10CM

10cm is a renowned South Korean indie musical act that initially formed in 2010, consisting of singer-songwriter Kwon Jung-yeol and guitarist Yoon Cheol-jong. They made their debut with the EP The 1st EP on April 22, 2010. However, it was their breakout hit, “Americano,” released later that year, that truly put them on the map, earning them the Discovery Award at the 2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards and Best Pop Song at the 2011 Korean Music Awards. Their debut album, 1.0, was a massive success, selling 30,000 copies — an impressive feat for an indie group at the time.

In 2017, after Yoon Cheol-jong left the group due to health issues and the expiration of his contract, Kwon Jung-yeol continued 10cm as a solo project. Despite this change, Kwon maintained the band’s success, releasing chart-topping singles like “Mattress” (2018), “However” (2019), and “Borrow Your Night” (2021), which all appeared in the top ten on the Gaon Digital Chart. In 2020, Kwon broke new ground by hosting Korea’s first paid online concert by a non-idol artist, Hotel Room 1010.

Beyond his musical achievements, Kwon Jung-yeol is also known for his philanthropy. He donated 20 million won to assist the victims of the 2022 South Korean wildfires and has contributed performance fees to his alma mater, Yonsei University. Despite evolving from a duo into a solo act, 10cm, under Kwon’s leadership, remains an influential force in South Korea’s indie music scene.