Say Sue Me

Childhood friends Byungkyu (guitar), Jaeyoung Ha (bass), and Semin (drums) met Sumi (vocals) at a tea shop in the Nampo-dong neighborhood of Busan in 2012. The three liked Sumi's speaking voice and immediately offered her a spot as the vocalist in their new band that would become Say Sue Me.

Say Sue Me released their debut album, We've Sobered Up, in 2014, followed by their first EP, Big Summer Night, in 2015. The albums reached {{Abbr|No.|Number}} 64 and {{Abbr|No.|Number}} 79, respectively, on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart.{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T|title=Gaon Album Chart|publisher=Gaon Music Chart|language=ko}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALBUM&targetTime=41&hitYear=2014&termGbn=week|title=We've Sobered Up charting|access-date=26 March 2019}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALBUM&targetTime=30&hitYear=2015&termGbn=week|title=Big Summer Night charting|access-date=26 March 2019}}

In 2016, drummer Semin fell into a semi-comatose state after rupturing his skull. Say Sue Me fans, as well as other indie bands from Busan, raised over 13 million won in one day to help pay for his medical bills.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kookje.co.kr/news2011/asp/newsbody.asp?code=0300&key=20161224.22005220418|title=부산 인디 밴드 '세이수미' ˝행복하게 연주하면 형은 일어날거예요˝|date=23 December 2016|website=Kookje Shinmun|language=ko|access-date=30 March 2019}}

The band brought on new drummer Changwon to temporarily replace Semin and named their 2017 EP, the Record Store Day release, Semin, after the injured drummer. That year, the band also released a self-titled compilation album on UK record label Damnably.{{cite news|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/2018/04/17/say-sue-me-where-we-were-together-interview/|title=The Future's So Bright For Indie Pop Group Say Sue Me|last1=Timothy|first1=Mariana|date=17 April 2018|access-date=30 January 2019|agency=Bandcamp Daily}}{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/01/682_262603.html|title=Daegu skatepunk band set for British invasion|last1=Safavi|first1=Ali|date=26 January 2019|access-date=30 January 2019|agency=The Korea Times}} The band played in London, UK that year in May, supporting label mates Otoboke Beaver at the renowned 100 Club.{{Cite web|date=2017-04-24|title=Say Sue Me plays at 100 Club, supporting Otoboke Beaver |website=Londonkoreanlinks.net|url=https://londonkoreanlinks.net/2017/04/24/say-sue-me-plays-at-100-club-supporting-otoboke-beaver/|access-date=2021-12-17|language=en-GB}} They also released a joint single, shared with their tour mates Otoboke Beaver, later that year, featuring song "Good For Some Reason" which was their first song together with new drummer Changwon.{{Cite web|title=7": Say Sue Me/Otoboke Beaver|url=https://www.thegreyestates.com/blog/7-say-sue-meotoboke-beaver|access-date=2021-12-17|website=The Grey Estates|date=5 December 2017 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Hear Say Sue Me's Restorative Beach-Rock Song "Good For Some Reason"|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/08/25/say-sue-me-good-for-some-reason-premiere|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Thefader.com|language=en}}

In 2018, Say Sue Me release their second album, Where We Were Together, followed a week later by the Record Store Day EP, It's Just a Short Walk!, which includes covers of songs by Blondie, the Ramones, the Velvet Underground, and the Beach Boys.{{cite news|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1992390/stream-say-sue-mes-record-store-day-covers-ep-its-just-a-short-walk/music/album-stream/|title=Stream Say Sue Me's Record Store Day Covers EP It's Just A Short Walk!|last1=Leas|first1=Ryan|date=20 April 2018|access-date=30 January 2019|agency=Stereogum}} That year, the band performed at SXSW, marking their first performance in the United States, and toured the UK and Europe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/korean-entertainment-hits-sxsw-2018/269-529498089|title=Korean Entertainment hits SXSW 2018|last=Yeates|first=Daysi|date=17 March 2018|website=KVUE|access-date=30 March 2019}} During the tour, the band fell victim to a tire-slashing scam in Milan, losing a number of personal belongings, musical equipment and income from the tour. They started a fundraiser to help support them and future tours, releasing a 7" single with new songs "George & Janice" and "Don't Follow Our Van" as rewards for the fundraiser.{{Cite web|last=Tom|date=2019-09-02|title=Say Sue Me – George & Janice/Don't Follow Our Van|url=https://recordsilike.co.uk/2019/09/02/say-sue-me-george-janice-dont-follow-our-van/|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Records I Like|language=en-GB}} At the end of the year, the band released the holiday EP, Christmas, It's Not a Biggie.

Say Sue Me were nominated for five awards at the 16th Korean Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year, making them the second most nominated act of the year, behind K-pop stars BTS.{{Cite web|date=2019-09-19|title=Say Sue Me - "Your Book"|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2058754/say-sue-me-your-book/premiere/|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Stereogum|language=en}} At the February 2019 awards ceremony, the band won Best Modern Rock Album for Where We Were Together and Best Modern Rock Song for "Old Town". The next month, the band performed again at SXSW and afterwards toured the UK again, following the release of a new single about humanity's disregard for the environment, "At the End of the Road".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/02/19/say-sue-me-at-the-end-of-the-road-new-single-premiere-damnably-electric-muse|title=Say Sue Me sing to the ocean on new single "At The End Of The Road"|last=Maicki|first=Salvatore|date=19 February 2019|website=The Fader|language=en|access-date=30 March 2019}} In time for Record Store Day of 2019 in April, the band remastered their first EP, Big Summer Night, and their first album, We've Sobered Up, both released on vinyl for the first time.{{Cite web|date=2019-04-12|title=Here's the full list of Record Store Day 2019 releases|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/record-store-day-2019-releases-full-list-vinyl-2455143|access-date=2021-12-17|website=NME|language=en-GB}} Later that year, the band release new single "Your Book" with B-side "Good People".

Changwon Kim last played with Say Sue Me at the Eurockéennes festival in France of July 2019. Their new drummer is Sungwan Lim.

On October 12, 2019, the band announced that founding drummer Semin Kang had passed away.{{cite tweet|number=1182916081872068611|user=saysueme|title=저희에게 아침이 되어 해 같이 저희를 밝혀주던 세민이 형이 오늘은 저녁의 별이 되었습니다. 앞으로는 밤을 밝혀 헛딛지 않게 길잡이가 되어줄 세민이 형에게 안녕의 인사를 부탁드립니다. |date=12 October 2019}} Following Semin's death, Say Sue Me reworked their single "Good For Some Reason" into a Spring and Winter version.{{Cite web|website=Soundcloud.com|title=Say Sue Me - Good For Some Reason (winter vers.)(Damnably/Electric Muse)|url=https://soundcloud.com/damnably/say-sue-me-good-for-some|language=en|access-date=2021-12-17}}

In December 2019, the band played a live performance for KEXP, making them the first ever Korean act to do so.{{Cite web|via=YouTube|title=Say Sue Me - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVvox_O-RSI|language=en|access-date=2022-01-05}}

On August 10, 2020, Say Sue Me announced the departure of bassist Jaeyoung Ha from the group on the band's Instagram.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CDtRw5NltXo/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/saysueme/2372630705450964456_2372630703446013799 |archive-date=2021-12-26 |url-access=registration |title=Ghost Archive}}{{cbignore}}

On October 4, 2020, Say Sue Me posted their first picture with current bassist Jaeyoung Kim.

In August 2021, Say Sue Me released new song "So Tender" for the soundtrack of Korean drama Nevertheless, streaming on Netflix.{{Cite web|last=H|first=Rob|date=2021-08-07|title=Say Sue Me appreciate the delicacy of the moment in "So Tender" {{!}} Beats Per Minute|url=https://beatsperminute.com/say-sue-me-appreciate-the-delicacy-of-the-moment-in-so-tender/|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Beatsperminute.com|language=en-US}} Shortly after, the band release a new song, "My Heart", made for another Korean TV series, Yumi's Cells.{{Cite web|via=YouTube|title=SAY SUE ME - MY HEART (YUMI'S CELLS OST Part.5)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m5w4vo-xs0|language=en|access-date=2021-12-17}}

The band were honoured to endorse Harmony guitars and Mono cases.{{Cite web|title=Artists - Adam Blackstone, James Bay & More|url=https://monocreators.com/pages/artists|access-date=2021-12-20|website=MONO|language=en}} They played two songs on the Harmony Jupiter and Silhouette electric guitar, exclusively for Harmony Home Sessions.{{Cite web|via=YouTube|title=Say Sue Me and the Jupiter & Silhouette Electric Guitar {{!}} Harmony Home Sessions|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO2GetpopzQ|language=en|access-date=2021-12-20}}

While the pandemic prevents any international touring for the band, Say Sue Me played a virtual tour, "The Time In Between". They played at local Busan venues Ol'55, Ovantgarde and The Basement, with the performances streamed online via Bandcamp.

On 13 May 2022, Say Sue Me released their third album entitled The Last Thing Left,{{Cite web |title=The Last Thing Left, by Say Sue Me 세이수미 |url=https://saysueme.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-thing-left |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Say Sue Me 세이수미 |language=en}} which is the first album made since leaving their Korean label Electric Muse. The album was self-produced and recording in the band's own studio in Busan, released by Damnably records and Beach Town Music.{{Cite web |title=Say Sue Me |website=Riotactmedia.com |url=http://riotactmedia.com/roster/say-sue-me/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |language=en-US}} The album received favourable reviews from Rolling Stone, "[Say Sue Me] continue to refine their unassuming rock music, adding a more nuanced emotional heft to their songs than ever before"{{Cite magazine |last=Kim |first=Joshua Minsoo |date=2022-05-10 |title='Bright Energy, Rather Than Sadness': South Korea's Best Indie Band, Say Sue Me, Opens Up |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/say-sue-me-korea-new-album-1347464/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} and Pitchfork, "Making peace with the passing of their late drummer, the South Korean indie rockers lean into their gentler side as they channel noise-pop greats of yore".{{Cite web |title=Say Sue Me: The Last Thing Left |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/say-sue-me-the-last-thing-left/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}

Say Sue Me's musical style has been described as surf rock{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/03/01/587976907/the-austin-100-say-sue-me|title=The Austin 100: Say Sue Me|last1=Thompson|first1=Stephen|date=1 March 2018|access-date=30 January 2019|agency=NPR}} or "surfgaze."{{Cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4151615-discover--say-sue-me|title=DiScover: Say Sue Me|last=Bemrose|first=Bekki|date=15 February 2018|website=Drowned In Sound|language=en|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=11 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911104735/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4151615-discover--say-sue-me|url-status=dead}} The band has said that their surf rock sound was not intentional, but was likely influenced by their seaside hometown Busan and their practice room's proximity to the beach. The band's influences are mainly 60's surf rock and 90's indie rock and inspired by bands like Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Blur, Seam, The Ventures and Cat Power.{{Cite web|title=Say Sue Me « Riot Act Media|url=http://riotactmedia.com/roster/say-sue-me/|website=Riotactmedia.com|access-date=2021-12-17|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/magazine/article/say-sue-me-5-albums-that-changed-our-lives/1-50122|title=Tidal|website=Tidal.com|access-date=25 June 2022}}

Choi sings in both Korean and English, and has said that she finds it harder to sing in Korean because she feels more "exposed".{{cite news|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/say-sue-me-where-we-were-together/|title=Say Sue Me "Where We Were Together"|last1=Arroyo|first1=Steven|date=12 April 2018|access-date=30 January 2019|agency=Pitchfork}}

Current

• Sumi Choi – vocals (2012–present)
• Byungkyu Kim – guitar (2012–present)
• Sungwan Lim – drums (2019–present)
• Jaeyoung Kim – bass (2020–present)

Former

• Jaeyoung Ha – bass (2012–2020){{cite tweet|number=1305400690135638016|user=saysueme|title=We got reconnected. We’re going to play an online stream show with a new bass player at our youtube page on 8pm Sep… |date=14 September 2020}}
• Semin Kang – drums (2012–2016)
• Changwon Kim – drums (2016–2019)

Source:{{Cite web|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/05/07/2018050701679.html|title=엘튼 존이 말했다… "끝내주는 한국 밴드"라고|date=2018-05-08|website=The Chosun Ilbo|language=ko|access-date=2019-03-30}}{{Cite web |title=twitter |url=https://twitter.com/damnably/status/1479792920572174338 |access-date=2022-01-08 |website=Twitter |language=en}}

Split 7" with Otoboke Beaver (2017, Damnably)

{{Reflist|2}}

• [https://www.saysueme.com/ Say Sue Me's Official Website]
• [https://www.facebook.com/saysueme1 Say Sue Me on Facebook]
• [https://www.instagram.com/saysueme/ Say Sue Me on Instagram]
• [https://twitter.com/SaySueMe Say Sue Me on Twitter]
• [https://saysueme.bandcamp.com/ Say Sue Me on Bandcamp]
• [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tvbo17gXpYgSr8sTlkaby?si=VlUTw26fRliemWgMnXvupA Say Sue Me on Spotify]
• [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/say-sue-me/924807304 Say Sue Me on Apple Music]
• [https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/8474636 Say Sue Me on Deezer]
• [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6T58HHVsuQdcjFf-2tgnDQ Say Sue Me on YouTube]

{{Authority control}}

Category:South Korean indie rock groups

Category:South Korean rock music groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2012

Category:Korean Music Award winners

Category:2012 establishments in South Korea

Category:Musical groups from Busan