Crying Nut
Crying Nut is a punk rock band from South Korea that formed in 1995. They became one of the most recognized names in the Korean rock scene after breaking through during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where their energetic performances turned them into household names. Known for their mix of punk urgency and local identity, they have remained active for decades and released eight studio albums by 2018.
How The Band Got Started
The band first emerged in the Hongdae club circuit in Seoul in 1995. That neighborhood quickly became a center for South Korea’s underground music scene, and Crying Nut’s live shows built them a strong following. In 1998 they released their debut album Speed Up Losers through Drug Records. The record sold more than 100,000 copies, a remarkable figure for a Korean punk album at the time. This success launched them into the mainstream and secured their place in South Korea’s developing indie rock culture.
Joseon Punk
During the 1990s, South Korea was opening up to international cultural influences, with new styles of music arriving from abroad. Crying Nut and other early punk groups adapted foreign sounds while shaping them into something uniquely Korean. They called their approach Joseon Punk, a nod to both their global influences and their own heritage. This community of musicians is often credited with sparking South Korea’s independent music movement and laying the foundation for later waves of indie and punk artists.
Overseas Tours
Crying Nut has performed extensively outside of Korea. Their tours have taken them to Japan, China, Germany, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. They played major festivals including Fuji Rock in 2000, Sweden’s Trastock Festival, and Singapore’s Mosaic Music Festival in 2008. Their international profile grew further when they performed at the 2006 FIFA World Cup welcoming ceremony in Germany, building on the popularity they gained four years earlier.
In 2006, they made their U.S. debut at the Seattle Korean Festival and their U.K. debut at the London Korean Festival. They returned to the United States in 2012 for South by Southwest as part of the Seoulsonic 2K12 tour, alongside 3rd Line Butterfly and Yellow Monsters. Reports surfaced that police were called to their SXSW set because the crowd’s jumping raised safety concerns about the venue. They also appeared at Canadian Music Week in a showcase organized with support from Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In 2014, Crying Nut returned to SXSW with 13 other Korean acts, ranging from pop stars like Jay Park and Hyuna to punk peers like No Brain. An image of Kim Insoo playing accordion was even published on the Grammy website during this run.
Legal Dispute
In 2010, Crying Nut became involved in a high-profile legal battle with CNBLUE and FNC Entertainment. The dispute began when CNBLUE performed Crying Nut’s song “Deathblow Offside” on Mnet’s M Countdown without permission, reportedly lip-syncing along to Crying Nut’s own recording. The conflict escalated when a DVD of the concert was released in Japan, allegedly generating profits from the unauthorized performance. Crying Nut pursued legal action for infringement. CNBLUE responded with a countersuit, claiming responsibility lay with the broadcasters and distributors, but the court rejected their argument. The decision sided with Crying Nut and underscored the ongoing tensions around intellectual property in the Korean music industry.
Band Members
- Park Yoon-Sik – lead vocals, guitars
- Lee Sang-Myun – guitars
- Lee Sang-Hyuk – drums
- Han Kyung-Rock (Captain Rock) – bass
- Kim In-Soo – keyboards, accordion
Discography
Studio Albums:
- Speed Up Losers (1998, Drug Records) – sold over 100,000 copies
- Circus Magic Clowns (1999, Drug Records)
- Poor Hand Love Song (2001, Drug Records)
- The Secondhand Radio (2002, Drug Records)
- Milk Cattle at the OK Corral (2006, Drug Records)
- Uncomfortable Party (2009, Drug Records)
- Flaming Nuts (2013, Drug Records)
- Remodeling (2018, Drug Records)
Live Albums:
- Crying Nut Best Wild Wild Live (2003, Drug Records)
- 15th Anniversary Concert (2010, Drug Records)
Compilation Albums:
- Crying Nut 25th Anniversary Best Album (2020, Drug Records)
Split Albums:
- Our Nation Vol.1, with Yellow Kitchen (1996, KM Culture)
