The top 6 tracks remains the same as the week before on the latest indie chart from Bugs. Many new entries come from the second Greenplugged omnibus compilation, but there is also a bit of a Top Band theme with first season competitors Broken Valentine and Ravie Nuage releasing new whereas Rose Motel's old single became a hit when they appeared on Top Band 2

Bugs Indie TOP10 - May 12, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
2. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다 [TV live]
3. Busker Busker - 첫사랑 [live]
4. Oksang Dalbit - 선물할게
5. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
6. Peppertones - 행운을 빌어요 [MV]
7. Ju Yoon Ha - 푸른봄 靑春 (feat. Hee Kyung Na) [live]
8. Oksang Dalbit - Bird (feat. Yoo Sae Yoon)
9. Urban Zakapa - Beautiful Day [MV]
10. Broken Valentine - Shade

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
12. Rose Motel - 봉숙이 [live]
27. Rose Motel - 너 그러다 장가 못간다 [live]
31. Rose Motel - 나같네 [live]
52. Ravie Nuage - 뽐므에게 (feat. Lee Young Hoon) [live]
54. Peterpan Complex - Because Love... (feat. Lee Sang Mi)
60. Broken Valentine - This Time
61. Broken Valentine - Answer Me (Album ver.) [live]
84. Gogoboys - 봄이다
89. Copy Machine - 왁자지껄
92. AshGray - 기분 좋은 날
93. A Boy Next Door - 봄바람에 부른다
98. Linus' Blanket - Walk [studio live]
99. Lips Bite - 비가 내려 고마워

See the full top 100 list here.

Twenty indie songs left the Korean digital chart from Gaon this week. At least Oksang Dalbit got two songs from their new mini album on there.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - May 5, 2012
6. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
11. Busker Busker - 첫사랑
12. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다
20. Busker Busker - 꽃송이가
28. Busker Busker - 외로움 증폭장치 (브래드 드럼 한판 쉬기)
29. Busker Busker - 이상형 [Teaser]
40. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
43. Busker Busker - 전활 거네
51. Busker Busker - 향수
53. Busker Busker - 골목길 어귀에서
68. Busker Busker - 봄바람
79. Oksang Dalbit - 선물할게
81. Busker Busker - 골목길
111. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
136. Peppertones - 행운을 빌어요 [MV]
143. Oksang Dalbit - Bird (feat. Yoo Sae Yoon) [teaser]
189. Busker Busker - 동경소녀
192. Nell - Cliff Parade

New indie chart from Bugs but the only entries of new songs from new releases come from Oksang Dalbit and Manggakhwa. The top 3 still looks the same as last week.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - May 5, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
2. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다 [TV live]
3. Busker Busker - 첫사랑 [live]
4. Oksang Dalbit - 선물할게
5. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
6. Peppertones - 행운을 빌어요 [MV]
7. Oksang Dalbit - Bird (feat. Yoo Sae Yoon)
8. Urban Zakapa - Beautiful Day [MV]
9. Peppertones - 러브앤피스 [live]
10. Nine9 - 약속해 [MV]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
13. Oksang Dalbit - 염소 4만원
37. Taru - Summer Day [live]
40. Earls - Shining Star [MV]
49. Peterpan Complex - 모닝콜 (feat. Fromm) [live]
51. Broccoli, you too? - 커뮤니케이션의 이해 [TV live]
63. Freaky - Happy Day [indie2go]
67. 1984 - 한동안 멍하니 [live]
70. Dusty Blue - 이젠 그녀를 놓아주세요 (remaster) [original version MV]
74. Delispice - 봄봄
92. Manggakhwa - 춤추는 삶 [live]

See the full top 100 list here.

For a full month now my blogging has focused almost exclusively on Top Band 2. With the exception of the first episode my coverage of the first season was limited to post drafts and notes scribbled on paper, so when Korean rock is real's Anna suggested an I Am A Singer style commentary series I was more than happy to be a part of it.

We started off covering all the 99 bands that made it through the first round of auditions and are currently halfway through the judges. I've been very excited about the first episode and watched it soon as I could, but it'll be Wednesday before we get that post live on Korean Indie. It's been something of a marathon, blogging daily for a month (though not always posting the result), and because of it I haven't been doing as much other blogging as I usually do.

Where am I getting with this? Though it was more work than I had expected to keep the whole Top Band thing going I've really appreciated the opportunity to write more freely about bands and music rather than trying not to get too subjective with the news stuff. So from now on I'll try to actually get these more personal, opinion style posts going here on Indieful ROK.

   [read more ...]

A couple of days with full evenings behind me, the weekly look at the Korean digital chart from Gaon had to wait till just now. Peppertones have joined Busker Busker and Nell as another band with most of their latest album on the chart.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - April 28, 2012
3. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
6. Busker Busker - 첫사랑
7. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다
11. Busker Busker - 꽃송이가
17. Busker Busker - 외로움 증폭장치 (브래드 드럼 한판 쉬기)
18. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
19. Busker Busker - 이상형 [Teaser]
27. Busker Busker - 전활 거네
38. Busker Busker - 향수
39. Busker Busker - 골목길 어귀에서
48. Busker Busker - 봄바람
65. Busker Busker - 골목길
68. Peppertones - 행운을 빌어요 [MV
90. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
122. Peppertones - 러브앤피스
132. Peppertones - For All Dancers
135. Nell - Go
137. Peppertones - Robot
139. Nell - The Ending
142. Nell - Standing In The Rain
154. Nell - Cliff Parade
155. Peppertones - Bikini
159. Nell - In Days Gone By
161. Peppertones - 검은 산
164. Standing Egg - 햇살이 아파 (with SoFly of 3rd Coast) [MV]
165. Peppertones - Wish-List
166. Peppertones - 21세기의 어떤 날
168. Peppertones - 바이킹
172. Yozoh - 자꾸자꾸
179. J Rabbit - 알고있을까?
182. Busker Busker - 동경소녀
184. Peppertones - 아시안게임
186. Peppertones - Fine
187. Nell - Slip Away
192. Daybreak - Silly [MV]
198. Nell - Loosing Control

Lots of new releases recently means lots of new songs on Bugs' indie chart. New albums from Peppertones and J Rabbit; singles from Pia, Broken Valentine and Dear Cloud's Nine9; and new mini albums from Yellow Monsters and Rocket Diary have all made a mark.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - April 28, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
2. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다 [TV live]
3. Busker Busker - 첫사랑 [live]
4. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
5. Peppertones - 행운을 빌어요 [MV]
6. Peppertones - 러브앤피스 [live]
7. Peppertones - Robot [live
8. Urban Zakapa - Beautiful Day [MV]
4. Nell - Cliff Parade [live]
5. Nell - Standing In The Rain [live]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
13. J Rabbit - 웃으며 넘길래
14. J Rabbit - 알고있을까?
19. Pia - Yes You Are (Jayswing Filthy Remix)
23. J Rabbit - 잠이솔솔
25. Broken Valentine - Down [MV]
29. Nine9 - 약속해 [MV]
36. Yellow Monsters - K.O
39. Rocket Diary - 야화 [MV]
86. Yellow Monsters - Ice Cream Love
91. Yellow Monsters - Anger
95. Clinch - Bye By Bye
96. Canaria Salon - Daylight

See the full top 100 list here.

The latest Korean digital chart from Gaon was revealed today. We find Nell falling, but Busker Busker haven't been moving too much.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - April 21, 2012
2. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
4. Busker Busker - 첫사랑
5. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다
7. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
8. Busker Busker - 꽃송이가
15. Busker Busker - 외로움 증폭장치 (브래드 드럼 한판 쉬기)
18. Busker Busker - 이상형 [Teaser]
23. Busker Busker - 전활 거네
27. Busker Busker - 골목길 어귀에서
29. Busker Busker - 향수
37. Busker Busker - 봄바람
44. Busker Busker - 골목길
75. Nell - Go
76. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
83. Nell - Standing In The Rain
84. Nell - The Ending
87. Nell - Cliff Parade
94. Nell - In Days Gone By
107. Daybreak - Silly [Silly]
108. Standing Egg - 햇살이 아파 (with SoFly of 3rd Coast) [MV]
113. Nell - Slip Away
118. Nell - Loosing Control
123. Nell - Beautiful Stranger
124. Yozoh - 자꾸자꾸
126. Nell - Hopeless Valentine
160. Busker Busker - 동경소녀
172. Busker Busker - 서울사람들
173. Busker Busker - 정류장
193. Busker Busker - 막걸리나

Very minor changes in the top of the latest indie chart from Bugs with only songs #2 and #3 changing places. More action further down the chart, with Lucid Fall's old band suddenly showing up.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - April 21, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
2. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다 [TV live]
3. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
4. Busker Busker - 첫사랑 [live]
5. Nell - Cliff Parade [live]
6. Nell - Standing In The Rain [live]
7. Urban Zakapa - Beautiful Day [MV]
8. Urban Zakapa - 그댈 안은 목소리
9. Soran - 살빼지 마요 [MV]
10. Urban Zakapa Just The Two of Us

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
12. 5Who - 자꾸만
14. Casker - 잔혹한 여행
28. Fanny Fink - 곁에
31. Broccoli, you too? - 할머니
44. Ubare's Picnic - 소풍
51. Theater8 - 사람을 찾습니다 [MV]
60. Non - 군인
69. Casker - Hidden Track
86. Dickpunks - 원더랜드 바스켓 [TV live]
93. Misuni - 진달래

See the full top 100 list here.

Another slight delay with the posting of the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon, this week caused by several attempts at having more of a social life. The new Nell album has proven popular!

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - April 14, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
3. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
5. Busker Busker - 첫사랑
6. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다
10. Busker Busker - 꽃송이가
11. Busker Busker - 외로움 증폭장치 (브래드 드럼 한판 쉬기)
14. Busker Busker - 이상형 [Teaser]
16. Busker Busker - 전활 거네
17. Busker Busker - 향수
18. Busker Busker - 골목길 어귀에서
28. Busker Busker - 봄바람
33. Nell - Go
34. Nell - The Ending
35. Busker Busker - 골목길
36. Nell - Cliff Parade
37. Nell - Standing In The Rain
40. Nell - In Days Gone By
45. Nell - Slip Away
51. Nell - Beautiful Stranger
52. Nell - Hopeless Valentine
72. Standing Egg - 햇살이 아파 (with SoFly of 3rd Coast) [MV]
76. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
139. Yoon Jong Shin - 나른한 이별 (feat. Joe Won Sun) [MV]
153. Yozoh - 동경소녀 (feat. Kim Yoon Ju of Oksang Dalbit) [teaser]
167. Busker Busker - 동경소녀
180. Busker Busker - 서울사람들
185. Busker Busker - 정류장

I'm so not satisfied with time moving on so fast. It's mid-April already and I've barely managed to blog about any of the things I set out to do in January, and I just keep coming up with more and more ideas for blog things to do to steal even more of my time (on the subject of which I'd again like to take the opportunity to recommend checking out the Top Band 2 band introduction series over at Korean Indie). But it's all fun, even though I'm unusually tired this week. That's also why Bugs' indie chart is a bit later than usual, but to those that have followed Busker Busker's success on the charts and were aware of the release of the new Nell album it doesn't really hold any surprises anyway.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - April 14, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
2. Nell - 그리고, 남겨진 것들 [MV]
3. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다 [TV live]
4. Busker Busker - 첫사랑 [live]
5. Nell - Cliff Parade [live]
6. Nell - Standing In The Rain [live]
7. Urban Zakapa - Beautiful Day [MV]
8. Urban Zakapa - 그댈 안은 목소리
9. Soran - 살빼지 마요 [MV]
10. Urban Zakapa Just The Two of Us

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
25. Gogoboys - 우리가 이렇게 된 건 전부 너 때문이야 [live]
27. 3rd Line Butterfly - Story Undone
39. O.Ro.Thy - 나에게 부르는 노래
41. Ynot? - I Need Your Love [live]
47. Ubare's Picnic - 선물 (with Kim Chang Wan)
63. Gogoboys - 윙크 (Wink) [MV]
65. Mother Country - 바느질
70. Sugarbowl - 연애담
73. 3rd Line Butterfly - Utterly Sexy
74. 3rd Line Butterfly - Hello
91. Copy Machine - 숨바꼭질

See the full top 100 list here.

It's been a busy week with both Thursday and Friday evenings running long for me. No time for blogging then (save for the perhaps a bit too ambitious Top Band 2 band introduction series I'm running over at Korean Indie) means that a look at the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon had to wait till now. What we see is that Busker Busker although doing very well already a week earlier are now doing even better:

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - April 7, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
2. Busker Busker - 첫사랑
3. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다
6. Busker Busker - 외로움 증폭장치 (브래드 드럼 한판 쉬기)
7. Busker Busker - 이상형 [Teaser]
8. Busker Busker - 꽃송이가
11. Busker Busker - 전활 거네
13. Busker Busker - 향수
15. Busker Busker - 골목길 어귀에서
18. Busker Busker - 봄바람
23. Busker Busker - 골목길
59. Yozoh - 동경소녀 (feat. Kim Yoon Ju of Oksang Dalbit) [teaser]
66. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
137. Soran & Kwon Jung Yeol (10cm) - 미쳤나봐 [MV]
138. Soran - 살빼지 마요 [MV]
149. Busker Busker - 동경소녀
163. Busker Busker - 서울사람들
175. Busker Busker - 막걸리나

It looks as though the biggest indie release last week would've been Soran's first album. Personally I was more excited to finally get to hear Momguamaum that I've just interviewed for Korean Indie.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - April 7, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
2. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다 [TV live]
3. Busker Busker - 첫사랑 [live]
4. Urban Zakapa - Beautiful Day [MV]
5. Urban Zakapa - 그댈 안은 목소리
6. Urbana Zakapa Just The Two of Us
7. Soran - 살빼지 마요 [MV]
8. Soran & Kwon Jung Yeol (10cm) - 미쳤나봐 [MV]
9. Delispice - 챠우챠우 (live) [live MV]
10. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 조금만 기다려요 [live]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
13. Soran - 돌아오는 날 [live]
14. Soran - 내꺼라면
42. Sweet & Salt - 너를 만나러 가는 길
55. Yellow City - 은 [MV]
59. Tete - 야상곡
62. Momguamaum - 데자뷰 [MV]
76. Oksang Dalbit - 정말 고마워서 만든 노래 [live]
83. Bitnara Yang - April [live]
99. Dear Cloud - 스쳐간다

See the full top 100 list here.

Far from surprising, this week's Korean digital chart from Gaon is owned by Busker Busker. Last weekend I wrote about their first album over at Korean Indie News.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - March 31, 2012
3. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
8. Busker Busker - 이상형 [Teaser]
13. Busker Busker - 첫사랑
20. Busker Busker - 여수 밤바다
21. Busker Busker - 외로움 증폭장치 (브래드 드럼 한판 쉬기)
23. Busker Busker - 꽃송이가
27. Busker Busker - 전활 거네
28. Busker Busker - 골목길 어귀에서
30. Busker Busker - 향수
32. Busker Busker - 봄바람
37. Busker Busker - 골목길
61. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
72. Soran & Kwon Jung Yeol (10cm) - 미쳤나봐 [MV]
133. Kim C - Love [MV]
162. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 조금만 기다려요
173. L & Yerim - Love U Like U
180. Kim Ji Soo - 해바라기
184. Busker Busker - 동경소녀
195. Busker Busker - 서울사람들

Lots of Busker Busker going on everywhere right now! As could be expected so also on Bugs' indie chart. We also see the Reborn Sanullim compilation

Bugs Indie TOP10 - March 31, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 벚꽃 엔딩 [MV]
2. Busker Busker - 이상형 [trailer]
3. Busker Busker - 첫사랑 [live]
4. Soran & Kwon Jung Yeol (10cm) - 미쳤나봐 [MV]
5. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 조금만 기다려요 [live]
6. Monni - 더는 사랑노래 못 쓰겠다 [live]
7. J Rabbit - Love Is So Amazing [friendz.net]
8. Hi To Him - 봄 [live]
9. Acoustic Collabo - 바람이 부네요
10. 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
11. Delispice - 챠우챠우 (live) [other live]
31. 10cm - 기타로 오토바이를 타자 [indie2go]
38. Acoustic Collabo - Promise
40. NY Mulgoki - 독백
47. Ali - 내가 고백을 하면 깜짝 놀랄거야
50. Woong San - 찻잔
53. Eye To Eye - 창문 너머 어렴풋이 옛생각이 나겠지요
54. Kim Chang Wan Band - 내 마음에 주단을 깔고 [indie2go]
55. Kiss Me Joy - 안녕 (vocal Kim Jin Min)
56. Lee Jin Wook - 나 어떡해 [YT audio]
57. Crying Nut - 아니 벌써 [indie2go]
61. Nunco - 누나야
63. Maytree - 안녕
64. Galaxy Express - 무지개
66. Ccotbyel - 내게 사랑은 너무 써
69. Kingston Rudieska - 가지마오
71. Kim Bada with Art of Parties - 아마 늦은 여름이였을거야 [indie2go]
75. Oksang Dalbit - Another Day
83. Kim Bo Ryung - I'm Fine

See the full top 100 list here.

Computer problems kept me from posting the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon when it was published on Thursday, but now that my PC decided to work with me again here it is!

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - March 24, 2012
7. Busker Busker - 이상형 [Teaser]
56. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
95. L & Yerim - Love U Like U
105. Monni - 더는 사랑노래 못 쓰겠다
123. Kim Ji Soo - 해바라기
135. Skull - 쓰레기 (feat. Oksang Dalbit) [MV]
172. No Brain - 뻐꾸기 둥지 위로 날아간 새
174. Two Months - The Romantic [MV]
195. Tacopy - 오! 나의 여신님
198. Acoustic Collabo - 바람이 부네요

The latest indie music chart from Bugs is out and from the look of it Monni and Acoustic Collabo were behind the two most popular new releases last week. I'm also getting the feeling that either Oksang Dalbit are involved in something fairly high-profile right now or that they're starting to live up to the talk about them being the female 10cm as not just their songs but collaborations they have been involved in keep attracting interest.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - March 24, 2012
1. Busker Busker - 이상형 [trailer]
2. Monni - 더는 사랑노래 못 쓰겠다 [live]
3. Hi To Him - 봄 [live]
4. Monni - 소년이 어른이 되어 [live]
5. Acoustic Collabo - 바람이 부네요
6. J Rabbit - Love Is So Amazing [friendz.net]
7. Hanumpa - 재촉 [MV]
8. Annyeongbada - 악마 [MV]
9. Monni - 당신을 기다렸어요 [live]
10. Oksang Dalbit - 빨주노초파남보

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
14. Acoustic Collabo - 고백
17. Acoustic Collabo - 그대라서
40. 오후만 있던 일요일 - 울고 싶던 날 [live]
50. Oksang Dalbit - 고요한
64. Romantic Garden - 눈부신 그대 (duet ver. with Baemi of Rubber Duckie)
82. Tobacco Juice - 청춘 (feat. Oksang Dalbit) [live]
95. Savina & Drones - Take It Slow Way [live]
97. The Electric Eels - 송곳니 [live]

See the full top 100 list here.

Nothing new to keep track of and as many k-indie related songs out of the top 200 as remains is what the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon has to offer.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - March 17, 2012
44. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
55. Skull - 쓰레기 (feat. Oksang Dalbit) [MV]
118. Two Months - The Romantic [MV]
136. Noblesse & Acoustic Collabo - Love Diary
184. 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]
188. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts) [MV]

It's a new week but still the Bugs indie chart is more about the old songs than about the new. Happy to see one of my own favorites from last week making it to spot 4. Also somewhat interesting to see rookies Hi To Him fare better than Annyeongbada (aka Bye Bye Sea) in spite of me thinking Annyeongbada was one of the biggest names right now. Since the album is already a few weeks old and 악마 did make it into Gaon's digital top 200, perhaps it was just labeled something different from indie by Bugs those first couple of weeks.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - March 17, 2012
1. Hi To Him - 봄 [@ Bbang]
2. Annyeongbada - 악마 [MV]
3. Taru - 봄이왔다 [MV]
4. Hanumpa - 재촉 [MV]
5. Linus' Blanket - Picnic [@ Sketchbook]
6. 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]
7. Oksang Dalbit - 빨주노초파남보
8. Autumn Vacation - 속아도 꿈결 [@ EBS 공감]
9. Taru - Summer Day
10. Nell - Stay [MV]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
33. Copymachine - 헬로 키위새
53. SwingChair - 바람이 분다 (feat. World HO) [MV]
60. Hi To Him - 고백 [live]
72. Annyeongbada - 야광별 [sketch video]
74. Annyeongbada - 어젯밤 [@ V-Hall]
75. Hi To Him - I'm So Sorry
90. eAeon - 나의 기념일 [@ CJ azit]

See the full top 100 list here.

Working from home has a lot of perks--not only do I save a 2 hours I would've otherwise spent commuting but I'm also by far more efficient than my office environment allows. As an added benefit it makes it possible to have a coffee break in the middle of the day with a bit of blogging thrown in. I wish I had more days like this. Before I get back to work, here's the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon. (I'm now writing "Oksang Dalbit" instead of "Dalmoon" after seeing the joint 10cm concert poster some time ago)

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - March 10, 2012
32. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
50. Skull - 쓰레기 (feat. Oksang Dalbit) [MV]
83. Noblesse & Acoustic Collabo - Love Diary
84. Two Months - The Romantic [MV]
129. Annyeongbada - 악마 [MV]
131. Standing Eggs - 둘이 아닌가 봐 (with Christina Love Lee) [audio]
134. Goonamguayeoridingstella - 서울사람
137. 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]
156. Taru - 봄이 왔다 [MV]
169. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts) [MV]
181. Park Jiyoon - 나무가 되는 꿈 [MV]
184. Peterpan Complex - 첫사랑

I often feel like I don't keep up with things outside of the latest Korean indie releases well enough, but never is that as clear as when I have a look at these Bugs indie charts. I have the feeling that I must be missing out on something vital, seeing so many old names climbing the chart all the way to the top 10. Does anybody else have any idea why this is?

Bugs Indie TOP10 - March 10, 2012
1. Taru - 봄이왔다 [MV]
2. 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]
3. 10cm - 그게 아니고 [@ Sketchbook]
4. Taru - Summer Day
5. Lucite Tokki - 봄봄봄 [MV]
6. Kiss Me Joy - Kiss
7. Nell - Stay [MV]
8. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [@ Sketchbook]
9. Acoustic Collabo - 그대와 나, 설레임 (feat. Soulman) [MV]
10. Vodka Rain - 바람 불어 좋은 날

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
33. Sugarbowl - 9시
60. 9 and the Numbers - 연날리기
80. 3 Hours Radio - 토닥토닥 [MV]

See the full top 100 list here.

Had come down with a pretty bad cold so more rest than blogging during the last few days, but am on the way back now so here's the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon!

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - March 3, 2012
32. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
67. Noblesse & Acoustic Collabo - Love Diary
69. Two Months - The Romantic [MV]
74. Standing Eggs - 둘이 아닌가 봐 (with Christina Love Lee) [audio]
76. Annyeongbada - 악마 [MV]
111. Taru - 봄이 왔다 [MV]
126. Soran - 벚꽃이 내린다
131. Park Jiyoon - 나무가 되는 꿈 [MV]
149. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts) [MV]
166. J Rabbit - 인사
184. Taru - Summer Day

It's been a couple of weeks where computers and life in general and Korean Indie in particular has gotten in the way of my blogging here, but I don't intend to let this blog die just yet--I still have hope to one day be able actually write down and post those more personal posts I had planned and keep writing in my mind. Until then, here are the indie music charts from Bugs from the last couple of weeks:

Bugs Indie TOP10 - March 3, 2012
1. Taru - 봄이왔다 [MV]
2. Taru - Summer Day
3. Kiss Me Joy - Kiss
4. Lucite Tokki - 봄봄봄 [MV]
5. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [@ Sketchbook]
6. OK Punk - Not The End [MV]
7. Yozoh - Love (with Sogyumo Acacia Band) [TV live]
8. 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]
9. 10cm - 그게 아니고 [@ Sketchbook]
10. Casker - New World [MV]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
53. Unside - 37
58. Misty Blue - Spring Fever
65. Lee Sun Jung Band - 인디야 [MV]
77. 9 and the Numbers - 칼리지 부기

See the full top 100 list here.

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Oh wow! It's been a week already? It's been a busy week and combined with a computer that only on occasion allows me to start it that means blogging have to suffer, both here and on Korean Indie I'm afraid. I will get myself a new computer. Soon. I was gonna do it last weekend but I'm too much of a procrastinator, I guess. Which is also why today I had to realize I'd missed out on J Rabbit's album for the second time. But enough about that, here's the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon!

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - February 25, 2012
25. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
50. Two Months - The Romantic [MV]
65. Park Jiyoon - 나무가 되는 꿈 [MV]
81. Taru - 봄이 왔다 [MV]
95. Soran - 벚꽃이 내린다
123. J Rabbit - 인사
124. Lee Sang Eun - 안녕, 좋은 하루
131. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts) [MV]
133. Taru - Summer Day
150. The Kitchen - 크로크무슈
170. OK Punk! - Not The End [MV]
184. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서
200. Mongoose - 이른 한강에서

Those that know their K-pop history may be familiar with Park Jiyoon since her idol days, but a few years ago she turned towards singer-songwriter path. It started with her seventh full-length album and continued on her eighth full-length album, where she's been assisted by Asher Park and members from No Reply and Dear Cloud. As you can gather from the below the album in question has been quite successful on the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - February 18, 2012
16. Two Months - The Romantic [MV]
18. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
50. Park Jiyoon - 나무가 되는 꿈 [MV]
97. Taru - Summer Day
123. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts) [MV]
135. Park Jiyoon - 그럴꺼야
152. Park Jiyoon - 고백
160. Park Jiyoon - 그땐
161. Park Jiyoon - 오후
162. Casker - New World [MV]
165. OK Punk! - Not The End [MV]
170. Park Jiyoon - 사랑하지 않아
179. Park Jiyoon - 너에게 가는 길
186. Park Jiyoon - 그 날들처럼
191. Shinchireem - 퇴근길 [MV]
193. Park Jiyoon - Quiet Dream
197. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서
200. Park Jiyoon - 별

Hyang Music published their albums sales chart for the first week of February today. Plenty of newcomers in the top and a batch of old releases making a return lower down the chart.

Hyang Chart - 1st week of February, 2012
1. eAeon - Guilt-Free
2. Yoon Young Bae - 좀 웃긴
3. Lucid Fall - 아름다운 날들
4. Metallica - Beyond Magnetic
5. Sweet Sorrow - Viva
6. Lamb of God - Resolution
7. Block-B - Welcome to the Block
8. Idiotape - 11111101
9. Jeong Cha Sik - 격동하는 현재사
10. Zitten - 백야

The new k-indie oriented additions to the TOP100 list were the following:
44. Jambinai - 차연 (Differance)
65. The KOXX - Access OK
71. Yoon Young Bae - 이발사
79. Kuang Program - This is the End of Us
86. NaGyeom - 안녕 보헤미안
93. Glen Check - Disco Elevator
98. Telefly - Ultimate Psychedelic

See the full top 100 list here.

Not that many newcomers this week. I'm guessing the recent popularity of Bye Bye Sea, or Annyeongbada as they seem to go by now, can be attributed to a couple of their songs appearing in High Kick 2.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - February 18, 2012
1. Taru - Summer Day
2. Casker - New World [MV]
3. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [@ Sketchbook]
4. OK Punk - Not The End [MV]
5. OK Punk - Ugly [@ M Countdown]
6. Ynot? - 선인장 (live) [live album recording @ Club Ta]
7. Donawhale - 우주보다 좋아해 (I Love You More Than Universe)
8. Yozoh - Love (with Sogyumo Acacia Band) [TV live]
9. Lucid Fall - 보이나요? [@ Sketchbook]
10. eAeon - Bulletproof [MV]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
35. Bye Bye Sea - Beautiful Dance
41. Park So Yun - 가로수 길
44. OK Punk - I'm OK
53. Maypop - Love Is (러브 이즈) [@ Blackstone]

See the full top 100 list here.

It was a busy week so the Indieful ROK chart had to be held off for a while. Finally caught up with the posts over at Korean Indie News so here we go! eAeon definitely had the most songs in the top, but for the artist listing he wasn't spotted until position 58, making him indie artist #11 on Indieful ROK's last.fm group artist chart.

Indieful ROK TOP10 - week 6, 2012

1. 10cm (+2) [죽겠네 live]
2. Nell (-1) [Stay MV]
3. Monni (+3) [그대와 함께 TV live]
4. Taru (re) [여기서 끝내자 MV]
5. Clazziquai (-3) [피에스타 YT audio]
6. Casker (-1) [Discoid TV live]
7. Clazzi (-3) [Star Child YT audio]
8. adultchild (re) [You live]
9. Zitten (-) [Secret MV]
10. The Melody (new) [Memories YT audio]

Don't feel like the chart reflects your taste in music well enough? Join Indieful ROK's last.fm group and maybe next week it'll look a little better!

The Hyang Music Album Chart for the fourth week of January, published earlier this week, offered the return of two old releases.

Hyang Chart - 4th week of January, 2012
1. Monkeyz - First Cry
2. Lucid Fall - 아름다운 날들
3. Idiotape - 11111101
4. Lamb of God - Resolution
5. Apollo 18 - The Black Album
6. IU - Last Fantasy
7. M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming
8. Zitten - 백야
9. Nightwish - Imaginaerum
10. Lee Young Hoon - 내가 부른 그림

The new k-indie oriented additions to the TOP100 list were the following:
24. NY Mulgoki - Arrogant Graffiti
48. Sentimental Scenery - There Is Nowhere Else In The World
52. Ju Yoon Ha - On The Way Home
69. Super Kidd - Feel Good
87. Bamseom Pirates/Ankle Attack - The Split
96. Sister's Barbershop - 가장 보통의 존재

See the full top 100 list here.

I'm completely overloaded with things to blog about for Korean Indie News right now so the Indieful ROK chart of the week will have to wait till the weekend, but until then here's the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - February 11, 2012
16. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
31. Two Months - The Romantic [MV]
102. Park Jiyoon - Quiet Dream
115. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts) [MV]
128. Shinchireem - 퇴근길 [MV]
154. Casker - New World [MV]
157. Yoon Jong Shin - 그리움 축제 (feat. Horan) [MV]
160. Shinchireem - 모르는 번호 [MV]
183. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 풍문으로 들었소 [MV]
195. Acoustic Collabo - 그대와 나, 설레임 [MV]

The Hyang Music Album Chart for the third week of January was published yesterday:

Hyang Chart - 3rd week of January, 2012
1. Lucid Fall - 아름다운 날들
2. Apollo 18 - The Black Album
3. Idiotape - 11111101
4. M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming
5. Zitten - 백야
6. IU - Last Fantasy
7. Nightwish - Imaginaerum
8. Lim Ji Hoon - Organ Orgasm
9. Damien Rice - Live From The Union Chapel
10. Number Nine - TV를 끄면 좋겠어

The new k-indie oriented additions to the TOP100 list were the following:
36. Bimilie - Bimilie
45. Shin Jaejin - 화해
69. Clazzi - Infant
71. Kirin - 그대여 이제

See the full top 100 list here.

Plenty of newcomers on the latest indie chart from Bugs. Most can be attributed to second Save The Air: Green Concert compilation released Thursday last week.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - February 11, 2012
1. eAeon - Bulletproof [MV]
2. Casker - New World [MV]
3. Delispice - 고백 [mv]
4. Broccoli, you too - 사랑한다는 말로도 위로가 되지 않는 [@ Sketchbook]
5. Donawhale - 우주보다 좋아해 (I Love You More Than Universe)
6. Acoustic Collabo - 그대와 나, 설레임 (feat. Soulman) [MV]
7. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [@ Sketchbook]
8. Lucid Fall - 보이나요? [@ Sketchbook]
9. Nell - Stay [MV]
10. Clover - 붉은 달 (feat. Sorri) [indie2go]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
12. J Rabbit - 특별한 바램
13. Linus' Blanket - See You My Dream
16. Monni - 이 비는 내 욕심
17. Zitten - 톡톡
18. Burntout House - 들리니 [MV]
19. Yozoh - The Selfish
20. Tensi Love - 가만히 눈감으면
22. Han Hee Jung - 성메
23. Yellow Monsters - 눈사람
24. Glen Check - The Girl In Jeans
26. The KOXX - Home
31. Sumiara & Phonestuber - 바다를 향해 춤추며 가네
32. Trampauline - Coyote
33. Acoustic Core - 고양이 왈츠 (inst.)
49. Tete - Midnight Picnic
54. Have A Tea - 아니길 바래 [Support Your Music]
81. Burntout House - 언제쯤
91. Burntout House - 너뿐인걸 (album ver.) [live]


See the full top 100 list here.

The only two k-indie related newcomers on the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon are both related to Yoon Jong Shin. Learn more about them on Korean Indie News, here and here respectively.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - February 4, 2012
11. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
84. Yoon Jong Shin - 그리움 축제 (feat. Horan) [MV]
126. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts) [MV]
159. Kim Ji Soo & Taru - 더 좋아 [Bugs Interview]
182. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 풍문으로 들었소 [MV]
193. Shinchireem - 모르는 번호 [MV]

Going through the indie artists found on Indieful ROK's last.fm group artist chart this week I couldn't find that many names near the top but still didn't have to go lower than to spot 43 to find the 10th k-indie entry.

Indieful ROK TOP10 - week 5, 2012

1. Nell (+1) [백색왜성 DVD live]
2. Clazziquai (-1) [Lazy Sunday Morning MV]
3. 10cm (+1) [사랑은 은하수 다방에서 TV live]
4. Clazzi (+3) [Love&Hate MV]
5. Casker (+3) [New World MV]
6. Monni (-3) [나를 떠나가던 TV live]
7. Han Hee Jung (re) [Drama TV live]
8. Dear Cloud (re) [널 위해서라고 MV]
9. Zitten (re) [Rock Doves live]
10. Loveholic (re) [Blue 923 YT audio]

Don't feel like the chart reflects your taste in music well enough? Join Indieful ROK's last.fm group and maybe next week it'll look a little better!

One long awaited comeback and some solo work from Vodka Rain's bassist made up the major part of the newcomers on the latest indie chart from Bugs Music.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - February 4, 2012
1. Nell - Stay [MV]
2. Broccoli, you too - 사랑한다는 말로도 위로가 되지 않는 [@ Sketchbook]
3. eAeon - Bulletproof [MV]
4. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [@ Sketchbook]
5. 10cm - 새벽 4시 [live]
6. 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]
7. 10cm - 죽겠네 (Album ver.) [@ Space 공감]
8. Lucid Fall - 어디인지 몰라요
9. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 싸구려 커피 [@ Space 공감]
10. Lee Younghoon - 비 내리던 날 [MV]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
46. Ju Yoon Ha - 당신의 평화는 연약하다
54. eAeon - 너는 자고
56. eAeon - 세상이 끝나려고해 [@ CJ azit]
64. Sweet Salt - 그래도 이별은 지나간다
65. Mothercountry - 커피 내리는 시간
66. Yeowool - Drive
83. Ju Yoon Ha - 지나간 얘기 (feat. Kim Taeyoon of Symmetry)
85. Ju Yoon Ha - 남겨진 너에게

See the full top 100 list here.

Hyang Music has published their album sales chart for the second week of January:

Hyang Chart - 2nd week of January, 2012
1. Lucid Fall - 아름다운 날들
2. Idiotape - 11111101
3. IU - Last Fantasy
4. Zitten - 백야
5. Apollo 18 - The Black Album
6. Lim Ji Hoon - Organ Orgasm
7. M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming
8 Dynamic Duo - Digilog 2/2
9. Number Nine - TV를 끄면 좋겠어
10. Kim Mokin - 음악가 자신의 노래

The new k-indie oriented additions to the TOP100 list were the following:
18. Lee Young Hoon - 내가 부른 그림
33. Black Bag - Beyond The Sky
69. Inmay - Grin Without Reason

See the full top 100 list here.

Mostly falling for the k-indie names spotted on the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon, but at least there is that marvelous new song!

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - January 28, 2012
5. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
82. Kim Ji Soo & Taru - 더 좋아 [Bugs Interview]
103. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts) [MV]
116. OK Punk! - Ugly
127. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 풍문으로 들었소 [MV]
149. Sentimental Scenery - View [MV]
173. Clazzi - Love & Hate (with Yi Sung Yol, MYK) [MV]
182. Leessang - TV를 껐네... (feat. Yoon Mirae, Kwon Jung Yeol of 10cm) [MV]

There were plenty of indie artists high up on Indieful ROK's last.fm group artist chart this week with the 10th k-indie entry found occupying spot 42.

Indieful ROK TOP10 - week 4, 2012

1. Clazziquai (-) [Lazy Sunday Morning TV live]
2. Nell (-) [멀어지다 2nd MV]
3. Monni (re) [영원한 여름 live]
4. 10cm (-) [안아줘요 MV]
5. The Black Skirts (-) [International Love Song MV]
6. Sentimental Scenery (re) [View MV]
7. Clazzi (-4) [우리 변한거잖아 MV]
8. Casker (re) [향 MV]
9. Humming Urban Stereo (-) [Abuse Girl YT audio]
10. Misty Blue (new) [Daisy YT audio]

Don't feel like the chart reflects your taste in music well enough? Join Indieful ROK's last.fm group and maybe next week it'll look a little better!

It looks like the impending Nell comeback is making people excited about their older material!

Bugs Indie TOP10 - January 28, 2012
1. Nell - Stay [MV]
2. 10cm - 새벽 4시 [live]
3. 10cm - 죽겠네 (Album ver.) [@ Space 공감]
4. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [@ Sketchbook]
5. 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]
6. Broccoli, you too - 울지마 [@ Sketchbook]
7. Lucid Fall - 어디인지 몰라요
8. Broccoli, you too - 사랑한다는 말로도 위로가 되지 않는 [@ Sketchbook]
9. Lee Younghoon - 비 내리던 날 [MV]
10. Lucid Fall - 그리고 눈이 내린다 [@ Sketchbook]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
19. Super Kidd - 기분 좋아 (feat. Chung Hee Joo) [MV]
48. Monkeyz - 허수아비 [@ Club FF]
69. Sister's Barbershop - 안녕 (inst.)
70. Moon - 눈의 로망스
71. Achime - 커피는 싫어요 [The Bridge]
80. Monkeyz - 널 위해
84. J Rabbit - Part Of Your World [friendz.net]
94. Super Kidd - Let's Party!

See the full top 100 list here.

And we’re back with the results of Indieful ROK’s “I Am a Singer” Indie Daydream Reader’s Choice Poll!

On “I Am a Singer”, the audience of five hundred normally votes for their three favorite performances of the night. On Indieful ROK, our humble audience of seven voted for their three favorite indie artists they wanted to see take the “I Am a Singer” stage.

Due to the low voter turnout, the results ended up with many ties in the rankings, but there was a clear first place winner among the bunch, although only by one vote.

For our final commentary, Anna has joined me in looking at the results.

The Results

Without further ado, here are the results of your Reader’s Choice Poll for “I Am a Singer” Indie Daydream:

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More climbing than falling for the k-indie names spotted on the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon. And a few newcomers to that.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - January 21, 2012
3. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
60. Kim Ji Soo & Taru - 더 좋아 [Bugs Interview]
61. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 풍문으로 들었소 [MV]
91. Clazzi - Love & Hate (with Yi Sung Yol, MYK) [MV]
106. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts)
115. Eye To Eye - 창문 너머 어렴풋이 옛 생각이 나겠지요
163. Acoustic Collabo - 그대와 나, 설레임 [MV]
165. Jaurim - 하루
183. Leessang - TV를 껐네... (feat. Yoon Mirae, Kwon Jung Yeol of 10cm) [MV]
197. OK Punk! - Ugly

Going through Indieful ROK's last.fm group artist chart the 10th indie entry could be found on spot 39. Not as good as the first week of the year, but much better than last! This is a day late, but only because my ISP had some issues yesterday forcing all of their customers in my area to find other entertinament offline half the afternoon and all evening (I finally arranged all the recipes I'd written down/cut out of papers during the past seven years, or so so in the end I didn't mind as much as I did initially).

Indieful ROK TOP10 - week 3, 2012

1. Clazziquai Project (-) [Tell Yourself MV]
2. Nell (-) [Comeback Trailer]
3. Clazzi (new) [Love&Hate MV]
4. 10cm (+1) [오늘밤은 어둠이 무서워요 MV]
5. The Black Skirts (+5) [International Love Song MV]
6. Loveholic (new) [Loveholic MV]
7. W&Whale (+1) [C'mon Yo TV live]
8. Taru (new) [Night Flying TV live]
9. Humming Urban Stereo (new) [Rainbow YT audio]
10. Han Hee Jung (re) [Acoustic Breath live]

Don't feel like the chart reflects your taste in music well enough? Join Indieful ROK's last.fm group and maybe next week it'll look a little better!

Bugs has a new indie chart, and while I was surprised by the many old entries last time now I'm even more so. Most of the new tracks were released on Pastel Music though, so I suspect they've been somehow involved in reviving these old songs.

Bugs Indie TOP10 - January 21, 2012
1. Lee Younghoon - 비 내리던 날 [MV]
2. Lucid Fall - 어디인지 몰라요
3. 10cm - 사랑은 은하수 다방에서 [@ Sketchbook]
4. 10cm - 죽겠네 (Album ver.) [@ Space 공감]
5. Jaeju Boys - Peace!
6 10cm - 안아줘요 [MV]
7. VOY - 바람의 노래 (feat. Oh Ji Eun) [sample video]
8. Jung Joonil - 안아줘 [@ Sketchbook]
9. Lucite Tokki - In My Tin Case
10. Autumn Vacation - 속아도 꿈결 [@ Space 공감]

The new additions to the TOP100 list are the following:
34. Dear Cloud - 아침
38. VOY - 마지막 부탁 (feat. Ahn Sinae) [MV]
43. Bimilie - 비가와요 [live]
44. Su Jeong Sun - 내가 바라는 내 모습 [live]
62. Acoustic Collabo - Sweet Love (Jazz ver.)
72. Lucid Fall - 걸어가자
74. Nangman Band - 무릎베개 [live]
77. 3rd Story - The Star
91. Taru - 여기서 끝내자 (Solo ver.) [live]

See the full top 100 list here.

Now that we're seen what the panelists had to say, it's time to debut who you, the readers, want to see representing the Korean indie scene on "I Am a Singer", following Jaurim's winning performances on the show!

But first, I have to provide a disclaimer about the results below. Due to a limited response to our call for your suggestions, we ended up with a large tie for your Reader's Choice Vote. Consequently, I'm going to weigh in the panelists picks as well, although greater weight will be given to your suggestions. Finally, the result still led to multiple ties, meaning that we will debut nine artists for the Reader Choice Vote.

Indie Daydream Reader's Choice Vote

Once we debut the nine artists, we'll open the comments section to this post for your voting. Please choose your top three of the nine artists and write them in the comments section of this post by midnight of 25 January, Pacific Standard Time. We will then count the votes and determine the top seven artists in order of most votes and also reveal the two artists who were eliminated from our "I Am a Singer" Indie Daydream. For a refresher on the listed artists, check out our panelists' picks for our thoughts and a video of their performances.

Your Reader's Choice Suggestions

With no further ado, here are the singers and bands suggested for the Reader's Choice Vote, in alphabetical order (Latin script):

• 3rd Line Butterfly
• Cherry Filter
• Han Heejung
• Huckleberry Finn
• Kim Sarang
• MOT
• Nell
• Thomas Cook
• Yi Sung Yol

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Okay, everyone! You have until 25 January, midnight Pacific Standard Time to vote for your top three in the comments. (Panelists will also be permitted to vote here too, for their top three.) We will debut the final results on 27 January!

Series Index:

• Part 1: Intro, Rules, and Reader's Choice Suggestions
• Part 2: Widhi's Picks
• Part 3: The Korean's Picks
• Part 4: Anna's Picks
• Part 5: refresh_daemon's Picks
• Part 6: Reader's Choice Vote
• Part 7: Reader's Choice Results and Conclusion

In spite of the lunar new year holiday a fresh episode of I Am A Singer (나는 가수다) aired today, January 22. The theme was soundtracks and Tei had opted for Can's 내 생에 봄날은, used in 2001/2002 SBS drama Piano (피아노). In the mid-round performance he offered a bossa nova version, that didn't suit the tastes of his comedian manager or co-competitors so for the actual performance the arrangement had been reworked into more of a rock/synth number.

The arrangement was done by Tei's fellow Handsome People member Choi Youngho, who also played keyboard on stage. Backing him further were Bae Youngjoon and Han Jaewon of Whale alongside Funky Brown's Uhm Joo Hyuk.

Providing the final set of picks for Indieful ROK’s “I Am a Singer” Indie Daydream is refresh_daemon, who frequently writes Korean music reviews on his blog: Init_Music.

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Having the final pick has proved quick difficult as Widhi, The Korean and Anna all selected all but one of the singers I’d originally planned picking and wanting to add some diversity of choices, I’m going to highlight a few alternatives. I generally picked my singers by what I thought they would provide to the show in terms of interesting or powerful vocal performances.

Pick #1: Baik Hyunjin (백현진)

UhUhBoo Project’s wily frontman is no stranger to the show, having previously performed a duet with Jaurim on the show to audience applause. His vocal style is particularly unique and powerful, capable of performing manic fast paced angular indie rock as well as handling slow songs with immense power, and at times can come across as what a drunken Tom Waits might sound like. He will no doubt impress the audience with his prowess and will challenge them with his atypical vocal and musical style.

   [read more ...]

With the most recent episode of Star Audition 2 (위대한탄생2) aired on January 20 it was once again opportunity to do some indie spotting (via proxy). This time Jung Seo Kyung (정서경) could be seen singing Dear--a Mad Soul Child song featured in popular movie The Man From Nowhere (아저씨).

The first album sales chart of the year from Hyang Music was published this week.

Hyang Chart - 1st week of January, 2012
1. Lucid Fall - 아름다운 날들
2. IU - Last Fantasy
3. Idiotape - 11111101
4. Zitten - 백야
5. Apollo 18 - The Black Album
6. Number Nine - TV를 끄면 좋겠어
7. Lim Ji Hoon - Organ Orgasm
8. Siwa - Down To Earth
9 Dynamic Duo - Digilog 2/2
10. Kim Mokin - 음악가 자신의 노래

The new k-indie oriented additions to the TOP100 list were the following:
72. Story Seller - XX
82. VOY - VOY meet girl
83. Hermin - Melody
85. Blue Near Mother - Mexico
89. Shin Hye Sung - Embrace

See the full top 100 list here.

In Part 4 of our "I Am a Singer" Indie Daydream, Indieful ROK and Korean Indie founder, Anna, provides her top five picks for "I Am a Singer".

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Sitting down trying to pick good names for this exercise I realized that most of my favorite artists do not possess the kind of vocal skills that would warrant a chance to compete on "I Am A Singer", something which is part of the charm that made them my favorites to begin with. As such, much like The Korean's suggestions, my picks are not intended to reflect the best Korean indie music have to offer, but rather my own expectations as to which artists would be more interesting to see on the show also considering that they should be able to stay on for more than one round.

Pick #1: Cherry Filter (체리 필터)

I learned about Cherry Filter at the very same time I first learned of Jaurim, both being successful enough to at least have been heard of in the mainstream already a decade back. Because of this I've always considered the two bands to be at the same level. Perhaps they would not be able to provide the same diversity as Jaurim, but the band can put on a good show and Youjeen has the powerful vocals to boost. The band also has a cover album behind them that seemed to go over fairly well among fans.

   [read more ...]

It may not look like much, but out of the k-indie acts on the latest Korean digital chart from Gaon half are newcomers.

k-indie @ Gaon Digital Chart - January 14, 2012
4. 10cm - 애상 [MV]
97. Chang Kiha & The Faces - 풍문으로 들었소 [MV]
118. Verbal Jint - 좋아보여 (feat. The Black Skirts)
121. Jaurim - 하루
169. Acoustic Collabo - 그대와 나, 설레임 [MV]
174. Goodmorning Heaven - Goodmorning Heaven (feat. Hareem) [MV]

Here is the second Indieful ROK chart of the year! This time I had to look all the way down to spot 61 to find the 10 Korean indie band on Indieful ROK's last.fm group artist chart compared to just 27 last week. The samples for each artist is the song ranked highest on the group's song chart.

Indieful ROK TOP10 - week 2, 2012

1. Clazziquai (+3) [Love Again MV]
2. Nell (-1) [Empty YT audio]
3. Dear Cloud (+2) [널 위해서라고 MV]
4. Casker (-2) [야간비행 random video]
5. 10cm (+1) [Hey Billy live]
6. Lucid Fall (new) [불 YT audio]
7. Standing Egg (new) [사랑한다는말 MV]
8. W&Whale (new) [소녀 곡예사 MV]
9. Sentimental Scenery (new) [True Romance YT audio]
10. The Black Skirts (-) [아침식사 live]

Don't feel like the chart reflects your taste in music well enough? Join Indieful ROK's last.fm group and maybe next week it'll look a little better!