Here are some artists to keep on repeat this summer as popular Korean music embraces the classic pop-punk beats of the early 2000s.
With TikTok steadily reviving our affection for 90s rock and 00s pop-punk, the “Y2K” boom has finally made it to the music industry. Millions of people are listening to and watching videos of songs by artists like Avril Lavigne, Willow Smith, and even Olivia Rodrigo, quickly transporting us to a more carefree period of adolescent angst when we watched “Friends”, listened to “Macarena”, started to search things (such as sites to gamble on that exploded on the Internet, many of which can still be found at TopCasinoExpert.com) on Google, and ate super-size fries and drink. Following this pattern, a lot of performers have started to add electric guitar and deep bass to their standard sound, making pop-punk the new summertime earworm genre.
K-pop performers are accustomed to this phenomenon. TXT, a boy band with hits like “Loser = Lover” and “Good Boy Gone Bad” that have topped the Billboard charts, is leading the battle for Korean pop-punk. Their track collection is built on heavy beats and gritty electric guitar riffs, which establishes the band’s unique sound.
Pop-punk songs like TXT’s remain underappreciated in the plethora of subgenres and fusions that make up the Korean music scene. Therefore it’s simple to understand why numerous outstanding Korean pop-punk musicians and bands have flown under the radar given the large and always expanding sea of potential that swarms to K-pop. Here are the top Korean pop-punk musicians to check out if you’re seeking bands that share the same feel as TXT or just want to spice things up a bit. They’ll give you that much-needed dose of nostalgia for the 2000s.
WOODZ
Fans of the South Korean-Chinese boy band Uniq are likely familiar with Cho Seung-youn, better known as WOODZ, a rising solo artist. With chart-topping singles like “Different” and “Love Me Harder” after leaving the group, WOODZ has developed a promising record.
In contrast to his other albums, his most recent mini-album, Colourful Trauma, has a more upbeat tone with a quicker tempo. With the album, WOODZ discusses the most personal moments from his life, including thoughts on a previous relationship in the catchy title track, “I Hate You”. The album is laced with genuine angst.
LØREN
When LØREN (real name: Lee Seung-joo) was working as a producer for YG Entertainment, he made his enigmatic debut in the music video for Blackpink’s “Lovesick Girls” and immediately caught the attention of the industry.
The talented musician’s track list is evocative of groups like Green Day, who have been dubbed the architects of pop-punk, with a tendency toward grungier tunes and rhythmic beats.
Song SooWoo
Even though Song SooWoo is the most recent name on this list, she’s a formidable artist.
She made her debut in the music business with her single “Love Me or Hate Me”. Song SooWoo is well known for winning the reality competition series CAP-TEEN. It’s not surprising that she enjoys Nirvana because the song significantly borrows from their rhythms and is unmistakably only the first taste of the bangers to come.
The Rose
The Rose are more frequently spotted behind their instruments than the mesmerizing dance that Korean boy bands usually display while singing their songs. But don’t be fooled—the ensemble has plenty of talent.
The band’s intricate music features orchestral keyboards, booming percussion, deep bass, and catchy guitar riffs, leaning toward the mellower end of pop-punk.
Rolling Quartz
If you want to move from listening to softer sounds to enjoying stronger ones, Rolling Quartz is the ideal band to add to your playlist.
When the epidemic broke out in 2020, the group gained notoriety and developed a significant social media following. Don’t be misled by the numerous covers on their Instagram profile; they have a ton of original songs, including their newest album Delight and the popular debut single “Blaze”.