#drunken tiger

Jimin and Yoongi have spent the last month wrecking us with their stunning visuals in a series of videos for the Korean Tourist Organization. Ostensibly designed to introduce us to three cities and the island of Jeju they also gave us an insight into the history of popular music in South Korea.

The whole atmosphere of these ads is retro chic, and I can't imagine any other BTS member pulling it off quite like these two perhaps with the exception of Tae.

The teaser (released 14/10) sets the scene. When was the last time you saw a Walkman? Many people probably never even owned one. A whole section of Tumblr oblivious to the joy of painstakingly crafting a mix tape for your crush or the devastating disappointment of a well-loved cassette being lost forever in a knotted mess of tape.

We have two dudes listening to some rad tunes in an apartment that is floating in time somewhere between the early seventies and middle nineties.

An on a side note, one thing is certain, nobody's parting Jimin from that necklace this year. Work or play it's become a permanent fixture.

Busan Blues

On 20/10 the Busan Blues ad came out and made a big impression. How many times did you watch Yoongi and Jimin stroll nonchalantly into the bar that day. Me? Well let's say a few more times than was strictly necessary.

The loose open shirt and white vest, the cravat like tie and the waistcoat. That right there is a great look for Jimin.

Who wouldn't want to share a whisky with these guys?

The classic tune “Come Back to Busan Harbor” by Cho Yong Pil was released in 1972. It was Cho Yong Pil's first solo hit after working in bands. Today his career spans more than fifty years and he is said to be one of the most influential figures in South Korean pop music.

Daejeon Rock n Roll

The Daejeon Rock n Roll video was released on 20/10. A classic 1980s rock theme was used, and big glasses and cool jackets were the order of the day.

The song used is “A Chance Encounter” by Songolmae who were active from the late seventies to the beginning of the nineties. This particular rock classic was released in 1981.

Nothing like seeing Yoonmin grooving to 1980s vinyl.

Pohang Hip Hop

The Pohang ad came out on 27/10 and to celebrate the Iron City of Korea producers delved into the back catalogue of SK Hip Hop.

The background track is "Do you know Hip Hop?" by Drunken Tiger which was released in 1999. These guys rejected many of the traditional kpop rules e.g. they didn't do choreography. They had their share of controversies but are credited with helping bring hip hop into the mainstream in South Korea.

RM has collaborated with Drunken Tiger in the past including a very powerful performance in Buckubucku in 2015 (see RM solo from 2.36 m onwards) and Timeless in 2018. Look out for the Bangtan Bomb of him performing with them live at the Seoul Music Awards in January 2016. There is also a video of the rest of BTS getting in on his camera action which is hilarious. They were boisterous and happy. BTS was really riding a wave back in 2016.

Jeju Jazz

Finally on 8/11 we got the Jeju Jazz ad. The island features in so many kdramas and reality shows that by now I have started to think I know my way around.

They are both breathtaking in this ad. There has been a lot of talk recently on Yoongi's long hair and to be honest I am not usually a fan. I have realised that to me he looks better with glasses and in full professor mode like the recent photofolio behind and reaction videos.

But in this case I can definitely make an exception.

The song is "The Wind is Blowing" by Park Sung Yeon. She is known as the 'Godmother of Jazz' in Korea and dedicated more than 40 years of her life promoting Jazz music in the country. She died in 2020 a year after recording the song with Park Hyo Shin.

This is Tae's mate who has posted with him a number of times in the past year including in January on Tae's Instagram and July on his own Instagram when V went to see his show, The Man who Laughs.

Wow what started as a summary post for the Yoonmin ad series has turned into a wide-ranging voyage through the South Korean music scene. If you have made it to here, thanks for reading.

All I have left to do now is get to Picadilly Circus to see Jimin and Yoongi on the big screen before the ad rotation ends.

Source: @KTOLondon

“It hasn’t been long since I started getting tattoos—I started very late. I got my first tattoo in 2018. I had no interest in tattoos—I didn’t hate it, I didn’t like it, I just had it in my mind that I would never get ink on my body. I also wanted to remain as the only rapper without tattoos but, as my dad’s battle with cancer began and I saw him endure and overcome that painful period, and I eventually sent him off, the emptiness I felt and the self-recrimination got very severe. I leant on the strength of alcohol because of the uncontrollable sadness and pain, and a mix of so many different emotions...Originally, I even felt an impulse to cover my entire face with tattoos. Rather than look in the mirror and see someone I dislike, I thought it better to cover [that face] with tattoos. I got my first tattoo because of that impulse but, thankfully, my tattooist is someone who I really like who treats/considers me [and my family] as family and they stopped right here (gestures to Vajra in sideburn area), saying “stop here”—they’re a friend I’m very thankful for (laughs).

Most of the tattoos on my body symbolize death. Death to me now, however, has a very vibrant, positive, and optimistic connotation—signifying new beginnings. It’s no longer darkness and something I fear.”

[TRAD ITA] 220522 STORIA INSTAGRAM DI RM:

*Storia senza testo*

LINK ALLA CANZONE: 60 Percenta Zen- Drunken Tiger