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Vogue's review of Best Street Style at Seoul Fashion Week Fall 2021.

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Vogue's review of Best Street Style at Seoul Fashion Week Fall 2021.

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The fall 2021 season just wrapped up in Seoul, where locals attended a few IRL presentations between dozens of mostly virtual shows. Our photographer Nam Huynh was there to cover the best street style looks around the city. Some of the local trends feel familiar, like the lug-sole boots and deconstructed suits we saw elsewhere in Asia and Europe earlier this year. The bigger surprise might actually be the prevalence of head-to-toe black. Maybe the weather has something to do with it-several people were photographed with umbrellas-but either way the darker, pared-back look is a sleek pivot after years of bright colors and experimentation. Scroll through all of Huynh's photos here.

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The Best Street Style at Seoul Fashion Week Fall 2021

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The fall 2021 season just wrapped up in Seoul, where locals attended a few IRL presentations between dozens of mostly virtual shows. Our photographer Nam Huynh was there to cover the best street style looks around the city. Some of the local trends feel familiar, like the lug-sole boots and deconstructed suits we saw elsewhere in Asia and Europe earlier this year.

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An review of female rappers in K-Hip Hop

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An review of female rappers in K-Hip Hop

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K-hip hop has been steadily gaining attention among international K-pop fans, especially in the past few months. Show Me the Money has helped bring rappers out from the underground and into the public eye, and the success of Epik High's recent album Shoebox has demonstrated that a market for hip hop exists. However, the growing popularity of rappers outside of idol groups has been largely restricted to males, which might leave some fans wondering where women fit into the K-hip hop scene.

Although girl groups like Lip Service and GI prove that there is no lack of rapping talent among idols, there are many female non-idol rappers that deserve recognition as well. Any talk of female rappers would be incomplete without mention of Yoon Mi-rae (a.k.a. Tasha), the queen of K-hip hop, but she is definitely not alone in staking a claim within this male-dominated genre. Here are some other ladies who K-hip hop fans should put on their playlists.

Ash-B - "By My Side"
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfsWVNPgSiY]
The underground rap scene is familiar to K-pop fans and hip hop fans alike, since many of the most well-respected idol rappers started out underground. Ash-B is just beginning to emerge from the underground to the big leagues, and "By My Side" is her first official music video. The confident and rhythmic flow she showcases in this song can be found in her other tracks as well, all of which seem heavily influenced by current US hip hop. However, she successfully avoids sounding like an immature or insincere imitation of what one would hear on US radio stations, and her music will likely please fans used to today's brand of hip hop swagger.

MONOCHROME - "920XXX"
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqQG8p5Daf4]
MONOCHROME is a duo, bringing together rappers YAVIS and Boiled Onion. Like Ash-B, their music is influenced by current trends in the US without appearing to be a direct copy in both their individual and group tracks. The ladies have lively and dynamic rapping styles, almost sounding similar to CL, but they eschew flashy visuals and swanky style for a more muted look that emphasizes their musical skills over their aesthetics.

Kayon - "Ubermensch"
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5HG8CtxqRs]
Kayon's songs are a blend of softer R&B melodies with hip hop beats that provide a relaxing listening experience. Her monotone rapping flows smoothly over her tracks, resulting in songs that sound sophisticated and smart. With a simple and clean style that matches the character of her music, Kayon stands as a high-quality example of the more mellow and laid-back side of K-hip hop.

Mato - "December 1"
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAD7iYONxK8]
Like Kayon, Mato's music is calm and smooth with a strong R&B influence. As a rookie rapper, she has a surprisingly strong and confident voice that is pleasant to hear over her serene tracks. Unlike the last few women, Mato leans toward a pop sound with her songs, straddling the line between R&B and pop influences to produce catchy and sophisticated music. Fans of K-pop and K-hip hop will likely enjoy Mato's style and sound.

Kisum - "Like It"
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUUe5B9XDgY]
Kisum is another representative of the pop-influenced rappers like Mato. She can both sing and rap, though her focus is mainly on rapping, and composes her own songs. As a pop rapper, her style is reminiscent of the blend of hip hop and feminine styles that idol groups have favored recently. For those new to K-hip hop, Kisum is an accessible way to enter the genre without straying too far from a K-pop sound. You can hear more of her rapping in her duo songs with singer Se-A.

Readers, what do you think of these talented ladies? What other rappers you think should get more attention? Leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments!

(YouTube [ 1][ 2][ 3][ 4][ 5], Images via TNL Records)

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K-hip hop has been steadily gaining attention among international K-pop fans, especially in the past few months. Show Me the Money has helped bring rappers out from the underground and into the public eye, and the success of Epik High's recent album Shoebox has demonstrated that a market for hip hop exists.

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Video about  the  relations between women artists and the K-Hip-Hop and K R&B scene

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Video about  the  relations between women artists and the K-Hip-Hop and K R&B scene

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WOMEN IN K HIP-HOP AND K R&B FROM YOON MIRAE TO UNPRETTY RAPSTAR : Struggles, Misogyny, Milestones

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Playlist of Unpretty Rapstar season 1,2,3.

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Playlist of Unpretty Rapstar season 1,2,3.

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Remix of "Saweetie- Best Friend" by Jamie and Chanmina.

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Remix of "Saweetie- Best Friend" by Jamie and Chanmina.

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[BTS] JAMIE, CHANMINA ‘Saweetie - Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat)’ – Behind The Studio

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28 Identity is the first album by Cheetah. It was released on February 28, 2018.

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28 Identity is the first album by Cheetah. It was released on February 28, 2018.

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Playlist of multiple Korean female rappers. 

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Playlist of multiple Korean female rappers. 

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Korean female rapper playlist that makes me wanna keep twerking for half an hour | KHIPHOP PLAYLIST

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Korean female rapper playlist that makes me be like yas I'm a real bad b*tch pt.2 | KHIPHOP PLAYLIST

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Performance of multiple Korean female rappers at Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2009.

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Performance of multiple Korean female rappers at Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2009.

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Yoon Mi Rae (Tasha) FT. Baby J, Hyuna, Ji Yoon, Miryo - Lip Gloss, Pay Day

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Listen to +82 Khiphop Podcast on Spotify. It's all about Korean Hiphop and Korean R&B scene. You can follow us thru our socials: Twitter: @82khhpodcast Instagram and Facebook: @82khiphoppodcast You can stream our podcast: Anchor: https://anchor.fm/82khiphoppodcast Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/82-khiphop-podcast/id1549338770 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IkY9qHaUcE87LblwMcoZS?si=UeKustoZQi-zw7kgknftog For inquiries, feedback, and sponsorships, email us at 82khiphoppodcast@gmail.com or message us on our socials.

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Jessi (제시) - Cold Blooded (with 스트릿 우먼 파이터 (SWF)) MV

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Review of Yoon Mi-rae's songs and career.

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Review of Yoon Mi-rae's songs and career.

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Yoon Mi-rae (윤미래) is a Korean-American artist that transcends genres. Also known by her English name Tasha or simply 'T,' she may be more recognized as the voice behind some of the biggest Korean dramas' original soundtracks.

She can serenade about love and heartache. But just as well, she can spew out punchy rap with perfect diction.

Listen to 100 seconds of Youn Mi-rae as a preview:

In this post, we try to paint a broader picture of Yoon Mi-rae through the songs that define her life and career.

Find our very own 'Yoon Mi-rae YouTube playlist' at the end of the page, including the songs mentioned in this post and some of our other favourite clips.

'Black Happiness' & Childhood

Youn Mi-rae is ethnically African American and Korean, born in the US to an African American father and Korean mother.

She opens up about growing up with prejudice in the song 'Black Happiness' (검은 행복) after coming to Korea at the age of nine. Korea is a relatively homogenous country and in the 1990's, it was even more so.

In the lyrics of Black Happiness, she raps:

"Especially dark, my skin as a kid
People point fingers, right at my mommy
....
Feeling guilty that everything's my fault
I wash my face over and over each day
Wet the white soap with my tears
Blame my black skin on myself" Translated lyrics to 'Black Happiness' by Youn Mi-rae

The racism followed her music career when she debuted at the age of 12. Not only did she have to lie that she was 18, she was also told not to speak about her African-American father.

But it is precisely because of her father's influence that Yoon Mi-rae became an artist. He was a radio DJ serving in the US army and she recalls growing up with music in the house.

'Black Happiness' speaks to her growing pains from prejudice and racism but it is a hopeful song of how she overcame them through music and family.

'Angel' & Husband Tiger JK

Yoon Mi-rae and rapper Tiger JK married in 2007 after keeping their relationship private for 7 years. With their marriage, they became the hip hop couple in the country.

This couple creates a synergy when they work together in their professional lives as well. Tiger JK features in Yoon Mi-rae's songs by producing them, rapping in them, and starring in her music videos.

Yoon Mi-rae's song 'Angel' captures how significant family is in the artist's life - not only Tiger JK, but also their son Jordan and the couple's long-time collaborator, Bizzy:

They might seem like a picture-perfect family but their relationship had to struggle through a debilitating illness. In 2006, Tiger JK was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, an incurable disease that can lead to paralysis among other effects. Tiger JK mentions that he gained 30kg because of the treatment's side effects and was barely recognizable.

In 2019, Tiger JK announced that he had relapsed and was undergoing treatment. But as they did before, Yoon Mi-rae and Tiger JK appear to be braving through, together, with their optimism and energy.

'Get It In' & Lumpens

(룸펜스) is a visual art production company, spear-headed by art director Choi Yong Suk (최용석), that has directed music videos of K-pop group BTS since 2014. But before being part of multiple videos with over 100 million views, Lumpens started with directing one of Yoon Mi-rae's songs.

'Get It In' was released in 2011 under The Creators Project, a programme from Intel and VICE that supports visual artists who incorporate innovative technology in their works. Tiger JK and Lumpens collaborated on Yoon Mi-rae's single to bring out a futuristic, Kill Bill-themed music video that merged seamlessly with the electronic sounds of the song.

Since then, Lumpens has continued to work closely with Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae, directing a host of music videos such as 'The Cure' by Drunken Tiger, 'You & Me' by Yoon Mi-rae and more than a few from MFBTY.

'Bang Diggy Bang Bang' & MFBTY

MFBTY might sound like a mouthful (which the team admits to themselves) but it's worth it given what it stands for. MFBTY is short for 'My Fans are Better Than Yours', a collaborative project that emerged in 2013 between Yoon Mi-rae, Tiger JK and rapper Bizzy.

Under the Tiger JK/Yoon Mi-rae music label Feel Ghood Music, MFBTY has been chasing music that is ambitious and simply fun for them to be part of. The trio's music style is captured especially well in 'Bang Diggy Bang Bang,' which kicks off with the playful voice of Yoon Mi-rae and Tiger JK's son, Jordan.

OSTs of the Most Popular Dramas

Starting with the OST to 2013 drama Master's Sun, Yoon Mi-rae's career as a balladeer took off to new heights in subsequent years. She has since taken part in the original soundtracks to Korean dramas with strong casts and even stronger popularity.

Here are Yoon Mi-rae's most popular songs (according to Yoon Mi Rae's Spotify profile as of February 2021) which happen to be all K-drama OSTs.

'Touch Love' - Master's Sun, 2013

'I Love You' - It's Okay, That's Love, 2014

'I will listen never alone' - Who are You: School, 2015

'Always' - Descendants of the Sun, 2016

'You are my world' - Legend of the Blue Sea, 2016

'Flower' - Crash Landing on You, 2019

'Say' - Itaewon Class, 2020

While Yoon Mi Rae's original soundtracks are great, other aspects of her life and career are commendable and noteworthy as well.

Just as Yoon Mi Rae and Tiger JK paved the way for hip hop artists in Korea, they'll continue to stay relevant in the industry as tight-knit collaborators with their own unique styles.

Yoon Mi-rae YouTube Playlist

Ready to get into Yoon Mi-rae's world of music?

Here's a curated playlist of the clips and songs mentioned in this post and some additional favourites found in the course of researching for this page.

Let us know what you think in the comments below!
MoinNet YouTube mix - Yoon Mi Rae

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Details behind Yoon Mi-rae's songs that transcend genres - MoinNet

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Yoon Mi-rae (윤미래) is a Korean-American artist that transcends genres. Also known by her English name Tasha or simply 'T,' she may be more recognized as the voice behind some of the biggest Korean dramas' original soundtracks. She can serenade about love and heartache.

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Interview of rappers Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA.

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Interview of rappers Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA.

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[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] With Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA

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Meet Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA! They’re a sibling rap duo from Miami Florida that have been making waves in the Khip Hop scene with songs like MUKKBANG! & 하늘천따지 1000 Words off the duo’s album

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[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] With Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA

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Trailer of "Bad Rap", a documentary about the lives of Korean-American hip-hop artists.

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Trailer of "Bad Rap", a documentary about the lives of Korean-American hip-hop artists.

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Bad Rap Official Trailer 1 (2016) - Jonathan Park, Richard Lee Documentary HD

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Fashion film of Korean urban streetwear brand Skoot.

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Fashion film of Korean urban streetwear brand Skoot.

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MLMA - Summer Paralysis [Skoot Fashion Film]

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A tourism campaign video of "Daegu" city featuring a hip-hop version of the folk song “Kwaejina Ching Ching Nane.”

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A tourism campaign video of "Daegu" city featuring a hip-hop version of the folk song “Kwaejina Ching Ching Nane.”

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How the genre came to Korea and changed the sound of K-pop forever.

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A trailer for the female rap-competition called "Unpretty Rapstar"

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A trailer for the female rap-competition called "Unpretty Rapstar"

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[ENGSUB] Unpretty Rapstar Episode 1 Teaser

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CL performing at PyeongChang 2018 Olympics.

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CL performing at PyeongChang 2018 Olympics.

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CL Full Live Performance at the PyeongChang 2018 Closing Ceremony | Music Monday

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The best hip-hop clubs in Seoul, Korea. 

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The best hip-hop clubs in Seoul, Korea. 

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Seoul is one of the most populated cities in the world (even ahead of New York City), and is known for its strong emphasis on nightlife. Friday nights in South Korea are often referred to as 불금 (pronounced bool-geum), meaning fiery Friday, where everyone comes out to the streets to drink and dance the night away to destress after a long day of work until the sun rises. The nightlife in Korea is unrivaled and the club is the perfect place to end your night out.

So if you find yourself in Seoul, which clubs should you hit up to enjoy your "fiery Friday"? Here's a small list of some of the best, most well-known hip hop clubs in Seoul.

Looking for the hottest clubs in Seoul? See upcoming nightlife events in Seoul, sign up for guest list, buy tickets, and book table service for directly on the free Discotech Mobile App. Or reach out to our help line directly at 4157356716 - we can help you pick a spot for your next night out in Seoul.

Club Octagon (Gangnam)

Located in Gangnam, Octagon is one of the most popular clubs in Seoul and a club list of Seoul would not be complete without including this prominent nightclub. It was ranked as the 5th best club in the world by DJ Mag in 2017 and was the highest ranking club in Asia. It consists of two "zones"-EDM and hiphop-that are separated by floors. The larger first floor is for EDM and the smaller second floor is for hip hop enthusiasts. Although this is convenient, the downside is that the cover charge is on the pricier side of around $26 and can get extremely crowded especially on weekends. However, the experience and the great atmosphere is definitely worth the price.

Club NB2 (Hongdae)

Enjoy Hongdae's busy nightlife at one of the most popular clubs in the area, NB2 (short for Noise Basement). Owned and operated by YG, one of the largest entertainment companies in Korea, NB2 is open every day until 6 am. Blasting hip hop music until the early hours of the morning, this is the perfect place to have a good time and party all night long until the sun rises.

Cakeshop (Itaewon)

The winner of "Best Club in Seoul" for the 10 Magazine Best in Seoul 2018 Competition, Cakeshop is a hotspot for famous international artists to stop by when they're in town. A lot of well-known artists such as Nosaj Thing, Etienne de Crecy, and Shlomo have played sets here and Cakeshop features a variety of music so make sure to check the performers for the night. It is very popular with the younger crowd and has live sets every weekend featuring top national and international talent. Cakeshop also has quite a different vibe from most of the other clubs around Seoul, boasting a relatively smaller venue with low ceilings.

Club Made (Itaewon)

Club Made is Itaewon's premier club for EDM and hip hop lovers. Much like Octagon, the interior of the club is also divided into two zones-EDM and hip hop. This lets club-goers enjoy the best of both worlds depending on musical preference. This club is also open until 6AM.

Madholic (Hongdae)

A local favorite, Madholic has a very youthful vibe and is one of the best known clubs in the Hongdae party district. The club boasts a lot of fun in a tight space and it is known for its quality hip hop and R&B music. With an impressive lineup of DJs every weekend the venue can get extremely crowded, so beware.

Sinkhole (Hongdae)

One of the most well-known "clubs" in Hongdae, Sinkhole is a bar/club that attracts lots of young hip hop enthusiasts. There is no entrance fee thus it can get extremely crowded and it is a relatively small venue. It is known for playing some of the trendiest and hottest Korean and international hip hop songs that everyone can dance the night away to.

Intro (Gangnam)

Intro is a relatively new up and coming hip hop club located in Gangnam. It gets very crowded on the weekends as well but the club is very well spaced out and offer a better clubbing environment than many others. Unlike the many other clubs in Seoul, Intro is geared towards those who want to go for a great music experience. They bring in famous hip hop artists to perform weekly and there are no barriers or stages between the artists and club goers, allowing them to interact with one another and feel like you are partying with the artists.

So what are you waiting for? Download Discotech and make your night legendary!

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Best Hip Hop Clubs in Seoul, South Korea - Discotech - The #1 Nightlife App

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Seoul is one of the most populated cities in the world (even ahead of New York City), and is known for its strong emphasis on nightlife. Friday nights in South Korea are often referred to as 불금 (pronounced bool-geum), meaning fiery Friday, where everyone comes out to the streets to drink and dance the night [...]

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Artwork hidden on the streets | Time Out Seoul

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The ways in which hip-hop has taken root in Korean popular culture.

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The ways in which hip-hop has taken root in Korean popular culture.

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They rarely get a chance to stand on stage among male rappers and their pay is meager but "I can honestly devote everything I have ... I want to become a long-lasting rapper."

"As a child, I did not know how to cry audibly so I started to rap,"

said rapper Choi Sam (24, real name Choi Ji-ae) who is making herself known in the world of underground hiphop. Did we think too lightly of female rappers? Asking why she started hiphop must have been a silly question. To her, hiphop is the reason to live and life itself.

In the minor genre hiphop, female rappers are the great minority. About 5 % of all rappers are estimated to be female. In the characteristically hard-hitting and rough genre, women do not have much of an advantage. They are ran over by male rappers and it is hard for them to gain the spotlight. In the world of hiphop, women rarely succeed. In South Korea, there is only Yoon Mirae who is good at both singing and rapping. She is also the bar that younger [female] rappers want to top.

Female rappers get into hiphop due to living in the US (Jessi, Jolly.V), friends or siblings who like hiphop (Jimin) and they start rap at places like hiphop clubs.((TN: clubs as in groups, not discos)) Female rapper COCCA (25), who has recently released her debut album, said, "In college, I started rap as a hobby in a hiphop club at school and [then] debuted officially," and "People who like hiphop share information on online communities." Cheetah also said, "I got into hiphop by searching for information by myself at first, or meeting people on internet communities." There are not as many educational institutions that teach hiphop as there are piano, guitar, or singing schools. The Korea Art Conservatory's hiphop department which Jolly.V attends (accredited 4-year educational institution) and private schools are the few places where hiphop is taught. Some people pay hundreds of thousands of won a month to receive hiphop lessons by established rappers.

For female rappers, the chances to stand on stage are limited. Places that put aside famous male rappers and purposely get female rappers to perform are rare. COCCA said, "Recently, I got invited [to perform] more often but the pay was unchanged[ly low]." Popular rappers receive several hundred thousand won for one performance, something that nameless rappers cannot even dream of.

Female rappers who do not get a chance to perform at concerts perform in small groups in the streets or save money to barely rent a concert hall. They record on basic beats and distribute free 'mixtapes' to make themselves known. Both Choi Sam and COCCA have released several mixtapes online before releasing their respective debut single and album last year.

The discrimination of women is worse [in hiphop] than in any other genre, but there also exists cold-hearted judgement like "Female rappers are being ignored because they are not as skilled [as male rappers]." One female rapper said "Among the South Korean female rappers, there only is Yoon Mirae to imitate, so others copy her or cannot find their own voice and get lost, something that I have seen happen occasionally."

What could be the reason why those unnies are captivated by rap nevertheless? 'A craving for expressing oneself' have both men and women. Choi Sam is at the extreme: "Before I turned twenty I did not want to live, but starting hiphop allowed me to live while letting out the things in my heart." She said, "I feel that I'm getting closer to happiness by doing hiphop." Cheetah noted that she raps "because I can let go of all pretense and frankly tell my stories." In the end, rappers choose hiphop because they "want to pour out everything [bottled up] inside their hearts." There are not many places where one can refreshingly speak their mind and receive applause for it; and for these women, who have a lot to say and possess strong energies, prettily singing songs is not satisfying.

The goal of all the female rappers is not to become a TV star but to communicate with their audience for a long time. Jolly.V said, "My goal is to become a long-lasting rapper" and "I want to become someone who spreads positive energy." Lil Cham also says, "It is not a good environment for female rappers to stay in long, but I want to do hiphop for a long time."

Mnet's general manager Han Dongchul who planned 'Unpretty Rapstar' says, "As there are not many women in the hiphop genre, the basis is not broad enough yet. However, with the help of this show I would like to let people know that there are many skilled female rappers."

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Article source: Go Gyeongseok for Korea Times
Image source: chosun.com Translation: hiphopkr

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They rarely get a chance to stand on stage among male rappers and their pay is meager but "I can honestly devote everything I have ... I want to become a long-lasting rapper."

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The rising female musicians of South Korea.

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The rising female musicians of South Korea.

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Photography Jennifer Cheng

CIFIKA, musician and singer
How did you get into music?
I was lost in my life and was looking for a chance to be a new person by doing the thing I was most passionate about. I started learning basic music theory and how to produce about two years ago, and soon began uploading on SoundCloud under the account name CIIFKA. I felt confident; I felt holy. I decided to come back to my home country (I had been living in LA) to start a new life as a musician.

What is it like being a part of the underground music industry in Korea?
It's warm and cold at the same time. Korean people have a tendency to bond strongly with one another, and there's a lot of support. But the market itself can be cold. It's small and, naturally, people can be aggressive and competitive.

What has the support been like?
Support has always been around me. After I came back to Korea to pursue my music career, I was offered a stage at Henz club, in Hongdae. Since then, musicians, DJs, and producers from across Korea have reached out about collaborations. Next year, I'm going to perform at SXSW, and that's like my Olympics.

Where in Seoul do you go to listen to music?
I go to my fellow producers' studios. Moodchula's studio has nice acoustics for listening to electronic music.

Sol Lee, aka LEEVISA, 25, DJ and producer
How did you get into music?
Nobody, including me, thought I was on the path to music. But as I became more interested in nightlife, I began to realize the important role music can play in the sociocultural context, and I started exploring sounds. Making music, for me, is like training myself how to resist.

What is it like being a part of the underground music industry in Korea?
It's like writing new history every day. All my fellow artists here are very passionate and talented, and it's an honor to be their contemporary. It's especially wonderful that there are more and more women and LGBTQIA artists in Korea. The scale of this scene may seem small, but huge things are going on.

What has the support been like?
I get pure love and support from my parents and friends. Particularly, Free Collision (an art and music collective based in Seoul and Lausanne).

Where in Seoul do you go to listen to music?
The Itaewon neighborhood.

Minju Lee, aka MUSHXXX, 28, DJ and model
How did you get into music?
In elementary school, I performed samulnori, a Korean traditional percussion quartet. I played the drum, so I fell naturally into minimal beats and bass. I also did band vocals in high school. Music brings me joy - especially when I find a gem of a song that exactly captures my feelings while I'm DJing.

What is it like being a part of the underground music industry in Korea?
There are more and more underground clubs and bars here. I'm looking forward to the future.

What are challenges that you face?
To produce sounds that feel like me. I'm not skilled enough yet, but I'll keep learning. It thrills me to think about finding my true colors.

Where in Seoul do you go to listen to music?
Underground clubs like Contra, Cakeshop, Pistil, and Soap. And the LP bar Fingas Zone in Apgujeong, which has an amazing sound system.

Closet Yi, 25, DJ, graphic designer, and party organizer
How did you get into music?
When I look back now, I think I was so into clubbing in my early twenties because I wanted to escape the hard times when my dad was fighting cancer. Raving and dancing were the only things that could make me forget about it. Luckily, I had a DJ friend who had good taste and he put me on the right path. Instead of commercial, big room kind of clubbing, I slipped genuinely into the underground scene. Music, for me, has a chemistry that boosts my energy and DJing stimulates my desire to discover new music and cultures.

What is it like being a part of the underground music industry in Korea?
There is still a lot of space to try new things here, compared to other cities that are already crowded with artists. At the moment, a lot of Korean musicians have moved towards techno and bass music, so my duo act (C'est Qui) spotted a niche. We started a deep-house music party this summer, booking DJs from overseas such as Nachtbraker and Ray Mang, and it's been a great success.

What are challenges that you face?
We don't have a big pool of loyal house music followers yet. So the biggest question in my head right now as a DJ and promoter is: How are we going to bring more people into the scene? Also, a majority of Koreans don't have an exact idea of what a club DJ is because we don't have a long history of dance culture. But it's a challenge I accept.

What do you want the world to know about Korean music?
I hope people don't create their own stereotypes about Korean music and think everything is like pretty, bubbly, happy-happy K-pop idol stuff. There are so many different musicians that are carving out their own paths successfully: Yaeji, DJ Bowlcut, and Soulscape.

Jvcki Wai, 21, rapper
How did you get into music?
When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a singer-songwriter or rockstar. But then I encountered hip-hop. I was fascinated by how complicated it was to make rap lyrics and how rappers could have many different flows to express their skills. Hip-hop has a certain lack of formality that excites me.

What is it like being a part of the underground music industry in Korea?
I think there is no underground scene in Korea any more. Korean hip-hop culture has changed in weird ways since several big corporations transformed it a to a business. Many rappers dream of making it big by appearing on corporate produced platforms.

Where in Seoul do you go to listen to music?
Faust. It's the best techno club in the city.

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the rising female musicians of seoul's underground scene

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Photography Jennifer Cheng CIFIKA, musician and singer How did you get into music? I was lost in my life and was looking for a chance to be a new person by doing the thing I was most passionate about.

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Lisa's success on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales.

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Lisa's success on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales.

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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JANUARY 19: BLACKPINK Lisa attends Melon Music Awards 2016 (2016 MMA) at ... [+]
Imazins via Getty Images

Right out of the gate, Lisa, one of the four members of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, has shown that she has the power to sell a single like few left in the business. The superstar officially kicked off her solo career with two tunes, and now one of them performs spectacularly well on Billboard 's hip-hop and rap charts, bringing her to those tallies for the first time.

Lisa's "Money" opens at No. 2 on Billboard 's R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart this week, arriving as the second-bestselling tunes in America that can be described as R&B, rap or hip-hop. The cut blasts onto the ranking in the runner-up space with 6,900 copies sold in its first tracking frame.

"Money" comes in behind only Chloe's "Have Mercy," which doesn't win the week by much. Also new to going solo, the Chloe x Halle singer's debut release on her own launches atop the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart, as a little more than 8,500 fans bought her initial release under her own name as it became available, according to information shared by MRC Data.

Impressively, both "Have Mercy" and "Money" beat some massive blockbusters that are still selling thousands of copies per week, as well as a number of high-profile debuts. The incoming wins pushes last frame's two biggest tunes, Drake, Future and Young Thug's "Way 2 Sexy" and Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow's "Industry Baby" down from Nos. 1 and 2 to Nos. 3 and 4, respectively. R&B legend Aaliyah also scores a number of new placements as songs featured on her recently-re-released self-titled album appear on the tally for the first time, but none competed for the uppermost rungs.

MORE FROM FORBES Lisa Joins BTS, Blackpink And Rosé With Her First Global Top 10 Hit Single

Both "Have Mercy" and "Money" perform well on several even-more-specific charts as well, with Chloe's solo smash opening at No. 1 on the R&B Digital Song Sales ranking, while "Money" becomes a historic win on the Rap Digital Song Sales list.

Chloe and Lisa also score placements inside the top 10 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart, so it's not shocking they end up at No. 1 on their respective rankings as well. Over on the Hot 100, "Have Mercy" is by far the more popular of the two, as it kicks off its time on the all-encompassing tally at No. 28, while "Money" doesn't make that roster...though Lisa's other song "Lalisa" does blast onto the ladder at No. 82.

Despite starting off as the bestselling rap song in the country, "Money" doesn't quite make the 50-spot Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, the top ranking in this field. While Lisa's track may have sold well, streaming helped musicians like Drake and Kanye West continue to dominate the competitive list once again.

MORE FROM FORBES Blackpink's Lisa Joins BTS's Suga With Her New Bestselling Singles

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Blackpink's Lisa Charts The Second-Bestselling Hip-Hop Song In America

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Right out of the gate, Lisa, one of the four members of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, has shown that she has the power to sell a single like few left in the business.

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Video about Black culture's impact in K-Hip-Hop.

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Video about Black culture's impact in K-Hip-Hop.

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BLACK CULTURE'S INFLUENCE ON KOREAN HIP-HOP : THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE FANS

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Performance of rappers Soyeon, Youngji, and BIBI

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Performance of rappers Soyeon, Youngji, and BIBI

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전소연 - Is this bad b****** number? (Feat. 비비(BIBI), 이영지) | [DF LIVE] JEON SOYEON

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Documentary about the rise of Hip-Hop in Korea.

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Documentary about the rise of Hip-Hop in Korea.

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[4K] Documentary A : 🔥 Korean Hip-Hop - Part 1. Rise of the Hip-Hop Scene (코리아 힙합 1부 - 힙합, 한국을 뒤흔들다)

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Jessi's live performance of her most popular songs.

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Jessi's live performance of her most popular songs.

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[4K] 제시(Jessi)의 킬링보이스를 라이브로! | STAR, Arrived, Down, Gucci, Who Dat B, Drip, Numb, 눈누난나

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[MV] Yoonmirae(윤미래) _ Black Happiness(검은 행복)

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Instagram account of Henz club, where most underground rappers perform at.  

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Instagram account of Henz club, where most underground rappers perform at.  

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https://www.instagram.com/thehenzclub/?hl=en

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RAPBEAT festival which is the biggest hip-hop festival in Korea

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RAPBEAT festival which is the biggest hip-hop festival in Korea

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RAPBEAT FESTIVAL 2022 in Gwacheon-si, South Korea | Everfest

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Everfest is the web's fastest growing festival community. Experience all the world has to offer - Find friends. Find fun. Revel on.

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 Korean rapper and fashion designer "MLMA"

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 Korean rapper and fashion designer "MLMA"

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Korean feature film dedicated to Hip-Hop culture and the underground Hip-Hop scene. 

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Korean feature film dedicated to Hip-Hop culture and the underground Hip-Hop scene. 

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The Beat Goes on (Korean Movie, 2010, 청춘 그루브)

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The Beat Goes on (Korean Movie, 2010, 청춘 그루브) - Find the cast, latest updates, latest news, legal streaming links, DVDs, Blu-rays, collectibles, latest trailers, latest teasers, latest pictures, posters, images, videos for the Korean Movie The Beat Goes on with ,Bong Tae-gyu,봉태규,Lee Young-hoon,이영훈,K…

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[4K] 디아크, 브루노 챔프맨, 애쉬비 | [Rising Verse] D.Ark, Bruno Champman, Ash-B

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A podcast episode about "High School Rapper", a South Korean co-ed survival hip-hop TV show.

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A podcast episode about "High School Rapper", a South Korean co-ed survival hip-hop TV show.

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Ep. #7 | Was High School Rapper 4 a failure?

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Now that High School Rapper 4 is over and Trade L has been crowned winner, the hosts share their opinions on why this season was a failure.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/seoul_therapy)

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Interview of Natasha Shanta Reid, better known by Yoon Mi-rae, an American-born South Korean rapper, and singer.

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Interview of Natasha Shanta Reid, better known by Yoon Mi-rae, an American-born South Korean rapper, and singer.

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Yoon Mirae, famous female rapper in South Korea, co-founder of Feel Ghood Music:
We were warned not to take pictures from her manager. She is without make up, wearing just jeans and a hoodie. YoonMiRae meets us at her label's office north of Seoul. Born from an African-American father and a Korean mother, she's the country's most famous female rapper. Also known as Tasha or T, the 34-year old artist is sometimes compared to Lauryn Hill. She is married to Tiger JK, with whom she works regularly. With label mate and rapper Bizzy, they created a group named MFBTY and their own label, Feel Ghood Music.

MFBTY (which stands for "My Fan are Better Than Yours") have just released their first full length album, Wondaland.

Why did you establish your label in UiJeongBu, far from the media and music industry?
T: My father was an American soldier. He met my mother in Uijeongbu district when he was stationed at the base here, so I lived most of my life here. I like the atmosphere since it's a mix of city and country.
How was it when you first debuted in Korea? At the time there was more prejudice towards mixed people.
T: I experienced discrimination from both sides. In the US, I wasn't Black enough. In Korea, they called me "Yankee." In primary and middle school, there wasn't a day when I wasn't reminded I was only half Korean. People stared at me. It was really hard. My first label asked me to hide my father's skin color. They told me, "We will say you have far African-Americans origins." Sometimes stylists tried to make me look "more Korean." Later, when African-American music was the trend, they accepted my darker skin color. I was angry and lost at the same time. I put this anger into my songs.
Tell us about Korean hip-hop in the 90's...
T: When I debuted, hip-hop was like a secret society, a small circle of people where everything was word of mouth. Tiger JK helped me discover underground battles in Hongdae and Sinchon. The rest of society thought rappers were all gangsters. Thankfully, today things have changed.
To the point now every boy band has a rapper!
T: To be honest, this trend irritates me. Some are clearly formatted, but sometimes when I turn on the TV, I see one with good potential. Because hip-hop is now trendy, we need a bigger underground scene to show various types of hip-hop styles. However, finding this type of scene today is more difficult. In the media, there is only one style: pop. If you don't sign with a big label like YG or SM, your chances of appearing on TV become slim. It's disappointing, and I don't think it's going to change soon.
What do you thing of shows with rappers, like Unpretty Rapstar?
T: I know this is going to sound shocking, but I don't really get a chance to watch the show. However, that doesn't mean I don't support my fellow femcees. I hear some of the contestants are very talented, and that I was a major influence for some of them. I am thankful for that. Whenever I'm asked about how I feel about being the only femcee, my answer was and always will be, "I'm not the only one." There's a lot of talented ones out here. You just don't get to see them because either they want to stay underground so they don't "sell out" by signing to a huge label, or they want to blow up, but feel they will have to give up creative control of their music if they sign to those large labels. We don't see these artists because we're either not really looking, or because stations won't play their songs.
Does Korean rap focus on specific topics?
T: In Korea, like elsewhere, rap discusses many things including politics and society. However, there is censorship here even though we're a democracy. There are a lot of things rappers can't say, but the censors are more lenient when a pop star says it.

In 2002, the first track of my "Gemini" hip-hop album was censored by the media because I said "show me your belly button." However, at the time, there were pop songs on radio with more explicit lyrics. Fortunately, things have been changing for the better as hip-hop has become more recognized.

Interview by E.J. (in Seoul)
*Some parts of the interview were lost in the French translation. DT INTL was able to recover some of the original answers, thus some variations between the French and English version.

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[Interview] YoonMirae Opens Up About Her Background, MFBTY, and the Current Korean Hip-Hop Scene

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From major French publication, Liberation.] Yoon Mirae, famous female rapper in South Korea, co-founder of Feel Ghood Music: We were warned not to take pictures from her manager. She is without make up, wearing just jeans and a hoodie. YoonMiRae meets us at her label's office north of Seoul.

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Interview between a child actor and high schooler and rising rapper Sandy.

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Interview between a child actor and high schooler and rising rapper Sandy.

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"수업 내용을 이해 못 해" 아역배우와 고등래퍼의 대화 | ODG