YB Official US Debut!

It's finally the day! February 18th, 2014. The day that YB debuted in the United States. I'm very happy for the band. This is something that they've been working towards for a long time, and it's a new milestone for Korean rock music. As far as I'm aware, it's the first time any Korean band has released a single here in the States and readied to enter the market as a mainstream artist.

SXSW 2014 Band Highlight: Jambinai

I'm starting off a new series here on K-RoK Rocks!!! - an introduction to all the Korean bands coming to SXSW this year. And I'm starting off with the amazingly unique and powerful band Jambinai.

New Video: Love X Stereo - Fly Over (Live @ Union Studio)

One of the artists I'm lucky enough to be seeing at SXSW next month just released a new live studio video for their toe-tapping track Fly Over. You should go check it out:

*waves hands in the air and dances around the room*

Announcement: YB Tour Dates

I am happy to be able to present you, my dear readers with the news that YB has announced two additional tour dates to their time here in the US, outside of the SXSW dates in Austin.

Crying Nut Review!

In my preparations to get as much exposure for the Korean bands coming to SXSW this year, I've begun a series of reviews over at YAM Magazine. First one up is for Crying Nut.

Click the pic to read the review. 

Unfamiliar with Crying Nut? I'll give you a little run down about them in a future post. 

K-Rock coming to Minneapolis!

I'm super excited to announce that the Korean rock movement is finally making it's way to my hometown! I've always said to anyone who would listen that Minneapolis is a great city for them to come and play. We have a very extensive music culture here and lots of clubs and venues to showcase the amazing talent coming from Korea.

Random Tidbit

I was browsing the internet this evening and came across this little gem on 9GAG:

I don't really recognize the bands (I'm not super into hard core metal) but the fact that K-Rock made it to such a mainstream website got me excited. And, yes, I salute them too.

3 Artists (I LOVE) One Song Campaign: Korea

Let's try this again. (Since blogger ate this article last time) It's time to start writing here again, and what better way to start off than with exciting news?! Three great artists are coming together on one song. Idiotape, Aziatix and Jaurim are set to collaborate on a project for Converse's “Three Artists. One Song.” campaign.

This Just In - Broken Valentine - Poker Face (Cover)

I've been missing and silent for quite awhile, but I'm hoping to change that more recently.

And as a gift, here is the video that's inspired my return and also a few happy squeals in me.

A video from this weekends Top Band showing Broken Valentine covering Lady Gaga's Poker Face. It's a great energetic cover with just enough Broken Valentine flavor. Enjoy!

Yellow Monsters

As a special treat to get everyone psyched for the new Yellow Monsters album Riot coming out soon, I drudged up this video for people to check out. It's a great spot the guys did for Arirang TVwith a mini band talk, and two acoustic tracks. Check it out!





For more Yellow Monsters, check out my buddy, Helikoppter's interview with Jae-Hyuck over on IndiefulROK. 

Asian UnderDog Radio Week 4 - Rock/Indie Show :)

Hi everyone! Thanks for your patience. I had a lot of stuff going on this week and every time I settled in to record I got sidetracked by something or someone. This week is a fun mix of rock and indie groups that was refreshing for me to put together. I hope you enjoy it. :) As always, comments are love!

Song of the Day: Guyz - Good Night

I found a new live recording of a Guyz performance! :D This punk/alternative band is really one of my absolute favorites. Hope this means they're coming up with some new material!

K-RoK Song of the Day: No Brain - Radio Radio

No Brain is BACK!!!!! And with a new video. The new album released yesterday, I have yet to get my hands on a copy of it, but what I have managed to hear streaming online it sounds awesome. Here's the newest video from them: Radio Radio





No Brain "Radio Radio" from Kimhwan on Vimeo.

News Tip: Apollo 18

For once, I'm happy with Allkpop - they actually gave coverage to a K-Rock band. Today they posted a video greeting with the band, an interview and have an official SXSW Apollo 18 goodie set up for grabs. Check it all out here on AKP

Also, Dae-Inn made a twitter post from Wendy's today that made me giggle:

(I don't think he liked it very much. xD) 

A18 Fighting! :)

News Tip: YB

Last week, I mentioned that Yoon Do-Hyun was being featured on Survival: I Am A Singer.  And I managed to find a YT link of just their performance for everyone.  If you watch the entire episode, you'll notice that YB gets the best reaction of all the singers. I love that even the ahjumma's stand up and clap happily along:

K-RoK Song of the Day: Broken Valentine - The Sea in My Worn Drawer

Broken Valentine is one of my go-to bands when I need something hard, yet up beat. I had a bad day the other day and threw their mini on to get me through the rest of the day at work.

K-RoK 101: Yoon Do-Hyun Band

Apollo 18 Official US Tour Dates

Apollo 18 is coming to the United States for the first time, and it's quite an extensive tour for an international band's first time here. They're mainly touring Texas and a couple other states in the south, but are hoping to return later this year to expand their reach to the north and possibly hit Canada.

Wonder-Girl Wednesdays: Schizo

There are few women who can keep up with a band as hardcore as Schizo. But Yi Hye-Rim does more than that, she rocks out just as hard as the boys. 

Wonder-Girl Wednesdays: Story Seller

If you read this blog with any consistency, you will know of my love for Story Seller, an all female rock band that rocks as hard as the guys do.

(They actually manage to make Doc Martens seem kinda cool)