Korean Music: Not Just K-Pop

By now, everyone is probably familiar with K-Pop, thanks to artists such as BTS and Blackpink that have taken the music industry by storm. With its glittering outfits and cool dance moves, it seems that K-Pop has captivated everyone's attention in recent years. However, although K-Pop is undoubtedly a huge part of the music scene in Korea, there are plenty of other artists of different genres making waves in the industry. Here, I will be highlighting some of my favourite Korean musical artists that are not part of the K-Pop industry.

JUNNY

Junny, a Korean-Canadian R&B artist, is known for his smooth, soulful voice. With tracks such as "Nostalgia" and "By My Side," Junny shows off his melodic croon and wide vocal range. Not only is Junny an amazing singer with killer vocals, he is also a talented composer as well. Hit songs such as NCT Dream's "Rewind" and IU's "Troll" are all credited to him for writing and composing. This multi-talented artist is surely one to watch!

BIG Naughty

At only nineteen years old, BIG Naughty has launched an incredibly successful music career. With countless many features, singles, and even a full-length album, this young rapper has accomplished a great deal. His unique voice has captured the attention of many listeners, as well as veteran artists such as Jay Park, creating a loyal fanbase. With his distinct style, fresh energy, and eloquent lyrics, BIG Naughty has unsurprisingly been making waves in the Korean hip hop scene.

Seori

Seori is an R&B artist that has recently been on the rise. Her soulful voice and raw lyrics create a powerful duo that allow listeners to experience a deep, emotional connection to her songs. The dark, moody vibe of Seori's songs such as "Lovers in the Night" makes it perfect to listen to when you are alone at night and want to unwind after a long day. Although only having officially debuted since 2020, Seori has had immense success and continues to make her way up to the top.

BOL4

BOL4, or Blushing Youth, is a former group-turned-solo artist known for her quirky indie pop music. Her trademark timbre is in a class by itself, as it holds a quality like no other. The clear, but slightly scratchy tone of her vocals mix well with her gentle, yet edgy, songs. Tracks such as "Butterfly Effect" or "Galaxy" are my personal favourites, as they showcase the duality of her voice blended with the quirky background instrumentals. Be sure to check this artist out, as she has many tracks perfect for the summer!

With that being said, I hope you enjoyed this little insight on some Korean artists of genres other than K-pop that have great talent and success. I hope this article helped to broaden your knowledge and love for Korean music, and that you will find new artists that you love through this exploration. I have linked below some songs by the various artists that I discussed above, in the hopes that you will check them out and perhaps discover a new favourite. Thanks for reading, and happy listening!

Junny:

"Aura" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYF0uUEcCy0

"Nostalgia" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVzc4DLwCrY

BIG Naughty:

"Romance Symphony" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_3udKyqMd4

"Vancouver" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Ci3DSPs0s

Seori:

"Lovers in the Night" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4drNLo-jbn8

"Dive With You" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LYZB9S1v5g

BOL4:

"Galaxy" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww9iuC2wXJM

"To My Youth" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmwb0xP889c