Korean Indie/Pop Rock Bands You Need To Know: Day6, The Rose, & HYUKOH

With K-pop bands like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and SEVENTEEN, Korean music has been on the rise over the past ten years. But Korea’s music culture doesn’t stop there.

Genres like indie and pop rock have recently been thriving and gaining the spotlight it deserves. Here are three Korean indie/pop rock bands you might want to check out: Day6, The Rose, and HYUKOH.

Founded by JYP Entertainment, Day6 is a four-member group that debuted in 2015. With a focus on sentimental lyrics about love and relationships, their music is a fusion of pop, rock, and electronic elements. Strong vocal harmonies, catchy hooks and upbeat guitar riffs define their sound.

Day6 consists of members Wonpil, Young K, Sungjin, Dowoon and with past members Jae and Junhyeok. They are well-known for their songs “Congratulations,” “You Were Beautiful,” and “Shoot Me.” Their energetic live performances highlight their instrumental mastery and stage presence.

With their distinct rock sound separating them from other groups, Day6’s music is the kind of music you want to jam out to and for anyone looking for something different in K-pop culture.

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Another great band is The Rose, a four-member band under J&Star Company that debuted in 2017. Their intense and strong songwriting features a significant amount of ballads that highlights their vocal range and emotional depth.

Before making their official debut with J&Star, the band has long been a well-liked indie band. Members consist of Kim Woo-sung (vocals, guitar), Park Do-joon (keyboard), Lee Ha-joon (drums), and Lee Jae-hyeong (bass).

Their music combines rock and pop elements together with instrumentals that are complemented by guitar and upbeat choruses. Some of their well known songs include “Sorry,” “Baby,” and “Red.” They’re also known for their intimate live performances, many of which include simple sets that accentuate their singing abilities.

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Lastly, HYUKOH is an indie band that formed in 2014 and gained popularity abroad after making an appearance on the Korean variety show “Infinite Challenge”. HYUKOH’S musical style is a unique mix of rock, folk, and indie pop.

Members of the group named The Beatles and The Whitest Boy Alive as key influences on their musical style. Hyukoh is truly a unique band that brings in a different mood in the Korean music industry with their raw and energetic live performances.

Notably, their songs “Wi Ing Wi Ing,” “LOVE YA!,” and “Comes and Goes” are a must-listen. The song's openings of soft guitar riffs slowly build up to a hypnotic chorus with layers of vocals and harmonies.

Check out HYUKOH’s track “Wi Ing Wi Ing”, below.