Up and coming band are taking over the music scene. Bands that play instruments and sing are coming out with new albums. In a time when dancing, singing, and rapping idol groups are dominating the music scene, will bands be able to get to the frontline?

The first band to put their name out there this year is NELL, who debuted in 2001. Late last month NELL released their 6th album Newton's Apple. Their title song "Four Times Around the Sun" ranked in high spots on music charts, and is currently on the rise. NELL's unique emotional melody and engaging power are being used to their advantage, and the group has entered the major music programs, which idol groups are currently dominating.

CNBLUE's activities are quite remarkable, too. CNBLUE released their new album Can't Stop around the same time as NELL. They are currently receiving a great response not only in Korea but worldwide as well. America's Billboard, and other major media sources in Central and South America and Europe are commenting on the band's activities.

In addition, former Loveholic member and producer Kang Hyun Min debuted the 3 member Britpop band Brick. Pop rock genre 5 member band EZEN has also entered the scene. Jo Seunghyun's band JACE and dancing band Red Apple released new albums as well.

Regarding the phenomenon of band emerging forth, mainstream music critic Lim Jin Mo said, "These bands aren't coming out because people are predicting the music market demand. Idol groups are commanding the K-Pop music scene. If there's a dominant flow, then there inevitably will be other groups that deviate from that flow. The reason why bands are emerging in Korea is not because they are pursuing what others have already done, but because of their desire to produce music."

EZEN's management company rep Kang Byung Yong said, "The clear framework for mainstream music is set in bands. There are many who produce great music in Korea. However there is a lack in harmony between existing idols' music and bands. The reason why band albums are increasing in number isn't because they lie within this framework, but it's more of a coincidence. There hasn't really been a turning point or a band boom. A few years ago KBS held a band audition program named 'Top Band', but the flame was quickly extinguished."

Brick's leader Kang Hyung Min debuted in 1993. He was asked, "What does it mean to have a band in Korea?" He replied, "I don't know. It's not fun for me to do alone. I'm in a band because I like it." It means that if he wanted to do commercial music, then he wouldn't have chosen to be in a band.

Baljunso's Kang representative said, "CNBLUE is talented, for sure, but they were able to recruit existing idol fans thanks to their good looks. NELL's music does strike a chord with the public, but they basically entered the music scene when the last band boom was still in effect in the early 2000s. Bands that have recently released their albums honestly don't have any stages to stand on or ways to promote themselves."

For bands like Brick and EZEN, it's hard because they don't have stages to go up on. It would be hard for them to hold concerts where fans can gather, and even harder for them to be active in the indie scene.

Brick's agency director Lee Gun Woo said, "There are only one or two TV programs in which bands can make an appearance and perform their songs."

Red Apple's agency team leader Kim Sung Jin said, "Red Apple is seeking to appeal more to the public and enter the main music scene as a band. However some fans are arguing that bands can't dance. Actually Red Apple is met with a great response overseas. It's unfortunate that most fans don't want to accept a different kind of music."

NELL's agency Woollim Entertainment's team leader Lee Jung Woo said, "There's a clear limit for the public's preference for bands. NELL is in an awkward position. They're not indie, and they aren't a major band. They stand between idols and artists. They're not very mainstream, and they aren't a mania band. Paradoxically they're still surviving." The fact that the music band is still alive doesn't make sense in the current music industry.