10cm
Intimate, acoustic-led stories delivered with a signature nasal charm. Bittersweet indie folk that feels like a quiet conversation in a crowded Seoul cafe.
Intimate, acoustic-led stories delivered with a signature nasal charm. Bittersweet indie folk that feels like a quiet conversation in a crowded Seoul cafe.
10cm creates music that feels like a warm sweater on a slightly chilly day. Built around the unmistakable, slightly nasal, and incredibly expressive voice of Kwon Jung-yeol, the sound is rooted in the simplicity of acoustic guitar and piano. It is music that doesn't need to shout to be heard, relying instead on melodic hooks that linger long after the song ends and a production style that prizes intimacy over artifice.
What truly sets 10cm apart is the lyrical perspective. While many acoustic acts lean into pure sentimentality, Kwon often injects a sense of playful cynicism or relatable awkwardness into his songs. Whether he is poking fun at happy couples in the spring or detailing the mundane comforts of a mattress, there is a human vulnerability that makes the music feel like a secret shared between friends. It is the sound of the 'everyday' elevated to something poetic.
For those new to the project, starting with the album '3.0' or the hit single 'What the Spring??' offers the perfect gateway. These tracks showcase the balance of catchy pop sensibilities with the stripped-back folk foundation that defined the Korean indie boom of the early 2010s. It is essential listening for anyone who appreciates singer-songwriters who can capture a complex emotion with just a few chords and a honest voice.
10cm (Korean: 십센치; RR: Sipsenchi) is a South Korean musical act currently composed of singer-songwriter Kwon Jeong-yeol. Originally a duo composed of Kwon and Yoon Cheol-jong, 10cm debuted in 2010. With the release of the single "Americano", the group quickly became one of the most popular indie acts in South Korea, winning the This Year's Discovery Award at the 2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards, followed by Best Pop Song at the 2011 Korean Music Awards. Their first full-length album, 1.0 (2011) sold 30,000 copies, a record for an indie act at the time. Following a slew of successful singles, and the release of the full-length albums 2.0 (2012) and 3.0 (2014), the group achieved its first number-one hit on the Gaon Digital Chart in 2016 with the single "What the Spring??". Yoon left the group in July 2017 while facing charges for marijuana use. Kwon has continued to promote as a solo artist under the name 10cm, releasing the album 4.0 in September 2017 and several singles, including the Gaon Digital Chart top-ten hits "Mattress" (2018), "However" (2019), and "Borrow Your Night" (2021). His concert Hotel room 1010 (2020) is the first paid online concert of a Korean non-idol artist.
Shares indie folk, acoustic folk, cello, chamber pop (signature)
Shares acoustic folk, indie folk, sunday morning, chamber pop (subgenre)
Shares acoustic folk, indie folk, cello, chamber pop (subgenre)
Shares acoustic folk, indie folk, sunday morning, chamber pop (subgenre)
Shares coffee shop, acoustic folk, cello, romantic (signature)
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