Genre Killing Nude Stage Bombers? Korean Indie Music. [A history]

Summary

This video explores the South Korean indie music scene from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, highlighting its emergence alongside mainstream pop music. It discusses the contrast between indie and commercial music, the influence of Western artists, and the challenges faced by indie musicians. The video also covers the impact of the 2005 live music scandal on the scene's popularity and the rise of bands like Kiha and the Faces and Broccoli U2. It touches on the significance of districts like Hongdae in nurturing indie talent and ends with a look at current indie artists making waves, emphasizing the scene's resilience and cultural importance.

Takeaways

• 🎵 From the mid-1990s to mid-2000s, South Korea's music scene saw a clear divide between large record companies and small independent labels, with the latter often referred to as 'indie'.
• 🌟 The indie scene is considered a highlight of South Korea's music industry, with unique characteristics that differentiate it from mainstream pop music.
• 🌐 The growth of local indie pop music in South Korea was influenced by the Hallyu wave and new socioeconomic conditions, as well as similar movements in the West.
• 🎸 Indie music in South Korea is characterized by a DIY ethos and genres like rock and punk, offering a stark contrast to the image of artists from big commercial record companies.
• 💿 The economic recession, rise of digital music, and music piracy in the early 2000s led to fewer CD sales, affecting both conventional and indie artists.
• 🏙️ Geographically, the indie music scene in South Korea is centered around districts like Hongdae, known for its vibrant indie music culture and art programs.
• 🎤 Bands like Kiha and the Faces and Broccoli U2 gained popularity and brought the indie attitude to the forefront, with a do-it-yourself approach to music production and promotion.
• 🏆 Despite the indie scene's challenges, some artists have won awards and achieved commercial success without the backing of major labels.
• 🌎 The indie music scene in South Korea has become more diverse, with young rock groups incorporating English lyrics and developing a unique geographical sound.
• 🚨 An incident in 2005 involving nudity during a live performance led to a significant setback for the indie scene, with repercussions that affected its mainstream acceptance.
• 🌍 The advent of online music sharing platforms like YouTube and Soundcloud has played a crucial role in the indie scene's resurgence and ability to reach a wider audience.

Q & A

What is the difference between large record companies and small independent labels in South Korea?

In South Korea, large record companies are associated with mainstream music, whereas small independent labels, often referred to as 'indie', are known for their DIY ethos and genres like rock and punk, which contrast sharply with the artists of big commercial record companies.

How did the Hallyu and new socioeconomic conditions contribute to the growth of local indie pop music in South Korea?

The Hallyu and new socioeconomic conditions enabled a strong mainstream set of artists to thrive, which in turn allowed local indie pop music to grow in popularity during the 2000s, standing in stark contrast to ordinary popular music.

What is the significance of the band Kiha and the Faces in the South Korean indie scene?

Kiha and the Faces brought the indie attitude to the forefront of people's attention with their 2008 popular single 'Cheap Coffee'. Their lo-fi simplicity, alt folk sound, playful lyrics, and laid-back attitude caused their word to spread rapidly by word of mouth.

How did the indie band Broccoli U2 gain popularity?

Broccoli U2 gained popularity with their unconventional debut album 'No More Encore' released in 2008. They ranked at number nine in overall sales amongst rock groups and number one amongst indie rock groups.

What are the three main districts that house the K-indie scene?

The three main districts that house the K-indie scene are Shinchon, Hongdae, and Guanaca. Each district has its own unique history and contribution to the indie music culture in South Korea.

What impact did the economic recession and rise of digital music have on the indie scene in South Korea?

The economic recession and rise of digital music, along with piracy, led to fewer CD sales even for conventional artists, which contributed to the weakening of the Hongdae scene and the demise of the first wave of the indie scene.

What was the incident in 2005 that almost killed the entire indie scene in South Korea?

During a live performance on the show 'Live Music Camp', two men from the bands The Couch and Spiky Bratz took off their pants and jumped around the stage fully naked, resulting in five seconds of nudity being broadcasted. This incident led to the cancellation of 'Live Music Camp' and a negative public perception of indie bands.

How has the advent of online music sharing platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud impacted the South Korean indie scene?

Online music sharing platforms have allowed the indie scene in South Korea to explode in popularity in recent years, providing a space for indie artists to debut and share their music, leading to a resurgence in the scene's mainstream popularity.

What are some of the challenges that South Korean indie artists faced in the beginning?

South Korean indie artists faced challenges such as economic recession, the rise of digital music and piracy, and a difficult beginning due to the size of the market and the attitude of listeners in South Korea.

How has the South Korean indie music scene evolved over the years?

The South Korean indie music scene has evolved from being dominated by mainstream pop music in the 1990s to having a distinct identity with a variety of genres and styles, and from struggling for mainstream acceptance to gaining popularity through online platforms and a renewed interest in the DIY ethos.