so my partners and i have this murder mystery tabletop...

A lot of attention has been given to KPop groups lately, but not as much has been given to KBands. Which is a shame because I’d give my left arm to a lot of Korean bands, if I was asked to. A lot of talented Korean bands aren’t given as much attention, and sometimes that’s simply because they’re from smaller companies. I’ve decided to sit down and list my favorite Korean Bands, while also linking one of my favorite songs by each band.

#1: IZ

Is anyone even shocked considering I just made a post telling everyone they need to stop sleeping on IZ and should instead listen to their music? IZ has that beautiful rock sound that is hard to find. It makes me think of some of FT Island’s songs, meaning IZ a great alternative to people who are a bit iffy about listening to some of FT Island’s older music, considering the scandal with one of the (now former) members.

IZ is the definition of “underappreciated.” I have yet to meet a single person who stans them, which is a shame because of just how amazing their sound is! Plus, between the newest album (Re:IZ) and their stuff from a year ago, you can see their growth and improvement! It’s amazing!

#2: N.Flying

I am extremely biased when it comes to recommending N.Flying to people. Not in terms of having a bias in the group, but rather in terms of supporting them (I even have a signed album!). They’ve been through a lot, and they have a lot of amazing songs on both their regular channel and their Japanese channel. In fact, I’d easily say some of their Japanese songs are some of my favorites. I would’ve linked some of their Japanese songs, or their covers, but this is supposed to be a list of “KBands.” I might do a TOP 5 N.Flying songs, though, just to fawn over them.

This is a great time to be an N.Flying fan, actually, because they’ve been releasing a lot of videos lately. A lot are on their Japanese channel, and for a while they were just uploading medleys, but these videos are all a great way to really see just how talented they are.

(NOTE: there are three channels to follow if you like N.Flying: the official channel, the official Japanese channel, and 2IDIOTS, which is run by Jaehyun and Cha Hun)

#3: The Rose

The Rose is a four-member band that I’ve posted about on here before. When I think of their music, I typically think of softer songs, like “Sorry.” They’re amazing songs and the members are hilarious. The leader Sammy actually has his own YouTube channel for his covers and is known for his friendship with Day6′s Jae (and to a lesser extent, K.A.R.D’s Matthew). I feel like there’s not as much content for The Rose as there should be, but I expect that to change with their (slow) growing popularity.

#4: Day6

If you’ve heard of a Korean band, it’s probably Day6. I attribute their rise to both their talent and the fact that they are from a better known agency (JYP). They’re known for their deep lyrics, and they did release MVs and songs on the 6th of every month in 2017, which in and of itself must have been a huge project that shows just how hard the group has worked. Additionally, the band is attractive to English-speaking fans because Jae and Brian YoungK both speak English.

#5: The East Light

I, personally, don’t listen to The East Light. However, I think that those who like NCT Dream will like The East Light, as they’re another younger group with talented music. I don’t see a lot of people talking about them, but that may be because I mainly talk to Korean music fans around my age, and they’re a little young for my age group (the oldest ones are ‘00 liners). I think that, as people get into younger KPop groups like NCT Dream, The East Light will be a good band for them to support and grow up with, in the same way I grew up listening to FT Island as my Korean band.

Nguyen Thi Cha My for KMI

While my childhood was primarily shaped by anime, my teenage years were actually filled with both anime and manga. I found myself enjoying manga since I could read it much faster, allowing me to pass through the story faster with a manga than I could with the anime.

Looking back, I mostly read Shojo manga. I was homeschooled until eighth grade, so I was awkward around people by the time I started to really read manga. As such, it was nice to read Shojo manga and be transported into a world where love works out and is really, really cute. (Fun fact, I didn’t get my first non-long distance relationship until I was a Senior, and that ended after a week. I didn’t start dating again until 2018. So, of course I was into romance manga).

#1: Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You)

What really makes Kimi ni Todoke special to me is that, even today, I see myself in the main character. She’s a quiet student with no friends, but she does her best, even so, and is actually really cute. I wanted to pretend I could be like her and have a cute guy come in and sweep me off my feet and help me open up to make more friends.

Sadly, I was reading the manga as it was coming out, so I never finished it. I did, however, recently start watching the anime. The manga is also the reason I discovered one of my favorite bands (Marianas Trench) because someone on YouTube made an AMV using Kimi ni Todoke and the song “All to Myself,” and it was a really good video and I fell in love with the song.

#2 Vampire Knight

Vampire Knight is another manga I never finished reading because it was coming out as I was reading it. However, I got way up there in chapters. While the story line didn’t really affect my opinions on people in general, it did shape a lot of my youth. I was obsessed with the ship of Zero + Yuuki, which is how I came up with my online name “Zeki.” A lot of my usernames on other websites actually have usernames using “Zeki” in it, including my old YouTube channels (IamZeki and 4EverZekiVK). I also learned how much I can hate a character, as I was not a fan of Kaname at all.

#3: Hana to Akuma

This is by far one of my favorite manga ever, and it’s probably one of the only ones I read as a teenager that doesn’t have an anime to accompany it. I loved making videos dedicated to it, including one that now has over 33K views. I didn’t even know back then that there were that many fans of the manga, as you never really see people talk about it.

It’s a beautiful manga and I found myself absolutely in love with the story. I read it as fast as I possibly could, falling in love with the characters as I did. Even to this day, I can easily say it was my second favorite manga ever. However, it’s at #3 because Vampire Knight did create my online username before I started using Jacobsenia.

#4: Special A

This was one of my favorite manga, and it was another one I found myself constantly making MMVs for on YouTube. It was another high school manga, like Kimi ni Todoke, but it was about a rich-kid high school with classes based on grades. It was high pressure and funny. I especially found myself interested in the story of Megumi and Yahiro. I feel like it really affected the kind of ships I tend to support even today (that is...the jerk with a surprising nice side + whoever he decides he likes). I think good examples of ships I probably wouldn’t support if not for Special A include TinCan (Love by Chance) and the main relationship in To The Beautiful You (not that I know if there’s a ship name for it?).

I feel like I did finish this manga, but I honestly can’t remember. It was so long ago...but I’d be willing to bet $20 that I did finish it.

#5: Junjou Romantica

Every shojo manga fan has likely stumbled upon at least one gay manga in their lives. For me, my first taste of any sort of gay media was actually Junjou Romantica. I think that, if I hadn’t seen this, I would not have been as comfortable with gay media later on in life. After all, I live in a heavily conservative household.

Now, I’m open about what LGBTQA+ media I read and watch, and I often make jokes about it with my stepdad. I don’t think I’d have been this comfortable without reading Junjou Romantica (not that I ever finished it...it’s such a long manga). My own identity as a panromantic asexual somehow just became accepted facts without me ever coming out formally, but I don’t think they’d have been that way if I hadn’t first grown comfortable with it and discovered such media exists through Junjou Romantica.

Right now seems to be the era of the KPop group. As I covered in a past top 5, not everyone is given the same attention, including Korean Bands. Another widely overlooked area of the Korean music industry is the Korean soloist. I could likely make a Top 10, if I really wanted too, but Tumblr only lets me add 5 videos (rip). As such, I’ll just make a top 5 and include 5 artists I hope you all can support in addition to KPop groups and bands.

#1: Glabingo

I don’t know anyone who has ever heard of Glabingo, which is a shame because his voice, it’s so beautiful. He has a few songs out, and I’d probably listen to them on the same playlist as songs by Jay Park. He has that same sort of beautiful voice and relaxing vibe. I actually listed him as #1 because so few people have actually heard of him.

#2: Holland

Holland has gained international attention because of he is the country’s first openly gay idol. Sticking true to his identity, his videos tell of his experiences in relationships. I think that, since it is pride month, this is the best time for me, as a fan, to push for others to listen to his music.

He’s actually progressed a lot since his first MV “Neverland” came back. A lot of people have acknowledged his improvement, and I think he’s finding a sound that really suits his voice, too.

#3: Kevin Oh

Kevin Oh’s voice is best suited for rainy days, spent alone with a warm drink. They make me think of late nights, fairy lights, and being close to just one person in a soft way. Or, in the case of his song “Lover,” nights spent alone after a breakup, waiting for the wounds to heal.

His voice is absolutely beautiful, and ballads really suit him. I wish he’d have more chances to do OST work, as he’d do well in a drama. There’s no doubt in my mind, honestly, that he’d be perfect for that. Of course, I’d also be just as happy with some full-length albums by him.

#4: Seo In Guk

One thing I’m known for is my unending love and support for the man that is Seo In Guk.

I originally was going to link “Bebe,” which is by far one of my favorite songs of his. However, I’m in a bit of a ballad mood after Kevin Oh. Additionally, this MV and song are very emotional for his fans. We get to see him performing, get to hear/read the lyrics he wrote and gave to his right before he was supposed to enlist in the military. As his fans, we’ve been waiting eagerly for his return. We want our happy, healthy Seon In Guk.

“There are still memories to make together, there’s still more. We’re just apart for now, you and I, we’re still there.“

#5: JUN

I love Jun’s voice and his music. I’ve never been disappointed with anything he’s released. All in all, his voice is easy to hear and nice on the ears. When it comes to soloists, I like voices that aren’t too hard on my ears, and Jun easily meets this criteria. Additionally, his songs sound unique, not like a ballad or dance song I’ve heard 100 times.

It’s especially admirable, as noted by his fans, that he’s not held to a contract, thus there’s no fear of being told not to date, what to post, and what to sing. His work is his own and he is in control of his own fate. That alone makes him admirable.

It’s a shame that not many people really know about him, but now is a great time to start because he did make a post in the comments for this newest video (Admit) that there will be more Jun content throughout June.

Honorable Mention: Eric Nam