Epik High ponders secrets of success

DJ Tukutz, from left, Tablo and Mithra Jin pose in this photo to promote the release of their 8th studio album “Shoebox.” / Courtesy of YG Entertainment

By Kim Ji-soo

Topping K-pop charts when you’re over 30 and don’t dance may be a tall order. But there they are — Tablo, 34, DJ Tukutz, 32, and Mithra Jin, 31 of the hip-hop group Epik High — with their 8th studio album “Shoebox” released on Oct. 21. Two weeks after in this fast-changing Korean music scene, “Happen Ending” and “Spoiler” remain on the top 10 list.

In their first album in over two years, the three offer a sophisticated mix between Tablo’s lyrics and nasal-toned rap, Mithra’s chocolate-like rap and Tukutz’s mixing.

They have come far compared to their first appearance in 2002

Tablo, Tukutz and Mithra all remember this.

“We were promised 300,000 won to perform at the amusement park Everland in 2002, and I remember our performance was not even the major one,” said Tablo. There were about 12 people in the audience including a drunken older man. “But after one or two songs, we forgot the audience numbers and sang our hearts out,” he said. However, they only received 100,000 won, and Tablo went to fight for the group and came back with 200,000 won. “I think that’s when I became a leader,” he said.

But their latest success comes across as a happy shock to the group whose biggest album to date was some time ago — the “Remapping of the Human Soul” in 2007.

They worked alongside with industry naysayers, slumps and the nation’s very young music scene.

“We’re not against singles, but we really enjoy and are happy doing full-studio length albums,” said Tablo. Because studio albums take times, Tablo said, there were naysayers in the industry but with the latest album the group are gratified that the fans love the album not just one or two hits.

The album came out later than expected as Mithra had to surmount a music version of a “writer’s block.” “Me and Tukutz, we overcame our slumps through music,” said Tablo. “But for Mithra, his was about music” he added. He said it was difficult but rewarding for the members to pull Mithra out of the block.

Mithra said luckily he is in a stage portrayed in the lyrics of “Born Hater,” where people might point fingers at him but that he is a “pretty cool guy.” For the song rated 19 and older, the group worked with the reigning underground and new “idol” group rappers — Beezino, Verbal Jint, B.I, Mino and Bobby.

“Everybody asked us — almost every reporter — about the line-up. I think just the fact that they are asking us the question means that we are trying something new,” said Tablo.

Were they looking out for their juniors?

“No. Not at all,” said Tablo.

“There is no mercy,” said Tukutz.

“It’s a competition,” said Mithra, all in jest.

As in previous albums, Tablo has written some powerful lines among the 12 songs. In the first track “Encore,” he talks about his late father. “I smile for my mama. As I’m the spitting image of my dad, I fear that if I cry, she will see him crying,” he sings. Tablo said that such lines are meant to remind people to make inerasable memories with family members, loved ones to have no regret. Both Tablo and Tukutz are married and Tablo currently stars in a popular reality entertainment program with his wife actress Kang Hye-jung and daughter Haru. In “Amor Fati,” he starts out “God doesn’t love me,” a thought everybody might have had once.

“There may be different ways to express things, but I’ve never once said ‘No, that’s not that great’ to Tablo’s lyrics,” Tukutz said, as Mithra nodded in consent.

As Tablo and Tukutz did most of the talking, this reporter asked if Mithra usually doesn’t say much.

“I need a microphone,” said Mithra.

“You can say Mithra is rapper, and Tablo a poet,” said Tukutz, as the three laughed.

The friendship and music partnership between the members has deepened where the singing voice of Tablo and Mithra are nearly assimilated.

“Some people ask us, where does Tablo end and Mithra end in this song and vice-versa,” said Tablo. “Do we love each other?” said Tablo. “No...” Mithra said, as Tablo said “Okay who’s going to make breakfast? Not me.”

Asked about the more mellow melody,Tablo replied:“I think our age, and our experience just gives different types of anger, lyrics and melodies,” said Tablo. “This music is more about anger of those in their 30s ...which is more from a spectator’s view, from a distance,” he said.

Do they have plans and a concept for their next album?

“Oh give us time to enjoy,” said Tukutz.

Meanwhile, the group will hold their first concerts in five years starting in Seoul from Nov. 14 to 16. Additional dates have been added on demand so Epik High will perform in Daegu on Dec. 7; in Incheon on Dec. 19;and in Busan on Dec. 27 and 28. They are expected to perform in Japan and Beijing as well.

The group said that while they are logically disadvantaged among the array of K-pop singers and YG Entertainment family member Psy as “We are not good-looking, nor young nor can we dance,” Tablo said. “But even foreign fans relate to us,” he said.

“All those years of having performed on various stages strengthened our live performance,” he said.