The Black Skirts

The Black Skirts is the stage name of Korean singer-songwriter Cho Hyu-il, a one-man indie-rock project formed in the late 2000s. Having spent part of his youth in New Jersey, he absorbed a strong American alt-rock and pop influence early on, and that hybrid sensibility—melodic, introspective, and unafraid of pop hooks—has defined his output ever since he began releasing music as a solo act under the Black Skirts name.

His breakthrough came with his debut solo album, which won Best Modern Rock Album at the Korean Music Awards and established him as one of the most distinctive voices in Korean indie music. He followed it with further releases that continued to earn critical recognition, including an album featuring his parents on its cover and later a record that again won Best Modern Rock Album, reaffirming his standing in the scene over multiple award cycles.

Known for songs like «EVERYTHING», «Hollywood», and «한시 오분 (1:05)», The Black Skirts blends jangly guitars, bedroom-pop intimacy, and soulful vocal melodies, often exploring themes of love and longing with a wistful, diary-like candor. He has also released English-language material, extending his reach beyond Korea, and continues to record and release music independently through his own label.