Once dismissed as niche, rock band music has emerged as a key trend in the K-pop market. Idol groups featuring band formats are topping music charts, and established rock bands are performing on larger stages. Many popular groups are also releasing new tracks with a band-style sound to differentiate themselves.
JYP Entertainment’s four-member boy band DAY6 is at the forefront of this trend. Their latest mini-album, “Band Aid,” released on Sept. 2, saw its title track “Melt Down” reach No. 1 on domestic music charts for the first time in the band’s 10-year career. In late September, DAY6 had five songs in the top 10 of the digital charts, including past hits like “Happy” and “You Were Beautiful,” with “Melt Down” being the only new release. “It’s highly unusual for a band-style group to dominate the charts, especially with older songs,” music critic Im Jin-mo said. “Their blend of strong rock music and relatable lyrics about youth resonated with the public.” In the comprehensive karaoke chart (TJ Media) from last July, five out of the top 10 songs were band tracks, including DAY6′s “You Were Beautiful.”
Girl group QWER is another key player in the rock resurgence. Their second mini-album, “Algorithm’s Blossom,” released on Sept. 23, saw its title track “My Name is Malgeum” climb to No. 2 on the Melon Top 100 chart. They also claimed first place on MBC’s music show on Oct. 9. A Genie Music staffer noted, “It’s extremely rare for a girl band to achieve this level of success, as no female band song has entered the annual top 200 charts in the past four years.”
Even idol groups known for dance music are incorporating band elements. SM Entertainment’s new boy group, RIIZE, received praise for their guitar-driven tracks “Get a Guitar” and “Boom Boom Bass.” In January, (G)I-DLE topped domestic charts like Melon and Genie Music with their pop-rock song “Fate.”
Top K-pop stars are also embracing band sounds. Blackpink’s Rosé collaborated with Bruno Mars on the pop-rock track “Apt.,” setting a new record for K-pop solo female artists on Spotify’s global chart, reaching No. 3. BTS’s Jin is set to release his solo album “Happy” on Nov. 15, featuring six band-based tracks.
Indie rock bands have been expanding their presence. Silica Gel, which won the Korean Music Award’s Best Modern Rock Song with “Tik Tak Tok” and Best Modern Rock Album with “Machine Boy” earlier this year, sold out three shows at the 4,500-seat Jangchung Arena in May. Their Melon streams from January to September increased by 209% year-on-year. A concert promoter said, “Even mid-level idol groups struggle to fill Jangchung Arena, yet these bands are now in high demand at festivals, driving up their value.” The Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, which features around 50 bands each year, has broken its attendance record for the past three years, drawing 150,000 people over three days this August.
Some bands are gaining even more popularity overseas than in South Korea. Wave to Earth sold out all 18 shows during their U.S. tour last year and kicked off a second North American tour on Sept. 16, covering 25 cities. With 8.3 million monthly Spotify listeners, they surpass many major boy groups in popularity.
Critics attribute the rise of bands to the growing appeal of live performances post-COVID and fatigue with the dance-heavy K-pop charts. Music critic Lim Hee-yun explained, “During the pandemic, young listeners craved the energy of live band performances,” adding, “The rise of ‘digging’ culture, where people collect music that suits their tastes through social media, has also increased opportunities for overlooked band gems to be discovered.”
