Korean indie band [10cm]is a rookie among Korean indie groups at HongDae, The band received the ‘Rookie of the Year Award’ from Mint Paper, a modern music site that holds the ‘Mint Festa’ every year. The group was also the recipient of ‘This Year’s Discovery Award’ at the 2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards. Considering how many idol groups were started this year, their victories are a great achievement that shows how hard the band has worked. And what makes [10cm] even more amazing is that they don’t have a manager.
[10cm] is a duo with one member who plays the guitar and another who plays the jembe. Their group name came from an unexpected background; they named it so because the difference in the two members’ heights is 10 cm. The friendship between Kwon Jeong-yeol (vocal, jembe) and Yoon Cheol-jong (guitar) started in high school year, playing in the same band. Then they entered the military and college (Hongik University) together.
Their music style (vocal, jembe, and guitar) is reminiscent of Jason Mraz. However, still they have their uniqueness. Listening to their songs make one easily assume what the singers’ were feeling when they were composing the song; and it makes one fully associate with the music. Yet, the music and feelings don’t sound very heavy so that one can lightly enjoy the music.
Two famous songs from their albums are “I’m Scared of the Dark Tonight” and “Americano”.
“I’m Scared of the Dark Tonight” is their first main title song that made them very popular. They appeared on the TV program “Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook.”
During the show, this song was introduced as ‘a song with artful male’s wishes.’ This is because of the lyrics – “if you ever doubt that I have any dark wishes to have you, then you can tie me down to that chair. Look outside, it’s raining. Now you may not go home. The bus doesn’t run at this time and the cab doesn’t come here.” Somewhat it sounds very dubious, but still their melody makes it sound cute.
“Americano” generated many avid fans. Their repetitive lyrics, especially the chorus part “Ame” is very catchy.
They are staging a concert on Febuary 12, 2011. Many avid fans are waiting for their first concert.
