There’s a lot to love about the music scene in South Korea. Well, mostly because there’s the ever-trendy and evolving K-Pop, which has proven to be South Korea’s most lucrative and competitive cultural export; the K-Pop industry is reportedly valued at US$5 billion. With the continued success of head-turners, the likes of BTS, Blackpink and more, their slick choreography and high-value productions, the K-Pop industry will only flourish and expand its influence in time to come. And yet, we are only grazing the surface of South Korea’s eclectic music industry. Enter South Korea’s indie music scene—K-Indie for short. 

Otherwise known as South Korea’s independent music scene, K-Indie often lands its focus on soft and mellow tunes, light vocals, and sometimes with acoustics blended into the mix too. Unlike K-Pop, which emphasises commercialisation and promotions, K-Indie artists often keep a low profile; in fact, most K-Indie artists do not have their own publishing and distribution contracts with renowned agencies. 

While most K-Indie artists have yet garnered international acclaim, they have their own devout fan base and we guarantee you that they are equally talented too. Flying below the radar, here are 7 K-Indie artists to tune in to.

Love x Stereo

Musicians Annie Ko (lead vocalist) and Toby Hwang (guitars and synths) formed Love x Stereo back in 2011. 2021, thus, marks the synth-loving duo’s decade-long journey in the industry. Much of the musical numbers focus on tempo and rhythm while Annie’s dreamy vocals blend well with the duo’s proclivity for atmospheric ambient sounds. Occasionally, Toby conjures up an engaging piece by mixing up several instrumental rhythms. While most of their songs are in English (Annie moved to and grew up in LA between 1981 to 1987), they also have several Korean hits in the mix too. In fact, one of their musical numbers, “Hide and Seek”, was featured on the popular K-drama “Cheese in the Trap” (2016).

The Black Skirts

The Black Skirts is a one-man band (yes, this sounds ironic) comprising Seoul-born Bryan Cho, or Holiday Cho, who helms the roles of singer, songwriter, bassist, guitarist and keyboardist. Having moved to the States when he was 12 years old, he returned to Korea and released his debut album ‘201’ in 2010. The album, which won Best Modern Rock Album at the 2010 Korean Music Awards, was a hit and that cemented Bryan’s flair for music (and notoriety) in the industry. As a pioneering K-Indie musician, Bryan’s works, which boast melancholic ballads, are popular among mainstream media too.       

OOHYO

With a delicate but unique voice as well as her repertoire of mysterious melodies, OOHYO has carved a distinctive presence in the K-Indie scene. Her debut EP “Girl Sense”, which comprises lyrics written when she was just a high schooler, was released in 2014 and boasts a refreshing mix of electronic and synthpop elements. Her subsequent albums, which were well within the electronic genre, showcased her talent as a lyricist capable of orchestrating relatable lyrics that roll on the tongue whilst evoking emotions.

Wilcox

A relatively new name in the industry, Wilcox is a South Korean singer-songwriter signed under a boutique South Korean music label INPLANET MUSIC. Sporting boyish good looks as well as a soothing voice, the up-and-coming artist is bound to turn heads and make hearts flutter.  

Standing Egg

This South Korean Indie band is an enigma. Comprising only three members (Egg1, Egg2, Egg3), who together compose and produce the music, this acoustic pop band does not have a vocalist on their team. Instead, most of their songs feature guest Indie artists—think Han Gyul, Hana, Clover—to partake in their songs and performances. Standing Egg is well known for climbing up the music charts despite going with little to no promotions. In 2010, their first full-length album “With” ranked first on the Melon Indie Music Chart, which is equivalent to the States’ Billboard Charts.    

10cm

Having debuted in 2010 as a duo, South Korean indie band 10cm is now a one-member band, comprising Kwon Jung-Yeol. Its former member includes Yoon Cheol-Jong, who left in 2017 due to health reasons. The band’s name pokes fun at the difference in height between the two band members. They became popular within the K-Indie scene after releasing their single “Americano”. Presently, 10cm is signed under the South Korean record label Magic Strawberry Sound and distributor Poclanos.

Hyukoh

For the uninitiated, South Korean indie band Hyukoh is a pioneer in the K-Indie scene. The quartet group has risen up the international charts, embarked on a world tour, and appealed to a growing worldwide fanbase. Much of the quartet’s music boasts elements from soul, R&B, and Western’70s rock music. In between the leader Oh Hyuk’s lilting vocals, there is also soft drums, subtle bass and melodic guitar in their multilingual musical numbers. Other band members include bassist Im Dong-Geon, guitarist Lim Hyun-Jae, and drummer Lee In-Woo.  

Feature Image Credits: Wilcox’s Instagram, OOHYO’s “Far From The Madding City” promo image, 10cm 2019 concert promo poster