A Korean Hip Hop Concert

I wasn't quite sure where to put this blog - either into the "All Things Korean" category, or the "Things To Do and See" section. But decided on the to do and see, because honestly - if you ever (and I sincerely doubt that the majority of you are ever going to have this opportunity) but if by chance someone walks up to you on the street out of nowhere, with tickets in their hands and is offering to take you to a Korean concert - one word - GO! There is no experience like it.

It starts off with purchasing glow sticks in the streets. Wayne was slightly hesitant, but was easily pursuaded and we would have stuck out even more (than 2 white people amongst approximately 3,000 Koreans) without them! Once inside the doors we are handed glow bracelets and 2 large baby blue tubes that you fill with air so that you can bang them along with the music and cheer on the bands. Very exciting.

Then it starts. The lights go down, the flashing lights hit the stage and all of a sudden everything breaks out into song and dance. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I said dance. The first band, called "Cool" (uh-huh) consisted of about 8 singers, who did choreographed dances to every single one of their songs. It was at this point that I was certain I had died and gone to Korean Hip Hop heaven. Who needs to understand words, dancing in itself is a language that speaks loudly to me. And I will not lie - Wayne actually turned to me and said, "This is awesome," while banging his big blue tubes and wearing his glow necklace. I seriously thought I might lose my boyfriend ...but not to worry, it wore off after a couple hours of reality.


Anyways, I nicknamed this band - S Club 7. Yes, they were that good.

The next band was called The Blue and I won't say too much about them because honestly - though I think I would have maybe liked their music the most (had it been in a language that I understood) they were kinda boring because it was slow, there weren't enough dance moves and there were only 2 guys. So, skip.


Next was the band that everyone was waiting for. It was explained to us before we went to the concert that we were going to a Gangster Rap concert. Now, having never been to that kind of concert, I had absolutely no idea what to expect ...but the music I recognized. Their first song started to the tune of "Jump Around" by House of Pain. It was too much. It started with 3 Korean males dressed in red matching jumpsuits. At different times, other singers/performers joined them, but they seemed to be the main band. I forgot to mention - they were called DJ DOC and known for their 'harsh' language.

I will explain them like this - they were an angry version of Eminem, meets N'Sync. You may not believe that such a combination could ever exist. But I assure you that it does. Because, while you can tell that the crowd is both absorbed and appalled at the same time in the profanity coming out of these singers mouths as they rap ...they are also performing a choreographed dance. Wayne & I watched in stunned silence as these 'thugs' did spins and moves that would make Justin Timberlake proud.


Welcome to the Korean Hip Hop concert. I promise you, an experience that will never disappoint.

And just when you think that it could not get any better, because you have loved your evening - you get your parting gift. As you are leaving the concert, they are handing out bottles of Soju. For those of you that don't know what Soju is (blog to come) it is essentially like vodka here, that Koreans drink straight and drink with everything!