K-Rock ‘n’ Roll
From rock-ballads, to soft-rock, heavy metal, and pop-rock, Korean rock is an exciting genre full of copious amounts of creativity, talent, and skills that draw people into the genre, regardless of it being their go-to music choice or not. We hear rock influences within some K-Pop and K-Hip-Hop tracks but K-Rock, as its own genre, is a great area of music that people should also check out. So with this in mind, here are three K-Rock tracks that I have been listening to on repeat recently that might become your new K-Rock favorites.
“비켜ㅕㅕㅕ(F*** OFF)” - Snake Chicken Soup
If you have been looking for some hard-hitting, energetic, mood-lifting rock music that perhaps differs from the Korean rock music you already listen to, Snake Chicken Soup is the group for you. Fronted by vocalist Chwvin (previously of Wetter), alongside FRANTS (on bass), and Park Jongyong (on drums), Snake Chicken Soup are an alternative, rock, punk band whose music encapsulates an infectious energy that feels like the perfect mix of “modern meets nostalgia.”
From their 2023 EP 보양(補陽), the fifth track"비켜ㅕㅕㅕ(F*** OFF)” is one of my favorite tracks to showcase Snake Chicken Soup’s phenomenal band ability. From the vocals, to the sounds of the instruments, to the overall delivery of the track, I can only imagine how amazing “비켜ㅕㅕㅕ(F*** OFF)” and the rest of their discography sounds live. Chwvin's voice and music style also carries influences of British rock music, particularly that of Damon Albarn (of Blur and Gorillaz) at times, that adds to Snake Chicken Soup and “비켜ㅕㅕㅕ(F*** OFF)”’s addictive charm.
“Get Out” - CNEMA
Formed through JTBC's survival show SuperBand 2, K-Rock band CNEMA emit a strong rock presence in their single "Get Out," the second track from their debut EP MOBYDICK. With only three official releases on Spotify, and released in 2022, "Get Out" presents itself as a striking rock track that leaves you wanting to hear more from CNEMA.
The song balances a soft rock sound with heavy rock as vocalist Im Yoonseong projects a hard vocal style in the chorus, with belts of raspiness that I love. While Yoonseong seems to be focusing on his solo material right now, I hope we get to hear more of a heavy rock sound from him and CNEMA in the future.
“TIME” - THE FIX
Placing fourth on JTBC's band survival show SuperBand 2, THE FIX is a female rock band composed of Leenzy, Jeong Nayoung, Hwang Hyunjo, and Eun Ahkyung, whose songs capture distinctive sounds though Leenzy's raspy vocals, particularly on their track “TIME.”
The opening track to their 2-track EP Sing out loud to survive, “TIME” captures a rock-ballad feel through a grunge-fuelled sound with mesmerizing vocals and intricate instrument playing that holds your attention from beginning to end. With only four songs on Spotify (the last having been released in October 2023) THE FIX are yet to release any new music but with an exciting rock sound in the songs that they have released, THE FIX have a great future ahead of them within the rock genre if they do decide to release new music as a group.
Edited by Cara Musashi