10 incredible folk musicians working in Korea
By Jamie Finn (@jamiefinn2209)
Spring is here, and no style of music gets us in the seasonal mood than folk.
Folk is one of the most popular genres in Korea, with the hushed simplicity of it resonating with a culture that is often too focused on the fast-paced. In fact, to many, the word "indie" is synonymous with unplugged guitars.
Here, we share some of our favourite musicians for anyone looking to explore the world of Korean folk.
Some notes:
We mean folk in the more contemporary sense. Maybe we'll do a list of folk musicians from the more traditional use of that word at some stage, but for now, we mean folk in the Bob Dylan way.
We are not including artists who we have extensively covered before. Lang Lee, Hwang Puha, and Dajun would all be amazing additions but we want to use this list to highlight some others.
Big Baby Driver
We start our list with one of our absolute favourite performers - Big Baby Driver. Since her debut album in 2010, BBD has released three full albums, a series of EPs and oodles of singles. She is probably best known for featuring on the soundtrack of many popular TV shows.
Her beautiful songs channel the romanticism of Joni Mitchell and the bright soulfulness of Vashti Bunyan.
While one of the most common characteristics of folk music is its simplicity, Big Baby Driver's gorgeously delicate folk sound is underscored by its intricacy.
Kim Ildu
Next on our list is the man, the myth, the legend that is Kim Ildu. Ildu's minimalist palette, growled delivery and incisive lyrics have made him one of the most celebrated names in Korean folk music.
Ildu's music is raw and unrefined, with a firmly DIY aesthetic. This is probably not surprising as, before making folk, Kim Ildu was well known for his work with punk band Genius.
Kim Ildu often makes great music that is outside the folk genre. It's his minimalist, DIY acoustic stuff, which he has become best known for - and it's easy to see why.
Yeoyu and Seolbin
Yeoy and Seolbin have been making music together since 2013 (although their first album came out in 2017). We didn't actually hear about them until this year when the folk duo were nominated for both Best Folk Song and Best Folk Album at the KMAs.
We're already hooked on their airy-but-moving songs, especially on their recent album Comedy. What makes them so special is the chemistry between their voices, which is reminiscent of Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan's work together.
Kim Sawol
Kim Sawol's musical prowess is celebrated for its exceptional qualities. Her captivating voice, with its unique timbre and emotional depth, stands as a defining feature that draws listeners in. The brilliance of her songwriting lies in its sensitive nature, delving into poignant themes that resonate with a broad audience. Kim Sawol's ability to seamlessly fuse genres, incorporating elements of folk and rock, showcases a versatility that keeps her music fresh and innovative.
Beyond studio recordings, her live performances are marked by an engaging stage presence, creating an immersive experience for fans. Overall, Kim Sawol's talent, creativity, and impact on the indie music scene contribute to her well-deserved acclaim.
Summer of Thoughts
Summer of Thoughts, aka Park Jong-hyun, has been releasing music for almost 20 years and has developed a reputation for sweet and emotional songs that often focus on nature.
His 2022 album, which features a series of collaborations with different artists (several of who are mentioned on this list), deserves a special mention. The peaceful openness of his music makes him one of our favourite folk musicians.
Seth Mountain
More than anyone else on this list, Seth Mountain's approach to music is rooted in tradition - in particular, the American folk movement of the 1940s and 1950s. His thoughtful songs exist in the same realm of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.
Lyrically, Seth moves between a huge range of subjects but often finds himself between confessional romantic campfire songs and politically charged protest mantras.
His music has so much soul and depth, and Seth's unique voice communicates so much empathy and pathos.
Honnip
The enigmatic Honnip is a popular guitarist in Seoul and often appears on other people's work - such as Seoul Electric Band and Eundohee. His atmospheric, bluesy folk solo stuff deserves some recognition, too!
Honnip's style of folk draws on rock music structures but is played at such a languid pace that the listener is instantly transported to a quiet lake. There's a real sense of patience and detached energy to his juicy songs. If you want something to chill out too, you cannot find anyone better.
Big Phony
We've been big fans of Big Phony (and even at our previous magazine, Keun Soli) for about ten years. His tenderly crafted and introspective approach to songwriting has seen him compared to the likes of Elliott Smith and Nick Drake.
While personal and sometimes even confessional, Big Phony's lyrics often come with a side of dry humour, too. His layered vocal style makes his music seem even more intimate.
Minhwi Lee
The hyper-prolific Minhwi Lee came to prominence as one half of the Mukimukimanmansu, whose incredible art-folk album 2012 is still regularly played on our stereo. Since then, Minhwi has released two official solo albums as well as a series of well-received movie soundtracks.
Minhwi's creative music draws from the world of jazz, pop, and avant-garde. Her ambitious approach to composition makes her one of the most unique songwriters in Korea. The lo-fi sound of her vocals is reminiscent of Sibylle Baier.
Jeongmilla
Jeongmilla's simplistic songwriting style is elevated by her charmingly hushed vocal delivery. Her lyrics are made up mostly of stray observations of the everyday, which she poetically expresses over gentle strumming and calming rhythms.
This is the musical equivalent of a warm cup of coffee on a rainy morning.
