JK recently finished a very detailed and *rare* English interview with KoME world. Go their site to read more about the the roots of DT, influences, and yes, his great Twitter addiction.
Also, thanks to our sister site, TigerBalm, we now have an functioning English forum for us to debate and discuss. As much as I know how much everyone loves to read my stuff (:P), I know the opportunity to connect with other fans (and JK) is important. You will need to input a Korean SSN to read/write for now, however. Borrow a friend’s if possible.
Drunken Tiger history shows that JK and the old school crew were no strangers to being vocal about some of the hypocrisy in Korean society. JK most recently reacted to racist comments made by netizens about his son, who is 1/4 African American and 3/4 Korean. Before these comments, JK had written about how when Tasha first came to Korea, she was outcasted due to racism and her inability to speak Korean well (years in Korea of course have changed this). After JK had appeared on TV with his son, net bloggers had made inappropriate racist comments about his son, and while Tasha’s rise as well as other “hapas-Koreans” fame have brought Korea a little closer to overcoming racism, some ignorance still resides. JK reacted strongly, stating his role as a father as his basis for defending his son (and with good reason!)
The comments are below:
“can’t be liked by everybody i know, there’s an article about Jordan, and some of them relpys make me sick,,,,talkin about race,”
“talki bout his hair being nappy and he looks black, they prolly like 12, prolly yong kidz but hopefully they learn”
“Comments are always like that but there are actually kids who say things like half black half black. Racism won’t disappear forever.”
“racism, im sure they dont know no better,it’s ma fault for xposing ma son like that tho when they call ma son up to the stage i had a feelin”
“cant believe the are going as far as using the N word, they need to get the ass whooped by they pops, ignorant ass younginz”
“I know that half of the comments are written by kids who want attention but people still use the expression black.”
“ha im used to bein hated / called all kinds of name it comes wit territory / but in the states i was called a chink ,N now the N word here”
“they could hate all they could, im here for that im used to bein hated, chewed on, jk wack this and that, but can dey just C wat dey C,Love”
“callin ma wife and me kid, nappy headed N***R , i wish they would see me in the street”
“^^ I’m a father so I went crazy over hate comments. I’m sorry.”
“peops are so lonely like me da would say anytihing behind the walls of matrix to say things that would get em attention,i pray for they soul”
Tablo of Epik High replied to Tiger JK saying, “This world doesn’t make sense and it has so many bad people. Your child is beautiful!”
So the updates have been MIA for awhile and I apologize. We started a new semester at my hakwon, and the start of semesters are always time consuming. Plus, JK’s shows have been really expensive lately, and my teacher’s salary can’t handle going to all of them lol
Anyway, I will try to update everything in a quick list. I’ve backtracked through pages and pages of JK’s twitter (www.twitter.com/drunkentigerjk) and will summarize. (BTW, JK, you are a twitter addict!)
At the Golden Disk Awards, JK won the title of Best Album of the Year, sporting dreadlocks reminscent of the 3rd album. While I’d love to go back and give a full report, JK’s twitter is insane and I can’t even backtrack 3 days ago. From memory, I know he took this photo to please his halfy 2pm/Drunken Tiger fans. I call them halfies because they are half DT fans and half 2pm fans.
Also, it was announced that JK’s label, Jungle Entertainment, signed on another artist, Cho Moon Guen, the runner up of Korea’s version of American Idol “Superstar K.” He’s a soul singer, sorta similar to Bobby, and the first male vocalist to join the label.
JK announced in another round of twitter updates that Tasha’s releasing a hip-hop album in March 2010, after nearly 8 years since her last hip-hop album, Gemini.
This coming week on Wednesday, JK’s going to be doing a concert with the Ying Yang Twins in Ilsan (Ilsan Kintext). If you’re balling, you can get a crapshoot seat for 99,000 won and for 250,000 won you can get in the pit. The concert starts at 9pm.
JK’s been tweeting videos and pictures of his life lately, which are quite entertaining. My personal fave is the one of his son watching Justin Timberlake perform on TV.
Other than that, I don’t have any other updates. I haven’t been able to be on scene for the latest shows due to the reasons I first mentioned. The only personal update I have for you is this:
In an effort to unify all the music award ceremonies in Asia, MNET transformed their annual awards show into a continental wide award show, awarding and highlighting artists from all over Asia. JK was the first act of renovated MNET Asian Music Awards, starting the show with “Monster,” however, the huge highlight of the night came when JK beat out Bi (Rain), G-Dragon, Lee SeungChul, and MC Mong for the title of Best Male Artist of the year. JK has won his share of awards over the years, mostly under the Best Hip-Hop Artist category, but this is the first time JK has won the Best Male Artist award.
JK’s prize was first sealed with a kiss from wife, Yoon Mirae (Tasha). Clearly overwhelmed, JK was at lost for words when he delivered his speech.
Here is the Monster performance that started the show.
“I was surprised by the energy from the stage with Drunken Tiger. Their skills in rapping are not inferior to that of American rappers like Jay-Z and Raekwon. Also with 2NE1, G-Dragon and Taeyang, I was impressed with the composition. Especially, with 2NE1’s pop dance musical. I also think 2PM and Yoon Mi Rae are memorable.”
While Iwouldn’t personally mention some of the other artists in the same sentence with JK, it’s good to see JK and Tasha getting more recognition from international personalities. This adds on to the ongoing list of personas that have given props to the two (Talib Kweli, Rakaa/Dilated Peoples, Missy Elliot, Jay-Z, Cypress Hill, John Legend, etc. etc.).
The last award show of the year, The Golden Disc Awards, comes up this weekend and JK is up for another Best Hip-Hop Artist award. Until then, I leave you with this photo from the latest M.A.C. Viva Glam campaign here in Korea.
P.S. The future generation of “Female Rappers” also did a special performance of Tasha’s “Pay Day,” at the MAMA awards….
On November 10th, 2009, JK won the award for Best Dressed Male Singer at Korea’s Style Icon Awards. JK’s sported some unique things this year, from multicolored vests to fur hats, but I don’t think any other performer could pull it off as well.
So why do I mention journalists today?
Well, this news came to me from an article from a Korean news source (who I will not name for their sake), and for a report that talked about JK looking great, the editor who did the layout chose a photo that just didn’t convey that as well.
What are some examples of JK with style? Here’s what I would’ve chosen.
(this is the lifesize poster that’s in front of my bus stop 🙂 )
It’s weird of me to start this report with a line that’d you hear from a coach on the sidelines of a football game (“Get your defense up! Arms up! Elbows out!), and it’s simply because during this show I witnessed fans getting mad at each other due to people “cutting” into open spaces in front of them. After notching hundreds of shows under my belt, I had to share my 2 cents on this. Standing room shows are really an insane game of defensive human Tetris, meaning you have to fight to fill and keep a good spot no matter what. People lose all sense of manners at these shows and you have to be aware that every person there is out to get in front of you, and therefore your defenses must be up. So while I feel sorry for people who lose their spots, if you’re not playing the game right, the fault runs both ways!
But anyway!
We arrive circa 9:40pm, and the Walkerhill Vista Hall is already a madhouse. Tickets are sold out and fans are turned away. The What’s Up Jungle Party has an interesting concept: it’s a Halloween club like party, but it also includes a full concert from the entire Jungle Entertainment line up and other members of The Movement (I’ll dub it “The Cluboncert”). In a last minute change, Epik High is out of the line up and Buga Kingz replaces them. Tablo got married last week to actress Kang HyeJung and they’re on their honeymoon currently. So while Epik fans are greatly disappointed, the line up now looks like a throwback to the 2001 Movement crew (sans Dynamic Duo and YDG), and some fans are looking forward to the journey back in time.
After enduring what was probably the longest hour of trafficking music (music played during seating/placing people), Soul Dive starts the show. I don’t know much about this group other than each member has had their own shine with some of the top hip-hop artists here, but their stage presence reminds me of Far East Movement. They bring a lot of high energy to the stage and get people jumping. Their music, like Far East, is club friendly and fun, but doesn’t fall into the standard autotune Dirty South mimicry that has been abused lately in hip-hop.
LeeSsang is second, and they release a ridiculous onslaught of songs dating back to their first debut. Their set starts with a unique remake of the classic K-hiphop song, “우리 같이 해요 (“Together We’ll Do It),” the very first hit they did with their old crew, Honey Family. The crowd goes wild as they take the crowd forward through time with songs like “Loving You,” “인생은 아름다워 (Life Is Beautiful)”, and of course songs from their newest album, “Hexagonal.” Jungin soon joins the duo and adds her powerful vocals to their set. Jungin has worked with LeeSsang since their fist album and her voice is comparable to a mix of old school Korean folk and raw R&B soul.
Gil is an interesting character in LeeSsang, a real entertainer. In middle of his set, he picked up speakers on stage, threw tons of water bottles to thirsting fans, and during their 3-song encore, said “I need a cigarette… Fuck it,” and lit one up with no regards to the conservative image that most Korean star live by. I love rule breakers.
Zeebra follows LeeSsang, which is not an easy feat since they delivered a whopping hour long set that hyped up the crowd. For those who don’t know, Zeebra is one of the pioneering hip-hop artists in Japan who started his career circa 1995. He spent some years in the US, so he speaks fluent English and Japanese. I’m not familiar with Japanese hip-hop, but he sounds similar to old school DMX with a very raspy deep voice and defiant stage presence . He speaks English to the crowd and only a few of the fans are able to understand. He addressed it with this line:
“You know what I like? I like Korean food. Make some noise if you like Korean food *some people respond*… Ya’ll have no idea what the fuck I’m saying, do you?”
The few of us who did understood died laughing, while others laugh just at the sound of the word “fuck.”
Buga Kingz follows with a short set, but member Juvie Train doesn’t leave the stage without leaving an impression. Buga Kingz style of music is closer to the jazzy hip-hop that keeps you chill, but Juvie is sure to keep the crowd laughing with his on stage antics (I’ll explain more later).
As Palo & Bizzy step on to the stage, DT fans become more alert. Soon JK and Tasha, the night’s featured act, will be stepping on stage, but not without Bizzy & Palo delivering a hyped set. The beat to YDG’s “Run,” plays, which is a tease to fans: the song features both Tasha and JK, but Bizzy delivers only his verse and leaves fans yearning.
Gil returns to give the crowd Shany cookies (considerate!)
So after 2 1/2 hours, JK comes out from backstage jamming at first to Michael Jackson’s Beat It. The MJ documentary, “This Is It,” just premiered here, and JK attributes a lot of his stage presence and inspiration from the late star. In line with the theme, JK wears a tie-dye like vest that screams 80s.
JK is sure to perform a song from every album (sans 2nd and 5th). Lately, he’s mixed his classics with old school and modern hits, including FatMan Scoop’s “Be Faithful” and Dr Dre’s “Next Episode.” Tasha soon follows with a rare performance of “Wonder Woman” and “G Hwa Ja,” both great songs from her 2nd album, Gemini. In my opinion, this album is really underappreciated and it ranks in my books as one of the best Korean hip-hop albums of all time (right behind DT2 and DT4). So definitely check it out if you haven’t yet!
Wonder Woman live (mixed with Missy Elliot’s “Get Your Freak On”)
G Hwa Ja live
However, the DT highlight of the night comes when Zeebra and the rest of the performers join JK to perform “Jet Pack.” The 8th album is filled with collaborations with international artists, so when they come together live on stage, it’s a special moment, as it may be the only live performance of that song that will ever happen.
a shaky vid of the performance – my apologies as I was getting pushed left and right!
In the midst of the performance, JK takes off his shirt (he calls it his “Rico Suave” move), and Juvie dumps a bottle of water on JK’s head. Below is the result.
While JK speaks some philosophy to the crowd, Juvie distracts them by mimicking JK’s Rico Suave.
Bobby jokingly comments that Juvie killed the mood, but it doesn’t deter the crew from finishing stong with a group performance of “Monster.”
Backstage is a scene of a massive DT/Movement family reunion. Each corner speaks a different story about the Movement fam – Zeebra’s entourage, Drunken Camp, Korean DT fanclub Tigebalm, and then a group of Movement’s producers. There are brief celebrations and a relief of joy in the air, but they are quickly rushed out, and the only way out is through the main hall where fans are still waiting. As JK is rushed out, he is not afraid to pose the whole way to his van. Every step, JK is camera ready, and as he descended down the escalator, he turns around, throws a peace sign in the air, and bids farewell to his fans.
Back in the US, it’s odd to catch a big star performing on a weekday. In fact, most managers would nix that idea out of fear that people wouldn’t show up. In Korea, a weekday concert is not out of the ordinary. It’s Wednesday, I just finished flexing my English speaking skills at work, and I’m rushing out to another DT/Tasha performance.
Tonight’s concert is a benefit concert celebrating Nylon Magazine’s 1st year in Korea. MTV is partnered with them and the generous sponsorship form MagnMag.com makes the concert free for all it’s participants. A select few people won guaranteed tickets form Nylon & MTV’s website, so a separate line is formed outside for people waiting for those tickets (roughly 500+ people – WHOA what a line!)
A few Camp staff members and fans decide to wing it and just try to get a ticket from the first come first serve line. In a surprising twist, this line is not as bad as the reserved line, and we’re able to get decent seats.
While the calamity in the seated area is nice, it’s where I notice the difference from American DT fans and Korean DT fans. In America, we’re aggressive and we like getting riled up by the performers. We’re used to the pushing, shoving, and struggling to get a good seat/view. In Korea, fans are content with just sitting or standing where they’re seated. It lets everyone see a view, but when you’re that one person in the crowd standing, throwing their hands up, and trying to get as close to the stage as possible, you’re the odd one out. I actually got a warning from the bodyguards a few times for getting too riled up. I apologize, Korea, but when a performer is telling everyone to stand up, and go crazy, my American habits kick in. (소리를 많이 질려서 최송합니다! ^_^)
Anyway, what’s great about JK’s performances in Korea is they all go all out for each performer’s performance. The panning of JK’s photo and the words Drunken Tiger in the back creates a great effect and it always causes the crowd to scream madly. Back home, a DT performance is not as elaborate and the venue is usually smaller and more intimate (that has its advantages though, making the performance feel more raw — and US DT fans love a crazy raw DT performance!).
In a weird twist, JK actually starts the show and is shortly followed by Tasha. JK is considered a Korean hip-hop god here and Tasha, of course, its goddess. It’s rare they put a huge act first in any culture, but DT fans rejoice anyway (hey — if they finish their set early, that means we can go home early, and trying to get on that last subway train in Seoul is very important!).
Today’s set is very short (consisting of “Monster,” “True Romance,” “Pay Day,” and “검은 행복”) and doesn’t require much explanation. So I’ll simply let the photos tell the story.
(Dear Cellphone company, your customer is product placing in my photos. A donation to Camp would be greatly appreciated.)
After the performance, a few TigerBalm/DrunkenCamp staff rush out to catch a glimpse of the power hip-hop couple. It’s a regular for us to go to these shows and our faces are now familiar to DT’s team. We’re welcomed with the warmness that friends have between each other, but only for a brief moment. A lot of the big stars back home would do 1 show a day, but JK & Tasha are sped off afterwards to another show at a university miles and miles away from the venue. I guess there are no breaks here even for the biggest stars.
[many thanks to MTV for helping this report happen]
-Miss DrunkenCamp
P.S. I need more people who are Korea based who are willing to go to shows, take pictures, and/or write about them. Rolling with Camp has some great benefits (ask anyone on my team!). Email me at drunkencamp@gmail.com if you’re interested!
Yes, it’s true, after spending $75/ticket in the past to see DT perform in the US, life has decided to play a fun joke and tell me about free DT concerts here in Seoul. Man, Korean fans, you guys are lucky!
When: Oct 7th, 2009 @ 8pm Where: Olympic Park Olympic Hall (Line 5, Olympic Park station) Who: Drunken Tiger, Tasha, Epik High, Clazziqui, House Rulez
Cost: FREE, $0, CERO, NADA
Tickets are first come first serve. Early arrival is suggested.
MTV 홈페이지(www.mtv.co.kr/event)
나일론(www.nylonmedia.co.kr)
매그앤매그 (www.magnmag.com)
It is 6:55pm, five minutes before the show starts. Another Drunken Camper and I are in the front row getting wet from the rain. However, that doesn’t stop the crowd from going wild with anticipation. The show finally starts, and it starts off right with Dumbfounded, a Korean rapper who mostly known for his battling skills on Grind Time TV. He had a real laid back sound that reminded me of Lupe Fiasco (Be sure to be on the lookout for Dumb’s album coming soon. Do your research!).
After Dumbfounded, Bizzy & Palo hype up the crowd before JK’s appearance. When JK comes out, the crowd loses it (You could probably here his name being echoed in Seoul). He starts with “Do You Know Hip-Hop,” one of my personal favorites from his Year of the Tiger album. The crowd is reciting line for line with so much energy. I end up getting hit in the head a couple of times by fans who are waving their hands back and forth, and it’s somewhat of an annoyance. However, JK’s performance is so hypnotizing that it doesn’t matter. Next he performs, “Isolated Ones! Left Foot Forward,” followed by “Good Life,” and then “I Want You,” which is mixed in with Dr. Dre’s “Next Episode.” This was my first JK concert, and watching JK’s concerts on YouTube couldn’t even compare to this.
The best part about being in the front row of the pit is getting the chance to see the artist up close and being more personal with them. JK doesn’t mind the personal bond either. After coming down from the stage more than five times, you can sense the joy he feels from his interaction. It’s a thing that some American artists won’t even do at their shows, and the fans appreciate it greatly.
JK then introduces fellow Drunken Tiger member, Roscoe Umali, and I think El touched upon this performance pretty well. See here for more details.
Afterwards, Epik High takes the stage with a splash, throwing water into the crowd, waking me up from the trance I was in after JK’s performance. Epik’s performance sends the crowd on a buzz that is surely felt. Soon after, they introduce Dilated People’s Rakaa. Man… for those who don’t know Rakaa, do your research! This guy is nothing to mess with! Rakaa brings the crowd back to reality with the message to keep supporting Korean hip-hop because Korea has some of the greatest hip-hop artists alive. He was sharing the stage with some of them that night, so he knew it all too well.
Wait, is that beat what I think it is? Where’s my camera?
As “Monster” starts playing, fans beside me lose it. Every one of the perfomers is back on stage doing their own verse on the “Monster,” beat. I try hard to keep my camera from shaking because the crowd behind me jumping up and down. My camera battery starts to die, and I start praying it’ll hold out to record this rare moment. Luck was on my side as my camera survived the 6+ minute performance.
While being front row is great, there’s always that crazed girl next to you that won’t stop screaming (you’ll hear her in the video). So El uploaded her footage from backstage. It’s tamer than the video I have, but it doesn’t have any distracting screaming girls.
After the concert, an angel from nowhere gave us the okay to meet the stars. The fellow Camp member I was with in had caught Roscoe’s Vlado sneakers that were thrown into the crowd,and one of the show organizer’s who saw it let us enter to get the shoes autographed. In the midst of this, we were able to meet some of the performers before they left. And despite being such an influential force in the hip-hop world, these guys are some of the most down to Earth emcees I’ve ever met. Seriously, this stuff only happens in dreams!
We ended the night on a high note and our hour and 1/2 bus ride home wasn’t even felt. Despite feeling hungry, tired, and wet from the rain, truly, this was an experience that will never be forgotten.
Yes, it’s true, after spending $75/ticket in the past to see DT perform in the US, life has decided to play a fun joke and tell me about free DT concerts here in Seoul. Man, Korean fans, you guys are lucky!
DT MFBTY INTERNATIONAL 
