Jun 9

Jun 9 myKOREA with Jamie Finn

As part of our myKOREA series, we’ll be asking someone on the local scene to share their journey through Korean culture by naming their favourite musicians, movies, and artists. We’ll also be asking them to tell us about one more thing of their choosing.

Jamie Finn is the editor of Platform Magazine, the organiser of Holy Moly/Block Party Music Fest, writer at The Korea Times, the resident alcoholic at Pet Sounds Music Bar, and an all-round dickhead. Here he shares some of the music, art, and other stuff that he has personally connected with while in Korea.

Don’t follow Jamie on Instagram here.

Music: HONGBI

Tough one because I am the editor of this magazine - if there's music that I enjoy, it's likely been covered. My love of Kirara, Pop Ents, Billy Carter (as well as Jina from Billy Carter), Eundohee, and so many more...

So I am going to use this opportunity to highlight an artist that doesn't get enough attention - Hongbi.

I just love everything about this performer. Their music is just dripping with awkward charm and aloof detachment. Yet there's something so sincere about everything she does.

Hongbi is perhaps best known as the bassist for funky indie gadabouts, Jisokuryclub, but she is a very talented solo performer, too. She released what was probably my EP of the year last year - I'm a Loser. The release demonstrated the level of variety she has when it comes to composition, and it's wrapped in a strong sense of melody and self-deprecating charm.

Also, she is sound as a pound.

Movie: THE HANDMAIDEN (2016)

I have a sweet tooth when it comes to food, and that often applies to visuals, too.

With that in mind, me fave Korean film is The Handmaiden. So much about this movie feels like it shouldn't work but it's so well made that it does.

A dark and weird historical thriller that is so visually rich it could be a Baz Lurhman (but not shit.) A lot of the plot points in it are played for shock value, which could feel tedious, but it doesn't. The ups and downs are so well-paced, and the performances are so fantastic that this dark and beautiful world feels real.

I also love that this film explores ideas about gender but in a way that doesn’t offer any easy answers. That was interesting.

Art: AARON CROSSROW

Aaron is an absolute icon on the local art scene. His incredible portraits of the often-ignored local tradespeople have made him a much-acclaimed figure.

What I love about Aaron's paintings is that they feel celebratory. He highlights the seemingly ordinary people of the world but, and this is incredibly important, he does so without any idealisation. Nothing is distorted here. He captures the vibrancy of the working class as it is. No bullshit. It's an incredibly rare ability.

Honestly, I'm usually pretty turned off by figurative art, but something about this work is actually quite powerful.

Also, sometimes he will just do some mad freaky sci-fi shit of people getting smashed. I like them too.

One more thing: PET SOUNDS

This is an easy one - Pet Sounds.

Over the last few years, I've gotten pretty involved in the local indie music scene and loved every moment (except for that one time). None of that would have happened if it wasn't for starting out at Pet Sounds. I blagged my way into becoming their resident DJ about five years ago. Platform Magazine was born there. Block Party was born there. I've met so many great friends there and had some amazing nights there.

But outside of its connection to me, I still think it's a fucking institution. During the pandemic, they were one of the few spaces that managed to continue doing regular live music events (even when it was more difficult than it was worth). EVERYONE has played there and it’s become a kind of right-of-passage for bands before they make it big.

Is it the best bar in the world? I dunno, man. But if you like to dance but you're a little indie cindy; it's basically the only game in town. Long may it reign.