For Short Stuff 100, this is a list of songs that have made an impact. From my start in 2008 until now, these songs continue to resurface when I remind myself why Korean independent music is important to me and defined by Korean identity journey.

Donawhale : Echo

As I’ve said many times before, this is the song that started it all. From my start in Jpop to exploring a lot of Japanese music to wondering what kind of indie music South Korea had, Donawhale was among the first non-punk bands I heard and was instantly hooked. Nothing Korean Indie related would exist without this song.

Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

Apollo 18 : End

A band introduced to me by Shawn Despres, Apollo 18 was a post-rock, post-hardcore trio that showed me how loud and aggressive bands could be. A bright star that burned intensely, it’s interesting to see where each member has ended up since.

Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

National Pigeon Unity : Kathera

The first guitar and drum band that I saw live during my trips in the early 2010s. The music National Pigeon Unity created continues to define a very special era of indie music. I have seen live videos so I guess they’re still around, but we haven’t gotten an album since 2019.

Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

49 Morphines : God’s Betrayal

Another band that opened my vision to Korean punk and hardcore. 49 Morphines is essential hardcore.

Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

99 Anger : The Anger and the Sadness

Early in my punk rock exploration, 99 Anger surfaced and I played this album on repeat. It’s a classic.

Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

Yellow Monsters : 16th April

Yellow Monsters is an especially special band to me. They gave me a friendship beyond any thanks I could return. “16th April” isn’t the standard Yellow Monsters punk/rock hybrid track. It’s one of their best songs.

Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

Dajung : I’m Still Alive

Dajung was another artist I heard from through Shawn Despres. I was amazed at her music, her first releases were when she was 14. Jay Knife collects a lot of those early tracks and it captured an artist at a specific time. I don’t know if Dajung is still Dajung or has moved on to other projects.

Instagram | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

HUNJIYA : give it/what i get

HUNJIYA was one of the earliest musicians who emailed Korean Indie. I’ve watched her career since 2017 and still don’t understand why she never hit the mainstream. Everything is there. I think mainstream media is a bunch of stupid fucks chasing the same shit they can easily package for single-based consumption.

Instagram | YouTube | Official Site | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

IDIOTAPE : Melodie

IDIOTAPE are another band who were very generous with their time to me. 11111101 is a classic electronic album and in my top three electronic releases of all time. The album never gets old. Their style never gets old either.

Instagram | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

OHCHILL : You And I

Just when I thought duo bands were done, I heard OHCHILL‘s first EP when they were called 57. The garage rock mixed with alternative rock and post punk blew me away. Each release is an elevation of ability.

Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

ASEUL / YUKARI : Just Friends

ASEUL was probably one of the first electronic pop and synthpop artists that I heard. Echo is from her YUKARI days and there are few albums that are as perfect as this. It will forever be a difficult album to surpass.

Instagram | Bandcamp | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

OOHYO : This Is Why We’re Breaking Up

OOYHO is the proof that Bandcamp is an amazing platform. OOHYO was an electronic pop and synth pop counterpart to ASEUL to me. Girl Sense is an album that’s close to perfection.

YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

Big Phony : Girls Like You Don’t Go For Guys Like Me

I was late to Big Phony. I knew about him and his music for years before I did a deeper dive. Now I consider him one of the unsung heros in indie music. His style has stayed consistent over the years, mainly maturing due to life experience. I would consider him one of an important chapters in Korean independent music history both on the U.S. side and the South Korean side.

Instagram | Official Website | YouTube | Bandcamp | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

DOMA : The Emerald Sea

I found out about DOMA after her sudden passing. Listening to Drifting To An Island For Reason I Don’T Know shows how much talent and ability she had. The final album DOMA, finished by her bandmate Geonu, is reminder that no one’s time is set.

Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

Ghost Bookstore : Children with Starry Blood

Ghost Bookstore is a band that stuck in my head from the first single. I think their self-titled EP is perfect. They have a full length that I already feel is one of the best albums this year.

Instagram | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music

Chris P

Korean Indie owner and Editor at Large. Constantly looking for new music and working on library parity on Spotify and YouTube Music.