10 new indie bands in Korea who will smash 2025

The members of the Seoul punk band Fail Fast / Courtesy of Fail Fast

By Jamie Finn

It's the time of the year when we all make resolutions: little plans to have a more fulfilling next 12 months. If your resolution was to discover more diverse and interesting local music, we have got you covered. Here's our list of 10 new bands that are going to have a big 2025! All of the bands featured on this list released their first recordings within 2024.

Ghost Bookstore

For fans of: My Bloody Valentine (MBV), Cotoba, Brand New

Out of the flames of (now recently reformed) Hamster Powder Club comes one of 2024's hottest new bands — Ghost Bookstore.

Ghost Bookstore blends atmospheric shoegaze with somber indie pop sounds. Combine that with some very juicy songs (such as math-rockish "Firefly" and MBV-influenced "Children with Starry Blood"), and it's hard to imagine this band not getting massive in 2025.

"In 2025 we'll release our first full-length album," guitarist Ymir Kim told The Korea Times, "which we're really excited about. Plus, gigs. Lots of gigs."

Visit linktr.ee/ghostbookstore for more information.

Men and Them

For fans of: The Beatles, The Smiths, Pulp

Four-piece indie rock band Men and Them formed in 2023 and released its first single, "Desire," in March 2024. Since then, the lads have gone on to release three more stylish, Britpop-inspired songs.

Men and Them's interest in British music heritage doesn't stop with Britpop, though, as the band is heavily influenced by The Beatles, too. This is especially evident in its excellent track, "Down on me."

"In 2025, we plan on releasing our first EP and play at some festivals," Men and Them said. "We're also hoping to break into the major band scene and play with some big names."

Follow @menandthem on Instagram.

Ilgyne

For fans of: The Velvet Underground, Pavement, Television, Say Sue Me, The Brian Jonestown Massacre

Ilgyne aren't technically a new band, having been performing for a while under the name We're Kitae.

The band, however, put out its first release, a seven-track EP called "Secret Diary," under the Ilgyne banner last year, and it is insanely good. A swirling nightmare of postpunk, garage rock and psychedelia.

Ilgyne is, in a way, what the Korean indie scene needs — a band with tunes for days but one that is not afraid to make messy music.

"We will release a new single in 2025 that will be more surf/noise rock," the band said. "Actually we may or may not release it. But the plan now is to release it."

The band added, "Our only definite plan is to keep playing moneyless and unpopular music."

Follow @ilgyne_official on Instagram.

Sally Everywhere

For fans of: Oasis, Weezer

Another highlight of 2024 was Sally Everywhere. Their anthemic indie rock style and superb live performances made them one of the must-see bands of the year.

Sally Everywhere cites Oasis as a major influence, and, yeah, that's clear. There's more going on here, though, as the band includes elements of American alternative and even a little bit of pop-punk in their hook-friendly music.

2025 promises to be a busy year for the boys. "We want to release a new EP before the cherry blossoms fall," they shared, "and also play Block Party again."

Follow @sally_everywhere_ on Instagram.

St. Peach Bitches

For fans of: The Slits, La Femme

The songs of St. Peach Bitches are written by folk music mainstay Yoonsung, and the two projects couldn't be more different.

While Yoonsung is known for delicate acoustic folk, St. Peach Bitches is an in-your-face garage punk act. The band raised more than a few eyebrows with their August single "I Have A Dick."

Based between Berlin and Seoul, the members of St. Peach Bitches are not taking any prisoners, and we can't wait to see what the band does in 2025.

Follow @st.peachbitches on Instagram.

Sanbo

For fans of: Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians

In September, Sanbo released the album "Lumpen," and it was criminally overlooked.

"Lumpen" is an unorthodox and varied take on the indie rock sound with some interesting influences scattered throughout. Lead single, "Getawayfromme," is a melodic indie rock banger. Another highlight, "Nunchi," is a darker, more understated affair.

Follow @bandsanbo on Instagram.

Skittles

For fans of: Alvvays, Blonde Redhead

2024 was a great year for new shoegaze bands in Korea, and Skittles was one of the best ones we've heard.

The ethereal sound of Skittles has been a regular on our stereo since the release of their debut single, "Snap," in May. Since then, the band has released two more tracks, showing versatility within the fuzz-driven world of shoegaze.

Visit linktr.ee/skittles_band for more information.

Peach Truck Hijackers

For fans of: The Cure, Bikini Kill, Pearl Jam

Peach Truck Hijackers is a singularity on this list, as it's the only band here that hasn't released any recorded music yet — other than a couple of pretty exciting live videos.

The fact that the band has not released anything yet, though, is all the more reason you should get out to see one of its live shows. With its menacing brand of punk and grunge, we can't wait to finally get some recordings from Peach Truck Hijackers.

"In 2025 we're going to be releasing our new album," the band said. "We'd also love to play at some music festivals — that's a big ambition of ours."

Follow @peachtruckhijackers on Instagram.

Social Club Hyangwu

For fans of: Lush, Garbage

Five-piece band Social Club Hyangwu has been playing shows since the first half of 2023 but didn't release any new music until 2024, when the group put out their first release, "For Everything That Burns."

The band's noise-driven style of punk also includes several nods to 1990s alternative music. Its aim is to reflect the collective aimlessness of youth while also opposing violence of all kinds.

Follow @socialclub_hyangwu on Instagram.

Fail Fast

For fans of: Turnstile, Stick To Your Guns

Along with Care Less (with whom the band shares two members), Fail Fast has been one of the highlights of Korea's small but dedicated hardcore scene.

The name stems from its try-anything approach to creativity, opting to risk failure in the pursuit of making music.

The band has put out one release so far, September's well-received three-track EP "Not Scared." Following that, Fail Fast became one of the most-talked-about bands of 2024's Block Party Must Festival.

"We are excited to record and release our second EP in the first half of 2025," Fail Fast bandleader, Kevin, said, "and we are looking forward to playing shows all around Korea, as well as hopefully something outside of Korea in the second half of the year."

Follow @failfastreal on Instagram.