'Comfort Train' Kendrick Lamar performance sparks global buzz... 'Kendrick Army' draws attention even from U.S. hip-hop media [K-EYES]

*This content was translated by AI.

§South Korean soldier in military uniform delivers full concert of Kendrick Lamar... Even U.S. hip-hop media takes notice

A South Korean Air Force soldier's cover performance of Kendrick Lamar on the 'Comfort Train' stage has become a hot topic not only in Korea but also among U.S. hip-hop fans across the Pacific.

The main figure is Private First Class Eom Jun, assigned to the Military Police Battalion of the 19th Fighter Wing of the Air Force. He appeared on KFN's 'Comfort Train,' a morale-boosting program for military personnel, taking the stage in camouflage gear and performing Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" and "TV Off." Both songs were originally performed live by Kendrick Lamar during last year's Super Bowl halftime show. The video was uploaded two weeks ago to the Defense Media Agency's YouTube channel and has since garnered over 300,000 views.

The video caught the attention of XXL Magazine, a leading U.S. hip-hop publication, and began spreading widely overseas. On its official social media account, XXL introduced the clip with the caption: "A South Korean Air Force soldier performed Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' and 'TV Off' at a military concert for fellow service members." The video quickly went viral through various hip-hop-related accounts.

Reactions from overseas fans were overwhelmingly filled with surprise and praise. One user wrote, "Kendrick has even made real soldiers around the world fall for West Coast hip-hop. It's so great to see this kind of scene," while another commented, "Seeing how widely this song has spread makes me realize again just how globally influential Black culture is."

Some viewers expressed admiration for his skill, saying, "This performance is worth paying for even if you had to buy a ticket." Others responded with humor; one user joked, "I should be upset about this, but considering that this soldier thoroughly studied and perfectly recreated the Super Bowl halftime stage, I'll let it slide."

"Not Like Us" emerged during the famous 2024 diss battle between Kendrick Lamar and Canadian rapper Drake. Upon release, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a global hit. At last year's Grammy Awards, the song swept five categories, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Its popularity surged further when Kendrick performed it during the Super Bowl halftime show. Among Korean netizens, Private First Class Eom earned the nickname "Kendrick Army."

U.S. pop culture outlet Lifted Asia commented on the performance: "In South Korea's military service period, which lasts 18 to 21 months, who could boost morale better than 'Mr. Morale' Kendrick Lamar?" The outlet also highlighted that the 'Comfort Train' program aims to inject daily vitality into soldiers' lives. It was an unusual and refreshing sight for overseas hip-hop fans to see Kendrick Lamar's music resonate not only in the West Coast hip-hop scene but also on a morale-boosting stage at a military base on the opposite side of the globe.

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*This content was translated by AI.