While I do listen to a lot of mainstream Korean music, a lot of my discography is from smaller Korean indie artists. I usually gatekeep these artists, so if you are reading this, congratulations on learning about some artists I keep a secret!
Lucy
Lucy is a four-member South Korean band consisting of members Shin Ye-chan, Choi Sang-yeop, Cho Won-sang, and Shin Gwang-il. The group was formed during JTBC’s television talent show, Superband, in 2019 and is now managed under Mystic Story. What makes this band unique is definitely the leader and violinist of the group, Shin Ye-chan. I have yet to see another indie band that features a violinist in all of their songs.
Wave to Earth
Wave to Earth is a three-member indie rock band consisting of Kim Daniel, Shin Donggyu, and Cha Soonjong. The band made their debut in 2019 with the single “wave.” They have become very popular recently thanks to one of their songs, “Seasons,” going viral on TikTok. This group is one of the only Korean indie groups that I have heard live. I was fortunate enough to see them perform during their first North American tour.
Se So Neon
Se So Neon is an indie rock band consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Hwang So-yoon and bassist Park Hyun-jin. So-Yoon is also popular for her solo career under the name So!YoON and her feature in RM of BTS’s song “Smoke Sprite.” Out of all the artists on this page, Se So Neon definitely has the most unique sound, as they often experiment with a variety of different music genres.
Band Nah
Band Nah is a rock/city pop band consisting of three members: Na Sung Hyun, Baek Seung Ryeol, and Kang Hyun Woong. The band made their debut in 2014 with the song “Late Dawn.” The group is known for its relatable lyrics and unique retro sound.
