This is really interesting. I’ve been looking for alternative Korean music since I’ve been here in Korea and I’ve been amazed at how difficult it is to find. This could largely be because of the language barrier. Even still, most of my Korean friends tell me alternative music is practically nonexistent in Korea because it doesn’t make money the way K-pop makes money.

This made me really sad.

I think it’s really interesting to listen to the artists here talk about their philosophy behind their band and their brand of kimchi billy.

One thing that grabbed my attention was when they seemed almost apologetic about their style, saying, “This is only how we look on stage. In real life, we are actually really nice people.” I can’t imagine one of the members of a great American or British rock band ever admitting to something like this, creating such a divide between their music and their personal lifestyles.

On the other hand, they freely talk about wanting to be unique and develop and express their own style. Hats off to them, because this kind of thing really is what alternative music is about, not just about measuring your degree of social dissension to that of others but about being free from comparison and developing your own thing regardless of societal norms. Testing the limits, whatever those limits may be.

Thanks for sharing, Jennaonline.

jennaonline:

If you’re interested in more Korean alternative music (aka not K-Pop) then check out this video.  Such an interesting band!  It’s not every day you see Koreans all tatted up and playing Rockabilly music :)  

Courtesy of my friend Kris, of The Silk Road TV.