Is there in Korea (Asia) a counter culture to pop? The western youth is regularly driven like a pendulum to alternative and uncommercialised styles like Hippies, punk, grunge, electro. The stereotypical hipster who only likes obscure music and independent art by starving but true artists.
There is, but the "stick it to the man and be a rebel" vibe is not nearly as strong as in the States.
Every once in a while the mainstream will flirt with some of the indie groups, sometimes some of the style rubs off and the Pop industry will change.
One very well known case (in Korea) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seo_Tae_Ji basically revolutionized the entire industry a couple of times, changing styles like some people change hair cuts. He basically introduced hard rock and rap into the mainstream (which basically was stuff like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2lD9cvkDx8 ) until he came along.
But there's really some great stuff in the indie scene there. One duo has recently started getting noticed a bit in the mainstream.
There is a very active youth crew hardcore scene in Korea. Nicest group of people in world because they are actually a minority and are always hungry for like-minded people.
