I have a new favorite band and it only took me four months to figure out their name.

If you have spent any time in Korea you have heard them — playing in every coffee shop, every store, every commercial. I was absolutely obsessed before I even knew who they were. Every time I heard them in class my students would ask me to sing it and I would just hum along saying “I don’t know the words, I don’t even understand Korean — but I LOVE this.”

Then one day at a coffee shop I heard them playing, grabbed a piece of paper, walked up to the cashier and pointed at my ear and then at the speaker. She smiled and said — “Busker Busker.”

Finally. Four months later. I had a name.

 

Busker Busker was formed at the Cheonan campus of Sangmyung University. The band consists of 2 students and the drummer who is from Britian. He was a teacher at the University.  The band was officially discovered when they came in second in Superstar K3 which is kind of like a Korean American Idol but with Bands.

You can read all about them on AllKpop

 

If You Really Love Me

First Love

Cherry Blossom Ending

Calling You

Tokyo Girl

 

Q: Who are Busker Busker? A: Busker Busker are a Korean indie band formed at the Cheonan campus of Sangmyung University. Unlike traditional Kpop groups they have a much more acoustic, emotional sound that appeals to both Korean and international listeners.

Q: How did Busker Busker get famous? A: They came in second place on Superstar K3 — Korea’s version of American Idol but for bands. After the show their popularity exploded across Korea.

Q: What makes Busker Busker different from regular Kpop? A: They are much more indie and acoustic than typical Kpop. Think emotional ballads and folk influenced sounds rather than polished pop choreography. Their song Cherry Blossom Ending becomes the most streamed song in Korea every spring without fail.

Q: Is one of the Busker Busker members foreign? A: Yes! Their drummer is British and was originally an English teacher at the university where the band formed — which felt very close to home for us!

Q: What is the best Busker Busker song to start with? A: Cherry Blossom Ending is their most iconic track and for good reason. First Love and If You Really Love Me are also beautiful starting points.