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Korean music genres
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weso1



Joined: 26 Aug 2010

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:44 am    Post subject: Korean music genres Reply with quote

Why are group pop and ballads the two most popular music genres here? It seems like everyone under 19 listens to either the current boy or girl pop group, or the solo act of one of those performers. And everyone over that age listens to ballads. I can almost tolerate the pop stuff, some of it has a good beat. But I hate ballads. Even English ballads. I just never got into them. Yes, those people are talented. They have amazing voices. But the musical style just doesn't appeal to me.

I find it most frustrating in the gym. Gawd, how can you work out to that stuff? haha. I just can't get a pump listening to a feminine sounding male perform vocal exercises up and down the scale.

Where are the other styles? I'm sure there are Korean rock bands, metal bands, techno and electronic artists. Korean rap had a brief popular phase, but then it went away. I like to give the local music a try, but I need more variety.

Some of you more versed in local music, how about some suggestions?
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bekinseki



Joined: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Know what would be good workout music? Bbongjjak. That's a slightly more Japanese style of music mostly enjoyed by the elderly now.

Korea also had a promising stoner rock scene until the government cracked down on them in the mid-'70s.

As far as contemporary stuff, www.koreagigguide.com has the most information.
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Mix1



Joined: 08 May 2007

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bekinseki wrote:
Know what would be good workout music? Bbongjjak. That's a slightly more Japanese style of music mostly enjoyed by the elderly now.

Korea also had a promising stoner rock scene until the government cracked down on them in the mid-'70s.


Heard some really cheesy yet funky bbongjjak on a boat cruise in Busan once. Analog synths and funky percussion and sci fi noise washes. So bad yet so good. Must have been done in the stoner era before everything became cleansed and generic. Bought a bbongjjak mix CD later but it was crappy as hell. Was like a cheapo Walmart version of it. Wish i could find the better stuff.

Oh and about the ballads here: take the worst of the worst swoony cheeze ballads of the 80s and mix with Michael Bolton deleted outtakes, rinse and repeat. Not exactly cool, but then again I just praised bbongjjak which is also so lame and fun it's almost cool.

Most music here is an "almost alike" Walmart version of stuff back home, which is why it's generally so disappointing to western listeners who may want something different but instead get copied wannabe versions of tired old songs from back home. Maybe they should bring the drugs back.
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jamesy



Joined: 24 Nov 2005
Location: incheon, korea

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are in Seoul, you should head to Hongdae at the weekends. You will find a good mix of alternative music from local bands, and a few foreign ones as well. I haven't been for a while, but as memory serves Club Spot (near the university) has mostly punk bands playing and the standard is reasonable. Club DGBD is a small place but the sound is tremendous and they have a variety of acts and styles. Club FF also has live music, but I've always felt the sound let the place down - The performance area looks great, but the room sound is awful. Club Freebird, is a cafe style place, that usually offers acoustic, blues, or jazz, but has been known to show other types if music as well.

If you do a search for these places, Google will come up with plenty of links to listings and events. I'm not sure if it still goes on, but there used to be a club night in Hongdae. It used to happen every month or two, and you buy a ticket for around 15000 won, which gained you entry to about 25 clubs and live music venues around the area. It was great value, and a great way to see lots of live music.
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Steelrails



Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mix1 wrote:
bekinseki wrote:
Know what would be good workout music? Bbongjjak. That's a slightly more Japanese style of music mostly enjoyed by the elderly now.

Korea also had a promising stoner rock scene until the government cracked down on them in the mid-'70s.


Heard some really cheesy yet funky bbongjjak on a boat cruise in Busan once. Analog synths and funky percussion and sci fi noise washes. So bad yet so good. Must have been done in the stoner era before everything became cleansed and generic. Bought a bbongjjak mix CD later but it was crappy as hell. Was like a cheapo Walmart version of it. Wish i could find the better stuff.



Gotta agree on the bbongjjak...It's like Tejano music or ragtime piano songs or stuff like that...so cheesy and ridiculous you can't help but like it.
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DejaVu



Joined: 27 Jan 2011
Location: Your dreams

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What about some darn indie or funk or alternative rock or something? I like a jazz/funk band but that's about it...
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chrisinkorea2011



Joined: 16 Jan 2011

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is not really rock bands in korea that are famous. I remember see the pop bands try to bust out guitars and drums to act like it, but major fails lol.

Korean rap/hiphop isnt too bad. Actually DJ DOC was pretty good until they went poppish to get more mainstream...sad day indeed! lol
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thatkidpercy



Joined: 05 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've found a lot of music I like outside of the K-POP/ballad bubble in my last year. Here's a small selection...

Indie Rock:

검정치마 - Love Shine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EGETxIfeLc

Deli Spice - 슬픔이여 안녕
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfn6nklTSF8

브로콜리 너마저 - 울지마
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DURyx2PrTt4

Peter Pan Complex - 너는 나에게 (this band gets compared to Radiohead a lot)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af57Hi3SlJo

Hip Hop:

Drunken Tiger - 편의점 (Convenience Store)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxrPsEXXiLU

가리온 (GARION) - 다만, 가리온
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BOKpDa4aX4

화나 (Fana) - 화약고
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb1nwXrSl10&feature=related


I also really like the group Winterplay, although I'm not sure how to classify the genre of music they play - jazz, blues, rock? Anyway they're really good:

Winerplay - Gypsy Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4nvJMzYt5w
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tiger fancini



Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Location: Testicles for Eyes

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Korean reggae complete with didgeridoo. Windy City rule!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L012dIX0hbk&feature=related
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thatkidpercy



Joined: 05 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

tiger fancini wrote:
Korean reggae complete with didgeridoo. Windy City rule!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L012dIX0hbk&feature=related


This is great!
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Chet Wautlands



Joined: 11 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thatkidpercy,

Thank you! These are awesome.

I also recommend Epik High, 리쌍 and 넬.
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bekinseki



Joined: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

tiger fancini wrote:
Korean reggae complete with didgeridoo. Windy City rule!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L012dIX0hbk&feature=related


Not nearly as great as I&I Djangdan, which had a lot of the same musicians.
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fortysixyou



Joined: 08 Jun 2006

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mix1 wrote:

Most music here is an "almost alike" Walmart version of stuff back home, which is why it's generally so disappointing to western listeners who may want something different but instead get copied wannabe versions of tired old songs from back home. Maybe they should bring the drugs back.




That's the truest thing I've read all week.
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hark_bel



Joined: 26 Oct 2011

PostPosted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:01 pm    Post subject: Accel in a Story Reply with quote

I suggest the Korean Rock Band A'ccel in a Story.

A'ccel in a Story - Wristcut Syndrome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQYoKjJflwg&feature=related

A'ccel in a Story - Epilogue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlydzjCqjws&feature=related

Paloalto is also really good if you like hiphop/rap

Soul Sick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6B27e7enj4&feature=related
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Dave Chance



Joined: 30 May 2011

PostPosted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 5:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

fortysixyou wrote:
Mix1 wrote:

Most music here is an "almost alike" Walmart version of stuff back home, which is why it's generally so disappointing to western listeners who may want something different but instead get copied wannabe versions of tired old songs from back home. Maybe they should bring the drugs back.




That's the truest thing I've read all week.


+100 (after listening to links that have been posted on this thread)
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