40. Lang Lee - There Is a Wolf
The title track from Lang Lee's There Is a Wolf is a protest song inspired by Silvia Federici's Caliban and the Witch, cleverly revolting against systemic poverty and capitalist injustice. Lang Lee's work has always been concerned with social commentary, but it's never been as well-stated, fearless and powerful as it was here.
39. DJ Soulscape - 180g Beats
DJ Soulscape's 180g Beats is a landmark in Korean hip-hop production, a crate-digger's love letter to vinyl culture and sonic craftsmanship. Blending dusty funk breaks, 1970s soul samples, and meticulous turntablism, the album bridges eras with effortless groove. What makes 180g Beats timeless is its texture; every crackle, loop, and fade feels intentional, a celebration of imperfection as rhythm. It's both homage and innovation — Korean hip-hop filtered through an audiophile's obsession with warmth and weight.
38. Billy Carter - Don't Push Me
Here, Billy Carter abandoned poetic metaphors for simple, clear messages, wanting everyone to hear their ethos without ambiguity. "My Body My Choice" gives lyrics front-and-centre prominence with simple structure, whilst "I See You" delivers commentary on Korea's perception of homogeneity. The biting garage indie rock sound, mixing blues, psychedelia, and punk perfectly accompanies their direct political messaging about feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and systemic violence. This is Korean indie at its most uncompromising — not asking for acceptance, just demanding to be heard.
37. Kiha and the Faces - mono
The fifth and final album by Kiha and the Faces is the absolute culmination of their offbeat retro style. "This album sounds too good, so we decided to stop," explained Chang Kiha, "we did everything we wanted to do in the past 10 years." His understated, almost deadpan delivery and his witty plays with the Korean language were as on point as ever. But the songs on this just pop. It's a fun tapestry of Korean retroism that touches on trot, psychedelic, R&B, rock, and just the slightest touch of new wave/art rock.
36. Cocore - Boyish
When Cocore came onto the scene in the mid-'90s, they were often compared to Nirvana, who were a huge influence. By the time the 2000s had come around, the band had started exploring different sounds, too (though, as tracks like "Mojo", "Alice in Nightmare", and the aptly titled "Gary Cooper Will Have His Revenge" showed, the Cobain love had not left their system entirely). Boyish is a super eclectic mix of very American sounds with nods to Beck and The Dandy Warhols.
35. Balming Tiger - January Never Dies
One recurring criticism of Korea's independent music scene is that it's often too conservative, too image-focused, too risk-averse. And then an act like Balming Tiger becomes massive and destroys that entire narrative. The eccentric collective absolutely smashed it for their first full-length album, January Never Dies, which marries the band's punk energy with their insane knack for hip-hop bangers. Frantically skipping through every genre under the damn sun, January Never Dies is pure chaos in the best possible way.
34. Idiotape - 11111101
By merging together the sounds of 2010s electronica, rock beats, analogue synths and just a sprinkle of big beat audacity, Idiotape created the perfect festival dance album. 11111101 is visceral, sweaty, and relentlessly kinetic, bridging the gap between EDM and rock sensibilities.
33. Concorde - Supersonic Airliner
There are a lot of albums on this list that pay homage to certain sounds from the past. Yet, none of them do so as faithfully as Concorde's Supersonic Airliner. It literally sounds like a 1970s psychedelic rock album. But it's a sound that works well, one that many still want to hear. Add together Oh Jiho's juicy compositions and lyrics longing for your youth, and it's easy to see why this one was such a critical smash.
32. Jambinai - Differance
What makes the music of Jambinai so intriguing is not just its heavy post-rock played on Korean traditional instruments, but how those instruments are used to make something that, tonally, feels inherently Korean. Their music is inspired by western bands like Mogwai and Godspeed, but the band draws on traditional Korean structures and folklore to make their entirely unique sound. This is especially true on Differance, the band's debut. This hard-hitting and unrelentingly intense album is a must-listen for those who can handle it.
31. Crying Nut - Milk Cattle at the OK Corral
There are several solid choices for which Crying Nut album we could have included here, and there isn't really a wrong answer (well, maybe ONE wrong answer…). We've gone for the chaotic brilliance of Milk Cattle at the OK Corral. Bursting with manic punk energy, sardonic humour, and a surprising amount of variety, the album captures the anarchic spirit of a scene still finding its voice. What makes it endure isn't just its energy, but its heart — Crying Nut's ability to turn noise into catharsis, absurdity into anthem.
30. Goonamguayeoridingstella - Sun Power
The recent announcement that Goonam will be calling it a day after 20 years was a blow. With their upbeat eclecticism and legendary live shows, Goonam had been one of the most enduringly popular bands of Korea's indie music scene. Funky, experimental, and blisteringly self-assured, Sun Power is one of the most fun albums to have come from the Korean indie scene.
29. Jaurim - Goodbye, Grief
Proving their longevity and evolution, Goodbye, Grief was Jaurim's ninth full-length album and was part of their "25 Waiting for 21 Project". Its title suggests solemnity, yet whilst there's plenty of melancholia here, the album proved to be an eclectic collection with some infectious, higher-energy moments, too. Vocalist Kim Yoonah delivered emotion-drenched performances with her signature phrasing, whilst guitarist Lee Seon-kyu's imaginative work shone brilliantly. Goodbye, Grief is the sound of a veteran band refusing to coast on reputation and nostalgia, delivering one of Korean rock's most mature, emotionally impactful albums.
28. Dabda - But, All the Shining Things Are
Dabda's But, All the Shining Things Are is a breathtaking blend of math rock intricacy and dream pop vulnerability. The band's complex rhythms and swirling guitars create a kind of kaleidoscope of melancholia, excitement, reflection, and wonder. It would take a while for Dabda's small-but-dedicated audience to become the large-and-loving fanbase it is today, but at the centre of that is Dabda's sole full-length album.
27. The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
The Geeks' Every Time We Fall is a milestone in Korean hardcore — raw, emotional, and fiercely sincere. It captures the urgency of youth, friendship, and self-belief with an anthemic passion. The album's relentless energy and melodic edge mark a turning point for the scene, proving that hardcore could be both ferocious and heartfelt. What makes Every Time We Fall stand out is its unflinching honesty; it's music that bleeds, sweats, and still dares to hope.
26. Windycity - Love Record
WindyCity's Love Record is a sun-soaked explosion of groove, spirit, and liberation — a joyous fusion of reggae, funk, jazz, and soul filtered through a distinctly Korean lens. The album breathes warmth and optimism, with legendary percussionist Kim Banjang's rhythms feeling loose yet purposeful. What makes Love Record so irresistible is its sincerity — a celebratory love-letter to Windycity's influences. Love Record is pure, infectious sunshine in musical form.