Spotlight & Popular! A special feature on bands energizing South Korea’s rock and pop scene
When it comes to Korean music, K-pop has become the mainstream and is heard around the world, but there’s also a vibrant rock scene with its own compelling appeal.
Despite the notion that cultural development can be challenging due to national circumstances, there are many fascinating bands out there.
Here, we’ll introduce artists who are energizing Korea’s unmissable band scene!
From those bands you spot at festivals to the ones that frequently perform in Japan.
Let’s dive into the captivating world of K-ROCK as you discover and search for your favorite Korean bands!
Playlist
| Spotlight & Popular! A special feature on bands energizing South Korea’s rock and pop scene | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Starting OverCNBLUE | play_arrow | The ro... that will likely represent South Korea’s major scene |
| 2east | UnbelievableLucy | play_arrow | Catchy charm in a form different from typical bands… |
| 3east | Hot PotatoN.Flying | play_arrow | Formerly from FNC Entertainment, FTI… |
| 4east | SageFTISLAND | play_arrow | Brotherly presence of FNC Entertainment... |
| 5east | LOVE YA!HYUKOH | play_arrow | When I listen to this song, I’m like, “Huh? Is this a Western band?…" |
| 6east | You Were BeautifulDAY6 | play_arrow | Known for groups such as 2PM and TWICE… |
| 7east | ExtinctionTHORNAPPLE | play_arrow | Thornapple’s vocalist Yu… left the band in 2009. |
| 8east | T.B.HQWER | play_arrow | A four-member girl group that debuted in October 2023... |
| 9east | NO PAINSilica Gel | play_arrow | Fusing shoegaze and neo-psychedelia… |
| 10east | Freakin’ BadXdinary Heroes | play_arrow | Known through groups from the same label, like DAY6 and TWICE... |
| 11east | All This Fxxking TimeNELL | play_arrow | There aren’t that many bands with a heavy, hard-hitting sound... |
| 12east | Mind Is LightSay Sue Me | play_arrow | Seisumi is a band from Korea—specifically from Busan. |
| 13east | Dry FlowerSURL | play_arrow | A Korean band you should definitely keep an eye on is Ban… |
| 14east | ModelADOY (아도이) | play_arrow | Chill-out and emo vibes, a softly soothing calm… |
| 15east | I Don’t Know WhyHOA | play_arrow | Rapidly gaining attention as a distinctive Korean band… |
| 16east | 내일의 나에게(Regret)기프트(GIFT) | play_arrow | By covering a variety of songs, Gift (the band) has managed to... |
| 17east | Tiramisu CakeWE ARE THE NIGHT | play_arrow | Captivating listeners with a cinematic sound… |
| 18east | I forgotFoxee | play_arrow | Foxy is recommended as a Korean band... |
| 19east | 가시 (Thorn)Buzz | play_arrow | The Korean band Buz, formed in 2000… |
| 20east | 벚꽃 엔딩Busker Busker | play_arrow | The audition program “Superstar K3”… |
| 21east | FearlessRolling Quartz | play_arrow | They made a dashing entrance onto South Korea’s girl band scene... |
| 22east | Night ViewTOUCHED | play_arrow | A touch that shines with its own brilliance in the Korean music scene… |
| 23east | 12가지 말들bongjeingan | play_arrow | A powerful impact on South Korea’s indie rock scene… |
| 24east | coiicotoba | play_arrow | The ma… is captivating with its complex rhythms and emotional melodies. |
| 25east | Love AgainTHE SOLUTIONS | play_arrow | Solutions is a singer-songwriter... |
| 26east | GRAVITYONEWE | play_arrow | As its predecessor MAS0094, in 2015… |
| 27east | New World AwaitsVassline | play_arrow | A hard ... based mainly in Seoul, South Korea |
| 28east | BlazeRolling Quartz | play_arrow | Bands like BAND-MAID and SCANDAL, ... |
| 29east | Waiting For Your Calling BackSultan of the Disco | play_arrow | Highly recommended for those who like funky bands... |
| 30east | Love Flutters(설레임)TheEastLight | play_arrow | Debuting in 2015 at the young age of 15... |
| 31east | sorrow starCHUNGYOILE | play_arrow | Cho..., who is bringing a new breeze to the Korean music scene |
| 32east | LoveinGOGOSTAR | play_arrow | Lee Tae-seo, who had been active in another band until now... |
| 33east | Da-Jung Punk GenerationRomantic Punch | play_arrow | A romantic that radiates a hot, ever-unfolding allure... |
| 34east | flying duckCherry Filter | play_arrow | Che…, a legendary figure in the South Korean music scene, |
| 35east | National Police Sh!tDrinking Boys and Girls Choir | play_arrow | Punk band from Daegu, South Korea, Drinking… |
| 36east | NAN CHUNSe So Neon | play_arrow | Rock band from Seoul, Se So N… |
| 37east | One Summer Day (feat. mei ehara)CHS | play_arrow | A tropical psychedelic groove co... |
| 38east | Dazed & ConfusedGlen Check | play_arrow | Gre… who exudes a unique presence in the Korean music scene |
| 39east | for lovers who hesitate(주저하는 연인들을 위해)JANNABI(잔나비) | play_arrow | Janna, an indie rock band from South Korea… |
| 40east | RedAida | play_arrow | At the astonishingly young age of just 14, in September 1999… |
| 41east | Beyond The HorizonIdiots | play_arrow | A pop pan… born from Seoul’s music scene |
| 42east | 여름궁전Misty Blue | play_arrow | Korea, weaving delicate tones and a lyrical worldview… |
| 43east | EnemySlant | play_arrow | A hardcore punk ba… based in Seoul |
| 44east | Saturn In The LoopSynsnake | play_arrow | An electrocore/metalcore band from South Korea... |
| 45east | SourThe Rose | play_arrow | A four-piece band that debuted in 2017. Col... |
| 46east | BlindWalking After U | play_arrow | The Seoul-based female quartet Walki... |
| 47east | 부르튼(Blister)THE KOXX | play_arrow | The Cocks originally majored in jazz at an art university... |
| 48east | It is U2Z | play_arrow | In 2020, they released the mini-album ‘WE Tuzi…’ |
| 49east | MALHALKEB.R.T (Blue Rock Thrush) | play_arrow | A band that started its musical activities in 2021… |
| 50east | I’m the bestBebop | play_arrow | A girl pop ban… that captivates Korean men |
| 51east | Ritual DanceChudahye Chagis | play_arrow | There are some catchy bands, but here in the world… |
| 52east | Outside EarthManjuPocket | play_arrow | Strongly influenced by Black music… |
| 53east | KarmaMessgram | play_arrow | A rock band formed in Seoul, South Korea, in 2011… |
| 54east | Beyond the NightsOurR | play_arrow | OurR, a three-piece band, arti… |
| 55east | Let me go!The Volunteers | play_arrow | Like in shoegaze music, the guitar... |
| 56east | sixteen twentyJuJu Club | play_arrow | South Korea’s three …, which came to an end after about nine years starting in 1993 |
| 57east | IDEALISTLuciDreaM | play_arrow | A lucid dream in which you’re aware that you’re dreaming… |
| 58east | Can’t StopMARMELLO | play_arrow | MARMELLO’s innovative music is a must-listen. |
| 59east | PauseTRPP | play_arrow | A simple sound like garage rock… |


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