I Listened To A Lot Of Indie Korean Artists — But These 10 Stole My Heart! No Joke!
Storytime!
Post-COVID, I had been suffering a lot due to a lot of personal turmoil that had been going on. It felt like I only wanted to disappear, but also wished for somebody to find me, the old me.
Well, someone did. Or, we found each other. I have always been a fan of Korean culture, including its music, food, fashion trends, and architecture.
I was scrolling through Spotify, and that was the first time I heard this K-Indie song by Jannabi. That was the beginning of our journey together.
In this article, I will narrate my journey through the world of Indie korean artists, as well as the genre itself.
What Story Does K-Indie Carry With It?
When we talk about Korean music, the first thing that comes to our mind is K-pop.
While the genre of K-pop has been used to capitalize on the various pop culture trends that have been circulating in contemporary times, the real music is somewhere fading away.
Korean artists, who have been the faces of Korean indie bands, have revolutionized the Korean music game by incorporating versatility with talent.
Top 10 Korean Artists Who Rule K-Indie
As this genre itself is very underrated, certain korean artists belong to this genre, whose hype is so well-deserved that it’s a pain to see them remain under the radar.
Nevertheless, I have taken on this holy responsibility to enlighten you about these underrated korean artists, who have taken the K-Indie genre by storm.
Wave to Earth
A South Korean indie rock band formed in 2019, Wave to Earth had the sole purpose of introducing a new chapter of Korean music.
The songs that I personally loved the most are Daisy and Ocean Floor. When I first heard Daisy, I felt like the little girl in me was so happy.
The song “Ocean Floor” was recommended to me by someone who is no longer in my life. When that person recommended this song to me, he mentioned that this song was how he felt when he realized I was no longer someone he wanted. Whew!
Wave to Earth is building a significant fan base for their chill, atmospheric indie music, along with heartfelt lyricism.
| Formed In | Members | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Kim Daniel (vocals), Shin Donggyu (drums), Cha Soonjong (bass) | “Seasons” “Bad” “Light” “Homesick” |
Jannabi
We started strong! To maintain the pace, I must mention the first korean artists who introduced me to this beautiful genre.
As a K-Indie rock band, Jannabi alone deserves all the hype that the whole K-Pop genre receives. I said what I said!
All their albums are extremely good, but the ones worth mentioning must be “Together”!
| Formed In | Members | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Choi Jung-hoon (vocals), Kin Do-hyung (guitar) | “For Lovers Who Hesitate”, “Summer”, “A Thought On An Autumn Night” | Zanfan |
DVWN
Not exactly an Indie rock band, but an Indie rock brand! Jung Da Woon, who goes by the stage name DVWN, is taking the indie music by storm, and I am here for it!
DVWN’s fame rose primarily because of his excellent lyricism and soulful voice, which complement each other so well.
DVWN is also quite famous among R&B-infused indie rock music fans due to his introspective songwriting, paired with the dreamy atmosphere his voice creates.
| Formed In | Members (Solo) | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Jung Da-woon | “Phobia” “Fairy” “Burn The Memory” “True colors” | DOWN |
Dosii
They primarily create songs with a city pop vibe. They gained popularity on SoundCloud before making their debut.
They are known for their harmonious blend of dreamy vocals and lo-fi beats.
While they explore a variety of sounds, they maintain their unique style, which has earned them a dedicated following among fans of the genre.
| Formed In | Members | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Sooyeon (vocals), Hyunwoo (guitar) | “Love” “Run” “Half Moon” | Cosmosy |
HYUKOH
Many bands struggle to meet the expectations they set with their first album, and this is also the case with this one.
Hyukoh brings an edgy, somewhat melodic vibe to their music, but I wish that Hyukoh would give us more of their work.
Hyukoh has developed an international following, likely due to their genre-blending music and a distinctive style.
| Formed In | Members | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Oh Hyuk (vocals, guitar), Im Dong-geon (bass), Lim Hyun-jae (guitar). Lee In-woo (drums) | “Wi Ing Wi Ing” “Comes And Goes” “Tomboy” | NA |
The Black Skirts
The Black Skirts create a captivating fusion of lo-fi indie rock and shoegaze, which you can differentiate by their dreamy melodies and powerful guitar riffs.
Their sound showcases a strong influence from iconic classic rock bands, including Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Velvet Underground.
Furthermore, they enrich their music by incorporating elements of folk and blues, alongside the innovative styles of contemporary indie rock bands like Sonic Youth and Pavement.
This diverse array of inspirations contributes to a unique auditory experience that resonates with a wide audience.
| Formed In | Members (Solo) | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Jo Hyu-ji | “Everything” “Hollywood” “Team baby” | NA |
Se So Neon
One of the most talked-about bands, this one excels in both its music and back story.
Members came and went, but Hwang, my love, stayed her ground, and did not dismantle the band even after so many speculations.
One thing I like about her songs is that she consistently uses her lyricism as a metaphor, with an underlying meaning behind each one.
Be sure to check out this band, and also explore Hwang’s solo music for a deeper insight into indie music with a psychedelic rock influence.
| Formed In | Members | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Hwang So-yoon | “Holiday” “Wings” “Zebra” | NA |
10cm
10cm’s music has an interesting amalgamation of indie music with urban pop, which makes their music accessible to a broader spectrum of audience.
Its music has a strong foundation and a rock-solid base in acoustic folk-pop, where the use of instruments such as the guitar and djembe is prominent.
They are famous for their crispy and unique melodies, along with lyrics that their audience deeply relates to.
Moreover, they range from a varied number of emotional ballads to lively and jovial indie tracks. Therefore, versatility is truly taken care of here.
| Formed In | Members (Solo) | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Kwang Jung-yeol | “Americano” “Stalker” “What’s The Spring” | Centiner |
Say Sue Me
Say Sue Me’s music is characterized by a fusion of surf rock and shoegaze influences, merging styles from the 1960s surf rock scene with the indie rock vibes of the 1990s.
Their songs frequently explore themes such as indecision, loneliness, and the complexities of the human experience, often conveying a sense of melancholy and introspection.
Additionally, the band’s sound features a mix of English and Korean vocals, with Sumi Choi expressing that singing in Korean presents her with more challenges.
| Formed In | Members | Best Songs | Fandom Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sumi Choi (vocals), Byungkyu Kim (guitar), Sungwan Lim (drums), Jaeyoung Kim (bass) | “So Tender” “Old Town” “My Heart” | Byul.org |
Ah! Here we are. Well, my friends, this isn’t the end, though. You can also check out korean artists and indie bands such as Rio, Parasol, Sunkyeol, Adoy, Soran, and many more.
These korean artists have taken the korean indie rock bands to a different level and achieved worldwide recognition.
My job is done till now. Until further notice, listen to these songs, and mention your favorite in the comments below!
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