Busan DJ Radio Revolution, left, founder of Radio Revolution's Reading Room, hosts an opening party for the community radio station in Busan, April 4. Courtesy of Jang Tae-hyun

Busan is a vibrant and energetic city, but compared to Seoul, it lacks the concentration of opportunities available to those involved in the underground music scene. In conversations with local promoters, club owners and dancers, many pointed to a similar issue: While there is growing interest in the underground scene, there is less infrastructure to support it.

To address that gap, Radio Revolution's Reading Room was launched on April 4 by Hwang Doogie, a Busan-born DJ who goes by the moniker Radio Revolution. His work dates back to the 1990s, including a residency at the former club Livin’ and a role as music director for Korean electronic festival The Air House.

A glowing sign shows that Radio Revolution's Reading Room is in use, during an opening party for the community radio station in Busan, April 4. The fish dangling from the sign resembles "aengmagi myeongtae,” which is a pollack used to ward off bad luck in Korean tradition. Courtesy of Jang Tae-hyun

The project is intended not only as a platform to broadcast music, but also as a networking space to circulate local talent and support new DJs through its academy program.

In conversation, Radio Revolution described the station as a noncommercial space “where conversations can happen” and where “people can connect and be present.”

The launch represents a significant addition to Busan’s cultural infrastructure, as the city functions very differently from Seoul’s underground scene. Radio Revolution described Busan as having a “more interconnected and supportive scene.”

“The community is tighter,” he said. “Evolution in the scene happens through close collaboration rather than the fragmentation often observed in Seoul.”

The opening event, held at the station’s new space in the Jeonpo-daero area, brought together a wide range of attendees. One in particular described the atmosphere as “chill,” a tone she added matched the city’s character. Local venues, including Roots Record Bar, contributed catering and drinks.

For its first broadcast, the station featured DJs Jinwook, Zoroman, Minwook and dasein_kimpro. Later that evening, a documentary by the station was screened at UTC Busan in Gwangalli.

Source: Korea Times News