Since the last day of Mars artists have been able to apply for this year’s Hello Rookie competition. Applications are made on monthly basis with around seven bands usually picked for final audition in front of a live audience. The monthly winners are awarded 1 million won each and get to appear on a special episode of EBS Space 공감.

The two Hello Rookie winners of May were announced early April. Singer-songwriter Kwon Tree and indie pop band Cranfield share the honor and can be seen on the May episode of Hello Rookie to be broadcast on Tuesday, May 6th. During the live audition they were facing rock band Burning Monkeys, modern folk trio 2story, emo band We Hate JH, the bittersweet Black Russian and rock band Charlie Keaton.

Kwon Tree

Singer-songwriter Kwon Tree is based in Gimhae, near the southeast corner of Korea. He released his first EP 가내수공업노래제작소 in 2013 and followed up with EP 지금 in February this year. Kwon Tree’s specialty is unpretentious lyrics to warm melodies with the feeling of acoustic 80’s folk sound.

Cranfield

Originally from Busan, the britpop influenced band Cranfield is now based in Seoul. First full-length album 밤의 악대 was released in November 2013 and was picked as Find of the Week by Naver Music and also made Daum Music’s pick for Album of the Month.

Hello Rookie Candidates, June 2014

The candidates for Hello Rookie this June were announced a few days ago.

Modern rock band Goodbye Morning, punk band The Veggers, indie folk act Monoban, alternative rock band BADCUPID, poetic rock band Wings of the ISANG, female-fronted rock band Jindalrae Band and electro rock duo From The Airport are all competing to be crowned Hello Rookie of June. The live audition will take place at V-Hall in Hongdae on May 8th with ECE as a special guest.