We are 87dance based in Seoul.
Meet the Young
Creatives of Korea
Photos by Maki Lee
We speak to the rising stars of Korea about style, music and their favourite local hangout spots.
Understanding. Love. Creation.
Stress. Whenever we struggle to make music, it is hard to deal with the stress. Stress is always around us like our friends. We hate it but also sometimes love it. It feels amazing when we get over this stress. We’re always excited to play these songs that come out of this stress and if people don’t like it, we’re disappointed but more motivated than ever.
Idaho in Mangwon, Seoul. When we went there for the first time, we immediately felt at home. It’s a simple and beautiful space. We wanted this place to be our hideout. Luckily, we had a chance to play our first gig in Idaho and it was an unforgettable moment.
Not sure if it is a subculture but we really love football. Playing football, watching football. We always talk about football. It’s a big part of our life.
Anderson .Paak’s live performance in Korea. It was 4 years ago and I still remember all of us singing and dancing together. It was overwhelming.
Yoo Jaeha. All his albums are magical. We’re influenced by the lyrics of his songs. The lyrics of a song called ‘Depressed Letter’ are especially incredible.
Probably no one knows this artist called Goodoja. He’s a rapper and a friend of mine from my hometown. I think he was one of the best freestyle rappers. He used to do freestyle battles on the street and brought hip-hop culture to our hometown.
Listen to 87dance’s playlist:
I am Goopy from Seoul and I am a singer.
Freedom. Multiplicity. Positivity.
The weather, my mood, experiences and imagination. I always imagine something fun whenever I see things around me.
Soap, Henz.
People around me say tattoos are mainstream now. So it is a bit strange to say it’s a subculture. But I would like to say it’s tattoo. I learnt how to express myself through tattoo and this influenced the way I write lyrics.
Daniel Caesar’s live performance. He’s one of my favourite artists. Before he started, he burnt incense and walked around the stage. It was like he was making a ritual for his performance.
Chet Baker. I would love to listen to his trumpet live.
Frank Ocean. I know he is a world famous artist already. But he is my number one singer.
Listen to Goopy’s playlist:
I am Im Jungin and I am a model. I live in Seoul.
Simple. Adventurous. Active.
Music, films, communication with people.
I don’t know much about independent venues in Seoul. But there is this one place called bar302. It’s a wine bar I used to work for which sometimes has live music. One day, there was a customer who played her guitar spontaneously. She was so talented and everyone in the bar was just enjoying the music. I still remember that moment.
Punk.
My grandmother’s Janggu performance.
I want to spend time with my parents when they were younger.
O.O.O
Listen to Im Jungin’s playlist:
I am Juhan, a model from Seoul.
Snail. White tattoo. Blond hair.
The tattoos on my body.
Itawon 524
Holidays live gig in Itawon 524.
Dinosaurs. I know it sounds strange but I really want to hang out with dinosaurs.
Fatdoo. I hadn’t realised music could be about telling stories. When you listen to all his music, it is like one big story about his life.
Listen to Im Juhan’s playlist:
My name is Kim Younghwa. I am a Youtuber and also run a fashion brand.
Vintage. Kitsch. Natural. It is actually difficult to describe my style. I am always trying different styles.
Communication with people inspires me. I have been doing my Youtube channel for 4 years and reactions from my subscribers mean a lot.
I live in Hongdae which is one of Seoul’s hotspots for subcultures. There is a famous playground you can see lots of buskers. I like passing by the playground to enjoy cool gigs.
I used to like hip-hop when I was younger and I think it still influences me. I was collecting underground rappers’ mixtapes and listening to them every day. That is what got me into streetwear as well.
I would like to spend time with my mom when she was in my age.
Listen to Kim Younghwa’s playlist:
My name is Minsu and I am a singer-songwriter.
Freedom, Nature, Stubbornness
People around me.
Jaebi Dabang in Hongdae.
Radiohead’s live performance when I first went to Jisan Rock Festival.
Thomas Edison
Listen to Minsu’s playlist: