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Interview: Epik High takes Chicago by storm

June 8, 2015
South Korean hip-hop sensation Epik High performed inside Chicago's House of Blues June 4. The group congratulated the Korea Times, the event's media sponsor, on its 44th anniversary. (Korea Times)

South Korean hip-hop sensation Epik High (from left: Mithra Jin, DJ Tukutz, Tablo) performed inside Chicago’s House of Blues June 4. The group congratulated the Korea Times, the event’s media sponsor, on its 44th anniversary. (Korea Times)

By The Korea Times Chicago

South Korean hip-hop group Epik High, which is in the midst of their North American tour, stopped by Chicago’s House of Blues last week to rock a full house.

The group spoke to the Korea Times about visiting the city Thursday.

Tablo said all the members were excited to perform in Chicago for the first time.

“Personally, I saw Nas performing here at the House of Blues when I was a college student 14 years ago,” Tablo said. “I never thought I’d become a singer and perform in front of my own fans at the same venue. Literally, my dream came true. It’s deeply emotional.”

For DJ Tukutz, Chicago is a city with a lively history of hip-hop musicians, including Kanye West and Common.

“Being here, I feel like I’m getting inspiration as a hip-hop musician,” DJ Tukutz said.

Mithra Jin said he had a chance to walk around Millennium Park and appreciated the beauty of the city.

“It’s an honor to be in Chicago, a city well-versed in music,” he said.

The group planned their performances around the music their overseas fans wanted to hear via social networking.

“It was so fascinating to see them remembering and requesting our older songs,” Tablo said.

Since their 2003 debut, Epik High has climbed to the top of the Korean hip-hop genre. They signed with YG Entertainment in 2012.

The trio took time to thank their fans for being with them for 12 years.

The Korea Times Chicago, which sponsored the event, will celebrate its 44th anniversary June 9.

DJ Tukutz said he recalls seeing the newspaper — known as the Hankookilbo in Korea — at home as a kid.

“To see a newspaper written with the word ‘Korea’ here so far away from home, and to hear that it’s been 44 years, is a point of great pride,” he said. “Congratulations.”

Epik High will continue its 10-city tour, which started in San Francisco and includes Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta and New York City.