The Underground Music Scene in Seoul

If you happened to click on this blog, you are probably reading it for the same reason I am writing it: Music! 

When I came to Korea, I knew everyone would be excited about K-pop concerts. I knew I would have no trouble finding concerts and friends, but in a similar vein, I didn’t know anyone who shared my love for the lesser-explored music scene: Bands. Specifically, metal bands, rock bands, indie bands, shoegaze... you name it.

Before coming to Korea, I knew I wanted to go to some of my favorite artists' shows, but I had no idea where to begin. For one, they're relatively small both inside and outside of Korea, and two, I had no idea how to begin navigating the local scene. As someone who not only listens to thousands of different genres, artists, and languages but also someone who enjoys going to concerts, I’m here to briefly show you all the ins and outs of the underground music scene here in Seoul.

Exploring: Do not be afraid to explore, especially when watching people busking in Hongdae and Sinchon. My friend and I found the band Default through busking, and afterwards got to talk to them. We enjoyed their performance so much that we went to their ticketed show. What we didn't know was that there were five other bands also performing that night! That one show took us down the road to many other concerts. 

Explore ticketing sites: This might be the best way for you to find new music you enjoy because sites like Yes24, Interpark Global, and Melon ticket have all types of shows listed, like concerts, plays, musicals, and even listening and talk sessions (these are my favorite kind). 

I will add a tiny PSA: ticketing can be very stressful, especially for foreigners. In my case, my passport photo is so washed out that the ticketing verification system can't recognize me. Oftentimes, many reservation systems also require a Korean bank transfer. But all is not lost!

My Best tip: Email, Email, Email! Do not be afraid to ask questions, even if you don't speak Korean. Use translators like Papago, and email the venues! They are pretty quick to respond, and they are typically understanding about foreigners not being able to do bank transfers or use Korean reservation systems. 8 times out of 10, I can say they'll let you pay at the door, or they will hold a reservation spot for you.

I recommend emailing, Email, not Direct messaging. For the show at Pet Sounds, they explained that I could come without a reservation but would just pay a little more at the door. 

Research venues: Many music venues in and around Seoul have weekly shows. Some are free, and others cost money, so be sure to check with the event beforehand. Some only take cash at the door, while others are available only through online ticketing. I am still exploring venues, however, some of my current favorites are located in Hongdae (Mound Media, Mudaeruk, and Jebidabang, Cafe Unplugged/Unplugged Lounge) and Itaewon (Petsounds), which are all relatively close to the Yonsei campus. 

Reddit: Forums will be your best friend. Discord, Reddit, and other forums provide communities for music lovers of all kinds. I found myself joining a Live Music Lovers chat in Kakaotalk (that I found via Reddit), which had many different artists and bands promoting their shows both in and outside of Seoul. It updates nearly every day, so it was never hard to find new shows or people to go with!

Instagram: A very common way to look up shows and see the most up-to-date information about the venues you want to visit, who is playing there, and how much tickets may cost, is on Instagram. Once you find a few places or bands you like, it's easy to find more through who the venues follow, especially with music companies/record labels/magazines such as Poclanos, Magic Strawberry Sound, Mondayprojectkr, and Debasermagazine. 

Discovering the Underground Music Scene in Seoul is a great way to explore the city and create new memories! Hopefully, this was informative and can help you kick-start your journey with the local live music scene. That's all for now! See you next time (: