Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zabriskie]

Is there anything resembling a music scene, Korean- or foreigner-based, in Busan? If so, can anyone recommend an area or clubs to check out?? Many thanks in advance!

[RACETRAITOR]

It's pretty small. The one club I know about and recommend is Moo-Monk.

[dreaded209]

Yes, there is aWHOLE LOAD of clubs and live music in Busan that goes on for the rest of the year between the annual "Busan International Rock Festival"...quite a lot more. There is a thriving musical scene loaded with different musical styles and variety for almost every taste, from Punk to Jazz and Ska, Metal to Indie and electronic, Hip-Hop to Grunge and DJ ...and beyond. I will list the top 5 venues that I personally have visited and recommend (although I apologise to those I don't mention as there are SO many it�s hard to do the city justice)

1*
Club Realize -Kyungsung- ROCK/METAL/PUNK/GRUNGE/INDIE/OTHER(anyone can book)
One of Busan�s newest additions is Club Realize, from Busan's first independent Alternative Label. (Yes! There is such a thing as Korean Punk/Metal/etc.) It really is a hidden gem and fast becoming a favourite as it becomes discovered. Run by musicians, it features all of the above, with a fairly well stocked, well priced bar (while also occasionally hosting events with all genres). It is in the Kyungsung area, open Fri/Sat (for the moment) and it is not too far from the better known venues in the area. It�s a great place to release some pent up aggression after a hard day�s work. With regular Punk, Rock and Metal shows featuring local, national and international acts like: Southbay, Nachopupa, Gwamegi, Lied, FatalFear, King Ly chee, Unchained, NoEaZy, To My Last Breath, Mara, Derrick, Millstone Grit, Jack the Broken, Chop squad No70 and many more. Check them out on facebook for details. I'll likely see you there!

2*
Vinyl Underground -Kyungsung- TECHNO/HIP-HOP/DUBSTEP/ELECTRO(also some PUNK/ROCK etc)
Probably Busan's best known venue with a LOT of artists under its belt (national, international and local) It was started in 2002 by Mr Fudge, Sundance Kid, DJ G and Electron. It�s one of the largest in the city (not huge, but fairly well sized) and for these reasons it is one of the favourites by expats and Koreans alike. Check them out on their FB page.

3*
Rockhouse -Seomyeon- ROCK/PUNK/INDIE/GRUNGE/SKA/OTHER
Another recent venue, that has fast become one of the LOUD'n'HEAVY favourites. It has a really well stocked bar (with a decent selection of world beers) but, it can be LOUD (which is what I like, personally!) Check out their FB page

4*
Moo Monk -PNU/Kyungsung- JAZZ/ROCK/METAL/PUNK/BLUES/OTHER
This is one of the other Hidden Gems in Busan, that I only found out about 6 years ago from my Korean friends. There are two locations; the One in PNU has more of the Rock etc. while the Kyungsung one has more of the Jazz etc.

5*
Interplay -PNU- ROCK/FUNK/REGGAE/SKA/METAL/PUNK/OTHER (Almost anything)
This is one of the other better sized venues in the city, boasting a HUGE stage (well, huge for a bar in any country) and a good chance of having a seat with a lot of tables and space to sit and enjoy the show. Featuring regular shows from local/national bands and artists.


HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Ol'55 -Kyungsung- ALL GENRES/OPEN MIC/THEATRE
I have fond memories attending. It is of the typical Expat hangouts with a twist - open mic. It has been one of the favourites for good reason. It has a good bar, with guest beers/ale at a decent price and has had SO MANY Expat and Korean bands/artists dropping by for a relaxed set or a jam

Club Foxy -Seomyeon- HIP-HOP (Near Judies Taewa)
Cover is (generally) 15,000 won including a drink.
Club Maktum -Haeundae- (across from Paradise Hotel/Casino) Hip-Hop
Also 15,000 won to get in (with a free drink)

I really recommend these venues as I am insanely eclectic and love music and scenes. I have been in Korea on and off for the last 7 years and I am also vocalist in Busan metal act FatalFear (we played at the tail end of '09 at the AX Hall with the legendary Arch Enemy). I have actively been into music from around the age of 7 when I started collecting vinyl/cassettes and started playing since I was 11. I was out and the scene within 5 years of that. So let that be my credentials!

I

[oldtactics]

dreaded209, amazing post, great contribution to the discussion.

OP, I also recommend checking out the listings & event calendar on busanhaps.com

[Kikomom]

Saw this on Zippy's FB page:
Busan Cypher 2011

[happiness]

Nice list there, good work.

I was in Busan yesterday and talking over lunch with a friend who owns a music shop near PNU. Its really hard to see decent music in Busan. Alot of 2ndrate bored NETS with laptops making some noise can be found anywhere now, but for decent music? Its harder and near dead. Not like Busan ever was a hotbed of artistic activity. I hear the word Monk get thrown around. I saw some boring white chick droning on with some cheap chinese acoustic guitar in a bar once.

I think that white guy and his kyopo gf playing under a spanish name is about the most interesting.

hiphop culture? you cant make hiphop culture in a bar by one guy showing up in hanging jeans.

maybe, DJ's spinning may be the best bet in Korea.

Ive been to Hongdae and seen the bands. Like I said, bored NETS trying to be subversive are just boring....

me, I worked in music before, and Ive never in 10 years have seen anything here I would deem good music. I think K-pop has decent melodies and thank god for that. Ive heard alot of K-music and some of its good, but a scene? Nah, the scene will always be Confucianist Nationalist Post-War Struggle for Placement. Art cant survive in that environment.

me, I just go to Japan.

just saying

[Benicio]

If you're looking for a world-class music scene, then Korea is not the place.

That being said, there's a pretty interesting music scene in Busan.
It's a mix of locals and English teachers- we are all English teachers- playing straight up rock, punk, folk, jazz, funk, reggae, hip-hop
& electronica.
There's quite a bit for varying musical tastes.

Here's the band info page from Busanhaps:
http://www.busanhaps.com/music
(it needs to be updated, though)

Here's the bar/club info page:
http://www.busanhaps.com/nightlife

Kyungsungdae is the hot spot nowadays.
The places to go are: Ol'55, Vinyl Underground, Fabric, HQ & Monk
I've never to been to Realize, so I don't know anything about it.
In Seomyeon, there is Metal City.
In PNU, there is The Basement, Soul Trane, Moo Monk & Interplay.
In Haeundae, there is Starface.
The rest is DJ clubs.

There are quite a few open mic nights on the weekdays.
They can be either terrible or a lot of fun. It's a roll of the dice.
Wednesdays at Ol'55 seem to be the big one.
There are usually shows on Friday & Saturday nights.

Some people want to knock the music scene, but I think that's just pessimistic & foolish. Do you want to just sit around and complain like a miserable fool or do you want to try and enjoy your experience in Korea?

There are plenty of interesting things happening if you have the right attitude!