Interview: Ovantgarde’s founders celebrate 7 years of great live music
Written by Jamie Finn (@jamiefinn2209)
In the heart of Kyeongseong University, Busan’s premier independent music venue, Ovantgarde, has been quietly but steadily cultivating the city's vibrant music scene for seven years. This May, Founders Seungchul Lee and Ahyoun Jung are marking this milestone with a month-long celebration featuring performances by local musicians. With a lineup that features a mix of big-hitters and emerging talent, Ovantgarde’s birthday month will be a reflection of Busan and beyond’s indie music sound. Here, the founders of Ovantgarde talk to us about celebrating seven years and planning this event.
"It feels like it was just yesterday that we opened, but time has flown by," says Lee, reflecting on the venue's journey. "Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, it feels like two years have gone by in a flash. We feel very lucky that the space is still running."
The pair attributes Ovantgarde's longevity to the continued support of artists, audiences, and organisers who have made the venue a cornerstone of Busan's independent music community. To show their appreciation, they’re planning a special anniversary lineup centred primarily around Busan-based musicians.
"Our first priority was to organise the lineup around Busan-based musicians," Jung explains. "Then we tried to dig and match internally to introduce more diverse genres and artists." The programming includes return performances from musicians whose previous shows at Ovantgarde left lasting impressions.
The lineup features a mix of familiar names and exciting new artists. From Busan, the likes of Say Sue Me, hathaw9y, Yajasu, ddbb, Erotic Worms Exhibition, and more, will all be part of the celebration. Other names, such as 87dance, Harrybigbutton, Seoul Electric Band, and more.
The anniversary month brings a distinctive atmosphere to the venue. "Since it is the birthday of the space, I think the people who come to the venue express a lot of love and respect," says Jung. "Some audience members deliberately take time out of their lives to come and celebrate with us, and the musicians prepare special compositions or performances that come from the heart.”
Rather than finding the month's packed schedule exhausting, the founders describe it as "the most energetic time of the year." They've carefully organised performances across weekends and holidays, creating an environment of excitement and anticipation—though they jokingly admit to occasional celebration-induced hangovers. “That’s the only part that is tiring.”
Artwork by @mintheelephant
Over seven years, Lee and Jung have witnessed subtle but significant changes in Busan's music scene. "Busan musicians have been steadily releasing new songs, and new artists have been appearing steadily," notes Lee. "Recently, Busan musicians have been noticed on stages and media in various regions, not just Busan, so I consider it a place where there is still vitality."
The founders point to recent recognition at the 2025 Korean Music Awards, where four Busan bands were nominated, and two—Soumbalgwang and Seaweed Mustache—won awards, as evidence that the public increasingly recognises the value of the Busan scene.
According to Jung, the strength of Busan's music scene lies in its diversity and uniqueness. "The Busan indie scene is also a scene that has been steadily maintaining its reputation within the lineage of the Korean indie scene," she says. "Amidst issues of 'localisation,' I think it is important that our scene is still maintained."
Despite these successes, the pair believes Busan's music scene stands at an important crossroads. "We need to increase the opportunities for natives in Busan to be exposed to local music,” Lee explains. This is where venues like Ovantgarde play a crucial role—connecting artists with audiences and fostering community.
They emphasise the importance of local listeners in creating a "virtuous cycle" where strong audience support attracts talented musicians from various regions to perform in Busan. "It may seem like an idealistic story, but I think it's still possible," says Jung optimistically.
When asked about their favourite shows from the past seven years, both founders resist picking just one. "I don't think I can pick just one; I can only say that all of them were important and special," Lee reflects. "For us, it's a journey. Each performance is like a record that has accumulated its own episodes and created the current flow."
As for what they would tell their younger selves about running a venue, Lee's advice is simple: "Do what you love." Jung adds pragmatically, "Take good care of yourself."
As Ovantgarde continues to serve as a hub for independent music not just in Busan but increasingly for the broader Gyeongsang-do region, its seventh-anniversary celebration stands as both a testament to its founders' dedication and a beacon for the future of Busan's indie music scene. Through their curatorial efforts, Lee and Jung continue to provide a platform for local talent while inviting audiences to discover the rich diversity of musicians their city has to offer.