The Pulse Beneath the Pop: Inside Asia’s Underground Hyperpop Scene
In Asia’s underground, a wave of artists is reshaping pop music into something louder, stranger, and more honest
There is a strange electricity running through Asia’s underground music scene today. The sound is sharp, chaotic, and impossible to pin down. Hyperpop, a genre that first surfaced from online subcultures and DIY producers, has found a second home in Asia. It mixes the polish of pop with the distortion of electronic noise, creating music that is both emotional and mechanical.
In this region, hyperpop has become more of an attitude. It reflects the rhythm of neon cities and the energy of a generation that lives both online and off. For many young artists, the genre offers a space to be experimental and unfiltered. Below are some of the names defining what hyperpop sounds like in Asia today.
KIMJ
KIMJ is one of the most influential figures in Asia’s hyperpop production circle. His work can be heard across the genre, from beats for Nate Sib and effie to collaborations with artists like glaive, 2hollis, and peterparker69.
His recent album KOREAN AMERICAN is a high-energy release filled with dubstep drops and dense, synthetic textures. KIMJ’s music operates with the performance of a machine, but it is his controlled chaos that makes it human.
JACKZEBRA
China’s underground rap scene is expanding fast, and Jackzebra is one of its most talked-about names. His approach mixes trap and mumble rap with the experimental edge of hyperpop.
The past year has seen his following grow rapidly, as listeners respond to his raw and instinctive style. Jackzebra’s music feels like a snapshot of youth in motion that is chaotic and completely self-made.
SHELHIEL
From Malaysia, Shelhiel is redefining what electronic pop can sound like. His music moves easily between electropop, rave, and experimental production, offering both atmosphere and emotion.
Having opened for acts such as Hyukoh and Crystal Castles, Shelhiel is no longer an underground secret. His tracks carry the sound of city nightlife into something more introspective.
kegøn
Based in Tokyo, kegøn is a producer and singer whose work stretches across sound and design. He produces his own tracks, directs his own videos, and runs the apparel brand “20XX.” His debut mini album youthquake, and full-length release, On the Edge, established him as one of Japan’s most distinctive new artists.
HYPNOSIS THERAPY
Led by producer Jflow and rapper JJANGYOU, HYPNOSIS THERAPY combines the pulse of electronic beats with the raw energy of punk. Their live performances are known for their intensity, building tension that leaves an audience standing in sweat and light
Following their recent tour across Europe, the duo has started gaining international attention. Their albums PSILOCYBIN and RAW SURVIVAL capture the spirit of their volatile sound.
Hyperpop in Asia continues to evolve beyond imitation or trend. The artists shaping it are using distortion and emotion as language. It is a sound for those who find meaning in the noise and who see creativity in the glitch.
Hyperpop is a genre that blends pop melodies with electronic distortion, glitchy sounds, and experimental production. In Asia, it has grown popular because it allows artists to express emotion, energy, and imperfection in ways mainstream pop does not.
Some of the most talked-about hyperpop artists in Asia include HYPNOSIS THERAPY, KIMJ, Shelhiel, Jackzebra, and kegøn. Each brings a unique approach, from high-energy performances to innovative production and visual storytelling.
Recommended albums include HYPNOSIS THERAPY’s PSILOCYBIN and RAW SURVIVAL, as well as kegøn’s youthquake and On the Edge. These releases showcase the genre’s range from chaotic electronic beats to immersive artistic vision.
Hyperpop emphasizes experimentation, distortion, and emotional intensity rather than polished production. It often blends electronic, punk, and rap influences to create a sound that is raw, expressive, and unpredictable.
kegøn produces his own tracks, directs his music videos, and blends sound with visual art. His albums have received strong acclaim, and his live events attract large audiences, showing his growing influence in Japan’s underground music scene.
