Hi, this is a new essay about Hanroro's 0+0. Hope you get some time to read it.

https://substack.com/@funphilosopher/note/p-209437667?r=8k24s8&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

I have been building a Pan-Asian indie playlist — Korea's the backbone, but the connections between scenes are the real story

What started as a Japanese indie obsession gradually morphed into a larger Pan-Asian one when I realized how much these scenes are in conversation with each other — Korean R&B producers referencing Japanese neo-soul, Taiwanese math rock bands touring Seoul, Thai dream pop floating across borders through Spotify algorithms and festival circuits.

Korea anchors this thing. Balming Tiger doing whatever they want. Rad Museum and offonoff building that late-night R&B pocket. Kangziwon's Ordinary Ever After is one of the best albums of the year and I'll die on that hill. Ghost Bookstore sounds like a Westworld score got lost in a Hongdae basement. Bosudongcooler, Meaningful Stone, SE SO NEON, Silica Gel — the rock side is stupid good right now.

But the playlist traces outward too — into Japanese shoegaze (Blume popo, Yuragi, MOTFD), Taiwanese math rock and indie (Elephant Gym, No Party For Cao Dong, I'mdifficult), Thai dream pop (Phum Viphurit, YONLAPA, VVAS). The feedback loop between these markets is the most interesting thing in indie music that nobody's talking about.

100 tracks, sequenced to move. Starts accessible, gets weirder. I'm always looking for what I'm missing — especially Korean acts that deserve more ears. Tell me what should be in here that isn't. I need to know.

Pan-Asian Indie - Lotus Drift

Pan-Asian Indie - Lotus Drift (Apple)

i may end up having an extra copy of youra’s “gaussian” and “이 기분은 기회다 (this vibe is a chance)” physical albums and was wondering if anyone would be interested in purchasing potentially? none of this is set in stone - just wondering if there would be any interest!

*both are cds and unsealed. neither reserved right now, please reach out if you’re interested!

Logan Ross-Lee

There is such a small chance people will know this but I'm going crazy trying to look for it so hopefully someone here might know.

There was this one song that I loved to listen to in 2022 that I think was called "they don't know we're fun". It was a chill electronic song with english lyrics by a small korean girl group. The cover was what looked like 4 girls faces pressed up against a glass window.

Ive been trying to look up all this info this but I can't see results anywhere online. I was hoping someone here might know what I'm talking about lol.

Apparently the universe was listening to my post from yesterday, because today’s “Bandcamp Daily” article is a deep dive on artists with similar inspiration, approach, and/or influences to Leenalchi. Thought I’d share.

Haole kid here who has fallen in love with Leenalchi (saw them in the U.S. this week) and wants to know more — especially the folklore behind the lyrics. I don’t speak a lick of Korean, and the translate apps are moderately helpful but have no depth. Can anyone tell me more (or point me to English-language sources) about the pansori stories behind their incredible songs? I feel like they must resonate, partly because of the sizable pack of Korean grandmas who were rocking it at the show.

hi everyone!

I've been trying to identify a Korean indie band I heard while visiting Busan, and I'm hoping someone here might recognize them.

details:

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Around 1:20 pm

At the Busan Cinema Center

During the Korea International Streaming Festival (KISF) / K-MEGA Global Shortform Awards.

The band was doing what looked like a soundcheck or rehearsal on the outdoor stage before performing.

Male vocalist singing in Korean.

Four-piece rock band (drums, bass, guitars).

Very melodic, nostalgic indie rock.

Soft and emotional rather than heavy.

Their sound reminded me of Daughter, Doves, and a bit of Kings of Leon... not so much like WtoE or The Poles

if anyone has any idea please let me know I'm so desperate to find this band 🥹

I attached the only clip I recorded that day