Oscar Daniel Jimenez Inigiez

Yonsei GSIS Newsletter, Junior Editor

Music is a universal language that all cultures share. From hip-hop that gets you up and moving to jazz that soothes the soul, the commonality of music connects us and allows us to feel at our best. Music knows no borders and in the defiant and exhilarating spirit of rock 'n' roll that emerged in the 1940s, pushing the boundaries of what music could become, the genre lives on through each generation across our world.

Rock and roll has significantly changed since its inception and throughout, sub-genres have helped to reinvent the sound. In the 1970’s, punk rock defined a generation of angst and frustration by young people disillusioned by authority and powerful institutions. Turning their anger into an art that emphasized playing aggressively while taking their power back through music.

Here in Seoul, punk rock has welcomed a thriving music scene without exception living up to the standard set before. Pounding drums, trembling bass, the exceptionally fast-paced guitars, vocals that fill up dimly lit venues, and punks dancing along to the music have found a place in South Korea.

In the chaos of the city, venues late at night welcome local and international punk bands to share their music with those who may not be familiar with their songs. However, loud and defiant music is really all that matters at the end of the night. Punk music is about feeling liberated through music with a community you can share the feeling alongside with.

The punk sub-culture thrives on notions of acceptance and kindness. The aggressive rebellious nature that is undoubtedly an aspect of what it means to be punk, only represents a portion of what is shown. Behind the faces that read as anger and discontent, a more accurate description is that they are engaging in the cathartic process music has always given people. Music is a way to connect with people, and punk music not only recognizes this but knows of no boundaries nor borders.