Cash dropper 'Korean Eminem' finds way to clubbers' hearts
In this video spread online, people claim a man known as Heminem threw 50,000 won bills into the air at Club Arena in Gangnam district, Seoul, in June. Screen capture from YouTube
By Ko Dong-hwan
Heminem showed up in a red jacket at Busan Arena in Haeundae, Busan.
A minor but heated performance at the popular Gangnam, Seoul, venue Club Arena in June grabbed the attention of clubbers when money started raining down, online video shows.
A man calling himself “Heminem” stood among the crowd with Eminem's “Without Me” playing in the background. All clubbers' eyes were fixed on the performer dressed in a black shirt and black jacket.
At the back of the venue a sign read: “Korea No.1 heminem_king.” “Heminem_king” is the name of
.
The page says he was “reluctantly made the president of club scenes,” rejects all interviews with journalists, and will “live like himself the most and die” and will “earn like a dog and donate like a minister.” It also contains a phrase from the hip-hop number “Feel so empty 'without me'.”
As the music continues at the club, the man seemingly enjoys the scene, from time to time mumbling the song, bobbing his head to the beat and rhythmically dancing to the tune. He also hands out what appears to be liquor bottles to some of the crowd.
The music changes to rock band Bon Jovi's “It's My Life.” Then the man gets a giant liquor bottle and lifts it up and down like a trophy. When the song reaches the chorus for the first time, he pulls out a bundle of bills from his pocket and throws them into the air.
During his flamboyant performance to Eminem's "Without Me" and Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" at Club Arena, Heminem shows liquor bottles to the crowd, one of which he later pours on himself.
He then pours liquor over his neck and body and holds even a bigger liquor bottle and air-guitars it. Some who saw the scene on
said the man was “crazy enough to pour Dom Perignon worth 700,000 won ($630) to waste.”
At the end of the song, he flings another bundle of bills from his pocket, causing mayhem.
There are claims online that Heminem has often thrown out money at clubs. Most recently, around 2 a.m. during Club Arena's Halloween party on Oct. 27-28, he reportedly gave out 100 million won. Some people were injured rushing to grab the cash and taken to hospital. Police also were called.
Some say Heminem started dropping money at clubs in Busan and Seoul in late 2017. One witness said Heminem was spotted at the Burning Sun in Gangnam in April where he ordered the “Mansour set,” multiple liquors all worth around 100 million won. Dong-A Ilbo reported that it was the first time anyone had purchased the set in Korea.
Clubbers at Club Arena rush to pick up money thrown by Heminem as "It's My Life" nears its end.
In a report, Dong-A Ilbo said Heminem added the last letter of his name to the American rapper's name. It said the man was an investment analyst and mainly earns through giving seminars linked to his expertise. He also lost nearly 10 billion won by investing in derivatives but gained it back. He plans to establish a company in China and the United States that involves bitcoin, investment and trades.
Heminem also told Dong-A Ilbo he has held seminars in Seoul and Busan, talking about his life, stocks and investment.
An Instagram user said he joined one of the seminars early this year that had about 300 participants and received a 50,000 won bill. He said Heminem promised those at the seminar he would select 10 teams with the best ideas and hand-pick a final two and be their angel investors with 200 million won for each. But the person said the project has stalled.
Another seminar participant said online that Heminem must have thrown money at least 10 times. He said Heminem “said at the seminar he operates over 20 business including hagwon, casino and leasing.”
While money dropping at clubs doesn't infringe Korean law, Gangnam police said they will investigate whether Heminem's wealth was built on unlawful means.