MEMI (매미)

South Korean Indie Rock & Nu-Metal Guitarist, Singer-Songwriter & Riff Sensation

Biography & Career

Born Kim Hye-mi (김혜미) on June 26, 1990, in Seoul, South Korea, MEMI (매미) is an indie rock guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer. Deeply inspired in her youth by nu-metal, grunge, and punk rock bands, she spent over a decade anchoring the Korean indie rock scene as the lead guitarist for garage rock band 24Hours (debuted 2011) and fronting all-female indie pop-rock trio Seoulmoon (2016–2021).

In May 2022, she launched her solo career under the moniker MEMI with the single "Hate U." Blending sharp, nostalgic 1990s and early 2000s guitar distortion with infectious pop-punk hooks and witty lyricism, MEMI achieved massive international recognition across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for her deadpan humor, punchy guitar riffs, and relatable musician-life vignettes. Following her viral breakthrough single "Guitar Pick" and debut EP M3MI in late 2023, she expanded her sound across garage rock, emo, and alt-metal, solidified by her second EP Paranoia // Nostalgia (2025) and subsequent releases.

Musical Instrumentation & Guitar Style

Punchy Rhythm Riffing & Nu-Metal Chugs: Distinguished by tight, syncopated palm-muted riffs, drop-tuned heaviness, and raw overdriven tones inspired by Deftones, Limp Bizkit, and early-2000s alternative metal.
Garage Rock & Emo Melodic Lead Phrasing: Balances heavy low-end riffing with bright, hooky octave leads, dynamic pick-scrapes, and catchy single-note melodic counterpoint.
Vocal Delivery & Deadpan Charisma: Delivers lead vocals that shift between nonchalant, spoken-style indie coolness, raspy punk attitude, and emotive, soaring pop-rock hooks.

Band Affiliations & Projects

MEMI (Solo Project) (2022–present): Her primary creative outlet as a solo artist, writer, and guitarist, blending nu-metal, pop-punk, and alternative garage rock.
24Hours (24아워즈) (2011–present): Influential Korean four-piece garage rock and post-punk revival outfit, where she performs as lead guitarist under her birth name, Kim Hye-mi.
Seoulmoon (서울문) (2016–2021): Three-piece indie pop-rock band formed alongside bassist Lee Roo-ri (Bye Bye Badman) and drummer Shin Hye-mi; MEMI served as the lead vocalist and guitarist.

Selected Discography & Releases

Mini-Albums & EPs

M3MI (1st EP) (2023): Her acclaimed debut solo mini-album showcasing distinct rock subgenres across five tracks, including the viral hit "Guitar Pick," "Sorry for my late reply," "NY(f)C," "Bassist," and "Waikiki."
Paranoia // Nostalgia (2nd EP) (2025): Her sophomore extended play exploring anxiety and classic 2000s rock nostalgia, featuring heavy nu-metal tracks like "Get da Faka," the garage-rock stomper "Miracle," "LOVE SONG," and "imissyourbody."

Key Singles

"BADidea" (Single) (2026): A loud, sharp-edged modern rock single signaling a high-energy, distorted new era.
"Tek It" (Single) (2025): A heavy, atmospheric Deftones-inspired rock cover single.
"i'm broken" (Single) (2024): A groovy alternative rock track anchored by expressive melodic guitar fills.
"Guitar Pick" (Single) (2023): The signature viral track that launched her global online presence, celebrating the ubiquitous musician dilemma of lost picks through driving overdrive riffs.
"Thin Lips Club" / "RocK N RoLL" (2023): Early independent singles establishing her raw tone, swaggering hooks, and garage-rock aesthetic.
"Hate U" / "I don't give a" (2022): Her initial solo debut singles introducing her no-filter attitude and punchy guitar compositions.