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NFO Records Epic New Character Theme with Pearl Abyss.

We’re thrilled to share another exciting project from Northern Film Orchestra, our recent collaboration with Pearl Abyss, the Seoul-based game developer behind the hugely popular Black Desert series.


Working with such a creative global team was a fantastic experience, and we were honoured to record the main theme music for a brand-new character launch, featured across multiple trailers and promotional campaigns worldwide.



A Global Collaboration with Pearl Abyss


Pearl Abyss is a major Korean game studio celebrated for Black Desert, a sprawling fantasy MMORPG played by millions of adventurers around the world. Partnering with an international team like this highlighted the truly global nature of modern game audio from composition and performance to final delivery, and we’re proud that Northern Film Orchestra’s recordings played a central role in bringing this music to life.


The theme we recorded serves as the signature character theme, appearing in several trailers and key marketing materials for the launch, helping elevate the character’s identity with a powerful musical voice that connects with players everywhere. This project was conceived and led by Jiyoon Kim, who has shaped the musical identity of Black Desert at Pearl Abyss for nearly 15 years. "It was guided by three core creative goals: first, to create a vocal-driven song with the strong song form and melodic pull expected of great pop music; second, to fully utilize the unrestricted expressive range of scoring music as an alternative instrumental, free from conventional limitations; and finally, to reframe these two elements through the narrative imagination of the game medium itself, resulting in a sound that is distinctive and metaphorical, yet complete and compelling to any listener. This vision was realized through the expressive vocal performance of Sunwoojunga, whose artistic capability is already firmly established, and through close collaboration with the dynamic and highly professional Northern Film Orchestra. NFO’s strength, combining strategic preparation with precise, efficient execution, delivered a fresh impact, even for me, having worked extensively with live orchestras in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. I sincerely look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Northern Film Orchestra again in the future.” — Jiyoon Kim, Music Producer & Composer, Pearl Abyss




Featuring Incredible Vocals by Sunwoojunga


At the heart of the track is a breathtaking vocal performance by Sunwoojunga, one of South Korea’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters. Known for her expressive and genre-defying voice, she brings a rare emotional intensity to the piece that complements the sweeping orchestral soundscape perfectly.


Her vocal contribution featured prominently throughout the main theme, adds a human edge to the epic orchestral textures, making the music not just a backdrop, but an emotional anchor for the character’s story and presence.


This track, referenced as “RISE, RISE” in official releases, blends cinematic orchestration with modern productio, showcasing how live ensemble performance and solo vocal artistry can come together to define a character’s musical identity in an immersive world.


Behind the Music


Recording took place with our orchestra in Manchester, working closely with the creative leads at Pearl Abyss and their in-house audio partners. The result is a compelling blend of melody, rhythm, and texture, perfectly tuned to match Black Desert’s dramatic visual style and expansive storytelling.


This project exemplifies the power of collaboration across borders, combining Korean game development vision, standout vocal performance, and live orchestral depth to create something that resonates with players around the globe.



Looking Ahead


We’re incredibly proud to have been part of this launch and grateful for the opportunity to work with Pearl Abyss on such a dynamic and impactful piece of music. Black Desert continues to push creative boundaries in gaming, and it’s been a joy to contribute to its evolving world through sound.


Watch the Character Theme in action below in the combat and gampley trailers!





Stay tuned for more from NFO as we continue exploring bold, international projects at the intersection of music, media and storytelling! We hope you enjoyed checking out this post.




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