[Herald Review] Kyugrockjeol mesmerizes audience with music, drinks and rock spirit

Audiences of various ages flocked to Musinsa Garage, the largest concert hall in Hongdae area, Seoul, on Tuesday night, to take part in the fourth day of Kyungrockjeol.

Kyungrockjeol is one of South Korea’s largest annual indie rock music festivals, which started in 2005 as a birthday party for Han Kyung-rok, the bassist of the punk band Crying Nut. The festival soon became an opportunity for unknown musicians to present themselves to larger audiences.

Tuesday's show featured five artists including bands and a singer-songwriter who are active in the Korean indie music scene.

The concert began with the stage of Hwanho, a four-member band which presented music full of atmospheric, dreamy sounds. Up next was Far East Asian Tigers, one of the most active bands in the Hongdae area, the center of Korea's indie music scene.

Then came the three-member emo pop hybrid band Adios audio, followed by Kachisan, a fledgling band that debuted in February last year that plays nostalgic songs reminiscent of 2000s music.

Next came the three-member emo pop hybrid band Adios audio and the nostalgic songs that resemble the sound of 2000s music filled the stage as Kachisan, a fledgling band that debuted in February last year came to the stage. Singer-songwriter Jungwoo, known for poetic lyrics and folk melody, touched audiences’ hearts.

Han, the festival's organizer, came up to the stage at the end of each musician's performance, taking photos together and giving words of encouragement. "Don’t get tired or exhausted, and keep pursuing the music that you want," said Han.

As the event was originally a birthday party for Han, also known as Captain Rock, there was plenty of free booze and food, just like a party. In collaboration with the Korea Craft Brewers Association, 110 liters of free beer from leading craft beer companies nationwide – including Beer Vana Brewing Company in Seoul and the Wasoo Brewery in Gyeongju – were served.

People held beer cans and snacks in their hands throughout the show, enjoying the festive mood. Musicians on the stage also enjoyed beer and snacks together and sometimes proposed a toast to the audience.

Artists thanked Han for creating Korea's largest indie music festival and celebrated his birthday. “Let’s have a toast to celebrate the birthday of Kyung-rok. Happy birthday and thank you for everything!” shouted Myung Ji-soo, the vocalist of Far East Asian Tigers. Audiences cheered enthusiastically and raised their beer cans.

This year's Kyugrockjeol kicked off with 2024 Kyeongrockjeol Paradise Calling held at Paradise City Plaza at Incheon's Yeongjongdo, Jan. 30. On Sunday and Monday, pre-recorded performances by more than 50 indie musicians were streamed on the Crying Nut Official YouTube channel for seven and six hours, respectively.

Following Tuesday's show, this year’s Kyungrockjeol will come to an end with a networking party for the music industry, broadcasting officials and musicians at Musinsa Garage on Wednesday.