to my favorite bar in Seoul and ran into bed’s drummer Shun! I was so happy to see him and I introduced molar system, and through Nimish, who was in Korea with bed, we were introduced to the venue THREE.
I still remember saying something like, “I really hope we can perform in Japan someday,” almost like making a wish — and the fact that it became a reality so quickly feels unreal, like a dream. What a coincidence!
Also, both Sannie and PTG absolutely love eating delicious food, so we can’t wait to explore great places to eat in Japan too.
Resonating with the Japanese Music Scene
-maririnn: Are there any artists in the Japanese music scene that you feel a connection with?
Sannie: Definitely bed. Because I somehow ran into them twice in one night!
PTG: I really, really love Fishmans.
Who Should Listen, and When
-maririnn: Who would you most want to listen to 『system malfunction』, and in what kind of moment or setting? Were there any specific people or scenes in your head while you were making it?
PTG: Not really. I just hope a lot of people listen to it, and if they like it, I hope they’ll listen to it one more time.
Sannie: Personally, because I tried to unpack so many feelings in the lyrics, I would be really happy if there are listeners who read them and find parts they can relate to, or feel comforted by.
While we were making the album, we talked a lot about how we’re kind of a band made up of weirdos, and how it would be amazing if other weirdos could hear it and feel a sense of kinship with us. (laughs)
But of course, lyrics are just one part of it. If anyone simply enjoys the songs themselves, no matter who they are, they’re always more than welcome. We’d just be truly grateful for that.
A Message for Fans in Japan
-maririnn: Finally, could you share your future plans and a message for music fans in Japan? For a lot of people reading this, it’ll be their very first encounter with molar system. Feel free to add something for fans who are hoping to catch you live in Japan someday.
Sannie: I hope we can keep coming back to the listeners with music that feels both fresh and genuinely enjoyable to listen to.
Since this may be the first time many people in Japan are hearing the name molar system, I’m sure there might be someone among them who ends up liking our songs — and if that happens, I’d be so happy.
It means so much to us that our very first visit to a neighboring country is for live performances. We feel incredibly grateful and excited. See you very soon!
PTG: Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll remember the name molar system.
We’d be very happy if our music reaches you, and even happier if we get the chance to see you in person at a live show someday.
molar system: Release Information
EP 『system malfunction』
Release date: September 12, 2025
Track listing:
1. GREENROOM＜３
2. MESS
3. L=1/2ρV²SCL
4. 비행공포 (Fear of Flying)
5. P.32
6. 잔디 (don’t wash me off your jeans)
Listen on Bandcamp
Japan Tour Dates
“Molar System Tokyo Tour”
April 9, 2026 (Thu) @ Shimokitazawa THREE
April 10, 2026 (Fri) @ Music Bridge Tokyo Festival
April 11, 2026 (Sat) @ Koenji The Den [Seoul] April 23, 2026 (Thu) @ Club FF
Band Profile
molar system is an alternative indie band based in Seoul, South Korea. The duo consists of Sannie (Vo.) and popcorntvgulchan (sound producer), and places at the core of their creative work a willingness to embrace not knowing — 몰라. Rather than treating uncertainty as a flaw, they have always approached it as open space, and have recorded emotional turbulence itself as music. Their sound, where pop hooks coexist with experimental textures and unexpected turns, has attracted attention from international media including Debaser magazine. They released their EP 『system malfunction』 in September 2025. In April 2026, they make their first visit to Japan, with shows scheduled in Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji.
maririnn (@Igor_Bilic)
A music lover who organizes events and conducts interviews for media.
After working as staff at DaisyBar, she launched her own project “SECOND SUMMER OF LOVE.”
As a writer for BELONG Media, she has published interviews with artists including Suchmos, Ykiki Beat, and Never Young Beach.
Drawing on experience in artist scouting at a record label and work at a major label, she continues to cover the music scene from multiple angles.
Read her articles on BELONG here
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.