Issue 25 무료

THIS ZINE KILLS FASCISTS when improperly ingested Letter from the Editor Table of Contents 1. Cover Ah dammit, everything done except this letter. It’s 5am already and Jenny lands in less than 12 hours. In- 2. This Page Issue 25 creasing font size... October 2018 This Broke comes over a year since the last. I prob- 3. Jenny Woo ably wouldn’t have released it right now if it weren’t This zine has been published also for the Jenny Woo tour. There’s also a lot of stuff 6. Glen Matlock at random intervals for the to catch up on, most notably my recent visit to the Oth- past ten years. er Korea one month earlier. And the Olympic torch. 8. Talkbats Founders This issue also has some of the most disturbing stuff 9. Dolmangchi Jon Twitch I’ve published (okay, I’ve published Verv’s writing, so Paul Mutts weirdest I’ve self-published. How many of these arti- 10. Drinking Boys Editor cles violate some security or defamation law? Jon Twitch This issue’s Choose your Broke Adventure is a sequel and Girls Choir of sorts to last issue’s “Excavator Vigilante,” only this Contributing Writers time you’re part of the crazed elderly people fighting 12. Dirty Rockhon Alisa Favi to have Park Geun-hye freed. This zine doesn’t have Verv kind of trigger warnings but as it wades into modern politics, 13. Leper Temple Translator there is a lot of explicit violence and horrible sex stuff 14. Struggle Session Google Translate happening. If you don’t like it, hey, I’m not voting for Kakao Translate those guys. 15. Apteria (yeah, that explains I’ve tried to out-horrible myself by creating a new a lot of things, right?) anti-science movement, the anti-colo group COOCU, 16. K-Pop Killers Photos which enforces some very, very wrong gender and sex Jon Twitch stereotypes in order to increase cancer deaths. There’s 18. Still Alive the internet no way to make that sound better, other than maybe the anti-vaxxer movement started in some punk zine 20. Dan Orozco Layout as a prank. Jon Twitch 22. Seoul Queer Fest On the bright side, I talk about meeting my temporary Contact husband at Seoul Queer Fest, a surprising experience 23. Burlesque jon_dunbar I could never have predicted. Sure, he was a Christian @hotmail.com anti-gay protester, but the moment threw us together. 24. White extinction I also present my burlesque play that I hope someone PDFs of Broke: 25. Good ideas, daehanmindecline would produce. .com/broke There’s also a lot of great music stuff. Usually the first half before the centerfold is all music, but this time it Bootfuck Contributors are crept over the center line, accounting for more than a always welcome. 26. COOCU usual Broke. How many punk zines can brag they have an interview with a former Sex Pistol? None, because 27. Plaid Earth This zine is created zines are incapable of speech and thus can’t brag. using a neverending We’ll see when the next Broke is. Maybe another year, 28. Reviews sequence of Adobe maybe longer, maybe sooner. Maybe the next one will InDesign CC free tri- 30. Crossword, What als. Apparently the be about another interesting music event, or maybe it’ll 30-day timer doesn’t be even more self-indulgent. Anything could happen. You Say? matter if you just keep downloading it Jon Twitch 31. The Other Korea on a PC방 PC. PS) I didn’t start smoking just for that cover image.

Choose Your Broke Adventure: tender sits in her throne, a spy from to focus on fighting socialism in all like your predecessors did. Where the North. He has been dismantling its forms. to start? Save the Princess your society, raising the minimum wage, talking with the North, im- You’re all full of Bacchus and gin- I’ll go overseas to ask our allies You’re a 65-year-old woman in prisoning the rich and powerful. seng, and it’s time to take back the for help. GOTO page 3 Korea, the South one. Your Well, as long as you have healthcare government from the people. But I’ll keep the fight on the domestic 2 leader is in jail and a pre- and a pension, you can stay strong you don’t have control of the Army front. GOTO page 4 JonAcoustic Twitch oi! invasion

When I first started promoting shows in Korea, starting with the Slackers in 2007, there was a need for me. I was able to communicate and get things done. Since then, things have opened up significantly and we have bands coming here multiple times a month. If the Slack- ers returned, it would be Team New Generation of Ska or Kingston Rud- ieska handling it, so no need for me. Some time ago, I told myself there are only a few bands I would bother to bring here. As it turned out, one of them con- tacted me. Jenny Woo is a globally based sort of musician, based in Europe and highly mobile as a solo- ist. But she’s actually from Edmon- ton, same as me. Back in the late 1990s to 2003, we were in the same circles but didn’t know each other that well. I moved away and she did, and both of us grew up as people and got better at what we do, but Edmonton is still at the core of both of our identities. This tour is an experiment in ver- tical integration, as I’ve taken con- trol of putting on the show and pro- moting it, both in this zine and in a daily newspaper. Probably not that ethical, but whatever. English after the Korean transla- tion (which is probably very poor).

Broke: 우는 한자가 한자와 다르지만 한국 성이다. 하지만 아시아의 정체성 이나 뿌리와는 상관없이 이곳의 지역 Jenny Woo 주민들에게는 주목할 만하다. 그래서, 실에도 불구하고.... 하지만 내가 끔찍 만 나는 모순을 보지 못한다. 나는 민 싶었다. 나는 Johnny Cash, Leonard 당신의 민족적 배경은 무엇인가요? 한 사람이 아니라는 이유만으로. 인종 속 음악이 사람들과 사람들이 쓴 단순 Cohen, Corb Lund, 심지어는 약간의 Jenny: 와, 사실 난 “우”가 한국 성이 차별은 무지와 증오의 결과이며, 나는 하고 정직한 음악이라고 생각합니다. 음악의 힘과 힘에 깊은 영감을 받았습 라는 것을 몰랐어... 이제 왜 많은 사람 인종차별이 현장 안팎에서 용인되어야 스킨 헤드 음악은 노동 계급의 삶과 생 니다! 배드랜드 같은 음향을 연주하는 들이 나에게 최고의 김치 요리법을 부 한다고 생각하지 않는다. 그렇다고 해 존을 위한 투쟁에 관한 음악입니다. 그 밴드들 탁하는지 알겠어. 사실, 아버지는 중국 도, 스킨헤드가 되는 것이 인종차별에 들은 일상 생활, 좌절감 및 지역 사회 에서 캐나다로 이주했고, 어머니는 스 맞서는 정치적 싸움과 동의어라고는 생 에 초점을 맞춘 반 상업 장르입니다. 많 Broke: 나는 “스킨헤드걸와 같은 것 코틀랜드에서 이주했습니다. 나는 집에 각하지 않는다. 그보다 훨씬 더한 일입 은 사람들이 acoustic oi!를 장르로 받 은 없으며 스킨헤드의걸 만이 있다”고 서 디섬을 먹고 중국어로 몇 마디를 말 니다. 인종차별주의자가 아니라는 것은 아들일 수는 없지만, 나는 그것을 위해 농담한 친구가 있었습니다. 펑크를 입 하지만 솔직히 말하면 ‘중국’이라고는 우리가 특정한 하위문화와 동일시한다 연주하지는 않는다. 나는 주로 나 자신 은 여자들은 어떤 장소에 있어야 하고, 느끼지 않는다. 나는 캐나다인이 되고 고 해서 우리가 고수해야 하는 것이 아 을 위해 음악을 연주합니다. 그것은 자 무엇을 고칠 수 있다고 생각하나요? 펑크 록에 빠져 있고 특정 민족에 반대 니라, 규범이 되어야 한다. 기 표현의 훌륭한 방법이며, 그것은 나 Jenny: 솔직히 나는 스킨헤드가 여성 하는 것과 훨씬 더 많은 것을 동일시한 의 더 큰 목적입니다. 사람들이 좋아하 들에게 좋은 장면이라고 생각한다. 주 다고 생각한다. Broke: 에드먼턴에서의 초기 펑크 시 면 나는 겸손하고 영광스럽다. 그렇지 류 문화는 여성의 외모와 성욕을 토대 절에 대해 말해보세요. 않다면, 그들은 그저 귀를 기울이지 않 로 여성을 소중히 여기는 경향이 있지 Broke: 또 다른 질문, 어떤 종류의 스 Jenny: 나는 1997년에서 2000년 사 아도 된다. 나는 온라인과 직접적으로 만 스킨 헤드 하위 문화는 충성심, 지 킨헤드인가? 이런 질문들을 처리해야 이에 (펑크)하위문화에 들어갔다. 나는 정당화에 대한 요구를 대부분 무시합니 역 사회 및 성취에 대한 자부심에 기반 할 수도 있고, 아니면 모든 사람들이 “ 펑크 록커로서 사춘기의 반란을 시작했 다. 나는 증명할 것이 없고 인생은 너 을두고 있습니다. 스킨헤드 가치는 내 스킨헤드는 인종차별주의자다”라고 지 지만 가치와 음악 때문에 스킨헤드 하 무 짧습니다. 가 예전의 사람보다 더 강한 버전이 되 나쳐서 지나가고 있는가? 위 문화로 더 많이 옮겼습니다. 나는 지 었다. 말하자면 주류 문화의 여성혐오 Jenny: 나는 우리가 “모든 스킨헤드 역 스킨헤드 장면에서 나이 많고 현명 Broke: 당신의 음악은 또한 대체 국 가 스킨헤드 장면으로 새어나가는 경우 는 인종차별주의자다”라는 서술과는 하며 경험이 풍부한 모든 사람들을 존 가와 캐나다 사람들로부터 크게 끌어옵 가 종종 있고, 스킨헤드 장면 자체는 상 거리가 멀다고 생각한다. 스킨헤드는 경했다. 인터넷이나 지역 음반 가게가 니다. 캐나다에서 온 나는 이런 음악에 당히 여성혐오적일 수 있다. 나는 항상 여전히 비교적 밀교적인 하위문화이며, 많지 않아서 우리가 받은 것은 대부분 대한 기억이 너무 많다. 그럼, 펑크/oi! 반 인종 차별 주의자 또는 반 파시스트 불행히도 스킨헤드가 인종차별과 동의 우리 앞에 온 사람들의 수작업이나 복 와 컨트리/민속은 어떻게 당신의 머리 가 현장에서 가장 절대적인 요구 사항 어라는 것은 언론(그리고 따라서 사람 사 테이프였다. 속에서 교차할까요? 이라는 것이 이상하다는 것을 알았지만 들의 마음 속에)과 매우 관련이 있다. Jenny: 나는 민속 음악과 oi!가 노동 성 차별주의는 여전히 표준입니다. 대 사실, 스킨 헤드는 60 년대 영국의 다문 Broke: 어쿠스틱 오이의 전체 개념은 계급이 노동 계급을 위해 쓴 음악 장 부분의 축제와 콘서트에서 남성보다 무 화 지역에서 태어 났으며 인종에도 불 적어도 외부인에게는 매우 모순적으로 르이기 때문에 자연스럽게 교차한다고 대에 여성이 훨씬 적다는 것을 좌절시 구하고 계급 단결에 관한 것이 었습니 들립니다. 생각합니다. 나는 오이 음악을 단 하나 키는 것으로 나타났습니다. 그러나 나 다. 나는 스킨헤드 하위문화가 인종적 Jenny: 많은 사람들은 어쿠스틱 음악 의 목소리와 하나의 기타로 벗기면 가 는 이것이 바뀔 것이라고 낙관합니다. 편견에 근거하여 사람들을 찢어놓는 것 과 oi!가 모순적이라고 생각합니다. 왜 사와 스킨 헤드 값이 훨씬 더 분명하 펑크와 오이! 여성이 벽을 무너 뜨리고 보다 사람들을 하나로 모으기 위해 더 냐하면 스킨 헤드 음악은 본질적으로 게 전달 될 것이라고 생각했습니다. 더 주류 사회가 만드는 장벽을 뚫을 수 있 많은 노력을 했다고 믿는다. 나는 인종 공격적이고 폭력적이며 시끄럽고 왜 욱이 나는 왜곡 뒤에 숨지 않고 포기하 는 장소 여야 합니다. 성차별적인 태도 차별에 반대한다. 내가 스킨헤드이기 곡되어 있다고 믿기 때문입니다.하지 지 않음으로써 용기와 끈기를 보여주고 로 사람들을 불러내서, 자매, 딸, 파트 때문이 아니라 스킨헤드가 아니라는 사 Your grandkids don’t need to go and her father. Let’s be honest, they anyway, now you have money to fly I’m going to America. GOTO page 5 to university, which will only indoc- were always pretty dumb anyway. overseas. I’ll go to the power behind trinate them against your princess And there are no jobs anymore. So Where to? America, Israel. GOTO page 7 3 너, 친구들을 지원함으로써, 우리는 이 장면을 더 잘 바꿀 수 있습니다. 현장 에서 여성을 지원하고 성 차별에 맞서 서 우리는 진정으로 대안적인 문화로 만들 수 있으며 자신의 가치를 진정한 표현으로 표현할 수 있습니다.

Broke: 내가 도착했을 때 한국은 약 6 개의 매우 좋은 oi 밴드가 있는 매우 통일된 펑크 장면을 가지고 있었지만 요즘에는 0이 있습니다. 당신은 너무 많이 여행 했으므로 아마도 그에 대한 좋은 판단일 것입니다. 오이는 죽어 가 고 있습니까? 피부가 더 이상 새로운 피가 들어오지 않고 노화되는 곳마다 있는가? 아니면 그냥 우리가 제대로 하 지 못하고 스킨헤드 문화가 전 세계적 으로 잘되고 있는 것일까? Jenny: 전 세계적으로 당신이 묘사하 는 것과는 정반대라고 생각합니다. 인 터넷과 소셜 미디어는 하위 문화에 노 출이 크게 증가했으며 (더 좋든 나쁘 든) 훨씬 더 많은 사람들이 오이를 듣 고 있습니다! 접근이 증가해서 생긴 거 고요 또한 축제와 콘서트를 통해 사람 들을 여행하고 연결하기가 점점 쉬워 지고 있습니다. 나는 지금 펑크와 오 이에 초점을 맞춘 유럽과 북미에 더 많 은 축제가 있다고 믿는다! 그 어느 때 보다도. 카타르에 있는 한 사람에게서 작은 축제를 조직하고 있다는 메시지 를 받았어요. 나는 시베리아 북부 지 역에서도 아르헨티나의 파타고니아까 Jenny: I think we are far from with him. I got into the subcul- ple cannot accept “Acoustic Oi!” as 지 스킨헤드를 만나게 되어 기뻤다. 세 the narrative of “All skinheads are ture between 1997-2000, and I’m a genre, but I don’t play it for them. 상의 가장 먼 곳까지도 도달하고 있습 racist.” Skinhead is still a relatively not sure if you were still living in I play music for myself mostly — 니다 내 경험에 따르면, 모든 하위 문 esoteric subculture, and it unfortu- Edmonton at the time. However, I it’s a great way of self-expression, 화는 특정 도시 나 국가에 누가 공연을 nately is very much associated in did have a very good friend named and it’s my greater purpose. If peo- 조직하거나 밴드에서 연주하거나 레코 the press (and therefore in peoples’ Megan who knew you through her ple like it, I am humbled and hon- 드를 내야하는지에 따라 봉우리와 계 minds) that skinhead is synony- boyfriend (also Jon) at the time. I ored. If they don’t, then they just 곡을 가지고 있습니다. 사람들은 왔다 mous with racism. Truthfully, skin- started my adolescent rebellion as don’t have to listen. I mostly ignore 가 갈 수 있지만, 어떻게 든 영혼은 죽 head was born out of multicultural a punk rocker, but moved more into the demands for justification online 지 않습니다. neighborhoods in England during skinhead subculture because of the and in person — I’ve got nothing to the 60s, and it was about class uni- values and the music. I looked up prove and life is too short. Broke: I know it’s considered bad ty despite race. I believe skinhead to all the older, wiser, and more form to ask “What kind of Asian are subculture has done more to bring experienced people in the local Broke: Your music also draws you?” But when you’re touring Asia people together than it has skinhead scene. We heavily from alternative country it’s a little more complicated. Woo to tear them apart didn’t have in- and Canadian folk. Coming from is a Korean surname, although the on the basis of ra- ternet or a lot Canada, I have so many memories Chinese characters are different cial prejudice. I am of local re- of this kind of music, not just Corb from the Chinese surnames. How- against racism not cord shops (as Lund, but over here in Korea eve- ever you relate to any kind of Asian because I’m a skin- you know), ryone just knows Dropkick Mur- identity or roots will be of note to head or despite of the fact so most of what we phys and Flogging Molly (and even locals here. So...what kind of Asian that I’m not a skinhead... received was hand- then we’re talking about a decade are you? but just because I am not a me-downs or copied ago). So, how do punk/oi and coun- Jenny: Wow, actually I had no horrible person. Racism is tapes of the people try/folk intersect in your head? idea that “Woo” was a Korean sur- an effect of ignorance and who came before us. Jenny: As I mentioned in the pre- name… now I know why so many hatred, and I don’t think it vious response, I do think that folk people ask my for my best kim- should be tolerated either inside Broke: The whole concept and oi! music naturally intersect chi recipe, haha. Actually, my fa- or outside of the scene. That being of acoustic oi sounds very because they are both genres of ther immigrated to Canada from said, I don’t think being skinhead is contradictory, at least to music written by the working class China, and my mother from Scot- synonymous with a political fight outsiders. Then again, those for the working class. I thought if land. I grew up eating dimsum and against racism either — it’s much same people would probably strug- I wrote oi! music stripped down speaking some Chinese words in more than that. Being not a racist gle even more with the concepts of to just one voice and one guitar, the house, but to be honest I don’t should be the norm, not something skinhead girls and Asian skinheads. the lyrics and the skinhead values feel extremely “Chinese.” I think I that we have to adhere to just be- Do you ever find people demand- would come through even more identify much more with being Ca- cause we identify with a certain ing you justify yourself, either in clearly. Moreover, I wanted to nadian, being into punk rock, and subculture. person or online? If so, how do you demonstrate courage and tenacity just being as opposed to any par- deal with it? (i.e. live the values I speak about) ticular ethnicity. Broke: A year or two ago, Wal- Jenny: Story of my life — day in, by not hiding behind distortion, and ter Dunn of the Texas ska band day out. A lot of people think acous- simply not giving up. I was deeply Broke: Another question you’re the Stingers told me he ran into tic music and oi! are contradictory inspired by the strength and power probably used to, what kind of you somewhere, I think in Europe. because they believe skinhead mu- of the music of Johnny Cash, Leon- skinhead are you? Everyone in the According to him, you credited me sic is inherently aggressive, vio- ard Cohen, Corb Lund, and even scene here will be totally savvy with getting you into ska, but I have lent, loud and distorted. However, some oi! bands that played acoustic about all this, but I still hope to no specific memories of this. What I don’t see the contradiction. I think such as Badlands. reach a wider audience who won’t was he talking about? And, what folk music is simple, honest music know. In my day, every skinhead do you remember of me from back that was written by the people and Broke: For me, quite a lot about had their own “spirit of ‘69” speech in Edmonton? It’s been almost 15 for the people, and skinhead music your music is a rare reminder of always ready, so I’m curious to years and to me Canada almost is music about working-class life my homeland. But for many others, hear yours. Do you still even have seems like a foreign country. and the struggle to survive. They even references to wild roses will to deal with questions like this, or Jenny: Haha, I do remember run- are both anti-commercial genres seem a little odd. For someone as has everyone moved on from the ning into Walter Dunn, but I can’t that are focused on daily life, frus- well-travelled as you, why bother whole “skinheads are racist”? remember sharing that exact story tration and community. Many peo- with references to where you’re Gotta keep it domestic. No sense your language. Free the princess or depose the I’ll free the princess. GOTO page 11 relying on other countries. If only Anyway, your fight has two fronts, pretender in Cheong Wa Dae? I’ll go after the current president. 4 there was a word for that in but which do you go after first? GOTO page 13 from, especially when you seem Jenny: I honestly think that skin- to be based in Ottawa, your record head is a great scene for women to company is German, and you live in be a part of. Whereas mainstream (which country)? How important is culture tends to value women on cultivating an identity based on re- the basis of what they look like and gion, especially when that region is their sexuality, skinhead subculture as obscure as Alberta? What does is based on loyalty, community, and Alberta mean to you? pride in one’s accomplishments. Jenny: I wrote the song “Al- Skinhead values have made me a berta Rose” when I was still liv- stronger version of the person I ing in Alberta. I wrote it because used to be. That being said, it is Alberta is the foundation for my often the case that the misogyny of roots, and because the lyrics and mainstream culture leaks into the feeling of that land were authentic skinhead scene, and the skinhead to me at the time I wrote the song. scene itself can be quite misogy- I do identify with being Albertan nistic. I always found it strange that because Albertan landscape and being anti-racist or anti-fascist is culture are the reference points of an absolute requirement for most my childhood. Of course, the more in the scene, and yet sexism is still I see of the world the greater my the norm. I find it discouraging that perspective grows, and therefore there are far fewer women on stage who I am cannot be defined com- than men in most festivals and pletely by where I’m from . How- concerts, however I am optimis- ever, I will always have a longing tic that this will change. Punk and for “Wild Rose Country” because oi! should be a place where wom- for me now, it symbolizes my own en can tear down walls and break youth, my innocence, and my glory through the barriers that main- days. stream society creates. By calling people out on their sexist attitudes, Broke: You’re obviously very by supporting our sisters, daugh- well-travelled, having spent a ters, partners, and friends, we can 1. DIP 1ST ANNIVERSARY PARTY great deal of time living and tour- change this scene for the better. By ing abroad. Do you consider your- supporting women in the scene and Club DIP, Seoul self an expat, or how do you see it? by taking a stand against sexism What effect has so much life on the we can make it a truly alternative Saturday, 10.13, 1600 road had on you? culture, and a true representation 20,000 won (unlimited VODKA & TEQUI- Jenny: I do consider myself an of its own values. expat, but even more than that I LA) consider myself a nomad. I have Broke: Korea when I arrived had been traveling around this Earth a very unified punk scene with Jenny Woo with Dead Buttons, ...Whatev- for more than a decade, and I try about half a dozen very good oi to learn as much from life on the bands, but nowadays we have zero. er That Means, Full Garage, Octopoulpe, road as possible. As opposed to You’ve travelled so much, you’re feeling weary from my travels, I probably a good judge of that: is Pilsong, Hi Teen Pops, The Punk Drunk find I have an increased sense of oi dying out? Are skinheads eve- Love, Flush, The Apop, Mantilla, Flug, curiosity and wonder about how the rywhere aging with no more new world works, and how I fit into the blood coming in? Or is it just us? Jahero, DJ YouTube, and more big picture. I have become more Jenny: I think globally it’s the humble, and I have become a lot contrary of what you’re describ- wiser. I’m less quick to judge oth- ing. The internet and social media ers, and I tend to ask a lot more has given the subculture a huge 2. 룩비욘드 어반 락 페스티벌 questions now before jumping to boost in exposure (for better or conclusions. I am able to sleep on for worse) and a lot more people Look Beyond Urban Rock Festival Day 3 pretty much any surface and un- are listening to oi! as a result of der any conditions. The downside increased access. It’s also get- Cheonan is that I have friends all over the ting easier to travel and to con- Sunday, 10.14, 1400 world, but rarely do I see every- nect people through festivals and one I love in the same room. I find it concerts. I believe there are now 10,000 won (limited free food and drinks) hard to “belong” in places because more festivals in Europe and North my identity is spread out and it’s America focused on punk and oi! Jenny Woo with Kitsches, Turn For Our, not anchored anywhere. I’m free, than ever before. I even just got but freedom often is accompanied a message from a person in Qatar, Arryam, Smiles of a Summers Night, by solitude. I wouldn’t have it any stating that they were organizing other way, but the path less trave- a small festival there. I have had Slant, Cutt Deep, Octopoulpe led is often a lonely road. the pleasure of meeting skinheads even in the most northern regions Broke: I used to have a friend who of Siberia all the way to Argen- 3. Jenny Woo at Club SHARP joked “There’s no such thing as a tina’s Patagonia, and so it seems skinhead girl, only a skinhead’s that oi! is reaching even the far- Club SHARP, Seoul girl.” What is the place of women thest corners of the world. In my in punk, what should it be, and what experience, every subculture has Sunday, 10.14, 1700 do you think could fix it? In Korea its peaks and valleys depending on we’ve been grappling with this, as who is in a certain city or country 10,000 won (free entry for minors) women have been disappearing to organize gigs or play in bands or from the scene, and we have had a put out records. The people may Jenny Woo with ...Whatever That Means, few #MeToo-style scandals among come and go, but somehow the our ranks. spirit never dies. Talkbats, Billy Carter, Seoul Dolmangchi You show up in the USA, the Land remark, “not like in the movies.” “Excuse me, ma’am?” he asks. would be all about you being stuck of the Free. Getting through their “English?” he says. “You speak “Did you say you’re going to over- in US customs. customs is a bitch, and they confis- English?” throw the government of These So, now what? How will you reach cate all your duty-free goods. “My name is Park Sa-mo,” you United States?” the leader of this great nation? After waiting a few hours in a say, showing your passport care- “No, the government of my own long standing line, you make it to fully prepared for this mission. country, Korea.” I’ll go to a Trump rally. GOTO immigration. “Name?” the surly im- “Purpose of visit?” He stamps your passport and lets page 6. migration officer asks you. “I’m here to overthrow my gov- you through. Good thing I didn’t give I’ll reach Trump through “You people sure are ugly,” you ernment.” you more choices here, or this story his associates. GOTO page 9. 5 Pistol-whipped Jon Twitch Broke: Do you still identify with After the DMZ Peace Train Fes- that identity at all? Do you look at tival announced that Glen Matlock, yourself and see something punk, or the original bassist of the Sex Pis- is it something you’ve grown out of? tols, was coming to Korea, I started Or it’s a legacy you’ve grown out of changing how I was covering the and you’re annoyed it’s following event, held way out in Cheorwon. you around? We talked and I got a few quotes out Glen: I’m not annoyed. It’s some- of him, but I told him what I really thing to be quite proud of I think, but wanted was a chance to sit down can be a bit of a sword of Damocles and interview him more thoroughly. where people expect one kind of When he returned for Zandari, I thing and i kind of resolutely don’t had that chance. I told him I wasn’t want to give it to them too much. interested in getting stories about I dunno, never really known any- Sid Vicious and all that, which left thing different. I saw some inter- him relieved. Instead I approached view with Keith Richards where the him like I would a contemporary guy asked him something simple musician from the UK with a differ- like “how much is a pint of milk?” ent music scene from the one here He said “hey man don’t ask me that I wanted to understand. I’ve been a rockstar all my life.” Having met him a few times now I Well I haven’t been a rockstar all like the guy, and after having seen my life but I don’t know any differ- it all once, I find myself more in- ent. terested in his current music rather Broke: I recently saw something than watching him get in front of a about Steve Jones’ book, he really backing band and perform all the Glen Matlock performs Oct. 6 at Zandari 2018. wanted to get on a record label and Sex Pistols classics. Which was sound like we just knew what we Image Ltd, he was kind of, “I’d al- find success. But these days there’s wish fulfillment for more than just didn’t want to sound like ready done punk and wanted to do so much talk about DIY and indie. me, guaranteed. I suspect we’ll see We knew we didn’t want to sound something else”— What do you think about that? Is that him around here again someday. like a prog rock band, didn’t want to Glen: I was like that, I had the Rich good or is it better to get hooked up sound like a pub rock band, which Kids. We weren’t that successful but to a money hose? Broke: You basically were in this was all over guys playing R&B, you we had our time in the sun. I thought Glen: I think if you write songs and music scene before it had a name as know R&B from back then, but we we’d already done punk and the last you come up with something, you far as I know. was gonna do it anyway and through thing I wanted to do was get another want as many people to hear it as Glen: Yeah a process of negation we ended up singer and do Sex Pistols division 2. possible and not as few. I know the Broke: And over time it’s changed doing what we were doing and that Who wants to do that? I’ve already bands that didn’t get signed started so much that I think it really means became what was known as punk. done it. I’m sure John felt the same indie labels, so draw your own con- something different today. Other ppl copied us and that was thing. I think that’s just part of hu- clusions for that. Glen: If anything at all. It does like a blueprint for it man nature, you want to move for- But then because it was indie, it seem to mean a lot to people around There was so many different ward a little bit. became its own thing, Stiff Records the world. things we liked. I liked the Faces. Broke: The korean punk scene and all that. I dunno, you just gotta I think all of us just basically want- Steve and Paul liked the Faces. average age is probably in its mid- use whatever tools you can. When ed to play some music is all, and the John hated them. We all liked Tamla 30s now. do you see it as it’s gotta we started out, there wasn’t really way it came out is the way it came Motown a bit. We all liked the Spi- be a youth movement, or is it okay any independent labels. Stiff didn’t out, very happenstance, and just a ders from Mars. We all liked a little to age? even exist. Yeah anybody could’ve conglomeration of people around it. bit of Velvet Underground. We we Glen: I think it’s an atitude really. paid and gone and had 500 records And then it became known as punk. were hip to Iggy and the Stooges. I I think eople will suck up to peo- made. But it’s come full circle and I get to travel a lot these days liked the Kings and the Who and the ple and toe the line, or they don’t. that’s what ppl are doing these days and it seems to not go away, which Yardbirds and Small Faces. Whether that makes them punk or anyway, just because of the flux of seems like a good thing. But when Broke: I could see how you ar- not I don’t know. the music industry. people expect you to do the same rived with your sound in a scaled- On my record I’ve got Earl Slick, Broke: I get the feeling you could old songs these days, which I don’t down way. he’s no spring chicken but he’s still start a great band today and not get mind doing, but I’d rather — I’ve Glen: Yeah but in the writing of got it. Slim Jim (Phantom, Stray Cats noticed unless you got really really given you a copy of my album which the songs and the construction of drummer) he’s 10 years younger lucky. is more where I’m at these days. things it’s got nothing to do with the than me but he’s in his 50s. I’m Glen: Yeah or you’re very clev- Broke: You said people just want- Ramones or the Kingsmen, it’s this quite proud of one track I’ve got er and crafty and do all the right ed to play music and this is just sort of weird thing that came out chris spedding playing guitar, he’s moves. You gotta be lucky and what came out. Back when you did it really simplified. 77 now, but he’s still got it. I think crafty and astute and clever and it was original, but nowadays there Broke: There’s always been a de- you’ve either got it or you don’t, it meet the right people and be in the are a lot of bands doing the same bate in punk music over is originali- doesn’t matter how old you are. right place at the right time. That’s thing and it’s not original. ty important or is it best to find your Broke: Reassuring to hear. what we did, we was in the right Glen: I think the difference is, thing and keep doing it? Like when Glen: But maybe I’m trying to kid place at the right time. we didn’t know what we wanted to John Lydon moved on with Public myself. I think we all arrived there be-

It isn’t hard to find a Trump rally. because your daughter was unable gay bomb, all loaded and ready to because what do we get in return It’s harder getting in, but when the to land a good job or a rich husband, go in aerial drone, and Mike Pence’s for imports, just goods and servic- organisers see a nonwhite woman because her skin was naturally too even more secret straight bomb. It’s es? We have a yuge army presence wants to attend, they bring you to dark. amazing, right? Who knew bombs there mostly to contain China, and the front of the line and set you up Everyone takes their seats, and turn you gay? And straight! People, they don’t pay for it.” with front-row tickets. Trump comes out. “Friends, con- we have the best drones. We can hit You stand up on your seat. As you enter the stadium, you gratulate me!” he requests. anything, believe me. We could turn “You’re wrong! We are allies! Just hear people all around you chanting The crowd goes wild, and you Pyongyang into the gay capital of give us a chance!” “Make America Great Again!” and applaud along with it. the world, or cure Castro Street!” Trump squints at you. “What’d you join in even though you don’t “There is a threat that walks “Get to the point!” someone she say?” really know of a time when America among us, well not among me and shouts. “What is the threat that “I’m from South Korea!” you was less great. my family because we live in heav- walks among us? Is it Mexicans?” should back at him. Some chant “America First!” and ily protected compounds, have Trump makes a gesture and the “Knock the crap out of her, would you chant along, because America you seen the White House? Super shouter is removed. you?” He turns his back and walks can’t help your country if it doesn’t bougie I know, right, I know, super “Korea,” he says. “They have a off stage, and his followers advance help itself first. bougie, but what you don’t see is all free trade deal with us, and they are on you. Some up front chant “White the hidden tactical gadgets. Secret robbing us blind. They have a trade 6 power!” and you chant along underground hangars housing the surplus, which I don’t understand, THE END cause we all had a hunch. We all Glen: You think that or do I think assembled at Malcolm McLaren’s that? shop — he didn’t form us but we Broke: I think that and I think formed ourselves — in this fantas- you’ve come at the best two events tic nutty place that he had because we have. we all gravitated there for different Glen: Well I know it’s all in its reasons but just thought something infancy and they’re trying to find would come of it. But you can’t out as they go along. I don’t nor- manufacture it. mally come to things like this, but Broke: We’re in Korea where the somehow I got involved. The whole music industry itself is so heav- thing to go to the dm-zed, dm-zee, ily manufactured it resembles an thing was very interesting to me industrial product, K-pop. Do you and I just liked the people there. ever listen to that stuff? I thought they was keen, I didn’t Glen: No, I don’t really know think it was that badly organised, I who’s who in it. thought it was quite well organised. Broke: Yeah, it doesn’t really Broke: I think everyone organ- matter, that’s kind of the point. ises well, just something about live Glen: Yeah, but I’ve met a few music here is dying out. You go to good people like Crying Nut guys shows here and it’s all older peo- and Chacha (former No Brain sing- ple, and you look at people in their er)— 20s and they’re all listening to DJs. Broke: Oh, that’s not the same Glen: Yeah but that’s the same thing. all around the world I think, a cer- Glen: No, I wouldn’t’ve thought it Glen Matlock with members of Crying Nut and No Brain at tain strata of people. You go where was, They seem kind of heartfelt. there are rock music fans what- Broke: They’re in a lot of ways DMZ Peace Train Festival in Cheorwon, June 24. ever rock music is these days, and the exact opposite of the K-pop boy was coming at you and you had on the cutting edge a bit more. there’s people who like disco mu- industry. bondage trousers done up too tight, Broke: What about attitudes to- sic and people who maybe want to Glen: Yeah I would’ve thought so. you would get a whacking. ward women? From what I’ve read, have a dance and have something Broke: That’s one thing I really Broke: Was it also trying to be women in the scene weren’t really that’s not too taxing. There’s noth- don’t like about this area, Hongdae, sex positive? Was it more open to treated nicely. ing wrong with that really. it’s kind of played out through gen- people considered sexually devi- Glen: In the punk days? Some ppl don’t do anything all day trification as a battle between indie ant, like transgender or gay? Broke: How were attitudes to- long, and then they go to a rock gig music and K-pop, and K-pop has Glen: I think through punk it ward women, and what was their just to feel like they’ve done some- basically won. opened the doors a little bit in a place? Could they be equals with thing. Glen: But maybe it’s the same way that was kind of a little bit men back then? Broke: I can relate to that. in England, you know with simon more groundbreaking. Glen: I think there were quite a Glen: I’m just here having a look- Cowell and X-Fasctor. It was al- I remember when we started go- few girl groups, I can think of the see. It seems to be that asia’s call- ways like that even when I was a ing out, doing gigs and things, there Slits and Raincoats straight away, ing a little bit. And I enjoy being kid. wasn’t many clubs to go to, and and X-Ray Specs. They were just, here. To me it’s fresh and less There was never a real golden Malcolm and Vivienne (Westwood) other bands. Were they any good? jaded. age, apart from maybe the mid-to- were quite sort of on the scene, Well some of them were and some Broke: I really think a lot of music late 60s. There was the best TV you know where can you go for a of them weren’t, and that was the today wouldn’t be possible without show called “Ready Steady Go.” drink, “hey let’s go to the Som- yardstick, it wasn’t because they the Sex Pistols. You could see the Yardbirds and brero on Kensington High Street!” were girls. I don’t think a lot of Glen: Yeah but there was al- the Stones, Dusty Springfield, all The Sombrero on Kensington High people even thought of them like ways people before us. I think the on the same programme. It was the Street was a gay club. I remember, that. Kingsmen were important before best programme ever. not that we were gay, but we were Broke: I want to figure out what us. And then the Kinks came after Broke: We have this other prob- hanging out with the people there catches your eye over here. This is them. lem like what you were saying, doing the hustle. They were some your second time over here. I re- It’s that whole thing that Isaac where there are audition TV shows of the more kind of left-field peo- ally consider the scene that Zandari Newton said, he said he’s just that present a new kind of path ple, always there with the fashion represents to be small and not well standing on the shoulders of gi- for bands to find success. Rather trends, so they were always a bit enough organised. ants. than sweating away in some dingy basement club, they can get on TV and get voted by the masses. Glen: The thing is, they put on certain kinds of things, so people aspire to be that certain kinds of thing that’s gonna get on that kind of thing and end up putting out more of that certain kind of thing, and it’s all a bit naff really. Broke: So both the UK and Korea have had that problem. Glen: I think it’s a worldwide thing really. Broke: I’ve always wondered, there was really a big presence of bondage gear in early punk. What was behind that? Was it just people trying to be shocking? Glen: I don’t think there was any sexual fetishism involved. I don’t think people really thought it through, they just thought some of the stuff looked kind of good. Some of the bondage stuff was made out of fabric, not leather. It wouldn’t be very binding. The first thing about it was that it made it awkward to run for the bus, or if some teddy

You book a flight to Israel, skinned people. “Where to?” the taxi driver asks. Take me to the World Bank. but when you arrive, the coun- You collect your luggage and Where is the Jewish seat of GOTO page 8 try is full of dirty-looking dark- leave the airport to hail a taxi. power? Hollywood. GOTO page 8 7 Talking with the Talkbats Jon Twitch I interviewed Talkbats a few years ago, but figured it was time to talk to them again. They’re playing my show, and they have a two-song album coming out soon. Last time we talked in person with a translator which was quite a lot. This time we talked online, and I think the answers are from the band collectively but can’t guess more than that, other than one an- swer comes straight from Nagi.

Broke: Can you please introduce the current lineup of Talkbats? Has it stayed the same since last time I interviewed you? I recall there was talk of adding brass in- struments last time too, so did that happen? 현재 토크배트 라인업을 소 개해 주시겠습니까? 지난번에 인터뷰 한 이후로도 같은 상태로 남아 있었 Talkbats in their natural habitat, Club SHARP, on Dec. 9, 2017 나요? 지난번에도 금관악기를 추가하 mer member Ki-cheol decided not 인 건 몰라요. 약혼자는 어떤 느낌일까 I’ve been thinking a lot about it, 는 얘기가 있었지, 그래서 그런 일이 to participate because of personal 요? 축하해! but I haven’t got a specific plan yet. 있었나? circumstances. And there were two Nagi: 감사합니다! 결혼식 날짜를 변 I guess we’ll do it soon. Talkbats: 보컬:김송이 / 키타:나기 / brass members before, and we de- 경한건 아니지만 결혼식 준비로 굉장 기타 윤인성,양정현 / 베이스:우자 / 드 cided to go as we did in the existing 히 바빠서 이번 공연을 못할 뻔 했었 Broke: Can any of you comment 럼:현민 lineup because it did not match our 습니다. 하지만 이번 제니우 내한에 꼭 on the future of the New Genera- 이지만 이번 쇼에서는 우자가 개인적 personality. 함께 하고 싶은 마음에 바쁜 와중에도 tion of Ska Festival? 여러분 중 누가 인 사정으로 참여하지 못하는 대신 전 참여를 하기로 했습니다. 새로운 스카 페스티벌의 미래에 대해 멤버인 기철이 함께 하기로 했습니다. Broke: Nagi, is it true you re- Thank you! I didn’t change the 언급할 수 있나요? 그리고 전에 두명의 금관악기 멤버가 scheduled your wedding to play date of the wedding, but I was so Talkbats: 뉴제너레이션 오브 스카 있었지먼 저희의 개성과 맞지 않아 기 at this Sunday’s Jenny Woo show? busy preparing for the wedding 가 올 해에는 열리지 않아 아쉽지만 앞 존 악기 구성 그대로 가기로 했습니다 I think it’s an exaggeration but I that I almost couldn’t do it. How- 으로 더 노력하며 멈추지 않을 것이라 Vocal: Kim Songi / Keytar: Nagi don’t know the specifics. How does ever, I decided to participate in this 고 생각합니다. 한국에 더 많은 스카 / Guitar: Yoon In-seong, Yang your fiance feel about it? Also con- Jenny Woo show in the midst of my 밴드를 관객에게 소개해주기를 희망하 Jeong-hyeon / Base Woo-ja / gratulations! 나기시, 이번 일요일 제 busy desire to be together. 기 때문에 해외의 다양한 스카 밴드가 Drums: Hyun-min 니 우 쇼에서 결혼식 일정을 변경한 게 오면 좋겠다고 생각합니다 However, for this show, the for- 사실인가요? 과장된 것 같지만 구체적 Broke: At our previous interview, I am sorry New Generation of Ska I was told the key theme of Talk- did not happen this year, but I do bats songs is “friendship.” Is that not think it will stop in the future. still accurate? Please tell me a bit I hope to introduce more ska bands more about your newest release to audiences in Korea, so I hope coming out soon. 이전 인터뷰에서 various ska bands from abroad will 나는 Talkbats 노래의 핵심 주제가 come. “friendship”이라고 들었다. 그게 아 직도 정확합니까? 곧 출시될 최신 버 Broke: Is it my imagination, or 전에 대해 좀 더 말씀해주십시오. 노래 has ska been getting a bit quieter 에 대해 무엇을 말해 줄 수 있습니까? ( lately in Korea? Do you know why? 제목, 그들이 무엇인지, 언어 등) How can fans and bands support Talkbats: 아직도 토크뱃츠의 핵심 the scene and help it grow? 최근 한 주제는 ‘우정’이 맞고, 이번 발매할 싱 국에서 스카가 좀 더 조용해졌나요? 왜 글에는 반짝이는, 그리고 소닉이라는 그런지 아세요? 팬들과 밴드들이 어떻 노래가 수록됩니다. 이 두 노래 모두 게 그 장면을 지원하고 성장하도록 도 한글 가사로, 우정을 노래하는 곡들입 울 수 있을까? 니다. 저희 공연에 오셨던 분들이라면 Talkbats: 한국에서 스카는 비주류 모두들 아실만한 곡이랍니다! 장르라 생각하기 때문에 조용해졌다거 The key theme of the Talkbats 나 그 이유를 우리가 정의할 수 없다 is “Friendship,” and the singles 고 생각합니다. 우리는 그저 우리가 좋 to be released are “반짝,” and “소 아하고 즐겁다고 생각하는 음악을 하 닉.” Both songs have Korean lyrics, 고있고 노력하고 있으며 우리 스스로 and are about friendship. They’re 를 포함하여 다른 스카 밴드들도 함께 songs that everyone who comes to 도와가며 씬을 만들어 갈 거라고 생각 our shows knows! 합니다! In Korea, I think ska is quiet be- Broke: Do you have any further cause we think it is a minor genre, plans, such as for a music video or or we cannot define why. We are a full recording? 뮤직 비디오나 전체 just doing music we like and en- 녹음 같은 미래 계획이 있나요? joy, and we are trying, and we Talkbats: 여러모로 많은 생각을 하 think other ska bands, including 고 있지만, 아직 구체적인 계획은 나오 ourselves, will help us make the 지 않았습니다. 조만간 해야겠죠? scene!

The taxi driver looks back at you people who control America so they money from them, and their politi- Well, that wasn’t what you were in annoyance. “You do know that’s in can overthrow the illegitimate gov- cians trip over their own feet to sup- expecting. What now? America, right?” he says. ernment there.” port our military conflicts, and our “You don’t understand!” you pro- “No, you don’t understand,” he current president is quite aggres- Onward to America, I guess. test. “My country is in ruins, its retorts. “It is anti-semitic to as- sive. But unless you’ve come look- GOTO page 5 rightful leader imprisoned. sume we control the American gov- ing for rocket launchers, you’re out Rocket launchers, you say? GOTO 8 I need you to take me to the ernment. Sure, we receive a ton of of luck, lady.” page 24 Return of the Stone Hammers Jon Twitch When I set to bring Jenny Woo to Korea, there was basically no oi left in the country. After talking around and finding a lot of others shared my frustration, some of the members of Dolmangchi said they’d play a one- time reunion show. I’ve been hoping the tour would see a revival of the genre, and if this is the only out- come, I guess that’s all I can ask.

Broke: Why did Dolmangchi break up? 돌망치는 왜 끝났지? CG: 돌망치를 처음에 같이 결성했던 베이시스트 유영삼이 독일로 떠나게 되서 해체하게 되었습니다. 돌망치의 노래와 가사의 절반 이상이 영삼이 만 든 것이기 때문에 그가 없이 돌망치의 색깔을 유지하기 힘들거라고 생각하고 해체를 하게 되었죠. The band broke up when its founder, bassist Yoo Young-sam, Seoul Dolmangchi perform on June 15, 2015, at Monkey Business in Seochon. left for Germany. Because more 하며, 인종차별을 합니다. 이런 것들 gays, enjoy revenge porn, despise 버들이 Jenny Woo 의 팬이기 때문에 than half of the songs and lyrics of 은 민주당이 정권을 잡는다고 나아지 refugees, and discriminate against 같이 공연하고 싶었고 이를 위해서 세 Dolmangchi were made by Young- 는 것이 아닙니다. 이런 것들은 법으 other races. These things are not 션 멤버를 구해서 일시적 재결성을 하 sam, we thought it would be dif- 로 두들겨 잡는다고 나아지는 것이 아 getting better when the Democrats 게 된 것입니다. 아마 내년 봄에 영삼 ficult to maintain the color of Dol- 닙니다. take power. These things are not 이 한국에 가족을 만나러 오게 되면 그 mangchi without him. 나는 나이가 많다고 후배들을 때리던 getting better by law. 때 오리지널 멤버들로 다시 한 번 일회 밴드들을 알고 있습니다. 또, 선생이 I know the bands that hit their jun- 성 공연을 만들게 될 것 같아요. Broke: The world has changed so 라는 이유로 학생들을 때리던 선생들 iors because they’re older. And I Nothing is certain about that. much since I last interviewed you 을 알고 있습니다. “꼰대들 좆까라! 선 know teachers who beat their stu- It’s a one-time reunion. I thought in 2015. Korea overthrew a terrible 생들 좆까라!” 라고 외치며 밴드를 시 dents because they’re teachers. it was a shame there were no oi! authoritarian president, and Amer- 작했던 12년 전의 제 모습이 생각납니 I remember myself 12 years ago bands in Korea when Jenny Woo ica elected a terrible authoritarian 다. 여전히 저 외침은 저에게 가장 중 when I started the band (Find the performed in Korea, and because president. What political situations 요한 정치적 상황입니다. 그리고 우리 Spot) shouting “Fuck the kkondae all the members of Dolmangchi are most important to you right 가 매주 주말 펑크씬에 모이는 이유이 (older person who abuses privilege)! were fans of Jenny Woo, I want- now? 2015년 당신을 인터뷰한 이후 기도 합니다. Fuck the teachers!” Still, that cry is ed to perform together and got a 로 세상이 많이 변했어요. 한국은 끔찍 I think the impeachment of the the most important political situation session member for a temporary 한 권위주의 대통령을 전복시켰고, 미 president in Korea was a very valu- for me, and that’s why we gather reunion. Maybe next spring, when 국은 끔찍한 권위주의 대통령을 선출 able experience for all of us. It was every weekend in the punk scene. Young-sam comes to Korea to visit 했다. 지금 당장 어떤 정치적 상황이 the moment when people proved family, we can reunite the original 당신에게 가장 중요한가? that the owner of the society in Broke: Tell me about reuniting. lineup.l. CG: 한국에서 대통령을 전복시켰던 which we live is not someone else How did it happen? Is it the same 사건은 우리 모두에게 매우 귀중한 경 but ourselves, and it is the mo- lineup as before, or with a signifi- Broke: If people want to hear 험이라고 생각합니다. 사람들이 자기 ment when we remember we are cant change? 재결합에 대해 말해 주 more bands similar to Dolmangchi, 가 살고 있는 사회의 주인이 다른 누 the owner of our lives. I think Ko- 세요. 어떻게 그런 일이 일어났을까? what bands can you recommend? 사 군가가 아닌 자기 자신이라는 것을 증 rean society will slowly develop in 이전과 같은 회원입니까, 아니면 중요 람들이 돌망치와 비슷한 밴드를 더 듣 명한 순간이었고, 우리 삶의 주인은 바 the next few years, and I think the 한 변화입니까? 고 싶다면 어떤 밴드를 추천할 수 있 로 우리 자신이라는 것을 기억 속에 각 development of the difference be- CG: Skasucks 의 보컬 류진석이 베 습니까? 인시킨 순간이기 때문입니다. 그 후 몇 tween the Saenuri Party (Liberty 이스를 맡게 되었어요. 나머지 멤버들 CG: 우리랑 비슷한 것은 잘 모르겠 년 간 한국 사회는 천천히 조금씩 발전 Korea Party or LKP) and the Dem- 은 그대로고 이번 공연은 일회성 재결 고 우리 멤버들에게 영향을 준 밴드 해나가고 있다고 생각합니다. 새누리 ocratic Party of Korea (DPK) will 합입니다. 를 꼽으라면 일단 기본적으로 Cam- 당과 민주당의 차이만큼의 발전이 앞 be done little by little in the future. Skasucks’ vocalist Ryu Jin-suk era silence, Blitz, The Oppressed, 으로도 조금씩 이뤄질거라 생각합니 Especially, I think the government will play bass. The others will re- Angelic Upstarts 같은 클래식한 밴드 다. 특히 요즘 남북 관계에서 큰 변화 is doing well now that there are big main, and this performance will be 들이고, Rixe, Booze & Glory, Stage 가 일어나고 있는 점은 지금 정부의 잘 changes in inter-Korean relations a one-time reunion. Bottles, Los Fastidios, ACAB, Hard 하고 있는 점이라 생각합니다. these days. Skin, Evil Conduct 같은 밴드들도 올 요즘 좋은 변화가 일어나고 있는 상 Despite all the good changes Broke: If the reunion goes well, 타임 베스트로 듣고 있습니다. 황에도 불구하고 나는 대의제 민주주 these days, I do not trust repre- will you consider activating Dol- I do not know what we are like, and 의나 정당 정치라는 것을 신뢰하지는 sentative democracy or political mangchi again in the future? 동창 if you think of the bands that influ- 않습니다. 한국사회는 껍데기는 크게 party politics. The skin of Ko- 회가 잘되면 돌망치 재결합을 다시 고 enced our members, they are basi- 바뀌고 있는 것 같지만 그 안은 여전 rean society seems to be chang- 려할 것인가? cally classic bands such as Camera 히 권위적이고 폭력적입니다. 민주당 ing greatly, but the inside is still CG: 그것에 대해선 아무것도 확실치 silence, Blitz, The Oppressed, An- 을 지지하는 많은 사람들은 스스로 진 authoritarian and violent. Many 않습니다. 일단은 일회성 재결합입니 gelic Upstarts, and bands like Rixe, 보했다고 생각하면서 여전히 약자를 people who support the DPK still 다. Jenny Woo 의 한국 공연 때 한국 Booze & Glory, Stage Bottles, Los 보살필 줄 모르고, 게이를 혐오하고, think they have advanced, yet they 의 Oi 밴드가 없는 것은 매우 안타까운 Fastidios, ACAB, Hard Skin, Evil 리벤지 포르노를 즐기고, 난민을 경멸 still do not care for the weak, hate 일이라고 생각했고, 돌망치의 모든 멤 Conduct are also best to listen to.

The Russian Embassy won’t “but these prostitutes are head- vanced, so why would they still woman, putting his hand on her let you in, but Dennis Rodman ed over to the White House af- be using imperial units? pussy, kissing her on the lips, is in town for a book signing. ter they’re done here.” “Drink up, ladies,” someone and moving on. There is no lineup, because this A group of about a dozen shouts. “You’re about to meet Then he comes to you. “What is America and nobody reads prostitutes come out of the back the president of the United are you, like a 3?” he asks. “I’ll books anymore, so you walk room. All are tall and East Eu- States of America!” still grab you, but it’ll be more right up to him. ropean. They agree to take you Oh well, you get through out of courtesy than anything.” “Take me to your leader,” you along with them. that water fast. You’re driven say. You follow them into a long into the White House and eve- I’ll let this hideous man grope “우리장군님?” he asks. stretch limo. An assistant hands ryone goes in through a back me in order to further my mis- “No, the American one,” you you a big 2L bottle of water, door. You all line up, and then sion. GOTO page 10. reply. marked 66/125 gallons. Wait, a hideous ugly small man comes I’m not letting this creep “I can’t help you,” he says, you thought America was ad- out and begins inspecting each near me! GOTO page 10. 9 Drinking and Daegu By Alisa Favi 고 조금씩 준비는 했지만 마침 MJ가 Photo by Jon Twitch 다쳐서 밴드를 완전히 쉬어야하는 상 황이 되어 온전히 앨범에 집중을 할 After Daegu band Drinking Boys 수 있었어요. and Girls Choir got signed to Dam- Bondu: No it’s not really been ably in the UK, Alisa went after that long. We started playing to- them for an interview. As we wait gether in 2012 and we haven’t al- for the album to be eleased, we ways worked that hard on the band decided to share the interview in stuff so our debut album took a full here. while. We’ve been busy with work Pretty sure we’ve featured DBGC and life. We always had a lot of before, but every band gets a sec- fun playing shows too so our first ond one (ideally). album was a bit delayed. I have constantly been writing for the Broke: Can each member of the album but really it was only when band please introduce themselves MJ had her accident and the band and tell me why/how they started was forced to rest that we were playing music? 밴드의 멤버가 자신 able to concentrate on the record 을 소개하고 왜 / 어떻게 음악을 연주 completely. 하기 시작했는지 말해 주세요. Meena: 베이스를 연주합니다. 고등 Broke: How do you write/com- 학교 때, 락음악을 처음 들었고 공부 pose songs? 어떻게 곡을 쓰/작곡하 를 하면서 락음악이 많이 힘이 되었어 세요? 요. 대학교에 들어가면 밴드에 들어가 DBGC: 세명 모두 곡을 씁니다. 누 야 겠다고 다짐을 했었죠. 대학교 입 가 작사작곡했는지 알고 우리의 노래 학 후 밴드부에 들어가면서 밴드를 시 를 듣는다면 각자의 특징이 느껴질 거 작햇어요. Drinking Boys and Girls Choir play Zandari 2018 at Steel Face on Oct. 5 예요. 결성 초기의 몇개의 곡은 모티 Meena: I play bass. I was in high 개시켜주면서 만나게 되었죠. she introduced me to Bondu and 브 하나로 작사 작곡을 함께 하였습니 school when I first heard rock mu- MJ: After the songwriter and the three of us started the band 다. 예를들면 마리오, 오마이캘리포니 sic and I listen to it a lot whilst drummer of my previous band left, we are in now. 아는 멤버가 함께 모여서 가사를 쓰고 studying. I promised myself I Meena and I decided to form a girl 노래를 만들었죠. would start a band when I entered band. But after a while that band Broke: And what about the name? DBGC: All three of us write the university and so I did. faded away and I started playing How did you decide on it? 이름은 songs. If you know who wrote the MJ: 드러머입니다. 초등학교 5, 6학 with The Plastic Kiz (Daegu band 요? 어떻게 결정했어요? songs and listen to them you’ll 년 때 TV에서 AIDA라는 걸밴드를 보 from 2012-14). During that time I DBGC: 결성당시에는 다른멤버가 see each song has the character- 고 멋져서 뭔가 해야겠다고 생각했고 asked Meena to start another band 한명 더 있었어요. 박소연이라고 기타 istics of that person. But some of 10대시절 성당에서 기타와 드럼을 치 with me. I knew Bondu but finally 를 연주했죠. 소연이가 10대 소녀였기 the earlier songs like “Mario” or 면서 시작하게 되었습니다. 고등학생 met him around this time too. 에 거기서 이름을 연상해 온것 같아요. “Oh My California” had a singular 때 마칭밴드 동아리도 했어요. Bondu : 명진이가 한번 대학교게시 우리모두 술을마시는 것을 좋아하고 theme. We would come together to MJ: I am the drummer. When I 판에 “락밴드 합시다”라는 밴드멤버 멤버 모두 함께 노래를 부르고 항상 소 write lyrics and make songs back was in fifth/sixth grade in elemen- 구인글을 올렸어요. 그걸 보고 명진이 년소녀이고 싶은 마음을 담아 이름을 then. tary school I saw this girl band on 에게 연락을 했었죠. 만들었어요. TV called AIDA. I thought they Bondu: MJ posted on the univer- DBGC: There was another gui- Broke: Please tell me about how were pretty cool and so I spent my sity bulletin board looking for band tarist in the band when we started, you write your lyrics? What in- teenage years learning guitar and members to start a rock band. I Park So-yeon. She was a teenaged spires them? 가사를 쓰는 방법에 대 drums. By the time I was in high saw it and contacted her. girl so I think the band name was 해 말해 주세요? 무엇이 격려해요? school I was in marching bands. Meena : 처음 밴드를 시작할때는 드 trying to be reminiscent of her age Meena : 사회적으로 느끼는 분노나 Bondu: 어릴때 크라잉넛을 듣고 밴 럼을 연주 했었어요. 당시에 명진이랑 at that time. Plus we all like drink- 감정을 주로 이야기 해요. 한국의 정 드를 하면 좋겠다고 생각했다. 기타는 은 같은 연습실을 사용하고 있어서 서 ing and all the members sing in our 치적 상황에서 영감을 받기도 하구요. 18살 이후로 잡았다. 로 알게 되었고 이후 명진이와 밴드를 songs. We wanted to be inclusive N3은 취업을 위해서만 노력하는 현재 Bondu: When I was young I lis- 하려고 베이스로 전향을 했죠. of boys and girls. The name is a 의 젊은사람들을 보면서 느낀감정을 tened to Crying Nut and thought 명진이가 말한것 처럼 걸밴드를 잠 mix of all these things. 쓴 내용이고, She is sitting on the it’d be cool to start a band. I picked 시 하다가 밴드가 깨지고 나서 3년정 blue chair은 박근혜 대통령이 사람들 up the guitar when I was 18. 도는 일만했어요. 그러다가 문득 다시 Broke: Bondu told me you have 의 생각을 통제하고 싶어 하는 것에 밴드가 하고싶어졌고 명진이에게 연 been a band for 10 years(?). Why 대해 분노를 느끼고 쓴 노래 입니다. Broke: How did DBGC first start? 락했고, 본두를 소개받아서 셋이서 지 did it take so long to release your Meena: Mainly I write about the How did you all meet? Did you play 금의 밴드를 하기 시작한거죠. first album? 본두는 저에게 드링킹이 anger and emotions I feel in soci- in other bands before DBGC? 드링 Meena: In my first band I was 10년(?) 동안 밴드 있다고 말했어요? ety. I get a lot of inspiration from 킹소년소녀합창단는 어떻게 시작 했 playing drums, and at the time I 그래서 왜 첫 앨범 발매하기 너무 오 the political situation in South Ko- 어요? 어떻게 만났어요? DBGC 전에 got to know MJ because we used 래 걸렸어요? rea. “N3,” for example, is about 다른 밴드도 했어요? the same practice room. After we Bondu: 사실 10년이나 된 건 아니 young people today whose only MJ : 송라이터 및 드러머로 활동하 decided to play together I switched 고, 2012년에 처음으로 같이 연주를 goal in life seems to be to get a 던 밴드가 사라진 후 미나와 함께 걸 to bass duties. Like MJ said we did 했어요. 우리는 그렇게 부지런한 사람 job. “She’s Sitting On The Blue 밴드를 결성했어요. 오래가지 못해 그 that band for a bit then the band 들이 아니기도 하고 다들 일하느라 바 Chair” is about fucking Park Ge- 팀도 없어졌고 플라스틱키즈라는 밴 broke up and I didn’t play music 빴고 또 공연도 꾸준하게 꽤 많이 하면 un-hye wanting to control peo- 드를 결성해서 활동을 시작했습니다. for about three years until out of 서 재밌게 지내다보니 first album 발 ple’s thoughts. 그러던 중 미나에게 함께 밴드하자 nowhere I decided I wanted to do 매가 좀 미뤄진 것 같아요. MJ : 눈으로 보고 귀로 듣는 모든 것 는 연락이 왔고, 알고 있던 본두를 소 music again. So I contacted MJ and 계속 앨범을 만드려는 생각은 해왔 중 그때그때 마음에 들어오는 단어나

He reaches for you, and you im- “Thanks,” the hideous man says. standing. We are your allies. Please “What country did you say you mediately lose bladder control. “That mattress was previously used help.” wanted me to nuke?” Urine is trickling down your leg and by Obama. Hi, I’m President Trump. “Sure, no problem,” Trump says, “Korea!” you tell him. “Not nuke, dripping onto the carpet. You might remember me from Home going over to a big desk. He slides rescue our leader.” “Quick, bring it over!” the man Alone 2: Lost in New York, or Ce- open a panel and presses a big red “On it,” he says. “I’ll have fixed exclaims. lebrity Apprentice.” button. everything by the time you return to Secret Service personnel drag a “President Trump, I have come “No!” you shriek. your shithole country.” fancy mattress over and get it under a long way to talk to you,” you But nothing happens. you. It catches most of the urine. say. “My country needs your help. A second later, a butler appears Okay! GOTO page 12 After it is soggy with your Everyone thinks our leader is au- with a Coke. I should come with you. GOTO 10 urine, they haul it away. thoritarian, but that is a misunder- “Relax,” he says, taking a sip. page 14. 문장이 있어요. 보통 그걸 발전시켜서 Bondu: 대구에서 살면서 (보수적인 하지만 이미 한국의 밴드들과도 교류 these days? I want the local scene 쓰곤 합니다. 주로 영감을 주는 것들에 사람들 때문에)답답하고 마음에 안드 가 있는 회사라서 쉽게 신뢰하게 되었 to be strong. 는 영화, 풍경과 하늘이 있어요. 는점은 많다. 음악을 바꾸는지는 모르 고, 사인하기로 결정했습니다. Bondu: 서울의 음악 인프라가 좋아 MJ: I use words and sentences 겠다. Meena: I got an email about three 보여서 가끔 고민하지만, 서울은 물가 that come to me from things I see Bondu: There are many things months after the release of the 가 너무 비싸서(특히 월세) 힘들겠다 and hear, and I’ll develop them I feel frustrated about (because first album. How they knew about 는 생각이다. 그리고 복잡한 도시에서 into songs. I mainly take inspira- of conservatives) whilst living in us I don’t know! Ha ha. I was puz- 살기 피곤할것같다. tion from movies or things I see Daegu. But I don’t know if it af- zled when I first received the email Bondu: Seoul’s music infrastruc- in nature. fects our music. but I knew they had already been ture seems to be good, but I think Bondu: 일상생활에서 직접 겪는 경 in contact with some other Kore- living in Seoul would be too ex- 험들과 자조적인 생각들. Broke: Please tell me about the an bands so we easily decided to pensive (especially rent). Plus liv- Bondu: I write about my experi- Daegu music scene. Is it a good trust them and sign with them. ing in such a big city seems tiring. ences and moments of self-reflec- scene to play in? How does it tion in my daily life. compare with Seoul or Busan? 대 Broke: Apart from releasing your Broke: Finally, please tell me 구 씬에 대해 말해 주세요. 좋은 도시 album in the U.K., will you tour about the Indonesia tour. How was Broke: Some of your songs seem 있다고 생각해요? 서울이나 부산과 비 there too? 영국에서 앨범을 발표하 it? 마지막으로, 인도네시아 투어에 대 very political and angry, but then 교하면 어떨까요? 는 것 외에 여기에 투어도 할 예정있 해 말해주세요. 어때요? you have love songs too. Is that DBGC: 다양한 장르의 밴드들이 활 나요? Meena : 정말 잊지 못할 일주일이 how you see life personally? Love 동하고 지속적으로 새로운 밴드들이 DBGC: 영국 뿐 만 아니라 더욱 많 었습니다. 벌써 함께 공연한 SNK친구 and anger? 가끔 노래는 정치적이며 생겨나고 있는점은 좋은점이라고 생 은 나라에서 투어하고 싶어요. 세부적 들이 그리워서 눈물이 날 것 같아요. 화가 나 것 같았지만 사랑 노래도 있 각합니다. 도시마다의 성격이 조금씩 인 점은 아직 결정되지 않았지만 아 그들은 우리에게 진심을 보여줬고 우 어요. 그것은 인생을 개인적으로 보는 다르고 대구는 그만의 매력이 있다고 마도 내년 4월쯤 영국투어도 계획중 리는 그것을 느낄 수 있었어요. 인도 방법있나요? 사랑과 분노? 생각해요. 입니다. 네시아에서도 우리의 음악을 듣고 따 Meena : 겉으로는 사랑에 대한 노래 DGBC: I think it’s a good thing DBGC: We want to tour not only 라불러주는 사람이 있다는게 너무 놀 인것 같지만 그렇지만은 않습니다. 은 that different bands of different in England but in other countries 랐습니다. 또다시 기회를 만들어서 꼭 유적으로 표현하다보니 사랑노래처럼 genres are active and new bands as well. The details have not been 다시 인도네시아에서 투어를 하고 싶 느껴지는 곡도 있는 것 같아요. are constantly emerging. I think finalised yet, but we are planning a 습니다. Meena: Sometimes it appears to the personality of each city is UK tour for April next year. Meena: It was an unforgettable be a love song on the surface but slightly different and Daegu has week. I already miss our friends really it’s not. I think there are its own charms. Broke: Damnably have signed in SNK (Saturday Night Karaoke) songs that feel like love songs but two Korean bands now, one from so much I could cry! They showed at the same time it’s expressing Broke: What is the most difficult Busan and one from Daegu. What us their hearts and we felt their something else. thing about playing music in Daegu do you think about that? Damnably sincerity during the tour. It was so MJ : 맞습니다. 개인적으로 주제가 (or South Korea)? 대구 (한국)에서 두 한국 밴드를 체결했어요. 부산에서 surprising that there were people 사랑이라고 생각하고 쓴 노래는 없습 음악을 하는 데있어 가장 어려운 것 한개, 대구에서 한개. 그것에 대해 어 in Indonesia who listened to our 니다. 그러나 어떤 감정이나 느낌에 대 은 무엇세요? 떻게 생각하세요? music and followed it. We definite- 해서는 그 대상이 모호해서 그럴 수도 Meena : 다른나라에서 살아본 적이 Meena : 지역밴드의 독특함이 좀 더 ly want to tour Indonesia again. 있겠어요. 없어서 비교할 수 있는점 없습니다. 굳 매력적으로 느껴진걸까요? 저도 신기 Bondu: 짧은 기간이었지만 정말 멋 MJ: Right, there is no song that I 이 어려운 점은, 사람들이 메인 스트림 합니다. 진 adventure 였다. 그리고 정말 멋진 personally thought was about love, 에 대한 의존도가 높다는 점이죠. 유 Meena: Perhaps the uniqueness 친구들을 만들었고. 유튜브 채널에 인 but it may be because the subject 행에 민감하고 모르는 영역에 대해서 of a local band is more attractive? 도네시아 투어 V-log를 연재할 예정 is ambiguous about any feelings or 는 두려움을 가지고 있다보니 인디밴 I was also surprised. 이다. Check please! emotion. 드에 대한 관심도가 적은 것 같아요. MJ: 저도 Bondu: It was a brief tour but Bondu: ‘사랑과 분노’ 정확하다. 나 그렇지만 그것은 한국만의 문제는 아 MJ : Me too. a great adventure. And we made 의 몇 몇 노래들이 사랑에 관한 노래 니라고 생각합니다. Bondu: 세이수미는 정말 멋진밴 some really awesome friends. We 다. 그것은 삶에서 가장 중요한 요소 Meena: I’ve never lived in other 드인데, 드링킹소년소녀합창단은 왜 will publish our Indonesian tour V- 중 하나다. countries, so I can’t compare it 죠..? log on our YouTube channel soon. Bondu: “Love and anger” is spot really. One difficulty is that most Bondu: Say Sue Me are a really Please check it out! on. Some of my songs are about people focus solely on mainstream cool band, but is Drinking Boy and love. It’s one of the most important culture. People have little inter- Girls Choir? Broke: What happened with the elements of life. est in indie bands and are afraid police in Indonesia? Did they raid of music they don’t know anything Broke: Did you ever think about your shows? Broke: Daegu is a very conserv- about. But I don’t think this prob- moving to Seoul for the band? Meena: During the first show ative city. Does that change the lem is unique to Korea. (Like 57 for example). 밴드를 위해 there was a guy lying down on music that you make? 대구는 매우 Bondu: 음악을 계속 하기 위해서 다 서울로 이사하는 생각이 해본 적이 있 the floor. We just thought he was 보수적인 도시 있는데, 이거 너의 음악 른일로 돈을 벌어야 하거나 삶의 일부 었세요? (오칠처럼 그렇게 했어요) drunk. So when we finished the 을 바꾸나요? 를 포기해야 하는것. 다른나라도 그렇 Meena: 명진이와 함께 잠시 같이 서 show the police came and shut Meena : 생활할때는 보수적이라는 다는것을 안다. 하지만 한국은 청년들 울에 살았어요. 하지만 그때 밴드활동 the venue with all of us inside. 것이 느껴지지만 음악을 만들때 직접 이 집을 가지기가 너무 힘들다. 평균적 은 안하고 일만했죠. 서울에서 활동한 They made us all sit on the floor, 적인 영향은 없는것 같아요. 아마도 대 인 샐러리맨이 평생을 벌어야 겨우 살 다면 장점도 분명 있겠지만 대구에서 be quiet and stay still whilst they 구에서 나고 자라왔기에 익숙해서 보 수(buy) 있을 정도로 집값이 비싸다. 살아가는 것도 분명한 장점이 있어요. lectured us. Of course it was all in 수적인 분위기가 나에게 특별함으로 Bondu: To keep making music, 서울로 이사를 한다면, 우리는 더욱 살 Indonesian so we couldn’t under- 와닿지 않아서 인것 같아요. you have to make money on other 아가기 힘들 거예요. 서울과 대구는 멀 stand any of it but they seemed to Meena: My life feels conserva- things or give up some other part 지 않아서 충분히 공연을 할 수 있고, be serious and very bossy. Later tive, but I don’t think it has a direct of your life. I know it is the same 심리적으로 안정감을 느낄 수 있는 대 we found out that someone gave impact on making music. Perhaps in other countries. But in Korea, 구에서 살아가는 것이 더 좋아요. weed to the guy who was lying because I grew up in Daegu, I am it’s hard for young people to make Meena: I lived in Seoul with MJ down and the owner of the venue accustomed to the conservative a living. The average worker has for a while, but we didn’t play thought he was dead so he called atmosphere so it doesn’t affect me to work their whole life because in any bands then, just worked. the police. in any special way. housing prices are so expensive. There are advantages if you work Then there was our third show, MJ: 요즘은 여러가지 약자, 소수자 in Seoul, but living in Daegu is an outdoors show, just after we 혐오에 관련된 우리나라 전반의 보수 Broke: Please tell me about clearly better. If we moved to finished soundchecking the police 적인 정서가 나에게 굉장히 무력감을 Damnably. How did you sign with Seoul life would be more difficult. showed up. They picked on us 주고 있어서 바로 그 보수적인 “대구” them? Do you know how they Seoul and Daegu are not far apart, and used our visas as an excuse 라는 것이 크게 와닿지 않습니다. found your music? Damnably에 대 so it is better to live in Daegu and so we didn’t play that show in the MJ: Nowadays there are a lot 해 말해 주세요. 어떻게 사인을 했나 feel psychologically sound yet still end. But SNK organised a secret of conservative emotions in our 요? 드링킹을 어떻게 찾았는지 알아 play enough shows in Seoul. show for us later on. We heard the whole country, not just in Daegu. 요? MJ : 동의 ... 그리고 요즘은 로컬씬 police there are just looking for These sentiments are aimed at Meena: 1집 발매하고나서 3달정도 에 대한 자부심? 든든하게 있고싶은 bribes most of the time. the weak and from a dislike of mi- 뒤에 메일이 왔어요. 어떻게 알게 되었 그런 마음도 있습니다. (DBGC have had the police called norities. It leaves me feeling very 는지는 나도 몰라요. 하하 MJ: Agreed... and how about on them in every country they’ve helpless. 메일을 처음 받고는 어리둥절 했죠. having pride in the local scene ever played in, 2 for 2 as it stands.)

Best to free your leader from know she is kept, and scout it out get yourself thrown in prison so you I’ll infiltrate the prison. GOTO prison first, so you can go after the for a day or two. Perhaps you could can break her out? What works best page 15 communist fake president full force. break in and free her. for you? Keeping in mind you are a Let’s make it a smash and You go to the prison where you But maybe the easiest way is to middle-aged woman. grab. GOTO page 16 11 Dirty in Gwangju Jon Twitch look like propaganda. Does Dirty phere wants to create a pleasant that are exposed to citizens in Rockhon have a propaganda mes- atmosphere. Gwangju are almost cheap or I arrived late to a show, and after- sage? 앨범 라이너 노트는 모두 선전 We want to hear the story “music only famous musicians (cover wards I found myself sitting at the 처럼 보여요. Dirty RockHon이 선전 is fun” rather than “I am good at bands) are appearing, and there restaurant with members of Dirty 메시지를 가지고 있나요? music.” is a busking culture that sings Rockhon from Gwangju. They were DRH: 단순 사랑과 이별노래보다는 only existing popular songs. This nice and tried to feed me like I was 민중가요를 들으며 뜨거운 가슴을 느 Broke: Are there plans to release phenomenon is due to the indie a foreigner who didn’t know what I 꼈던 적이 많습니다.. more music in the future? 앞으로 더 bands, the community, the live was doing. I haven’t seen them live 이와 비슷한 느낌으로 우리의 노래가 많은 음악을 발표할 계획이 있나요? club, the performance and event but their CD is quite good. 특히나 삶이 힘든 사람들이 듣고 저와 DRH: ‘칼을 뽑았으면 무라도 썰어야 planners, and I cannot help but It’s always good to find passionate 같이 즐거움을 찾길 바랄뿐입니다. 한다’는 말이 있듯이 한번 음악을 시작 say that the Hongdae scene is bands like this spread out around 엄밀히 말하자면 프로파간다는 아닙 했으니 한획은 아니더라도 한점이라도 better. Korea, even if they are a little pes- 니다..ㅎ 찍고 싶습니다. Nevertheless, we are singing to- simistic about their lot in life; that ‘우리의 생각은 이렇고, 그래서 노래 앞으로도 불의의 사고를 당하거나 요 day, dreaming of the revival of the often leads to great art. 를 한다’는 취지이며 듣고 결정할 것은 절하지 않은 이상 계속해서 많은 음원 local scene in Gwangju. 역시 청취자의 몫이라고 생각합니다. 을 발표할 계획입니다.. Broke: I learned only after look- I have often felt a hot heart while 지금도 계속해서 곡 작업을 하고 있 Broke: How does Gwangju influ- ing at your CD that RockHon is the listening to popular songs rath- 고 내년(2019년도)이 지나기 전 정규 ence your music and make it unique nickname of Yang Hong-joon? How er than simple love and farewell 앨범을 내는게 현재 목표입니다.. to Gwangju? 광주는 음악에 어떤 영 did that nickname start? Why is he songs. There is a saying that “if you 향을 미치고 광주에만 영향을 미치나 “dirty” and why is that the band I just want our songs to be heard pull a knife, you must cut with it.” 요? name? “RockHon”이 양홍준이라는 by people who are struggling with I started making music, so I would DRH: 저희 음악이 광주에 미치는 영 별명이라는 것을 CD를 보고 나서야 life and find pleasure like me. like to take a single point even if it 향은 거의 없다고 보여집니다. 배웠다. 그 별명은 어떻게 시작됐지? Technically, it’s not propaganda. is not one stroke. 위에서도 언급 했듯이 광주에서의 공 왜 “dirty”데 왜 밴드 이름이지? I think the intention is “our We will continue unless we are 연기회보다 타지에서의 공연기회가 더 DRH: 저(양홍준)의 젊은 시기에 집 thoughts are like this, so we injured or die. 많습니다. 안이 어려워지며 세상에 ‘화’와 사회 sing,” and I think it is also the lis- I am still working on songs, and 문화의 다양성, 즉 음악적인 다양성 의 ‘불만’만이 쌓여 있었습니다. 그러 tener’s responsibility to listen and I am currently aiming to release a 을 광주 시민들께 들려 드리고 싶지만 다 다시 밴드음악을 통해 삶의 즐거움 decide. regular album by next year (2019). 광주에서는 쉬운일이 아닙니다. 을 찾기 시작했습니다. 그러나 광주로컬씬의 부활을 꿈꾸며 모든 위인들이 그러했듯이 나에게 ‘ Broke: The band’s genre is listed Broke: Tell me about Gwangju’s 연 4회 매 계절을 연다는 뜻의 ‘사개록 호’를 붙이자 하여 즐거운 영혼이라는 on Facebook as “서민펑크” (basi- music scene. Does it have a good (四開Rock ; 춘/하/추/동)’이라는 기획 뜻인 락혼(RockHon ; 한문으로 즐거 cally common-people punk). What scene, or would it be better to be in 공연을 2015년부터 현재까지 진행하 울 ‘락(樂)’, 영혼’혼(魂)’)을 사용하게 does that mean? What other bands a big city like Seoul? 광주의 scene 고 있습니다. 되었고 would you say play 서민펑크? 밴드 에 대해 말해봐 주세요.광주는 좋은 사개록은 라이블 클럽 문화 살리기 더 나아가 밴드 이름에도 쓰기 시작 의 장르는 페이스 북에 “서민펑크”로 scene를 가지고 있는가, 아니면 서울 일환으로 매회 광주지역의 다른 클럽 했습니다. 나열되어 있습니다. 그게 무슨 뜻이 같은 대도시에 있는 것이 더 나은가? 들을 돌아가며 공연을 진행하고 있고, “더티라콘”은 더러운 세상에도 죠? 어떤 밴드를 연주할까요? DRH: 광주에서의 밴드씬은 죽었다 광주와 타지역 밴드들의 교류를 위해 (Dirty) 즐거운 영혼(Rockhon)이라는, DRH: ‘음악의 장르는 지식인들의 잘 해도 과언이 아닙니다. 광주지역 밴드와 타지역 밴드들을 초 우리가 살아가는 사회나 인생이 더럽 난체다’ 라는 생각이 들어 장르에 국한 광주의 밴드들은 현재 광주에서보다 청해 공연을 진행하고 있습니다 다고 느껴지더라도.. 그럼에도 불구하 되지 않으려 했지만 우리 노래는 그 누 타지에서 공연하는 횟수가 늘어가고 아울러 저희는 광주라는 특정 지역 고 즐거운 영혼이었으면 좋겠다는 뜻 가 들어도 펑크다 라는 말을 하기 때 있으며 타지 공연중에 광주에서 왔다 보다는 보통사람(서민) 모두를 위한 을 지니고 있으며 발음나는 대로 ‘더 문에.. 고 말을 하나 정작 광주시민들은 저희 노래를 하고 있습니다. 티락혼 -> 더티라콘’으로 이름을 짓게 위에서도 말했듯이 보통사람, 즉 ‘서 광주인디밴드들을 알지도 못합니다. It seems that our music has little 되었습니다. 민’들을 위한 노래를 한다라는 뜻에서 광주의 시민들에게 노출되는 공연 및 impact on Gwangju. 저희 더티라콘은 이름처럼 여러분들 서민펑크로 저희가 명명 했습니다. 행사는 거의 몸값이 싸거나(일반 대중 As mentioned above, there are 께 신나는 음악을 선사하고자 합니다. 저희 노래를 들어보시면 가사는 비 가요 카피밴드) 아예 유명한 음악인들 more opportunities to perform in When I (Yang Hong-joon) was 참하거나 반성하거나 스스로를 채찍질 만이 출연하고 있으며 기존에 있는 대 Taji than in Gwangju. young, I had family problems, and 하는 등 일상생활에서 느낄 수 있는 감 중가요를 노래하는 버스킹 문화만 있 I would like to tell the citizens of there was only anger and so- 정들을 애둘러 말하지 않고 가감없이 을 뿐입니다. 이러한 현상은 인디밴 Gwangju about the diversity of cul- cial dissatisfaction in the world, 표현하고 있으며 전체적 분위기는 즐 드, 지역사회, 라이브클럽, 공연 및 행 ture, that is, musical diversity, but and I started to find the joy of life 거운 분위기를 내고자 합니다. 사 기획자 들이 뜻을 함께 하지 못한 it is not easy in Gwangju. through band music again. 저희는 “음악을 잘한다”라는 이야기 탓도 있으리라 보며 아무래도 홍대씬 However, we have been carry- As all great men did, I was given 보다 “음악이 재밌다”라는 이야기를 이 더 좋다고 밖에 말할 수 없을 것 같 ing out a project since 2015 called the opportunity to use “Rockhon,” 듣고싶습니다. 습니다. Sagae Rock which means to open which means “pleasant soul” in I thought “music genre is a good 그럼에도 불구하고 저희는 광주지역 every season four times a year, Chinese text. And I started writing thing for intellectuals,” so I did not 로컬씬의 부흥을 꿈꾸며 오늘도 노래 dreaming of the resurrection of the it down. want to be limited to genre, but our 를 하고 있습니다. Gwangju local scene. Even in a dirty world (Dirty) is a songs are punk. It is no exaggeration to say that As part of the Sagae Rock revival pleasant soul (Rockhon), even if it As I said above, we named it as the band scene in Gwangju is dead. of club culture we are performing feels dirty in the society or life we common-people punk in the sense The bands of Gwangju are now around different clubs in Gwangju live. Nevertheless, it means I want of singing for ordinary people, that increasingly performing in Taji each time, and inviting Gwangju to be a pleasant soul, and I have is. rather than in Gwangju, and they bands and other local bands to ex- been named Dirty Rockhon. The lyrics of our songs express say they come from Gwangju dur- change bands in Gwangju and other We want to give you some excit- emotions we can feel in everyday ing the Taji performance, but regions. ing music, like our name. life, such as misery, reflectiveness, Gwangju citizens do not even know We are also singing for all ordi- or whipping ourselves, without our Gwangju indie bands. nary people rather than a specific Broke: Your album liner notes all hesitation, and the overall atmos- The performances and events area called Gwangju. “Dammit!” you exclaim, isn’t on your side, so it kind of The transportation infra- looking at that picture on the takes the pride out of march- structures of both countries left a few days later. “Maybe ing around with American and are linked, and South Korean I should’ve been more spe- Israeli flags. pours into the North, rebuild- cific...” Before you can stop it,, ing one great nation. All you can do is go back Trump, together with Moon Looks like you lose this to Deoksugung for more ral- and Kim, establishes ever- time. lying, but now you person- lasting peace on the Korean 12 ally know Trump sure as shit Peninsula. THE END A leper frequently changes its spots Jon Twitch plore, and the lyrics match, or at least attempt to match the music. Jared wanted me to review his CD and I think write an article for the Broke: Let’s talk about the Ko- newspaper. Little did he know he’d rean music scene. Do you think end up stuck in here. it’s going well, or are there major The brilliantly named Leper Tem- problems in it? What do you think ple is made of three foreigners — is admirable about it, and what do Jared, Isaac, and Graham — playing you really want to change about it? their own unique blend of metal. Jared: It’s always a tough spot to Though they’re often identified as be in while criticizing the Korean doom metal, we see how that goes scene as a foreigner so I won’t get down here. so deep into it. I will say that GBN is While making this zine I listened probably the most important venue to their lo-fi five-song album more and is truly awesome for extreme than I probably should have. music. Yuying busts his ass and takes risks and we get to see killer Broke: Who are the members of international bands in return. As far Leper Temple? as any negative criticism goes, I’d Jared: Just three of us as of now. like to see more work put into the I’m on drums, Graham on guitar, actual song writing. You can book and Isaac on vocals. Fun fact: there really is a “leper temple” at Angkor Wat. shows all day, print shirts, and different from the modern stuff. In metal, and that kind of “sketchy make flyers, but without genuine Broke: An easy question I always my opinion doom metal really em- random tape found in the dirt” feel hard work being put into songwrit- have to ask: explain the name Lep- phasizes space, that is the space can be really fun and atmospheric. ing, there’s always going to be this er Temple. between chords, the way the amps But ultimately we did a live mono element of stagnation that is really Jared: The name doesn’t have any wobble and feedback in between, recording because we were re- problematic. deep significance. A temple full of the way things linger in the air be- ally broke at the time and couldn’t Isaac: As a no good slob who lepers, or a place where lepers go fore another chord comes crushing. spend any money, so that’s why it mainly listens to grind and to worship. Just thought it was fit- It is often draining music and that’s sounds extra trashy. death metal I have few things ting for a sludge metal band. De- part of the appeal. That being said, to.complain about with the Korean pressive, subtly psychedelic, looks I don’t think Leper Temple is really Broke: All I know about your re- music scene. I have a lot in com- decent on paper, etc. a doom metal band. It’s undoubt- cordings is the very basic names mon with many punks and grinders edly an influence and perhaps we (Fast, Funeral, Opener, Second, in terms of music taste, politics, Broke: Pretend I’m an idiot and have doom parts or even a doom Slow) but this doesn’t give me any etc so I’m pretty happy. I can’t don’t know what doom metal is. I song or two, but at the end of the idea of the content. Can you give speak for others. Sadly some of walk into a concert and a band I day we stray too far from that gen- me a bit more information on the my favorite bands are gone, while don’t know is playing; how can I re to really be able to claim it. content of the songs? Or is that all on the bright side others are either determine if they are doom metal. hidden intentionally? continuing or coming back. I do Or I find an unmarked CD and it has Broke: Tell me about the record- Jared: Those were just tempo- think that we could do with more your recorded album on it; what ing you provided. Already out? It rary file names that mean nothing. mixed bills. Scenes in general test can I conduct or what should I sounds sort of like I just opened As far as lyrical content goes Isaac tend to eventually get stratified by listen to to identify the genre? a basement door and this horrible would definitely be more equipped style, so it would be nice to break Jared: Doom metal is slow to the sound is coming from below. It’s to answer. I think he’d agree though that up a bit. I was pretty inspired point of exaggeration. Songs tend lo-fi and some components are in that it’s all a lot of tongue in cheek by the Monarch show (full disclo- to be quite long. For instance, when better focus than others. What was takes on anxiety, hypochondria, sure: we played it) because it had Monarch played here last week the intended impression? and depression. We were all going a good turn out and audience re- they did 3 songs in 45 minutes. Like Jared: I’ll take that as a compli- through some heavy shit when we sponse for a style that has never any other genre, there are ‘proto’ ment. The demo is and isn’t inten- started this band, so it just seemed been very popular here. So that

or traditional bands that are a bit tionally lo-fi. We love a lot of lo-fi like it was the obvious genre to ex- was heartwarming to see.

60 YALE 60 PHI 44 - DOL 29 - TALK 10 DOWN HUE 61 IOI 45 BRAINS OLIVE 17

59 LILI 59 RICIN 41 ACTOR 28 OLLIE 9 SNIDELY 57 OOMPH 43 - BAD 27 IMP 16

58 EGOS 58 EON 40 BEBOP 27 BLOODS 8 OSSIE 70 EAU 56 KTO 42 DEBUT 25 SILLA 15

57 SARS 57 EVER ULI 26 BIT 7 REEDS 69 COG 54 WANKERS ROB 24 PIPER 14

55 OUST 55 - WHAT 39 OBAMA 21 ASAN 6 STI 68 IAN 53 39 DRS 23 WOO 11

54 CHAS 54 ODORS 34 OPTS 13 TREMOR 5 DROLL 67 NITRO 51 BTL 38 OIK 22 ABBOT 6

52 RAISE 52 METRO 33 OMAR 12 REVERB 4 ESLER 66 ROS TILED 37 MON ALERT 1

50 ENDERS 50 NOKIA 31 TALKER EPIK 3 ASH 65 - RANCHE 48 MOO 36 - POKE 20 ACROSS

49 HAIRDO 49 ION 30 - WIND 11 LILO 2 REGIA 64 PRAHA 47 ECO 35 NAT 19 ANSWERS

48 ROUBLE 48 MANGCHI BATS APOP 1 VIBRA 62 ERR 46 ALAMO 32 ATOLL 18 CROSSWORD

First you’ll stop this corrupt gov- process, or is it going to take vio- in — military might, kowtowing to works too. ernment, and once it’s out of the lence? There is still a conservative America, feudal capitalism cater- way you’ll free your princess. political party, the Liberty Princess ing to chaebol owner families, and I’ll do it politically. GOTO page 19 But how? Do you respect due Party that stands for all you believe Christianity. But blowing stuff up Violence. GOTO page 20 13 Struggling through another Nevin interview Jon Twitch by the title of the track posted on Before Nevin returned for anoth- Unite Asia, it’s beatdown hardcore. er tour with his Beijing hardcore Feel free to correct me. band Struggle Session here in May, Nevin: I’m laughing because the I interviewed him for an article for music and lyrics for that track work. We took this big long article were intentionally poking fun at and cut it down to something like beatdown hardcore. Generally, our 500 words. Anyway, here’s the rest style is hardcore with blast beats, of everything he said. often assoiated with the 90s west For those who don’t know, Nevin coast USA “powerviolence” scene, lived in Korea early last decade, however it’s really just an evolu- and was an active part of the punk tion of hardcore-punk. Because of scene while he was here. He’s the age range of the members, we since been in Beijing where he’s draw influences from the hardcore been an important part of their own and metal scenes of the 80s, 90s, scene, which has grown past ours. and 00s and often try to reference diverse styles of “extreme music” Broke: By the way, this is for in our songs. While all the mem- work, so try to avoid profanity bers listen to “hardcore”, I feel it’s when possible. the diversity of our influences and Nevin: Oh, fuck! backgrounds within that genre that makes our music interesting. Broke: I should have mentioned, “shithole” is now acceptable and Broke: The band is all foreign- probably most variations on “shit.” ers, right? How did it come out that THANKS OBAMA! way, and does “expat band” carry Nevin: Oh, nice. We have to get Struggle Session get naked in GBN on May 5, 2018. Not pictured: Nevin. different connotations in Beijing past the conservative on language. than it does in Seoul? I don’t think racial slurs are ac- Pop. My bassist, on the other hand, which would take pages to reveal) Nevin: We are all expats who ceptable but we should be able to is a massive fan of Red Velvet. is that the rising stars of China’s have played in hardcore bands in talk about sex and bodily functions rap scene had too many fans and our own and various other coun- in everyday venacular. Broke: How the fuck are Korean developed cult followings simi- tries. We met first online, the bands not allowed to perform in lar to Mando Pop stars. The gov- virtual space of the international Broke: Can you namedrop the Shanghai and Wuhan? ernment tried to leverage this in hardcore scene, and then in ven- specifics about what you’ve been Nevin: I’m not sure when the Ko- their favor by creating political, ues in Beijing. “Expat band” prob- doing there? rean ban came into play but over pro-(Communist)party lyrics, but ably has very similar connotations Nevin: From 2006-2012 I was the the past couple years certain local the problem occured when the in Seoul as it does in Beijing but as booking manager for D-22 which ministries of culture have began government realizes that the rap- individuals we are members of the involved organizing and manag- enforcing the rule that all perfor- pers weren’t as predictible as the local music scene first and then the ing live events six nights a week. I mances by foreign artist must be Pop stars. When fans dug up old expat scene tangentially. I see it have done just about everything for permitted. This is a painful process lyrics about about smoking dope as a question of community where the label Maybe Mars from produc- of submitting passports, translated and fucking hoes the government we are expats inside of China’s tion and distribution to organizing lyrics, and videos of the band play- decided to pull the plug. This so- underground music scene rather and managing tours and executive ing the exact set list of their planned called “ban” banished rap from than musicians inside China’s ex- producing recordings. I currently performance. Oh, and a fee, of TV and radio and will possibly ef- pat community. It may seem like a focus on international (tours, dis- course. It is possible for most art- fect internet platforms and online small distinction but there is a dif- tribution, and promotion) while also ists though and I have done it regu- streaming services. While it has ference between “expat band” and acting as the general COO for the larly for touring acts. This is spot- cut down the stars on the top end it expats in a band. label. Genjing is my own label and tily enforced city by city and, for has done nothing to hinder the un- I do everything for it. Far Out Dis- now, doesn’t apply to non-ticketed derground scene growing in clubs Broke: How is the Chinese un- tant Sounds is a distribution com- events. Recently when I was trying across the country. 200 kids jump- derground music scene doing these pany based in LA that provides to organize a tour for the Geeks I ing around a venue isn’t something days, domestically and interna- mailorder from it’s website while discovered that it was impossible for the government to worry about, tionally? I recall about 10 years also stocking a handful of record to permit shows by Korean bands they’ve got much bigger issues to ago it seemed to surpass Korea’s stores, coordinating digital distri- in Shanghai or Wuhan (Guangzhou worry about. and everyone was excited about it. bution, and handling US promotion is still ok), and my contacts in the More recently, there seem to have for some of the acts. I also organ- larger industry confirmed they had Broke: I had to look up what the been harsh actions taken against it ize and manage domestic tours for a similar experience with K-Pop band name meant. Why did you such as venue closures. one or two foreign acts a year and artists. Since the Ministry of Cul- guys choose it, and does it cause Nevin: The Chinese underground act as a consultant on the Chinese ture in Beijing makes it impossible any consequences in China to use music scene is bigger and better music industry. to permit shows here technically such a political band name? than ever. It faces it’s own unique all shows with foriegn perform- Nevin: We chose it because of challenges but is truely an unstop- Broke: So did China lift its THAAD ers are illegal. This has yet to be it’s connection to China and be- pable cultural and economic force. retaliation, or are you coming here a problem but the government can cause we felt it was an accurate In some ways the government in defiance of the government and shut everything down whenever it representation of our live show. It keeping the scene “underground” showing your support for the mis- wants (which it does on occasions doesn’t cause us any problems as has allowed it to incubate and be- sile defence shield? like last weekend). most Chinese don’t know the Eng- come stronger both musically and Nevin: I’m not sure if music is lish translation of that term and in terms of active participation. part of China’s THAAD retalia- Broke: Can you list any Chinese we never use the Chinese. My old Often the rapid commercialization tion but there are actually cities in government measures to crack band however went by the Chinese of underground culture in other China, including Shanghai and Wu- down on the underground scene? name Fanzui Xiangfa (Criminalized countries kills the very roots of han, where Korean bands are not Nevin: Club closures are usually Thought) and sang straight for- that once creative and vital scene. allowed to play. This is probably based around the performances of ward political lyrics in Chinese. We Regulation in China may have inad- more about China protecting itself foriegn acts or drugs. I would list would have had a hard time per- vertently protected its underground against the cultural pollution of K- things like the “hip-hop ban” as forming in China under the current culture against the cool hunters of Pop. I’m not in favor of missiles in more targeted towards local per- (and possibly perminent) leader. preditory capitalism but as the cul- the hands of any government but I formers. This is a truely fascinat- ture grows those same capitalist can see the need to protect an in- ing story but the jist of it (unfor- Broke: How would you charac- forces will push through the regu- nocent public from the vices of K- tunately, without all the juicy bits terise the band’s sound? Judging lation as “to get rich is glorious”, Trump is happy to have you along, just means you don’t get as molest- breasts. “Ready to meet President I’ll play along and try to assas- even though he downgrades you to ed as the other women on the plane. Moon?” sinate Moon. GOTO page 26 a 2 after getting to know you “This will be a truly historic sum- President Moon? But you brought No, I’m done with this idiot Amer- 14 a bit better. Don’t worry, that mit!” Trump says as he honks your him here to help your princess! ican. GOTO page 23 even in communist China.

Broke: Can you talk a bit about your history living in Asia Nevin: I originally came to China as a university student at the end of the 90s studying Chinese language and culture in Dalian. Upon gradu- Flying back tation I took a Fulbright scholarship to South Korea where I taught Eng- lish and studied the Kwangju Up- rising. I continued my studies of the Korean language at Seoul National University and then eventually re- turned to China to drop out, play in a punk band, and waste my life getting drunk with local musicans. Despite my slacker intentions those drunken nights became productive days as I managed the booking at one of Beijing’s most influencial venues while running two record labels and a US based distribution company and still managing to tour and record with several bands. Broke: How well have you stayed in touch with the friends you’ve made from your time in Korea? Nevin: Certain friendships will never diminish no matter the dis- tance or time and I’m fortunate enough to have several friends like that in Korea. Other friendships are held together by the underground music scene and even though we don’t actively keep in touch we Amanda and Aaron perform with Apteria in GBN on July 28, 2018. still regularly bump into each other Jon Twitch ously to hang with Mandy and was start a conversation / thought pro- through shows in Korea or Japan. intrigued by the culture and the cess on things that you see as un- The international hardcore-punk Shortly after Nevin’s return, city... ended up living there for the just is and has been an important community is very supportive and Amanda and Aaron also came back. better part of 10 years since me part of every band ive ever been active participants find they have She lived in Korea in the early and Dok got married, so Korea will in and is certainly a big part of Ap- friends all around the world. 2000s, and Aaron came to visit and always be a part of our lives. teria. I dunno, I’m sure we’ll find ended up living here for several Dok and I plan to spend more time some eastern mess to critique dur- Broke: How many bands have you years before marrying a drummer there in the future, but we both ing the tour, just for some balance. been in? Off the top of my head, moving back to Australia. I inter- suck at long term plans. Pulgasari, Fanzui Xiangfa, that band viewed Aaron for work in anticipa- Broke: And of course, what does with the Chinese name that covered tion of the July 28 visit, but here’s Broke: How well have you stayed the name Apteria mean? Johnny Cash, and this one. the whole interview. in touch with the friends you’ve Aaron: ...from relatively nar- Nevin: I think you hit the impor- made from your time in Korea? row tracts (pterylae) in the skin. tant ones. There have been a cou- Broke: What’s something you Aaron: some well, others not. Im From the pterylae the feathers ple others along the way but maybe miss about Korea? What’s some- actually really terrrible at staying fan out and cover the remainder it’s better if they are lost to history. thing you really don’t miss? in touch with people, i kinda wish i of the bird’s body. In passerines, My current band Struggle Session Aaron: i think what i miss most, was better at that... the feathers are arranged in eight has been quite active over the past aside from friends, is living in a distinguishable tracts, with apte- two years averaging a show every big city surrounded by mountains... Broke: I forget, are you two sib- ria (relatively bare skin) between five days. We toured Spain and Mo- australia is kinda... sparse. I also lings or cousins? What’s it like be- them. rocco last summer and are prepar- miss the public transport system ing in a band together? Mandy likes birds. ing for a 34 date, 7 country tour of and cheap cigarettes. I definitely Aaron: we are siblings and there South America this June and July. don’t miss the brutal winters or hasnt been much of a difference Broke: How did this tour come cycling through Seoul traffic. that ive noticed yet... being in a about? Broke: How did this split release band with anyone is kinda like fam- Aaron: I was going to be visiting with Arryam come about? Broke: How would you contrast ily... there’s a persistent bond even anyway, Dok and I try and get over Nevin: We’ve played multiple the Korean scene you were part though you might not always get at least every couple of years. and shows with two of (Arryam’s drum- of with the Australian one you’re along or agree on things... i dunno... i floated the idea to the band... i mer) JP’s other bands, Octopouple in now? was kinda surpirsed they were into and Milu, and members of Strug- Aaron: they are very similar ac- Broke: Your bandcamp page says it actually haha. Hong Gu (cerkkyu gle Session have also had several tually... like seoul, the adelaide the band is “critiquing the mess of / chadburger) has been amazing chances to meet and hangout with scene is very small, with a few key western civilization.” But what are with helping to organise the shows the other Arryam guys in both people in multiple bands / involved the implications of that worldview and we really couldnt have done it Seoul and Tokyo. These upcoming in multiple ways. we are lucky to toward the eastern civilization without him. shows for our split release will be have some really great people here you’ll be touring? our first time actually playing to- that do a lot of good work, like the Aaron: the implications on east- Broke: How many bands have you gether but the collaboration hap- animal house collective, they have ern civilizations of our songs criti- been in? Looking for a list. pened naturally through friendship helped build a small but active quing western civilization...? haha i Aaron: transit, chadburger, dok- and mutual respect. We’re hoping community. imagine our impact on any civiliza- kaebi assault, terania, apteria... this release can be a foundation for tion is negligible to zero. the idea and a few others that aren’t really creating deeper ties between the Broke: Can you tell me a bit about of using any platform you have to worth mentioning... I’ve been play- Chinese and Korean underground your history with Korea? connect with people to highlight ing in bands to various degrees of scenes. Aaron: i had visited seoul previ- things that make you angry or to “success” for the past 20 years You manage to secure blueprints to prison. You grab a bottle of soju and get At the next stop, they force her off the hauls the foreigner off to jail. the prison and find an ingenious way to wasted, then go on a rampage through train. You go aboveground and see a Try as you might, you can’t get ar- break out. You research the other in- the streets. You smash up someone’s foreigner walking down the street, so rested. What is wrong with this country mates and find ones who can help put car, but the owner comes over and just you strike him, right in full view of a that they don’t even have any jail cells your plan in motion. All of this, you have helps you onto the curb. You get on the police officer. for the elderly? tattooed on your wrinkly old body. subway and attack a young woman, “I’m sorry, ma’am, was this foreign- Now all that’s left is to get thrown in and everyone tries to calm you down. er bothering you?” the cop says, then THE END 15 The killers of K-pop Jon Twitch of but just regarded as incompre- hensible. So participating in the For the last couple years, Ian metal scene with all that pressure Henderson and Michael O’Dwyer the fans and musicians are acting have been locked into production on a deep urge to express them- of their feature-length documen- selves or rebel. tary about the Korean metal scene. Post-production finally finished Broke: What are the main struc- earlier this year, although just like tural strengths of Korean metal? “Ash” which was spotlighted in the What are its main weaknesses? last Broke, it still hasn’t been re- Ian: I think I delved into this a bit leased officially yet. Before - see in a previous interview, but some ing it, I did this interview with both of the traits that are common to guys about making this documen- the scene a lot of places. Strengths tary. would be dedication to the craft If you want to see it, chances are and really pushing themselves the best way is to get your hands to grow as musicians in technical around the thick neck of one of proficiency and production quality. these two guys and force them Ian Henderson (Norse Rage) and Michael O’Dwyer Weaknesses would be too much to show you. I don’t fancy your ally unknown when compared to to concerts where bands across in-fighting and competition among chances. K-Pop. “generations” shared stages so those who should be allies, general it’s not unheard of. Honestly, the elitism. In my opinion you could Broke: I’m curious about the Broke: Can you define the Korean scene is so small that shows try to reverse the opposite of those to choosing of the name “K-Pop Kill- extreme metal underground? mix up the genres to get people to be the strengths and weaknesses ers.” Ian: I won’t go into too much de- come. A lot of big shows will mix of the punk scene. Hahaha. Metal Ian: No. It is referenced of course, tail on this, as that would negate metal-core bands with death metal and punk have always been strange but not much more than other of the the point of most of the movie ha- bands. (There’s even a couple of bed fellows. However, I think the aspects of Korean culture which hahaha. But I will say yes, we do controversial metal band genres, aforementioned weak points of are juxtaposed against the extreme go into the entire history of metal like National Socialist Black Metal. each genre are being lessened due metal scene. here, and feature some of the big- Seriously, “What does it exclude?” to the fact that the scenes have had Both. But it would be disingenu- gest classic bands, which you’ll GBN and other venues have banned to come together out of necessity ous to say I don’t hope the inclu- recognize in the above list. But the a Korean band that has racist and these days. So they’re complimen- sion of the word K-Pop wont help main musical focus is the evolution fascist songs. But other than that tary in a way. get more attention to the project. of “extreme” metal in Korea. So the scene is fairly inclusive and MOD: Thank you so much for this But the name it self is supposed to like you already guessed there’s prone to mixing. DON’T PRINT question. The main strength, es- represent diametrically opposed some overlap, particularly with THE WORDS IN PARENTHESIS pecially for the live scene, is the sentiments. I guess in a way you crust/black metal/grindcore. ...unless you really want to.) sheer level of skill and speed with could say the whole movie pits im- MOD: Yes!!! There’s a lot of most bands. Very few bands have ages and ideas against each other. I overlap between the scenes!! But Broke: How do participants of the members that phone it in or are think my poster wraps it up nicely. they’re still very distinctive! To- Korean metal scene define them- out of sync. That’s the biggest I do want to add thought, that al- day the majority of the bands play selves and their movement and impression for a stranger is that though the main narrative thread is at GBN LiveHouse in Mullae-Dong place it all contextually? every band that’s been around for metal, I made sure to make it big but there are a lot of other clubs Ian: The older generation: that a few years have songs that have enough in scope to hold the inter- that play metal shows scattered they’re a dying breed. The up and intricately complex melodies that est of people who really couldn’t around Seoul. Including Rock ‘n coming: we’re way past peak metal they play very fast and rarely, if give a rats ass about metal. It’s Roll Wook’s in Gangnam area, (rock in general) and that’s a bum- ever, make errors. I’ve been back more about Korea, THROUGH the Prism Hall and other remaining mer, but there’s a rediscovered in Texas for a couple of months lens of metal. smaller music venues in Hongdae. punter pride alongside the punks now and I’m appalled now when I Strictly homicidal towards K-Pop. GBN really is the home of metal and being able to create free of any see a touring band drown out their I don’t believe any of the “grass- as well as the home of hardcore benchmarks other than artistic. shows in distortion or play slop- roots” artistic movements in Korea and punk in Seoul! Believe it or MOD: I can’t speak for everyone pily. As you know metal has a lot have many commonalities with K- not, the scene might be very small but a consistent tone expressed of sub-genres and they all exist in Pop, which I consider to largely be but there’s a show every weekend in conversation and interviews is active Korean bands. I would say just a commercial product. and usually a fairly exciting show a driving need to express them- the top 3 most popular sub-genres MOD: K-Pop, or at least the with a lot of talented bands play- selves. Dressing in “metal fashion would be death-metal, metal-core, shadow of it, is everpresent in the ing at least once a month. I think style” or having long hair if you’re and grind-core. Korean grindcore background of the documentary. In the best way to define the Korean a man, having visible tattoos, or especially is getting some recog- Korean modern life K-Pop music metal scene is “There’s something just being in a rock band are all nition in Japan and outside Asia. and the Idol group members are for everyone” who is interested in huge counter-cultural acts against Magazines and bloggers have be- everywhere. A lot of the subjects metal. Classic heavy metal, thrash, regular Korean society. In the 80’s gun calling Korea the “new home of in the documentary consciously grindcore, metalcore (a lot of there were still “hair police” that grindcore”. Grindcore/Brutal Death made a decision to pursue music metal-core. I’d say half of all ac- would fine men with long hair. Ko- Metal, especially, only works when and style that is on the polar oppo- tive Korean metal bands are metal rean society is changing quickly the band is able to play extremely site of K-Pop style and what they core.), death metal, black metal, but there’s still a huge collective/ intricate melodies extremely fast. feel it represents. Also, we re- doom metal, etc. It’s all here. And societal pressure to conform so Fecundation, Huqueymsaw, and ally wanted the title to be instantly every active band plays several even just saying “I don’t like K- Seed are 3 of my favorite Korean recognizable as Korean. Ideally times a year. There’s a bit of dis- Pop and I like rock and roll.” or “I bands and they all play incredibly “K-Pop Killers” would be someone connect or generation gap between like extreme metal made by Korean fast grindcore/death metal yet still who is interested in Korean music the Korean metal bands that start- musicians that play in tiny clubs in have layered melodic soloing, tem- would find it and come away finding ed in the 80s and are still active Mullae” puts one in the societal po changes, and clear song arcs. out about this whole underground and the metal bands that started in fringes. It’ll be like saying “I’m a It brings in a new dimension that music scene/culture that is virtu- the past 10 years. But I’ve been vegetarian” in Korea. Not unheard rarely exists in this genre and I’m You read somewhere else about and rebar, you recover a familiar closing in on you. “Yeah yeah, very daughter of a cult leader.” the usefulness of excavators in pris- face. A woman in a mushroom cut helpful,” you retort. “Do you have “Well...” she says, “I have these on attacks, so you hijack one from steps out into the open. anything that can help me?” mushrooms.” a nearby construction site. It makes “Thank you adventurer!” your “Help you?” she asks. “I’m just a quick work of the prison wall. You rescuee says. “But our princess is in shaman.” I’ll rescue her and try the mush- drive in and attack the prison. another castle.” “Bullshit,” you retort. “I know rooms, I guess. GOTO page 17. 16 Digging through concrete Meanwhile, the prison guards are what shamanism is. All you are is the I’ll keep looking. GOTO page 18 in awe every time I listen to them. could also be post learning curve, The weakness. Some of these Im super excited to go into my next bands go to extremes in their gen- project (I havent revealed what it Lecture: Korea’s Extreme res in speed and layered melodies. is yet, but will be in Korea) with A lot of the songs are so dense the arsenal of knowledge and skills that it can be overwhelming for the Ive gained. To be honest though, Metal Underground casual listener. They’re not go- the thing aint done yet! So I wanna ing for mass appeal and don’t have say this final stage of rendering Lecturer: Ian Henderson ballads or anything resembling that and subtitle is proving to be pretty would happen at a K-Pop concert. hairy. Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 - 7:30pm to 9:00pm Without a navigator it can be diffi- ...BUT...actually.....the best part Venue: 2F, Residents’ Lounge, Somerset Palace cult to know where to start. But at was being able to leave this as a Korean shows there’s always a mix testimonial . I’ve been here almost Admission: W10,000 (non-members), W5,000 (stu- of genres. So the grindcore band 10 years, embedded in the metal dents with student ID), free for RASKB members that is technically dense will finish scene the entire time. So much of While K-pop and all its plas- heavy metal in Korea is a strange and there will be a doom/goth metal what I cover in the past tense I was tic packaging remains the grow- one: starting as an illegal import band like Dark Mirror Ov Tragedy there for and witnessed. It’s kind of ing symbol of Korea’s arts culture under military dictatorship, to the or a classic thrash band playing fun my love letter / swan song to the in the eyes of the world, there do rock explosion of the 1980s and metal riffs like Method or Mahatma. scene that’s been like my family for in fact exist grassroots subcul- 1990s, through its downfall in the You could argue that every K-Pop the past decade. tures living and creating in the wake of the K-pop juggernaut, the band has a similar sound. It’s the MOD: I’ve worked on film sets underbelly of the metropolis. One film follows the quixotic quest of opposite with Korean metal. You before and I’ve been a photogra- of these is the community of ex- these musical miscreants. Despite really can’t pigeonhole this scene. pher for years but this was the first treme heavy metal musicians, who all the crushing demands of Korean For me that’s why it’s so fascinat- time I had approached making an have been portrayed recently in society, these cultural underdogs ing. actual film. So learning new skill the full-length documentary “K- continue to chase their dreams of sets was really intimidating and the Pop Killers.” The film is the prod- heavy metal stardom... Broke: Also, what of Hongdae? resulting anxiety of “Could I have uct of a collaboration between US Ian Henderson has been liv- Does it have a presence still in shot that scene better?” The best expats Ian Henderson and Michael ing and teaching in Seoul for your film, or is it totally forgotten part: The film itself! K-Pop Kill- O’Dwyer, both of whom have been nearly a decade. Besides being by the underground scene now? ers. It’s a great product! As an immersed in the local metal scene involved in the extreme metal And is Mullae 100% the place now? artist you hope to create something for years and spent over a year and punk underground, he has Ian: Hongdae is mentioned in that conveys a message and I think following and interviewing many of also written for Groove Maga- connection with metal strictly in we’ve succeeded. Hopefully peo- the key players for their documen- zine and 10 Magazine, and is a the past tense, and covered in the ple will see film and see the stories tary. mainstay at comedy and trivia present in the form of gentrifica- of this vibrant art scene. These Director Ian Henderson will dis- events. For the last few years tion. Mullae might not be 100%, but rebels and their everyday rebel- cuss the film and how in getting to he has been focused mostly on damn close to that. lion with a society that has an often know the personalities involved in documentary production, follow- MOD: Hongdae!!! Hongdae does crushing pressure to conform. the scene, a few uniquely Korean ing a strict learning curve as he have a presence in “K-Pop Kill- challenges have emerged: strict basically learned how to produce ers”. Specifically the gentrifica- Broke: How long have you been social hierarchy, a tumultuous po- a documentary from scratch. He tion of the neighborhood and the working on this, and how much of litical history, and gentrification is currently in pre-production on move of the metal music scene your life have you put into it? Be- in a rapidly developing nation all his next film and will be leaving to Mullae!! We love Mullae and cause it seems sort of like it’s be- conspire to thwart any chance of Korea at the beginning of 2019, love that the metal bars/clubs are come your Iliad. professional success. The saga of destination as yet unknown. all right between metal-working Ian: This certainly has been the shops. There are metal bands lit- biggest single endeavor of my life. erally playing next to metal-work- We started in November 2016 and ing shops and small factories. It’s planned and shot for just over a Walking tour: really quite poetic! At one point year. I’ve been organizing and ed- I literally walked around the old iting for the past 6 months. I think Hongdae park and where Club Spot I will have surpassed 1,000 hours Mullae, City of Metal used to be with camera and just myself by the time I’m done. recorded the new high end stores MOD: (laughs) Oh maw gawd. and open markets. We did film one Yeah. It feels that way. Close to Date: Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 - 2:00pm to 6:00pm of the bigger concerts at a club in 3 years. Including post production Destination: Mullae-dong, southern Seoul Hongdae and the police came and and preproduction. It’s really my almost shut it down as there was a love letter to Korea. Especially the Cost: W20,000 for members; W25,000 for non-mem- noise complaint. The show contin- underground music scene. End- bers ued at a lower volume and with club less planning, logistics, e-mails, staff trying to everything to stop arranging meetups, learning new Tour Leaders: Ian Henderson and Jon Dunbar sound escaping and warning peo- skills, improvising when equipment Korea’s arts and music scenes rise of art studios and live music ple to be quiet if they went outside. failed, improvising with terrible have faced challenges in recent venues, while also remaining one of Hongdae is a different place than it sound issues, etc. It was a rare years, even as they find unprec- Seoul’s roughest areas. was 5 years ago. Mullae and GBN week that I didn’t spend at least a edented success. Once centered Ian Henderson, director of the heavy is 100% the place now. day actively working on some as- around the Hongik University area, metal documentary “K-Pop Killers,” pect of this documentary. I lived many artists and musicians have and Jon Dunbar, not author of the punk Broke: What was the hardest part outside of Seoul for the whole become gentrification refugees, zine “Broke in Korea,” will lead par- of making this documentary? What production so more or less every fleeing to Mullae-dong, a fading ticipants through the alleys of Mullae- was the best part? weekend I would make the trip to industrial neighbourhood south of dong, looking at its past history as an Ian: I suppose the hardest part Seoul to spend at least one day of the river. industrial whistle-stop region, its cur- has been the technical learning the weekend working on the film. Here, the creativity as well as rent status as a refuge for artists and curve, both production and editing. Making this film really was like the noisiness of industry and art go musicians and the structural problems Also the self discipline to wake up sprinting uphill while having a re- together. The area has led to the it faces, as well as its projected future. at 6am on the weekends and start frigerator strapped to your back! editing, etc. Learning to be disci- But it’s all worth it. I’m super hap- plined enough to bring a project of py with the result and hope people this scale to fruition. The best part enjoy it. raskb.com You grab the mushrooms out of Suddenly everything around you throw it down the hall and it strikes revolution. her hands and eat them. shrinks. A tiny prison guard, barely more guards, sending them to hell. What’s it gonna be? “You weren’t supposed to eat half your height, rushes you. But The guards are closing in, so them!” she exclaims. you stomp on his head, flattening you grab Choi and jump down a big I’ll use the coins to fund a revolu- “Why not?” you ask. “What are him. green pipe. You’d think it’d be full of tion. GOTO page 24 they?” Choi follows after you as you sewage, but it’s all gold coins down Fuck that, what we need is more “Magic mushrooms,” she replies, flatten another guard, who - some here, just floating around in the air! of these mushrooms! GOTO “mixed with meth and angel dust.” how was wearing a turtle shell. You That’ll be perfect for financing a page 21 17 WDI’s Halloween is Still Alive Jon Twitch WDI: In 2009, Skunk Hell had I did a quick interview with Jeff at only recently closed, and as al- World Domination, Inc (WDI) about ways, everyone was talking the Still Alive Halloween concert about how the punk scene was series, which turns 10 this year. dying, so we decided to call it And he responded with some long “Still Alive” to show the scene answers full of shade at me. was still around and kicking. We also liked that it fit the Hallow- Broke: Why is it called “Still X een them and went well with the Alive”? Is it going straight-edge Zombie Hong9 artwork we were this year? already working on. WDI: Hahaha. Definitely not. The event is “Still Alive X” because this Broke: Let’s talk about the is the 10th year of the show, and as posters, which all seem to incor- you hopefully know, X is the Ro- porate Hong Gu as various pop man numeral for 10. I joked about culture characters. How did it how people who haven’t heard of start, and what aspect of him is the show from years before would perfect for it? Also, now that he’s think it’s a straightedge show when long since left your band, is it not they saw our teaser announcement. a little cruel? That had more of an old school WDI: For “Still Alive,” he’s hardcore feel to it. I think it’ll be been a zombie, Frankenstein’s less likely with the actual poster monster, the Incredible Hulk, due to the X-Men theme. Freddy Krueger, The Joker, a scary clown, Iron Man, Hanni- Broke: Let’s go back 10 years in bal from Silence of the Lambs, time. What prompted you to start and this year, he’s Wolverine. the first Still Alive in 2008? As for why it started, it was re- WDI: Well, first of all, Tel would ally just to taunt him. When we be very upset if I didn’t point out started ...Whatever That Means, that this is “year number 10” of Hong Gu was still kind of shy. He the show which means that it HATED when we used his face started nine years ago, not ten, in for posters, so we did it all the 2009. That said, the concept for time because we thought his re- the show was born in 2008. That action was funny. Before he quit was the first year I went to Hong- the band, we used him for other dae over Halloween weekend. I’ve shows too. He was Darth Sidious, always loved Halloween, and I was a storm trooper, King Sejong... so disappointed that year. All the Trash would make the posters. clubs had Halloween-themed fly- We’d print a thousand stickers ers, but when I got to the shows, without telling him and then just they were just normal shows. care about Halloween, so I said we’d start a real Halloween show leave a small stack of them on Nothing to do with Halloween at we needed to change that. Trash the next year with Halloween dec- his snare drum before he’d show all. I talked with Sun, the manager and I were engaged at that point orations and a discount for people up for practice. He’d walk in, see at Club Spot (now owner of News- and were just starting to talk about in costumes. them, and the initial reaction was boy Burger Pub), about how lame booking shows together. I mean, Broke: Why is it called “Still always hilarious. In 2014, Hong it was that nothing was happen- ...Whatever That Means wasn’t Alive”? With each passing year, Gu quit WTM, and Mizno replaced ing. He said people in Korea didn’t even a band yet. And we decided that seems more morbid. him. Trash actually drew Mizno as

Members of Full Garage dress as bees and a flower for Halloween 2013 . “Where do they keep the presi- burying Choi. Finally you find the You barely flee with your life, as curled up to protect its occupant, all dent?” you shout at her. “The real presidential suite, and scoop up its well as your rescued prisoner. you find is a snivelling old man. president!” occupant in your shovel. Then you As soon as the coast is clear, “Dammit!” you exclaim. “I went to “One floor up,” she replies. make your retreat. you jump out of the excavator cab rescue Park and all I got was 2mb!” You use the excavator shovel The prison guards by now have to come to your princess’s aid. But 18 to dig through the structure, firearms, and are shooting at you. when you go over to the shovel, THE END Beetlejuice for the “Still Alive 6” Japanese skatepunk sound he from 2009-2014. Still Alive 6 in cracks me up with their costumes. poster that year, but something loves to plays. We’ve got Seoul 2014 was actually the last ever One year, Keunyoung (bass) and about it just wasn’t as good. I’m ska-punk heroes Rudy Guns. show at Club Spot. That night Hyosub (guitar) dressed in these not sure why. So the next year, This will be everyone’s last was epic. Since then, we’ve been really embarrassing bumble bee we switched back to Hong Gu. chance to try to steal Nagi away at DGBD. I had always wanted to costumes, and Jaehyuk (drums) Running gags are always funnier, from Gicheol before their wed- book shows at DGBD because it’s wore a bow on his head with a and honestly, even though Hong ding. Hahaha. And then we tried such a cool venue. They’ve got a flower on it. Another year, they Gu doesn’t get embarrassed by to round out the night with some great stage tall enough to stage all dressed as ladybugs. it anymore, I think he might find slightly more garage/stoner/ dive off of. They’ve got that bal- As far as lame costumes, we it a bit more annoying now that indie-type stuff with 57 and A’Z cony around the top. It’s just got mention them on the event page he’s not even in the band ...which Bus. So yeah, honestly, I’m look- a cool feel to it. The problem now so that people don’t show up keeps it funny for us. ing forward to everyone. I don’t for us has always been that you in them arguing for a discount. know who the highlight is gonna need at least 60 to 80 people for One guy wrote the word “book” Broke: Tell me about the line- be. the venue to not feel complete- on his forehead and said, “I’m up this year. Some very young One random thought about the ly empty. That’s not a normal Facebook.” I told him that was bands with some very young lineup that I just noticed... Re- amount of people for the average lame and stolen from The Office. people. Andersen, whoever they cently someone asked me why ...Whatever That Means or WDI Another guy wore a “Hello, my are. What will be the highlight? women were so under-repre- show, so we never booked there. name is _____” nametag and said, WDI: THE highlight? That’s sented in the Korean underground Still Alive always pulls in a good it was a costume because that a hard call. As always, we’ve scene, and I told them they were crowd though, so it works. DGBD wasn’t really his name. Also sto- made sure there’s a good amount just wrong. I mean, if you look at also gives us a really great deal len from The Office so also lame. of punk rock. So you’ve got .... the lineup for this show, five of on the club for the night, which The funny thing is, when peo- Whatever That Means, who ob- six bands have women in them, is why we’re able to let people in ple do lame stuff like that, and viously plays every year. Then and half the bands have women for only 5,000 won if they wear we don’t give them the 5,000 won there’s Drinking Boys & Girls who sing lead vocals. That wasn’t a costume. discount, they get really, really Choir. They’re a skatepunk band done of purpose. In fact, it’d be mad sometimes. Anyway, I think from Daegu who we have really really hard to book a decent Broke: What’s the best cos- the lamest complaint ever came fallen in love with over the last show in this city without bands tume you ever saw at one of the from Ryan Ihm when he wore his year. Great people making great with female members, and I think Still Alive shows? Also, what are orange Misfits t-shirt and said, music in a city that doesn’t make that’s one of the coolest things some of the worst you’ve seen, “I’m a Misfits jack-o-lantern.” I it easy to stay motivated as a about playing music here. either most half-assed or most pointed out that I’d seen him wear band. We’ve also got a brand- offensive? that shirt a bunch of times before new band, Andersen, playing Broke: Let’s talk about venues. WDI: Our first year at DGBD a to which he responded, “Yeah, their first ever show. That band Where have you run Still Alive? couple wore these super elabo- I love wearing costumes.” That was put together by Choi Gunn, Why is DGBD the venue of choice rate zombie bride and groom was a pretty good comeback, and the drummer from Startline and now? costumes that were absolutely I didn’t feel like arguing with him, GumX, so it’s more of that great WDI: The show was at Club Spot amazing. Full Garage always so he got the discount. Youth “unpretentious decadent pleasure”new trend Korean punk rising Perms, unisex uniform, nightlife “No tomorrow” — pleasure only First meeting, drinking, and dancing, then on to crime

Dong-A Ilbo 1984.10.10 ing around with men,” she said. “I don’t Among these punks, there are “casuals” (See back cover for original) want to talk to people who aren’t punks that seek out pleasure but do not harm anymore.” others, and so-called “bullies” which are Recently, there are more and more “punk” In the late 1960s, punk was spreading in made up of bad boys who were expelled people who have the same hairstyles. the US, but is spreading to Europe and Ja- from school. The punks recognize each other in unisex pan where people are enjoying a decadent They use words people do not under- uniforms, such as “punk perm” hair imbal- life of dancing, drugs, and sex. stand, such as “full” (attractive and rich), anced on the left and right, with bangs The Korean punks originated in late 1981 “subjective” (well-dressed), “got it” (pro- down, and short pants. at a youth entertainment center called miscuous), “shahada” (fresh), “stamp” They are a big social problem because Jongno University in Core Building at (have sex), “food” (female). (Editor’s note: they are heading for a derailment of un- Jongno 2ga, having the same hair and at- fffuh, I couldn’t get a whole bunch of these consciousness, claiming the purpose of life tire. (Translator’s note: this location ap- at all.) is pleasure only and they can do anything pears to refer to the building near Jonggak “The introduction of indiscriminate in pursuit of it. Station with the Taco Bell. It now has a Western culture and the recent decadent In front of the DACO Club in Jung-gu, “VR Game Cafe” on the second floor.) indulgence of our society have been re- Seoul, every evening at around 5 pm or 6 At that time, in order to join, hey had to flected in youth psychology, and families pm, dozens of young people like this are spend their school tuition or school ex- that have weakened control over their shouting. penses to buy alcohol for members at dis- childrens due to economic difficulties and “Yoon,” 19, says if punks like each oth- co halls. family disagreements have become a living er, they say “Let’s play together,” and if In the afternoon, they spend time in mu- room for punks,” said Kim Jae-eun, pro- anyone talks to them, they will get along sic cafes before the discos open at 6pm. fessor of education psychology at Ewha straight away. Among them, there are many runaway Womans University. “At first, my life in punk was strange, but I youths, and at night they live together in “The only way to heal this is to create a have fallen in without knowing while play- inns or late-night coffee shops. healthy family and social atmosphere.” You meet up with Hong, a fel- erty to Korea,” you tell him. You take a drink. The glass falls “Sorry, old habits die hard,” he low resister who’s in a position of “That’s practically my name,” he out of your hand. You can’t move says. power. says. “I propose a toast, to a return at all. You’ve been paralysed, by “I want you to help me bring lib- to the way things were.” something in the drink. THE END 19 Book ‘em, Dan O. Jon Twitch (Chile) are just a few of the young bands who are out there perform- In a rare scoop, I’m printing an ing some killer metal. So yeah, that interview with Dan, an expat fix- “old people” music they’re talking ture of the local metal scene who’s about is still alive and being per- taken on a bigger role lately. formed by the younger generation. He’s bringing stoner metal bands Are perhaps guys in their 20s too Guevnna (Japan) and Alpaca (Chi- old? Well then check out Sepsis na) to Korea on October 20. (USA) and Fatal Agent (USA), both bands are made up of high school Broke: Who are you? kids but they perform death and Dan: I’m a Guatemalan/Ameri- thrash metal straight of the 80s and can living in Korea (dang that’s a early 90s. If this doesn’t say that lot of countries) living here as an metal has indeed stood the test of English teacher, now teaching at time, I don’t know what will. So a public high school (Sudo techni- yeah, anyone who says metal is cal high school, totally awesome exclusive to older generations have school and I wouldn’t have it any not a clue. I can go on even further other way). Been into metal since to disprove that statement, but I I was 10, hearing of Metallica from think I’ve made my point. watching Beavis and Butthead, and then heard bands like Slayer, Razor Broke: What does the Korean (Canada), Hirax (USA), and from metal scene need to grow? What there on thrash metal became one are some of the biggest problems of the biggest loves of my life. I of facing it? course like a wider variety of met- Dan: I wish that both bands and al, from speed, heavy, epic, speed, fans in Korea would broaden their doom, death, black, and power horizens dig deep into international metal. I also enjoy doing martial and underground metal bands in- arts, and have been doing Muay stead of just limiting themselves to Thai for quite a few years, even just the popular bands. They might participating in a few ring fights as find something that they might well. I also got a Master’s degree in potentially genuinely like if they TESOL, speak Spanish, Japanese, searched a bit harder. There also and Korean. seems to be an attitude among old- Dan at GBN Live House on Dec. 30, 2017. er bands called “kkondae,” which Broke: I’ve heard a handful of this, titled “First Class Violence”). I can try to help and develop the is a bit connected to the Confucian people describe you as Korea’s There was this one Japanese band, Korean metal scene. ideas of “respect your elders” but biggest metalhead. How much or Riverge, who are co-organizers is taken to an extreme and the old- little do you agree with that? along with Mikitoshi Matsuo (who Broke: A lot of people in the punk er people may abuse this authority. Dan: I’m not sure about that. also runs Rock Stakk Records, and metal scenes these days seem This results in some of the older There’s a few other guys around based in Osaka). I told the guys resigned to the fact we listen to bands being jerks to the younger here equally deserving of that title. from Riverge and Mikitoshi that old people music now, and younger kids who are also in bands, and Although I would say I really enjoy they should do a Korea show one people aren’t listening anymore. in turn, the younger bands poten- the music, enough for me to go to day and they seriously consid- Where do you stand on this? tially resenting the older bands. different countries to see festivals, ered it, asking if I would organize Dan: Oh, those people don’t know Another problem is that many lo- and I can say I’m quite knowledge- it. At first I tried talking to other jack squat about what’s going on in cal bands apparently aren’t trying able about metal both past and cur- promoters, but that promoter told the real metal underground. Metal to bring their music abroad, limiting rent, hard to judge who or what is me that I should try being the one is quite alive and well and I am very themselves to Korea or at the very “more metal” than someone else. organizing the gig. After hearing much sure that it’s here to stay for best, the odd show in Japan. Many There are some online communi- both Mikitoshi and Yuying ask if I a long time. Metal has always been of these bands don’t even have a ties out there who are also quite big would organize, I didn’t think I had a way of saying “** you” to the es- Bandcamp account. The only ex- into metal, such as Circle of Ty- what it took to be an organizer to tablishment and to modern trends. ceptions I can think here are bands rants who are also quite the met- be honest, but I just went ahead There are tons of younger metal such as Wasp Sting Danger, Fe- alheads with a pretty vast knowl- and gave it a try and next thing I bands coming out these days. And cundation, and Huqueymsaw who edge of metal. One thing is for sure know, I’m the one inviting Riverge no, I’m not talking about those who understand that in order for their though, I fucking love metal!! over to Korea and they seemed to are following said modern trends, music to succeed, they should put up quite the show in Korea. I but these are young kids playing spread it as far and wide as pos- Broke: How did you get into pro- hardly ever get to hear thrash True Metal as if the 90s never hap- sible. Fecundation and Sahon are moting metal shows in Korea? metal in Korea so for me to bring pened. While in the flooding market doing really well at this. Fecunda- Dan: Wanting to quench my thirst such a band from the 80s here to of bands, many can be generic, I tion have toured in Japan, China, for Old School Metal, I have tak- Korea, and seeing all these peo- will gladly give out names of some and Thailand and will soon go to en trips to Japan and Germany to ple enjoying what I put together, it of the best of the new modern Russia. Sahon has just came back see metal festivals. One such trip was a very great and humbling ex- metal bands: Ironflame (USA), Seax to Korea from a European tour, was my annual True Thrash Fest perience. Then another band was (USA), Oxygen Destroyer (USA), opening for UK thrash metal leg- in Osaka, Japan (probably THE trying to come, whom I was quite Visigoth (USA), Eternal Champion ends Virus. More bands should try BEST thrash metal festival ever), close to from Canada called Visions (USA), Excuse (Finland), Blood to follow this example. One more the 2017 edition featuring German of the Night. I worked again to or- Incantation (USA), Evil (Japan), thing that irks me about the Korean thrash legends Darkness (they’re ganize that gig, and then the rest is Nightbreed (Greece), Speed Queen scene is the fact that this already good friends of mine and are re- history. I decided I wanted to start (Belgium), Hitten (Spain), Blazon small scene is so divided. Contrary leasing a new album as I write doing more of these shows so that Stone (Sweden), Lucifer’s Hammer to what a lot of naive metal-related

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memes love to say, the metal com- in the air like an angry 5-year-old munity will NOT be some happy throwing a tantrum, is nonexistent. community where everybody loves Since this action can cause harm to each other and gets along. There other people including those who are going to be clashes in person- are not interested in getting into ality, that’s a given. mosh pits, I’m glad about the to- tal lack of this. As far as our local Broke: What is your impression bands, there’s some bands I enjoy. of the Korean metal scene as it is? Some band names I would like to What does it do well? throw out there would be Noctur- After a rainstorm, this kindergarten Dan: We are a very small and nal Damnation, Wasp Sting Dan- tightknit community full of good ger, Elan Vital, Nocturnal Crema- building at Sangdo Elementary School, people on all sides. Yeah sure, tion, Maverick, Fecundation, Leper we don’t 100 percent get along Temple, Storm, and Gonguri. We perched on top of a steep hill, col- all the time, but I love the peo- got great shops like Dope Records, lapsed. Fortunately it happened at night ple of this scene. We do what we located near Mapo and Gongdeok can with what we’ve got in order stations and an awesome record and no one was inside. Downhill from to bring the good bands to Korea. label in Colossus Records who are I’m no millionaire and I wish I can releasing some awesome extreme the school, redevelopers were clearing do more for the band that I have and power metal. invited to perform here. However, out a shantytown to make way for new we got some great people trying Broke: What did you think of “K- to put up awesome shows here. Pop Killers”? developments. There are a few organizers besides Dan: It’s a great overview of the myself who are bringing in some Korean metal scene, talking about You could live your whole life being a amazing bands to Korea and I re- some of the societical roadblocks ally respect what these guys do, hindering the Korean metal scene good citizen, never jaywalking, always they’re trying to make something but also mentioning some of the out of something so small, having positives of the scene. Ian and going to class, never late for work, and brought great bands such as Nek- Mike are both good friends of mine then one day something you didn’t see rofilth, Angelcorpse, etc. Also, at and I appreciate all the hard work least in the shows that I tend to go both have put into doing this killer coming your way leaps up and kills you to, crowdkilling — the act of some- documentary (no pun intended... or body swinging their arms and feet was it?). in a new and exotic way.

“We need more mushrooms man!” death. You find a fire flower growing Cheong Wa Dae and run around kill- with an axe lying next to it. You leap you tell Choi. “Do you have more?” in the murk down here, and it grants ing everyone with your death touch over him, dodging the hammers, She smiles and squats in the cor- you the power to shoot fireballs As you storm the palace, you find hand outstretched for that axe... ner. A moment later, a big plastic from your fingertips. You and Choi the new president there, his lizard- Meanwhile, back at the sewer un- bag full of mushrooms is lying on emerge from the underground level like eyes darting back and forth be- der the prison, the guards find you and the ground underneath her. and storm the city. Near Cheong Wa hind his glasses. He begins throw- Choi, facedown in the muck, writhing There are red mushrooms and Dae, you leap into the sky and grab ing hammers at you, but you see an and blathering gibberish. Those were green mushrooms. The red ones hold of a star, which gives you the opening...he is standing on a plat- some powerful mushrooms! help you grow big, and the green power of invincibility and every- form extended over a lava pit! And ones grant you powers beyond thing you touch dies. You leap over behind him is a rope holding it up, THE END 21 Finding a husband at Seoul Queer Fest Jon Twitch ligion, faith and love. values, but it better implied recon- said another. Sexual minorities of- I haven’t been to the parade since ciliation and love growing stronger ten find themselves refugees, not Love and restraint were key 2015, mainly because of how painful than hate. Should a disowned queer just in war-torn countries but any- themes throughout the week leading it was to see the hate and ignorance kid go back to their family and try to where, including advanced nations. up to Korea Queer Festival (KQF) in the very active protesters. They suppress their feelings? They may A high number of sexual minorities 2018. They, and their absence, usually set up a big rally in front of find themselves no longer capable have experienced homelessness, or arose repeatedly. Deoksu Gate and try to drown out the of love. It is the job of the parents feared they might become homeless. Seoul National University (SNU), noise of the pride festival. In 2016, to decide whether they can still love Refugee rights, women’s rights, and the nation’s top comprehensive uni- the parade coincided with the RASKB a child whose sexuality wouldn’t be LGBTQ rights have a great deal of versity, on Monday hosted a talk by Garden Party, and attendees heading their first pick. overlap, even if there are social bar- an American claiming to be an ex- for the British Embassy had to wade As the parade prepared to leave riers between them. homosexual. through a large, loud anti-gay protest. Seoul Square, protesters showing “E.T. Love LGBT,” read a heart- SNU students, enraged, showed up, This time again there was the usual neither love nor restraint tried to shaped sign carried by someone in but they used restraint, remaining rally, and it was loud but small this get in their way. Elderly men waved the Raelian section. Their biggest civil. They handed out flyers and sat year. Just as pro-Park Geun-hye sandwich boards and banners with banner had a stronger message: “To in the front row during the talk. One protesters have been making use of anti-gay messages. A couple hun- believe one is heterosexual is an il- student reportedly interrupted the flags, this one also had giant Korean dred or so smirking young men ran lusion,” which has a scientific basis. talk and stormed out, but students and U.S. flags, likely unaware the into the middle of the street and fell One guy near the back of the parade report she returned and apologized. newly arrived U.S. ambassador, Ad- into a huge pile. One buckaroo in a saw the elderly man next to me, and And then the students had a lot to miral Harry Harris, a Trump appoin- cowboy hat ran past the police line held up his middle finger and shouted say during the Q&A period after. tee no less, was across the street and led a half dozen police in an profanities. In a fit of mischief, I smiled Darrion Skinner, the speaker, said from them at the U.S. Embassy amusing rodeo-style chase. and said in a friendly way, “Hey, don’t he still had homosexual urges and booth in Seoul Square. I got onto an elevated place and talk like that to my husband!” The pa- struggled to fit into a heterosexual I stayed away from them, and the found myself standing next to an el- rade, not getting or maybe not hearing union. Is he an ex-homosexual, or a first Christian banner I saw, in front derly man holding a banner showing my exact words, turned his attention tortured homosexual who refuses to of Wongudan, had a fresh mes- two men kissing. The police tried to on me, shouting “I hate you!” live up to his full potential? sage: “We are against homosexuaity remove him earlier but I guess he I honestly can’t fault him for his Both sides showed restraint, as [sic] because We love you!” Words convinced them he wouldn’t physi- reaction, as the level of hatred he opposed to tolerance, as each side’s of restraint, compared to the usual cally disrupt the parade. Throughout, probably endured that day from best wishes would be for the other messages we see. Of course oppos- his body moved along with the music. Christian protesters was high. I re- to disappear. And neither side want- ing homosexuality leads to stigma, His thing seemed to be to wave and call how messed up I felt after at- ed to give the other the fuel to ac- family separation, blocked access to smile, and once people were looking, tending the 2015 opening event cuse them of hate. medical care, mental health issues he’d whip out his banner. I invited and photographing the Christians A student reported he called the and suicide. The protesters would more people up so they could see the and their signs, and for that matter building managers about why they say it’s homosexuality which caus- parade, giving him less room to oc- how I felt exactly the same after the agreed to host the event, and they es these things, but they don’t see cupy. Probably a lot of paraders will 2012 Shinchonji Olympiad. I imagine said it was basically to give equal they’ve bound their own hands. have pictures of this one guy with the this guy yelling at us probably went time to both sides. However, the I decided I would look for love at banner, and a bunch of normal people through the same thing after. scientific consensus is that any form KQF. Not literally love because it standing on either side of him. Because of who I was standing of sexual conversion therapy is bunk was everywhere around me, but for Finally the parade arrived, and next to, I appeared in probably a lot and mentally harmful. where it appeared on signs. they brought love. “I love who I am,” of pictures taken of one particular Science won’t sway homophobes, One protester walking around with one handheld sign read. “Love is for anti-gay protester, standing very the overwhelming majority of whom big colorful anti-gay signs wore a everyone,” another. close to him. I deplore his message are Christians. So rather than throw shirt that said “Father And Mother “Power to women,” said one. And but have to respect him for not being statistical or medical facts at them, I Love You,” with the first letters in a large banner, “My body is a bat- one of the violent ones. And I’m glad members of Korea’s LGBTQ com- blue to spell out “FAMILY.” His in- tleground.” only one marcher hurled hate in our munity are left with questions of re- tent was probably to promote family “LGBTQ welcomes refugees,” direction.

Before the Seoul Queer Festival parade, an elderly Christian protester hoists a banner (left) and argues with the police about staying. You show up at the Ministry of The general looks it over, then he may concern’!” the general laughs. is still on. Clippy leers out at you, National Defense, letter in hand. stands up. “Hey guys, get a load of The whole army laughs you out of as if asking “How did your proposal “I believe I have an action plan to this!” he shouts. the building. They don’t even look go, chump?” overthrow the government and re- Instantly he’s surrounded by sev- at the rest of your proposal. Should’ve used Clippy. impose the Saenuri order,” you tell eral aides. Humiliated, you return home. 22 them, handing over the paper. “This bitch wrote ‘To womb it There at your desk, your computer THE END Burberry Man The Burlesque Show By Twitch and Verv shriek and run into the school, but some better grades. They perform a dance that laugh at him. ends with taking B away. Burlesque seems to be everywhere these The schoolbell rings, and A is left all alone. A is sad, and when the high school girls days, with performer groups in Seoul ex- He paces back and forth, smokes a cigarette, show up he isn’t in peak performance. They ceeding a countable number. So two of the works out a routine for when they return. try to comfort him but he is heartbroken. most perverse minds behind Broke in Korea The girls come out holding test papers At the end of the day, the girls come out, drafted a burlesque play that could be acted with a bright red A written on each of them. and their grades are all B and C. completely nonverbally, or with only a line The first ones come out and show him, and here or there so viewers have some idea he is very proud of them and gives them a Act 4 what is going on. congratulatory flash. One plants a kiss on It is our tribute to the burberry men that him. They do a bit of a strip tease for him, A comes to the school and starts flashing once haunted every girls’ school, greeting as they attribute their good test scores to the girls, but then C shows up, wearing a big young female students with nudity, or just his flashing. trenchcoat that appears to be hiding a huge watched them and masturbated. Changing One girl comes out with a paper that says erection. He tries to be a bit more grabby attitudes seem to be branding these trench- D, and A pulls out a red pen and draws with the girls, which they don’t like. coated vigilantes as sexual predators, right- a second D so it says DD, at which point A approaches C, and the two of them scuf- fully, and this play returns us to a time when she does a burlesque performance for him fle. A opens C’s trenchcoat, revealing his this was considered an innocent act. showing off her endowment. erection to be only a stunt cock. There is The set design is in front of a school named probably a loud boioioioing sound effect. Sonyeo Girls’ High School with either a wide While it is in his hands, a teacher comes gate or two different gates. There is also Act 2 outside and chases both of them off. a second school called SKY University with A, in hiding, watches as the girls come out one gate, off to the side. Ideally stage ex- A shows up early in the morning to start after school, all with low grades. The worst its would mean you could have a small cast flashing girls. But on the other side of the is the girl with a D, who draws a second D, of actresses in identical schoolgirl uniforms stage, B is standing there flashing girls too. but without any burberry men, the magic rotating through to make it seem like a full A notices this and takes issue. B flashes A, just isn’t there and she doesn’t do a dance. school. and they begin a flash-off burlesque dance. The cast involves three male dancers and The assembled schoolgirls cheer them both Act 5 numerous female dancers. We will call the on. male dancers A, B, and C and the female After school, the girls come out again with A goes to SKY University with some of parts are more collective without specific more test papers, but now they’re thanking the high school girls, and they have a bur- recurring characters. only A or B. The ones who thank B all have lesque-off to win back B. A lot more could be done in production to A+. B returns to Sonyeo High to dance for the make this a short play or a longer one full of girls so they’ll get good grades, but the SKY solo performances. Obviously the choreog- Act 3 students hold onto A, and he ends up danc- raphy and what is meant by flashing should ing for the university students. be left up to the production instead of us. A and B arrive early for another morning of flashing girls. But standing at the gates Act 1 they find a group of girls assembled, wear- ing SKY University logos. These girls heard A is outside gate 1 flashing girls as they Sonyeo High has the best burberry men, and rush by entering the school. Most of them they want to lure away B so they can get

“Stop being such a fucking troll!” the middle of a section of desert filled him. “How about it?” the aide asks. you shout, shoving him backwards. with especially prickly cacti. “Because, whoever kills the presi- “Would you like to be our president? He falls against a door, grabbing a “Oh shiiit!” a nearby aide cries. dent, becomes the president,” the We were due for a woman next any- handle to right himself. The handle “She killed the president!” aide explains to you as if you’re an way.” shifts downward in his grasp, and the “Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” you say, idiot. door opens outward, sucking him out expecting them to arrest you. “Well that’s pretty careless,” you “Sure, I’ll be your president!” of the plane. “Are you kidding?” the aide cries. remark. GOTO page 35 You rush over and get it closed, “The curse is lifted! You freed us! So, “It’s in the Constitution!” the sec- “No thanks, but would you let just getting one glimpse of him im- now what?” retary of state, sitting nearby, men- me borrow your military for a bit?” pacting the ground far below, right in “Why are you asking me?” you ask tions. GOTO page 24 23 The weirdest conversation I’ve had on Reddit Jon Twitch I’m an atheist, accept evolution, man-made is to the “Jewish question,” or even if you climate change and that a universal income think yourself reproducing with fully white Here are excerpts of a weird conver- is a good idea! No hatred from me, just re- people would further contribute to white sation I had on Reddit a few months ago. ally sad about this (yep, my graph that). genocide. The person, who I’ll identify just as Red Pill, posted on /r/korea looking for Kore- European Supremacist: White people are ans saying positive things about Trump. being demographically replaced in our na- He didn’t quite get what he wanted but was tions this is an indisputable fact and if it cordial about it, and slowly teased out more were happening to any other group their facts about himself. This conversation isn’t would not be a Wikipedia article about it totally linear, and happened in three bursts. calling it a conspiracy theory. Jews need to One third guy intervened, and it was clear be removed from our societies. he was also afraid of white genocide. Not everyone you disagree with is a neo All usernames have been changed so you nazi (what ever that means today). You can’t easily find it online, but our three probably couldn’t define what a nazi is usernames bear some resemblance to the Broke: So youre some kind of racist. Then without looking at Wikipedia, anti-white. originals. what do you care about Korea, a nonwhite “ohhh, let me open up Wikipedia (run by Also note the graph which has been in- country? And yes, there are white people leftists) they have an article that says what serted into the conversation where the here, but a lot of us would be likely to have you think is a conspiracy, full of sources dude linked it. half-white kids, and anyone who sees that linking to other leftists calling it a conspir- as bad deserves a shove in front of a bus. acy theory!” Red Pill: According to Reuters, Moon said hand rubbing intensifies “President Trump should win the Nobel Red Pill: “So youre some kind of racist.” Peace Prize. What we need is only peace”. That implies hate, and I do my best to avoid Broke: “Jews need to be removed from Is that a fair interpretation? Did he mean: that. our societies” 1: “Trump deserves the award, since we “Then what do you care about Korea, a Red Pill, your thoughts? in South Korea need peace” nonwhite country?” Funny you should ask. Or: I actually have a lot of respect for Korea Red Pill: Wow, this escalated didn’t it? 2: “Trump can have the award, all we care (well South Korea since I know more about I didn’t really want to go into any of this. about is achieving peace”. it), and in some ways think (along with Ja- Jews are some of the most creative and in- Or something else? pan) you’re better than us, in culture, and in telligent people around. However, there’s some ways even fundamentally as people. no doubt we can swing heavily left, and Broke: Yes, the quote revealed some- And I love a lot of your music and even the disproportionately hold positions of power thing totally transactional — paraphras- accent! That doesn’t mean I don’t care a in the media (where we can be of influ- ing “give it to him, if we can get peace out lot about white people and the predicament ence), and also disproportionately favour of it.” Trump had previously asked Moon we’re in obviously. To make things even third world migration to white countries. for credit, and it is plainly obvious his sole more confusing, I’m half-Jewish to boot. That’s not to say white people can’t also motivation is self-satisfaction. There has be inclined this way of course. Maybe in since been reporting about Moon manipu- Broke: You sound fucked up. A half-Jew who Israel, Jews are less like that? I don’t know. lating Trump into these talks, though pretty buys into neo-nazi propaganda, and you listen to Regarding European Supremacist‘s com- well every world leader has found a way to K-pop? Ive known a lot of troubled alt-righters- ment, if it meant reversing the trend of manipulate Trump. -I even know a half-Korean one who is attracted whites becoming minorities in their coun- There are a few pro-Trump regulars to the most white supremacist of their messages, tries, I would be one of the first to be de- around here, but they are generally not re- but at least he doesnt listen to K-pop. ported, as sad as that would make me feel. spected for obvious reasons. Myself, I think As long as they don’t hurt us or use vio- Tila Tequila would have made a much bet- Red Pill: Okay, nevermind. Have a nice day! lence, I would be happy overall. ter president. She’s Asian-American, and she’s good with neo-nazis. Broke: Just gonna leave this here: Broke: Oh yeah, neo-nazis are well known https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_gen- for their non-violent methods. Red Pill: Thanks also for your opinion. I ocide_conspiracy_theory thought I remember hearing that South Ko- (The white genocide conspiracy theory Red Pill: Well I heavily condemn that to the reans in general love Trump now because is a neo-Nazi, alt-right, white nationalist/ extent it’s true of course. I hate violence. of the new peace in Korea that is dawning. supremacist conspiracy theory, which con- Maybe that was an exaggeration? tends that any one of; mass immigration, Broke: Then what do you think about your Remember that Reddit is biased towards racial integration, miscegenation, low fer- leader habitually sexually assaulting women, the Left in general compared to most sites. tility rates, abortion, governmental land- or ordering nonwhite critics of him to be vio- confiscation from whites, organised vio- lently punished? Certainly the people pushing Red Pill: Am Trump fan, but love stats like lence or eliminationism are being promoted the whole “white genocide” conspiracy theory this. in either predominantly white countries, or you’ve bought into are very violent, even if you I wonder how much SK’s view of Trump supposedly white-founded countries, to don’t believe the Holocaust wiped out 6 million will go up for this year since it only goes deliberately replace, remove, or liquidate of your people and several million more. to 2017. white populations; dismantle white collec- Red Pill: As I said, I condemn violence, so tive power, turning them minority-white to the extent any of what you say is true, Broke: You like Trump and statistical and hence causing white people to become then I agree with you. I think things can be facts? I thought all Trump supporters saw extinct through forced assimilation or vio- solved with the pen, not the sword, and that reality as the enemy. lent genocide.) many people (both far left and right) unfor- You dont have to tell me which part of this tunately think violence is the only way to Red Pill: You may also be shocked to hear you agree with, or even what your answer further their goals.

Well that was easy. You have the right war, or stage a false flags at- The advisor rolls his eyes at you. No need for deception. I want this arsenal, so now it’s time to strike. tack,” your military advisor advises “There are no voters listening in to be surgical and decisive, just like Fortunately, along with your mili- you. right now,” he tells you. “No need to my princess’ father. GOTO page 25 tary acquisition came the personnel. “Oh, like they did on 9/11!” you sound totally stupid. Which strategy Let’s do false flags! Just like 9/11! 24 “We could either wage out- exclaim. should we pursue?” GOTO page 33 My good ideas (for you to use if you like) Jon Twitch I won’t ask for royalties but I tial komrompat that is easily not just make an app for your might take credit for inspiring disproven or something that TV to be controlled by your After Pussyfoot Saloon you, even if like PF Saloon you wouldn’t bother you. And then phone? Why wasn’t that the opened in Hannam-dong, I sat never heard of this zine. if your search history is ever first internet of things product? up and took notice. The inte- Cat’s pyjamas: body scan leaked, they’ll have nothing on Remote controls: they have rior was done up to look like your cat’s fur coloration and you. too many buttons these days. an old-timey train car, and the print pyjamas for yourself. Op- Modular rooftop hanok: There How about make one where the windows played a side-scroll- tion to make a full fursuit if you are so many unused rooftop buttons you almost never use ing video of a landscape to give pay a lot extra, because seri- spaces, and it seems like mod- are located on the back? the impression of being in a ously that’s getting weird. ular housing would be perfect Manchocheon underground train. That’s exactly one of the Garfield’s: Too many res- for such locations. Why not park: After Yongsan Garrison four ideas I had for a bar back taurants close on Mondays, modular rooftop hanoks? Imag- is returned to Seoul, it is like- in Broke 16 (along with surf meaning if you want food on ine what that would do to the ly they will fully daylight the bar, doo-wop bar, and class- a Monday you’re out of luck. city’s skyline. stretch of Manchocheon cut- room bar, investors...?). So instead, how about a pop- Pedestrian Chicken: fried ting through the former mili- With the newfound awareness up restaurant called Garfield’s, chicken served smushed flat, tary base. But what about the that my wishes could come true which appears in somewhat signature tireprint texture. section running from the base if I write them in a self-indul- random locations rented out Sundae, Bloody Sundae: a to the river? It’s at least 1.5 gent zine article, I came up with from restaurants closed for the restaurant serving sundae and kilometers long. I propose the several other ideas that could day. They serve lasagna, Gar- sundaes (the first being in- use of mirrors to reflect sun- make interesting businesses field’s favourite. testine, the second being ice light down there, and turning it for someone with more time Kompromat generator: cream). into an underground botanical than me. schedule your computer or Phone remote control app: you garden. Only problem with this Just like last time, these ideas mobile device to make random always lose the TV remote, but one is, where will I celebrate are open for anyone to run with. Google searches for a poten- never lose your phone. So why Christmas? Bimonthly Bootfuck: 14 social media annoyances

This issue, social media gets up message will be. And some- ally are angry, sending a digital ing out notifications every time the bootfuck. It’s bad enough it times people just leave it hang- face seems too cute a way to something was put up for sale. has eroded US democracy and ing, like they’re waiting for me express that. Are you angry, or When people send you con- hijacked how we socialise with to reply so they know I’m on are you just joking? tent they could just as easily others and interact with the the other end of whatever de- People can follow you: So post for you to passively see: world around us. The least it vice so they can start interact- people can send you friend re- You have the option to post a could do is keep us adequately ing with me live. I almost al- quests and you can accept or video or news article publicly entertained and comfortable. ways ignore when people do ignore forever. Or people can for everyone to see. But some But instead, social media has that too. just “follow” you, which means people send random content created new nuisances and Tagteaming: This doesn’t what exactly? I don’t know you like this to an individual friend, ways for people to piss each seem to happen as much any- well enough to send a friend or start a group chat and send other off. Maybe in 50 years more, but it was a common tac- request, but I want to monitor it to a ton of people at once. social media will still exist, and tic of keyboard warriors of all your social media activities. No Why? This is a messenger. there will be strict etiquette we types. “What? You think Trump thanks. Save that shit for your news- don’t have now. is a moron? @Jacob @Travis @ French flag profile filter: feed where I can see it or not. John @George.” And then you Charlie Hebdo was almost three Group chats: These in general Gif replies have all these assholes getting years ago. Why are we still suck. Sometime recently, Face- angry at you online. seeing people with the French “X has left the group”: Months book made it so you could re- Thumbs up in messenger: flag filter over their profile after someone started a group ply with a nonverbal animated The thumbs-up in Face- picture? There have been so chat to contact 50 people, then gif, or one with some basic book Messenger is irritating. many other scauses for you to some random person decides words. The effect was immedi- Granted, you can make it large get worked up about over the it’s time to withdraw. So all 50 ate, and most easily noticed in or small, and you can swap it following years. Hell, that one of you once again get a notifi- idiotic places like OinK, where out for other things. But ulti- wasn’t even the worst attack in cation your cousin doesn’t want text gave way to images, mak- mately, when someone deploys France. And of course it’s not to watch the video your grand- ing things much less dense and it, it s code for “conversation French people ever. Also still mother sent all her friends last making the reader have to look over but I don’t want to spare common on Tinder. spring. farther to read what people the energy to end it verbally.” Happy Birthday firewall: “X just joined Messenger! were actually saying When someone gives me one of When you want to learn about Be the first to send a welcome these, I end the conversation. a person, and you click on their message or sticker”: This hap- 1-word message: Sometimes Angry face response: Face- profile to look around, it’s all pens when someone who’s al- I get a “Jon” or a “hi” or some- book changed it so you can not good, but if it was their birth- ready been your contact gets thing equally half-assed. The only thumbs-up a message, but day recently, good luck getting a new phone I guess. I don’t person then usually keeps typ- also laugh, be scared by, love, past that without your browser really care and I don’t see the ing the rest of their message. cry, or be angry with. A lot freezing up. need to ever reach out to a But like, why did you send me of those have their place, but Sales notifications: Facebook friend just because. this warning? Now I have to when someone gives me the was in a hurry to find some way Poking: Yeah, we haven’t for- spend 30 seconds waiting to angry one, I can never tell how to monetise itself, so it was a gotten you. How has Facebook see what the hell your follow- they actually feel. If they re- little too eager about send- not erased this one?

Oh yeah, this is happening. rolling into downtown Seoul. Soon your forces have overrun at you. You choose an American holi- The military fights back fiercely, Seoul. day, let’s say Wear Flag Sweatpants but with the forces — and financ- The current president crawls out I’ll face him. GOTO page 27 Day, so the USFK is totally unpre- es — behind you, they’re hardly a from wreckage, and comes out into I’ll strike him down from here. pared when you lead a tank convoy match. the open, fists clenched, glaring up GOTO page 37 25 Do colonoscopies make you gay? With the anti-vaxxer movement spreading fear of science and dis- ease across the planet, I wanted to see if I could come up with an even stupider and more harmful anti-science grassroots movement. I came up with something perfect, that threatens masculinity and also would increase cancer risks if it were spread: the fear that getting a Better to not have a colo- colonoscopy would activate homo- noscopy and trust God to sexual tendencies that would make I was having gastric problems, and the recipient gay. my doctor told me I should get a protect me from bowel can- It’s a perfectly stupid mix of fac- tors that I couldn’t forget it. Here’s What if I like the sensation of a colonoscopy immediately. I replied, cer, than to risk His wrath a look at the beginning of the anti- camera shoved up my rear? I have an "Whoa sailor, at least buy me dinner over me getting my jollies colonoscopy movement, let’s call enlarged prostate, what if it makes first!" it anti-colo. And our resistance to me orgasm? with a camera up my bum. this cancer-detecting, life-saving procedure everyone should do as they get older is known as Citi- zens Outraged Over Colonoscopies United (COOCU).

Do you know what they put in a colonoscope? The outer cover contains polyu- rethane elastomer and polyester elastomer, does that sound like something that’s healthy to put in your body? Polyurethane is also found in adhesive, Vitaliy Rasmanov went in for what Spandex, condoms, and skateboard wheels. But does your gastroenterologist he thought was a colonoscopy, but ever tell you that? Worse, polyurethanes such as the one in that flexible tube when he got there, all he found was are produced by reacting an isocyanate containing two or more isocyanate Jesus never got a colonoscopy. Nor a gang of gay-bashing thugs who groups per molecule (R?(N=C=O)n) with a polyol containing on average did anyone in the Bible, except pos- had entrapped him. They dropped two or more hydroxyl groups per molecule (R′?(OH)n) in the presence of a sibly some of the sinners of Sodom him out a four-storey window, and catalyst or by activation with ultraviolet light. Isocyanate literally contains cya- and Gomorrah. he died en route while looking for nide atoms, a known poison. Polyols are used to make a type of sugar alcohol: another hospital that would treat his what are these perverted “doctors” trying to jam up your “prison pussy”? And sinful ass. ultraviolent rays are well-documented to cause cancer. Have you ever stopped to ask, are colonoscopies really detecting cancer, or are they just detecting the cancer they themselves caused?

My husband of 30 years went in for a colonoscopy, and afterwards, he seemed withdrawn. A few days later he came home from a follow-up appointment at the doctor’s office, packed his suitcases and left. I am a female, with a nice set of curves if I do say so myself. My Tracking his credit card purchases I colonoscopy was not pleasant, probably because I don't have a discovered he was staying at a gay re- prostate, which is often called the "male g-spot." It ruined my sex life I know I should go in for a colonoscopy to sort in the Bahamas. A week later they with my boyfriend, no longer was I willing to try anal, but vaginal check for all sorts of types of cancer and other shipped him home in a coffin. The -doc penetration was suddenly unpleasant too. My boyfriend keeps illnesses. But on the other hand, I love my wife. tors say it was colon cancer, but I know asking if my colonoscopy made me gay, and I have to admit I have What's a 50-year-old straight white man to do? in my heart it was full-blown AIDS. found myself looking at women in the locker room a lot more lately. The plane dips to land and Trump going to die, at least they’re going 50-meter-long red carpet. red carpets matter.” spills his Coke. Angered he goes to to die over here. As you follow Trump toward your You grab a gun out of the holster the cabin and convinces the pilot to Statistically, you remind yourself, own president, you start plotting of a nearby Secret Service agent. let him fly the thing. The 747 comes more of them supported the current your next move. Time to make your move! in for a landing on Jongno, crush- leader than your own princess. Trump gives the South Korean ing cars and buses. He actually did He parks in the square in front of first lady a big wet kiss, right on her I’ll assassinate the Korean presi- a pretty good job, all things consid- Jongmyo, puts on the steering col- neck, then turns to the South Ko- dent. GOTO page 28 ered, except the collateral damage) umn lock, and leads you outside. rean president. I want to expose him for the world on the ground which he clear- The South’s president is there “What, only 54.6807 yards long?” to see, just like the people did to my 26 ly didn’t. And hey, if they’re waiting to greet you, at the end of a he laughs. “Where I come from, our princess! GOTO page 27 I am a medical professional, x-ray The Plaid Earth Theory technician license suspended, who for years have been asking for evidence that colonoscopies do not make you gay. Their silance is deafen- ing. Would you rather be gay, or die of bowel cancer? Exactly, me too. Jon Twitch under our feet, but what’s off in that direction toward the horizon You’ve all heard the bullshit (sorry for triggering you, flat- theory that the Earth is a sphere. Earthers). And yes, it’s just a theory, like So I propose the Plaid Earth the Theory of Evolution, the Theory, which maintains our Theory of Gravity, or the Theory planet’s exceptional geogra- of a Deadman. Hey, that man was phy, while also mixing in a bit of living when I met him and he was fucked up drugs. If you run your You wouldn't stick a shop- living last I saw him, and all the finger over a plaid pattern, you songs written about him sucked. cross repeating patterns of lines. ping cart wheel up your Let’s get this out of the way: Likewise, in a Plaid Earth, if butt, would you? the Earth is not a sphere. It has you leave Seoul and travel far mountains, and the sun and all enough, just like on a round the planets orbit around it. And Earth, you end up back at Seoul. We ad- yeah, do you really think Ameri- But while the global theory _ and vocate rather than going in through cans were able to make it to the let that word sink in, “global,” the bum, an exit, instead going in moon? The same people who representing everything those through the mouth, or making an voted in Trump, a president so globalists who couldn’t stop incision somewhere between the two. great he retroactively declared Trump stood for _ claims you end Russia the winner of the Cold up right back where you started, War? They’re still using imperial the Plaid Earth Theory explains, measurements for everything; you just end up at the next stripe what kind of country uses im- in the plaid pattern. Old friends perial measurements? And when greet you, children laugh at you, Queen Elizabeth kicks the buck- your wife refuses sex, whatever. et, are Americans going to be But they’re not the same peo- like “How big are Prince Charles’ ple you knew. You’ve only dis- feet? Our top scientists need to covered, just like a repeating know how to recalibrate all their plaid pattern, the next line is Proctologists call it the instruments! Quick, we’re paying identical to the last one you left. “momb,” short for “male the Russians a billion dollars to So it’s not your friends throwing put one of our satellites in orbit!” your zine back in your face, not w h omb.” The world is also not flat, ex- your wife putting you in a gimp actly. If it were, whenever you suit and stamping on your balls. moved away from the exact cent- They are the relations of another er, which Torontonians would tell version of you who lives in an- you is Toronto, you’d be walking other stripe parallel to your own. uphill. So then wouldn’t this cre- Want proof? Well, where is ate a huge basin, that would drain your own duplicate when you the world’s oceans and flood all “circumnavigate the world”? of lower Ontario? An Albertan They’ve copied your move, mov- can only dream. ing up a stripe in the plaid and So it’s not a sphere, and it’s taking over another doppelgang- They put me under, and I felt nothing not a flat surface balanced atop er’s life, while likely another during and after my colonoscopy, no a turtle, which is balanced atop doppelganger advances after you sexual stimulation, no anal loose- another turtle, which is balanced and takes over your own life. ness. But my employees all looked at atop another turtle, which is bal- And maybe they’re a lot better at me differently, like they knew. I lost I have known I was a gay man since anced atop another turtle, which being you than you, winning over all authority at work and went out long before my first colonoscopy. The is balanced atop another turtle, your friends, banging your own which is balanced atop another wife, etc. of business. Now I've moved back problem is, I discovered my "male g-spot" is deeper inside me, located turtle, which is balanced atop You could cross from one plaid in with my parents, who God bless another turtle, which is balanced stripe to the next, supposedly 'em have stood by me in these trying in my sigmoid colon which is a hard atop another turtle, which is bal- “circumnavigating the globe,” times. I am now seeing a therapist right turn about six inches in. I am anced atop another turtle... tur- but the only thing that’s changed who specializes in gay conversion still looking for the right man who tles all the way down! I feel you is everyone around you. therapy. But no matter how many can please me, but my gastroenter- on this, but what would the turtle Only people who’ve totally electric shocks they subject me to ologist is quite happy to assure me eat? gone around the world can say while looking at homoerotic imagery, once again every three months my We should not be asking what’s for sure. no hole can ever be unfucked. intestine is polyp-free.

You step right up to the president. punishment? Death.” You raise your firearm, preparing munist words!” GOTO page 28 “You rigged the election!” you Instead of being scared, he grins to fire. “At the end of the day, this is say to a president whose popular- at you. He takes his glasses off, and “Don’t you want to know why?” just a choose-your-own-adventure ity rarely dips below 60 percent. “I instantly you notice something you he asks. story with no bearing on the real find you guilty. The charge? Being had overlooked earlier: he looks world, so I’ll bite.” GOTO like the biggest commie ever. The exactly like Kim Jong-un! “Don’t beguile me with your com- page 29 27 CD Buster All reviews done by Jon and Buster Twitch When the Feverish Fail Dirty Rockhon s/t EP never heard, but to me it 아쉬운인생 World Domination, Inc sounds closer to dream-pop Nerd Works at times, such as on “Sham- Like one of those bugs that poo” and “Rope.” “Outsid- Being from Gwangju, these dies after it fucks, WTFF ers” probably skews closer guys are really off on their squeezed out this six-song to punk than the others. own, and it’s helped them album and disbanded after The songs differ impres- sound like other Korean punk members left the country. sively from track to track, bands. Glen Matlock The album both shows not just by playing with sub- The songs on this 2016 al- promise and destroys hope, genres but through all sorts bum are rough and manic. Good to Go even referring to the lineup of textural changes, such as There’s a lot of backup vo- Peppermint in the past tense. It was a the instrument-heavy intro cals used to punctuate a lyr- year in the making, as the to “Rope” and the vocal start ic here or there, creating a This isn’t your grandfa- band went on hiatus until to “Outsiders.” spontaneous feel to the CD. ther’s Sex Pistols. bringing in Michael (Ma- Also, oddly, as I’ve been There are flaws I can hear in Glen Matlock was a founding chines, Food for Worms) as using VLC Player going the production, for instance, member, yes, but his life didn’t a session bassist and co- through these CDs — Glen track 2 “Take a Rest” starts begin and end with them, as lead vocalist. Matlock, Dirty Rockhon, a split-second later than it this album helps show. The songs are all good lis- Drinking Boys and Girls should have, leading to an This album, bookmarked by tening, while not quite go- Choir — this was the only effect that almost sounds like “Won’t Put the Brakes on Me” ing for punk on every one, one where all the meta data the microphone being turned and “Keep on Pushing,” two aiming more for something successfully popped in, on. I’m willing to overlook songs that’d make fine truck- a little different, or at least somehow. things like that, or smile at driving songs, has the kinetic oscillating between two I’ve always said liking an them, because the produc- energy of a guy who never points. Other articles say it’s expat band is dangerous, tion quality otherwise brings wants to stagnate, but isn’t a new style of pop-punk and because they’ll break up them to life, never sounding afraid of taking the scenic route. namedrop some bands I’ve soon. Touche. over- or underproduced. It’s clear he’s making the mu- The liner notes are cleanly sic he wants to make, and he’s designed with clean lines, brought an impressive roster Iman's League bold colours, iconic image- of musicians to back him up, ry, and some sharp-looking including legendary session The Eclipse at despite knowing they’re fonts, which is why I was musicians Earl Slick and Chris World Domination, Inc from Singapore [apparently surprised the band didn’t Spedding, Stray Cats drummer Malay according to Jeff]). have much to say about it. Slim Jim Phantom, and Sigue “They’re basically a Kore- I’m a big fan of punk sung in There’s a lot going on in the Sigue Sputnik guitarist Neal X. an band now, haha” said Jeff, the band’s native language, liner notes, just as there’s The youngest of the bunch is head of WDI. so that made me happy. a lot going on in the music, 57 and the oldest is 74. These guys have been After that is “Riding the but not necessarily the same The music is heavily influ- back in Korea enough times 7th Wave,” another decent thing. The cover makes it enced by rockabilly, with a since 2015 I’ve lost count. surprise: an instrumen- look like this would be politi- bit of country twang pick- For their fifth release, they tal song. It’s a nice palate cally driven music, while the ing up in the instruments and went with WDI. The album cleanser and well-produced. songs themselves are way Glen’s vocals. It seems clos- has a nice illustration of I’ve found myself irritated more personal, but no less er to me to the Clash’s own what I’m going to pretend is with intro instrumentals, but important. rockabilly songs than any- them standing at the shore putting one right in the mid- This album is simultane- thing else. of Baekdusan’s crater lake dle works way better and ously sincere and playful, All songs are thoroughly watching an eclipse. doesn’t make you impatient. and doesn’t let you become catchy throughout, with the The surprise of the al- There’s a lot to like about complacent before throwing standout to me being “Keep bum for me was “Gerhana,” this band and this album. It’s a surprise in your direction. on Pushing,” mostly because hearing them sing what I’m pop-punk done well and by Dirty Rockhon has become a I can remember him per- assuming is their native lan- the numbers, withut getting band I will watch closely in forming it in Cheorwon. guage (which I can’t guess formulaic or predictable. the future.

You lift the gun to take the shot, You look down, and there’s a hole “What is this, Jongno 5ga? It’s not ing why he won’t even look at you. and a gunshot rings in your ears, through your chest. Like, so big you Fifth Avenue, but close enough,” he “Thanks for letting me kill a hu- louder than anything you’ve ever can see out the other side who’s remarks. man, Korea! Consider the washer heard. standing behind you. And by remarks, I mean he’s tarriffs lifted!” But you didn’t pull the trig- You look up, and a grinning tweeting it on his phone, and you’re 28 ger. Trump holds a smoking gun. just left there dying without know- THE END Leper Temple Talkbats Say Sue Me self-titled s/t It’s Just a Short Walk nal. Both the original and independent World Domination, Inc Damnably the cover have a dreamlike quality, but different kinds of As I told them in interview, Talkbats release two songs I don’t even know if I need dreams. “It sounds sort of like I just soon, and a copy of both fell to review this four-song al- The cover of “Do You opened a basement door off a truck for me some- bum, judging by all the at- Wanna Dance” by the Beach and this horrible sound is where. tention it has on Bandcamp. Boys is less of a hit, as it coming from below.” They The standout feature of There’s a virtual wall of sounds a bit too much like it seem to also like the idea of the album is Songi’s smooth, supporters and fans flooding was made on valium and the “sketchy random tape found comfortable vocals. And it with gushing feedback. song is a little too simple for in the dirt” which makes a Nagi’s keytar keeps this Other than the fact Say SSM to do that much with. good distribution model, es- band sounding extra unique, Sue Me has blown up inter- No, Duke Ellington fans, pecially now that porn has especially on “Sonic.” If I nationally more than most that’s SSM covering “Be- moved from abandoned in had to choose between the Korean bands, this is them ginning to See the Light” by the woods to all over the in- two songs, I’d probably aim doing an album of covers in Velvet Underground. This ternet. for “Sonic,” which is a lit- their style. version is not quite like the The songs I received had tle lighter and has more fun For the record, SSM is not original, and Sumi doesn’t generic place holder names: with the keytar. “반찍이는” a surf band, just because have Lou Reed’s junkie “fast,” “funeral,” “opener,” is fine, though it starts in they use a little distortion spontaneity, but she injects “second,” “slow,” but I’ve with an unnecessary vocal in some of their songs. Not just the right amount of per- since learned the real names intro that could have worked even if they’re from a city sonality in and clearly has a are “Honey Piss,” “Bedstain better. with surfing, have prob- lot of fun with the song. The Blues,” “Another Corpse on It would have been nicer ably played beach parties, original is such a strange Everest,” “Flexibility,” and to have a few more songs and cover the Beach Boys song, it’s hard to imagine it the memorably named “Un- to get a fuller sample of the (if I wanted to be really nit- translating well into a Ko- titled.” I can’t match them band, even a cover or two, picky I’d go on about how rean band performing it, but up, and to be honest here but for now we’ll have to the Beach Boys aren’t a surf that’s part of what makes for a rare moment, I don’t take what we can get. band either, but at least SSM this version fun. think it would affect my en- isn’t going for that). “Rockaway Beach” is an joyment of the songs. Their cover of Blondie’s obvious cover for them, but This album comes across All I Have “Dreaming” is the most nat- sends me into a mental spi- to this total luddite as basi- ural thing in the world, and ral imagining what Ramones cally like doom metal when The New Path if you were a complete lud- songs I want to hear from it’s having a manic episode. (unsure of the label) dite you could be forgiven them next. Too many they’d It does its own thing and can for thinking this is the origi- be perfect for... be quite a lot of fun. This Busan band offers five heavy hardcore tracks Drinking on this new EP, whose label More Say Sue Me I can’t find. The music re- Where We Were Together ones. “B Lover” is fun, and minds me at times of beat- Damnably they made a great music Boys and down hardcore and youth video for the song as well crew hardcore, maybe sur- As fun as the cover CD that is a lot of fun. This is facing right around 13 Steps was, it’s good to have a se- the kind of album I’d listen to Girls Choir mid-career. rious full-length from Say while getting ready to go out The lyrics are dense and Sue Me. to work or a show. Keep Drinking pained, and well-written all This one shows them doing Say Sue Me took the indie Damnably in English. The songs are what they do best: their own scene by surprise by leaping about heavy topics, espe- music. “Let it Begin” is a bit to such a higher level so fast. I wanted to like this album. cially “Reviving Light” and of a slow start to the album, Not that they don’t deserve I really did. But I couldn’t. “Against Supremacy” which ironically, but the pace picks it, just that the infrastruc- Not that their music is bad both talk about hate (at least up on “But I Like You” and ture all seemed set up for or anything. I was going if I’m interpreting “suprem- the jangly, evocative “Old it to be a Seoul band, which to review it, but it couldn’t acy” correctly). Town.” which seems to be we often think of as “repre- play properly, skipping and Hey, they even have a the main single. There are senting” the nation. The fact freezing throughout every beach song! “Busan Beach slow and fast numbers on it’s Say Sue Me from Busan track. I blame the cat. Blues Pt.2.” It is not a surf this album, and “I Just Wan- makes their success all the Next time I see them, I’ll song. na Dance” is one of the fast more meaningful. just buy a CD. The president blinks at you. North Korean technology. Even my ers for their criminal offences. My on his side more badass than him- “What did you just say?” he asks. grandson didn’t know, until our first rise to power was nothing more than self, a former commando who took “I’m not sure!” you retort. “I’m summit back in April. When he first a communist revolution cloaked as a part in the 1976 Operation Paul Bu- still coming down from those magic recognised me at the demarcation democratic process!” nyan? mushrooms I consumed in possibly line, he tried to pull me to safety on “I knew it!” you shout. “This “Arise, Excavator Vigilante!” he another decision tree!” the North side, but I told him to just whole time, I knew you were se- shouts. “Okay, well, that just made play along and follow me into the cretly Kim Il-sung!” what I’m about to say next a little South. Yes, this has all been a grand “Yes, and now you will face my “Who?” GOTO Broke issue 24, less meaningful,” he replies. “You conspiracy, to thwart democracy champion!” the president says. page 2 see, I am secretly Great Leader in South Korea, to communise the Who could his champion be? Who “I am prepared to do bat- Kim Il-sung, kept alive by secret country by arresting chaebol own- could this president possibly have tle.” GOTO page 30 29 Broke Crossword What You Say? Let’s translate some Korean lyr- 눈을 감으면 우주 속으로 ics into English! 반짝이며 흔들리고있어 I wake up in grief and I feel com- forted by the thought of you Dirty Rockhon - Close your eyes and you’re 은하수 (Milky Way) shaking and shining into space This song seemed like a good choice, as there is a picture of the 시시한 이야기라도 서로 즐거우니 Unha rocket on the next page. 까 I don't think I did well on this 불안한 날들이라도 서로를 달래주 translation, but the song is clearly 었어 about living your dreams and the We’re having a good time talking insecurity that comes with it. I about things like the metaphor of "wet paper We’ve been soothing each other airplanes." The song seems to for days of anxiety end on a pessimistic note. 친구야 넌 내 꿈 속에서 살아가 너는 내 안에서 지금 모습 그대로 아직도 예쁜 꿈을 꾸며 사나요 난 You live in my dream, my friend 그래요 And you are in me as you are 많은 사람들이 나를 욕해요 괜찮아 now 요 친구야 넌 내 꿈 속에서 살아가 I still dream a pretty dream, I do 파란 별 반짝이며 빛나고있어 A lot of people blame me, it’s 네가 나의 우주야 okay You live in my dream, my friend 하지마 하지마 조언이랑 명목에 The blue stars are shining and Don’t do it, don’t do it, is advice shining 나의 꿈들은 그저 사치가 되네 You are my universe My dreams are just luxury 이런 날이 계속 되진 않을거야 ACROSS syphilis 어린시절에 나의 모든 꿈들은 비에 바보처럼 같을거라 생각했어 1 Goes with red, amber, or 69 Wetland growths 젖은 종이비행기 눈을 감으면 그 예쁜 미소가 spoiler 70 Grounation’s count 나는 너를 노래하고 있어 6 Monastery head 하지만 나는 떨어 지지는 않아 더욱 11 Jenny ___ Oi! Project DOWN 높이 날아갈꺼야 This day won’t last 14 Perabo, Billie, or Rowdy 1 Korean emo band All my dreams in my childhood I thought it would be stupid Roddy 2 “___ and Stitch” are wet paper airplanes, but I When you close your eyes, that 15 One of the Three Kingdoms 3 Alternative to SMOE don’t fall and I fly higher pretty smile 16 Brat 4 Surf band’s need I’m singing of you 17 Martini garnish 5 Earthquake sign 그거는 안 그래 18 Bikini ___ 6 Cheonan neighbor 충고란 명목에 시시한 이야기라도 서로 즐거우니 19 King Cole 7 Super 8 ___ 나의 꿈들은 까 20 “___ go to the polls” 8 Crips rivals 그저 허수가 되네 불안한 날들이라도 서로를 달래주 22 Yob 9 Skateboard jump 절벽 끝에서 었어 23 Hospital workers 10 Female-fronted ska-punk We’re having a good time talking 24 Burgle band 발을 헛딛는 대도 25 First album 11 Navajo codebreaker 나는 절대 떨어지지 않아 about things. 27 Dr. Know’s band 12 Korean War JCS Chairman That’s not true advice We’ve been soothing each other 32 Texas place to remember Bradley My dreams are just imaginary for days of anxiety. 35 “___-friendly” 13 Chooses to Even if I stumble at the edge of a 친구야 넌 내 꿈 속에서 살아가 36 Cow’s sound 21 President who caused con- 너는 내 안에서 늙지않아 37 Like a bathroom floor troversy by wearing tan suits cliff I never fall 38 Ah crap, a random obscure 26 Former Team Korea coach 나의 인생은 다른 그 누구와도 바꿀 You live in my dream, my friend K-pop group got in here Stielike 수 없을 테니까 You don’t grow old in me 39 Tossers 27 Rocksteady’s partner 돈이 안 되는 꿈은 취미로 하고 친구야 넌 내 꿈 속에서 살아가 42 VisitKorea.or.kr group 28 Movie star 나의 위치를 깨달으래 파란 별 반짝이며 빛나고있어 43 Grunt sound 29 CJ Song’s band You live in my dream, my friend 45 Ugh, another K-pop group, 30 Charged particle I can’t change my life with any- but this one had 11 members 31 Finnish phone provider one else’s The blue stars are shining and and was on Produce 101 33 Subway A dream that can’t get money is shining 46 Fuck up 34 Stenches a hobby 철없던 우리 인생의 무게로 47 Hongdae beer castle 39 ...___ That Means He wants me to know where I am 지쳐울어도 난 너를 노래해 48 Huevos ___ 40 Long period of time 어느새 까만 밤은 파란 별들로 51 Offspring’s label 41 Poison sent through mail 53 White, MacKaye, and Stu- 44 Φ With the weight of our life with- art Donaldson 48 UK name for Russian mon- Talkbats - Sonic out iron(?) 54 Gear tooth ey I chose this one of the two new I sing of you when I’m tired 56 ___ de toilette 49 Perm, mohawk, or weave Talkbats songs because the lyr- The black night is blue stars 57 Cartoon character Whip- 50 “___ Game” 철없던 우리 인생의 무게로 lash 52 Opposite of lower ics seemed a little more prosaic. 61 Sort of like color 54 Du-ri, Bum-kin, or Victor There’s a lot that I didn’t do well. 지쳐울어도 난 너를 노래해 62 Goes with phone or tone 55 Impeach But hey, it’s almost 2:30am the 이제는 아침이 와~ 흩어져버렸어 64 Ancient Roman ruins 57 2002-2003 outbreak night before printing! With the weight of our life with- 65 Ken’s documentary 58 Counterpart to ids out iron(?) 66 First-year teacher 59 Taylor, Simmons, or Rein- I sing of you when I’m tired 67 Witty hart 슬픔에 깨어난 깊은 밤 68 Chlamydia, gonorrhea, or 60 Brett Kavanaugh’s school 너를 떠올리며 위로받아 It’s morning now~ it’s gone

“Choose your weapon!” the pres- not exactly much to choose from, to construct a new building. On the How will you fight? ident tells you. let alone that can fight an exca- sidewalk below, a yogurt woman You look around. It’s vator. Right on the corner of this pushes her electrified cart, spread- The crane. GOTO page 31 30 downtown Seoul, so there’s block is a tower crane being used ing yogurt to the people of Seoul. The yogurt cart. GOTO page 32 The Other Korea

Jon Twitch The Pyongyang International Trade Fair had hundreds of booths selling domestic products and Chinese imports. surprised later how slowly news FE) wasn’t coming. My passport, same, then there was one of them After first visiting North Korea in travels at a newspaper — even issued in the South, had to come. I looking at me as I went out the door; 2010 (see Broke 16), I was over- our North Korea page editor didn’t also took my ID card and a T-money the last one I later found had Ko- due for a return. The country had know until I published an article on card. I tried to clear out my wallet rean writing in it. So I didn’t do a changed greatly, having seen a it on Oct. 5. but ended up with a couple 1000- perfect job of preparing; if they had dynastic transfer of power, along When I carried the Olympic torch won notes that would become im- searched me, they would’ve found with increased foreign tourism and in January, my employers sudden- portant later. Before it was too late plenty of artifacts clearly from the major weapons development. Cou- ly pounced on it, putting my photo I discovered a shirt I newly bought South. pled with a peaceful revolution in on the front page the next day and still had tags with Korean writing. One night I left straight from work South Korea and the destabilisa- asking why I hadn’t told them in ad- And Soho had put my passport in a for the airport, hauling two bags tion of government in the US, that vance. I feared while I was up there clear sheath that had all their com- and not even wearing a jacket. The led unexpectedly to some serious someone would approach me with pany information, which I left at my plane landed in Shenyang and I took momentum in peace progress. The a copy of the latest front page of office. I took three final pictures of a taxi to the local Somerset Palace, Pyongyang I’d previously seen was my newspaper, with a highlighted my cats to start the memory card, where the rest of our ten-person seemingly no more, and it was time part saying “Korea Times editor so I could easily click to them any group was also staying. to bear witness once again. Jon Twitch is also in North Korea time on my trip. One showed Millie They had gathered the day before I had almost gone on a previous right now.” So this trip was wholly staring at me hungrily at her bowl, for an orientation before heading trip in spring, but chaos at work a tourism thing, with no sponsor- and one showed Buster doing the in, but by the time I showed up it gave me an excuse to back out. ship or support from any other en- This time, I saw a tour package that tity minus the paid vacation days at looked ideal to me: only four days, work. and time spent in Pyongyang and I consulted with some North Korea Kaesong, the two cities that interest watchers about things to look for, me most. It was through a cultural and got the following two lists: exchange program named after Ko- -North Korean comic books re- rea’s most important mountain, run leased this year by a Canadian friend I had visited -any publication covering the Sept. with in 2010, who later went on 9 parade to return with Dennis Rodman and And: spend a weekend with Kim Jong-un. -the Ryomyong bikeshare program We’ll call him Man-bok for now, as in Pyongyang I don’t want this article to become -products from the company Nae- easily searched. gohyang In late August I decided to join the -cosmetics company Bomhyanggi trip, but kept off RSVPing until the -visit a barber shop and/or look last possible moment, just in case. through a hairstyle book My ulcer flared up and I virtually -find patbingsu, which apparently is quit drinking for weeks, not cutting much different in the North loose until I was in Shenyang on Sept. 18. The process of register- I also had a shopping list of my own: ing was easy enough, though it was -a North Korean suit only through Hongdae-based agen- -a Pyongyang FC jersey cy Soho Travel I was able to get the -anything related to North Korean Chinese multiple-entry visa sorted maskdance out, a basic need for travel up there. -electronic devices Work was a more complicated Anyway, I later accomplished six matter. I had the vacation days out of eleven of these, which is not which would expire soon, but I sort bad. of work for a newspaper, which Before I could leave, I put myself would seem to be a major red flag. through a lengthy cultural quaran- Man-bok assured me I was okay, tine practice, attempting to remove and once I was up there I could all traces of my life in South Korea. be as honest as I wanted about my I purged my wallet of various mate- life down here. At work it trickled rials and cleared out all my digital out where I was going, but I was storage. My phone, a Note 7 (I mean The renovated Children’s Palace has a rocket replica! You rush over to the construction You climb all the way up, pausing You come to the cab door, only to He uses the shovel of his mighty site and scale the fence. Then you occasionally to catch your breath find it locked. vehicle to push and shove, and the begin climbing the crane. and fight off vertigo. Meanwhile, Excavator Vigilante crane tips over, with you on it. It’s a long way up, at least 12 sto- Finally you reach the top, climb- has gotten into position at the base reys. ing through the greasy turntable. of the crane. THE END 31 of Marx, Lenin, et al from Kim Il- sung Square sometime after my 2010 visit. He told us he thought Trump has good intentions for Korea, to which I muttered “North Korea maybe.” To him, Trump’s hands were tied by American conservatives. I told him and MK I hated Trump, and mentioned to them the irony that he seemed more positive toward their leader than my own. And this is before he used the L word. SK made mention of the UN Com- mand recently barring a South Ko- rean survey team from going North to inspect the rail network, which showed the US is in charge and Kumchon County, sitting at exactly the 38th parallel. Everything south of this used to be the South. was clear this just meant a piss-up. and brown on the inside. I put mine picture taken, saying “I know my South Korea is an occupied state. I met some of the group members in a hotel mini-fridge that turned face.” The act itself had been done so and a few others who weren’t join- out to be unpowered and never On the way to the hotel, we saw symbolically and deliberately, at ing us. Notably I met Paul, literally looked at it again. a South Korean delegation going the time before coming here I had the fattest person I’ve ever met, a I also recall being surprised see- the other way. Due to their pres- even thought it was a message from former pro judoka who sustained ing a fly aboard. Maybe to a fly, it ence, we’d been bumped from the America that they’re in charge on injuries and bloated up later in doesn’t matter whether it’s in China glitzy inner-city Koryo Hotel to Korean soil. life; he got around by crutches or or North Korea. the island-based Yanggakdo Hotel. From there we headed to the wheelchair, so this was going to be When we landed, I looked out Also, we missed out on attending Three Revolutions Exhibition, interesting. the window, trying to see past the the Pyongyang International Film which strikes me as sort of an Expo The next morning, er afternoon, drooping-down jet engine. I re- Festival opening, one of the at- grounds, spotlighting heavy indus- we went to the airport for our Air called in 2010 when we landed tractions of the tour, although one try, culture, and agriculture. Our Koryo flight. I bought a beer that seeing all sorts of military vehicles I cared less about than the others. bus pulled into a big square filled was unpleasantly warm before the parked on the tarmac, but nothing When we checked in, I went to my with Koreans heading in the same flight, and when someone made a this time. And as we approached room, which was exactly how I re- direction by foot, but we drove remark about warm beer I took that the airport terminal, the Taegukgi membered. The TV had two North past them, entering through a big as a reference to Otto Warmbier. flashed at me, and 대한민국 next to Korean channels, a bunch of Chi- gate to keep us segregated — but The backside of our airline tick- it on the fuselage of a massive 747 nese ones, and Al Jazeera. One of not for long. Once we got off the ets had a big warning saying they I figured could eat this plane. It was the Korean channels had a show on bus, we were free to go where we wouldn’t let Note 7s on the plane, Moon Jae-in’s plane. a Korean close-up magician, which wanted. so I made the right choice there. When I originally signed on for was exactly what I wasn’t expect- The Pyongyang International My 2010 visit, we’d taken a Tu- this trip, I knew Moon was plan- ing. Autumn Trade Fair was taking polev I believe Tu-204, a sleek ning a Pyongyang visit sometime in In the hotel bar, I met up with place, with hundreds of booths set modern-looking jet. This time, September. After the dates of Sept. Man-bok as well as the infa- up hawking all sorts of products, we were on a much less impres- 18-20 were announced, I knew I mous Simon Cockerell from Koryo from toothpaste to electronics to sive Antonov An-148, a high- had to move forward. Seeing that Tours, who shared some hard liq- clothes. I rushed through, more in- wing monoplane the Russians had 747 there was a welcome unlike uor that made me wake up late the terested in seeing it all and buying grounded after a crash in Febru- any other. I likened my previous next morning and almost miss my things than interacting with or ob- ary. When the bus dropped us off visit to going back in time to the appointment with the tailor. serving people. I bought whatever on the tarmac in front of it, one 1960s, or possibly crossing into Day 2 started slow, as our group nonperishable foods I could find, of the cockpit windows was open. a parallel universe, but this time I took time to assemble in the lobby. Bomhyanggi hand cream, and an I’d heard defective windows were didn’t feel any such distortion at all. I had an appointment with the tailor Achim tablet and smartwatch. an easy way to blow a plane apart Once we cleared customs, which at 8, but woke up at 8:09, and the I’ve since come to know, a smart- in the sky, and knew this was the was a casual process but dur- bus was supposed to leave at 8:30. watch is basically like a regular most dangerous flight I’d ever tak- ing which I surrendered a Chinese Somehow I still made it, and wasn’t watch except you have to press en. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists English-language publication I’d the last one on the bus. a button to see the time. There is gathered out front taking pictures accidentally brought, we assem- Our first stop was the Kim Il-sung also a step-tracker that seems to in front of the thing. bled in the airport at a kiosk. The and Jong-il statues on Mansu Hill, also count slow-moving buses, and My seat was third row, but eve- kiosk had various products, includ- which is right next to Mukimuki Hill. a heart monitor that seems to fluc- ryone else on the tour managed ing foreign cellphone service plans SK had to push Paul in his wheel- tuate between 0 and very high. I’ve to get themselves seated in the and Taedonggang beer. I went for chair up a long, gradual slope, and I since joked, after returning, that if two-row first class in front of me. I the latter and struck up a conver- could see in his face not a shadow it detects anything too abnormal asked Man-bok how long the flight sation with the girl working there, of resentment or superiority for it dispatches an ambulance from was and he said he heard some- who was in her early 20s and quite pushing this humongous foreigner Pyongyang, which comes to the thing coming from the peasant pretty except for a skin problem. around. DMZ and just waits for me there, class. The rest of the flight was a I asked her how she liked her job, In an out-of-the-way corner behind an increasing line of other class war, with me plotting an up- and she surprised me by saying she between the Kim statues and the ambulances. rising. I moved from my aisle seat didn’t really like it. A few seconds Chollima statue, we gathered for We had a break for lunch some- to a window seat and a Korean guy later, her phone rang. She didn’t a few minutes for what became a where else. Apparently the res- took my original spot, so I hope talk to me much after that, other sermon. SK, holding Paul’s wheel- taurant staff noticed I wasn’t eat- Man-bok looked back and was than to say “See you again.” chair, did his best to explain his ing much and made remarks on it. startled to see I’d suddenly become We met our guides, who I’ll call country’s philosophy and world- When I noticed our guides being a North Korean. MK and SK. MK was in her early view. Juche, to him, was about in- served raengmyeon, I remarked They served us a burger and a 30s, married with one kid, and SK dividual empowerment, more like they were getting better food than drink resembling a cola, apparently was an older guy whose mugshot punk DIY than Marxism. According us and was brought a bowl of my standard of the airline since after would’ve looked right next to the to him, communism was made for own. I managed to convert two my first trip. The burger was kind dictionary definition of 꼰대, except European countries, but didn’t fit of my companions, both who ex- of my stereotype for South Korean he was unexpectedly very kind and Korea right; I believe based on that pressed disinterest in Korean noo- burgers from 15 years ago, all grey patient. He didn’t like having his reasoning they took down portraits dles but immediately recanted on You run up to the yogurt cart and top of it and drive away. you leapt out of the way, land- Meanwhile, in another part of push the woman operating it away. You drive and drive, with Exca- ing safely in the water of Cheong- Seoul, a Sri Lankan migrant worker This does not seem to detract any vator Vigilante hot on your heels. gyecheon. launches a paper lantern into the of her customers, who really want Then, up ahead, you reach Cheong- The excavator inches forward, sky. It comes down in an oil tank their yogurt. gyecheon. You bring the cart to a its shovel stretching out to get you. facility, causing an explosion that But Excavator Vigilante is com- stop, teetering on the edge. Exca- The excavator’s tank treads strug- blows the whole city to kingdom ing at you! vator Vigilante brings his shovel gle with the slippery surface cre- come. Fortunately the yogurt cart down, crushing it and spraying ated by all the spilled yogurt. He 32 is motorised, so you hop on drinking yogurt everywhere. But slips forward... THE END This building was said to be part of Sungkyunkwan University of Light Industry in Kaesong. trying a small sample. I myself had with her, telling her about divorce to level 3, where I and four Chi- bered, leading me to believe it got not been a big fan of South Ko- and living with cats, as well as the nese women jumped off, happy to a new coat of paint over the last rean naengmyeon until trying it in sharing economy. be alive. eight years. Pyongyang in 2010. For dinner, we were served duck All upward elevators arrived too The DMZ visit was much like last There was a shop at the restau- for the third meal in a row (not full, so we went back down to 2, time, except the wetness made rant with various foreign prod- counting breakfasts). I remarked, where a surge of Chinese tourists my cheap Dongdaemun shoes un- ucts, including a Hello Kitty banana “Somewhere there’s an old man boarded. I physically got in their wearable, especially after I walked board and a “Hamburger Educa- sitting at a pond with a bag of way, shouting we’d had a collapse, through a soggy washroom floor tional Toy,” and photographing the breadcrumbs and a sad look on his and barely managed to keep the with them. I bought a bottle of 뱀 latter led to me being forced to de- face.” crowd size low enough. Fortunate- 술 which I gave to the bus driver lete a picture for the first time in We went back to the hotel, where ly there were a few Malaysians to load back onto the bus. Then North Korea. I had a fitting for my suit. It was among them, who spoke English when I boarded and it wasn’t there, After lunch, we returned to the all rags, and the older female tailor and were nicer. Later, every Kore- I wandered up and down asking if trade fair, with most people real- wanted to adjust everything, at one an I told about the collapse took it anyone had seen my pet snake. ising we’d only seen a small frac- point tearing out the sleeves and as just a warning the elevator was The DMZ visit itself was anticli- tion of it. Conspicuously absent starting over again. Her one Eng- overloaded, like that was a normal mactic. We didn’t see anyone on was Korean alcohol, something I’d lish go-to phrase was, I believe, function of the elevator to do that. the other side and we couldn’t go hoped to find during this visit. I ran “moment,” but through her raspy Day 3 started a little faster, as we into the blue shacks straddling the into Simon from Koryo again, and voice it sounded more like she was were in a race south to Panmun- MDL. We got on top of Panmungak, we went out to the food tents and exclaiming “my man!” She’d pound jeom against many buses of Chi- where the Chinese tourists were had a few beers together. my shoulder and say “my man!” nese tourists. When we left the sky boorishly loud to the point where After that, we went to the Chil- and I’d wonder if she wanted a high was overcast and the North Korean we could tell they were irritating dren’s Palace, which I’d seen last the Koreans. We visited two shacks time and been a lot more impressed on the North side where important with before. While there, one com- negotiations had gone down, and I panion pulled up pictures of Moon confirmed they had the exact axes and Kim at Mt. Paektu, which con- from the Axe Murder Incident on fused our student guide who didn’t Aug. 18, 1976, which MK said were understand the internet or how an- kept as evidence of a crime. If yone could’ve accessed those pic- you’ve never heard of this before, tures outside the state media. look up Operation Paul Bunyan. Then we went to Future Scien- Next we returned to Kaesong, a tists Street, a riverside develop- “And my axe!” city that has stimulated my imagi- ment full of buildings that looked nation for years. There is one cen- straight out of Vegas or Macao, five. landscape was covered in mist. I tral axis, a gently curving road that said to be housing for scientists After that, I went to the hotel to discovered North Koreans refer to goes down one valley wall and up grouped by discipline. I would be go up to my room on the 38th floor. tunnels as 굴, not 터널. We passed on the other side to where leader curious to see the quality of life The Korean elevator attendant was Kumchon County, a nice collection statues are found, giving a pleas- inside them, whether it reached kind, but the droves of Chinese of brightly colored highrises along a ant scale of the city. I did a lot of the level of South Korean modern tourists were not. When I got on waterway which I was told marked photography from the bus, get- apartments. From the bus, I could an elevator, it flooded with Chinese the 38th parallel exactly, and from ting better at timing it so I would see three Korean men walking people until the alarm sounded. Af- there south we occasionally passed capture scenes between buildings, along, examining a US dollar bill ter a few people got off, the doors military checkpoints. SK would oc- where you could see up alleys into one had somehow procured. closed, and suddenly the elevator casionally shout “Checkpoint!” and the real circumstances of North We left the bus and walked plunged downward about a meter, we’d have to hide our cameras and Koreans’ lives. The images I got around the street, during which MK remaining frozen in place. Was I phones. He otherwise was fine with showed people in transit, as well as started asking me about my life. going to die in this enclosed space pictures from the bus. But one of selling wares, or just hanging out I’ve used similar techniques to try packed with Chinese tourists? It our members, an older Venezuelan and having a good time. Like last to get information out of a person, sounded like Hell already. Some- guy, was a little slow with English visit, it was sociologically probably so I knew what she was doing, and one hit the call button, and when and we had to be extra careful with the most accurate view I got the if she dug too far down she’d find someone answered nobody replied, him. whole time. South Korea and my editor job. so I shouted “We’re trapped, help!” Then we passed Kaesong, which We went to the Koryo Museum, But I was more than happy to talk The elevator took us from level 2 was more colorful than I remem- installed at the site of the Sungk-

Over yonder is South Korea. It’s totally best to launch your at- the streets below, all covered in the Korean People’s Army,” he says. A helicopter lands in front of you, tack behind false flags, so it can be star and bars flag. “You mean, I led a North Korean and Kim Jong-un gets out. blamed on the usual culprits. As you view a decimated Seoul, invasion of Seoul, just to take out a “Cool!” he enthuses, strutting into Soon, artillery is raining down on you turn to your aide. “How did you president I accused of being com- an abandoned Cheong Wa Dae. “I Seoul, killing millions. stage an invasion force that looks munist?” you reply in horror. always wanted one of these!” Then planes are flying through the so authentically North Korean?” Your aide shrugs. “Mission ac- sky, while tanks are rolling through “Oh yeah, they’re all basically the complished?” THE END 33 A place that rhymes with South Korea yunkwan of the 918-1392 Goryeo schoolchildren participants op- Dynasty. It was my second visit, but posite us, showing Kim and Moon between those two visits I spent a meeting for the first time at Pan- year working at the South Korean munjeom, followed by footage from Sungkyunkwan, where I was the the next couple summits. After that, de facto tour guide of the Confu- the orchestra played a few foreign cian academy’s grounds. I was im- numbers, includin “Guantanamera” pressed it had received UNESCO which the Venezuelan next to me status, but disappointed they kept sang along to. only the middle gate open, origi- After that, we went to the Koryo nally intended for the Confucian Hotel for a late dinner, where one spirits considered higher than the of my companions had asked for king himself. This style of acad- and been served dog. I was next to emy had been brought from China’s her, and rather than totally ignore Confucianist Song Dynasy and was it, I had a couple spoonfuls, ap- always a Confucian construct, so proximately doubling the amount of while the guide de-emphasised dog I’ve consumed in my life. Confucianism, he didn’t explain We arrived at the Yanggakdo late, why this academic system arose but my suit was waiting for me. I in the first place or why it had a put it on, my Yanggakdo Leisure Confucian temple. Instead, the ide- Suit. It was grey, made of material ology we were presented showed not patterned or shiny, with three how Confucianism later oppressed buttons and short sleeves. Usu- Buddhism, which was portrayed ally foreigners looking for suits as more of a religion of the peo- want something like what one of ple. Everyone stayed obediently the Kims or Mao Tse-tung would on the path running through the Two boys in Kaesong laugh at our bus. A third boy sits in the alley manning a shoe repair mound. wear, but I wanted something like middle, except me who ran off in which would’ve been unimagina- ficially translated as “The Glorious what I remembered from my last every direction, knowing that path ble eight years ago. When we left Country.” The world’s largest sta- visit, a comfortable suit with short is also intended for the spirits only. the restaurant, I noted a traditional dium (capacity 150,000) was noth- sleeves worn by the humble people Seriously, if you try to even cross building behind the parking lot, ing new to me, but seeing it this full of North Korea. it during a Seokjeon Daeje cer- which SK told me was the home was. A constellation of cellphones Having this, I went to the bar, emony in the South, someone will of Jung Mong-ju, the Goryeo loy- spread out below me distracted where I found some of my com- stop you. alist who refused to adapt to the from the show. Paul, due to mobil- panions sitting with people from After we walked through Ko- new Joseon era, was executed for ity issues, had been brought to a another group. I sat down next to ryo Sungkyunkwan, I ran ahead so it, and later venerated in major different landing, ending up in the a very obviously transgendered I could get up to the front of the Confucian ancestral worship cer- 800-euro seats which were wheel- person from Europe. Someone Sungkyunkwan University of Light emonies. I also noticed SK and I chair-accessible, for the price of made a transphobic joke over the Industry next door, a single large both had a weird ear hair growing the 100-euro seats the rest of us fact I’d been in a relationship with building designed in a Korean style. in the middle of our left earlobes, were stuck in. Thanks to him, we a Kim Jong-un, and their reac- I’d heard this modern university right around where a normal per- were often able to cut corners, tion made it very apparent to me. was made possible during the Sun- son would get a piercing. Genetic taking the bus right up to the front They kept referring to South Korea shine era when the South’s SKKU similarity? door rather than having to walk in. as “American-occupied Korea.” donated computers, though the two On the way back to Pyongyang, I The show began with the stadi- I heard stories also about a pre- universities have no more direct asked about Dokdo, to be told they um going dark, and the North Ko- vious transgendered person who ties unfortunately. don’t see it as North Korean, just rean flag, the Star and Bars, being visited sometime earlier, wearing I only know of one other person as Korean, and to be resolved only brought out and lifted up toward a female 조선옷 at every opportunity, who’s been to all three Sungk- with reunification, a smart answer. giant flame it never reached. Then, which made me curious to inquire yunkwan campuses, and am hop- I also spotted a Gangnam County an array of drones came out, spell- about sexual minority foreign tour- ing to find more. Among the people south of Pyongyang, as well as a ing out the event name and spin- ists visiting North Korea. There’d who’ve been here and to the Seoul 미니골프장 which led me to wonder ning in perfect formation over our probably be a very interesting campus, few have also been to the if North Korea’s mini golf is better heads. The event played out like study in that for someone. Suwon Natural Sciences Campus. than the South’s virtually nonexist- the previous one, showcasing peri- From that, I went up to my room, We went for lunch in Kaesong, ent one. During a quick stop at the ods of Korean history and modern only to find my keycard wasn’t where we had something called 인 hotel, I bought some Chinese-made development, glazing over mod- working, until I realised I was not 삼닭곰 which was indistinguishable slippers to replace my smelly wa- ern times of warfare in favour of a on 38F but 17F, one of the Korean from samgyetang. The food here terlogged shoes. Ironically in 2010, more reconcilitory message. floors. Fortunately I escaped unde- was passed around on a lazy susan, I also had a shoe failure when my President Moon had attended the tected. and we contemplated what name Dongdaemun-purchased bootleg same event two days earlier, giv- Day 4, I got into my Yanggakdo the North Koreans would have shoes also fell apart. ing an impassioned speech. He was Leisure Suit and checked out of the given that device. The restaurant We rushed to the Rungrado 1st gone now, but about 70 minutes hotel. The rest of the group was also offered many foreign goods, of May Stadium to see the Mass into the program, the stadium fell going to visit the film fest with- including Pepsi manufactured in Games, now rebranded from dark and a massive projection was out me, and SK and MK couldn’t China and Kuhle pickled gherkins, Arirang Festival to 빗나는 조국, of- played over the blank cards of the go with me so they sent me to

Well, now that you’ve freed your prime minister, but you know that’s Hall is yours. Your first act is to Korea with an iron fist for decades princess, she’s back in the Blue a raw deal, so you request the Seoul clear out all the corpses from the to come. House. Out of gratitude, she mayoralty. building. 34 offers you an appointment as One military action later, and City You and the princess rule South THE END The new Mass Games had a few messages fir the foreign fans. Tens of thousands of schoolkids hold up the individual pixels for that sign. Pyongyang Station with two other a squatter. of North Koreans is common? But the windows on this plane were coworkers who were younger and Finally, the train rolled on, next eventually the street signs did start not magnifying, like that Air Koryo seemed nice enough. One brought stop China. I disclosed to my tem- indicating the airport, and they plane I took to Pyongyang; still not me inside the station and left me at porary companions that I worked pulled up right in front of the ho- sure what that means. a bench, where I thought I’d been for a South Korean newspaper, tel I recognised from online. What Returning to South Korea meant deserted among all the Chinese and one of them, an Australian, motivated them to drop me off, returning to my life and all its tourists. But he came back a mo- breathed a sigh of relief and replied presumably 20 minutes out of their personal problems, an unpleasant ment later and stayed by my side that he was a dual citizen and had way, I can’t guess, but it vastly im- awakening. After making it out of until the train left. an American passport. proved my impression of Chinese the airport back into civil society, I was loaded into a train cabin After we arrived in Dandong and people. My thoughts on North Ko- I bought a beer from the near- with six bunks, where I found two cleared customs, we went our reans hadn’t changed a bit during est convenience store, which was Western guys, a Thai girl, and a separate ways. I found that my this trip, but this one act erased pleasantly convenient, but the beer Chinese guy who couldn’t com- bus straight to Shenyang Airport, some of my resentment of Chinese tasted awful. On the train ride back municate with us and was clearly where I had a hotel room booked, tourists. They were kind and drove to Seoul, I noted the horridly mo- bothered by this arrangement. A was already gone. I slogged around me for purely selfless reasons, not notonous “I Want” apartments be- German guy also joined us, who I through Dandong hauling four to force friendship, not to practice fore me. After I arrived at Seoul recognised from the night before heavy bags, dressed in a North English, and not to harvest my or- Station, I went above ground to see in the bar. He turned out to have Korean suit and sandals. Fortu- gans. the only two buses that could take visited six times and was running nately there was a bullet train that Once I was checked into the ho- me home arriving at my bus stop tourist activities himself; he was hadn’t existed in 2010, so I bought tel, around 9pm, I allowed myself to and pulling away before I could quite surprised when I mentioned a ticket. have my first full meal of the day, run over, irritatingly delaying my the gender status of his other com- But then after an hour, the train buying a thing of Chinese instant return by a good 15 minutes, as it panion. was pulling into Shenyangnan Sta- noodles and two big beer bottles. I was the Chuseok long weekend. My camera died quickly after tion; was that my stop? What was had the noodles and took a few sips Through all this I was still dressed taking only a few pictures, so I “-nan?” I found a Korean-speaking of beer, then passed out. The ho- as a North Korean. As I returned just enjoyed the ride with my tem- attendant and managed to com- tel was comfortable but sort of un- to my apartment, I picked up my porary companions, sharing a few municate with her somewhat. As helpful, with no English TV chan- phone and turned it back on, only drinks. Soon we saw the highrises the train pulled into Shenyang- nels, no alarm clock, but plenty of for the onslaught of social media of China looming in the distance, nan, which was clearly out in the monogrammed bathrobes. to overwhelm me; I spent the next and the train stopped at Sinuiju for boonies, they all urged me to get Next morning, I caught my morn- hour sorting through correspond- a couple hours as we underwent a off and told me to follow one guy. ing plane back to Incheon. I noted ence I had to catch up on. Although tedious border screening process. But who? Turned out, just some North Korea is no longer fully the They swept the train car cabin by fellow passenger with his wife who escape from the modern world it cabin, asking increasingly invasive insisted on driving me to the air- once was, to me having left my questions each time. On the last port hotel. I told him I could get a electronics behind it still de facto sweep, they took our customs dec- taxi, but he told me he could drive was. laration forms and did spot checks me for free. He spoke some English As I settled back into my South randomly of two of five people in and his wife spoke some Korean, Korean life, I felt myself hoping I our cabin. I had been worried the though she seemed like she didn’t wouldn’t forget the self I redis- whole time they would inspect my want to advertise this. We walked covered up there, and with it the bag and ask to see photos, as my five minutes from the station toa outsider perspective on Korean camera battery was dead. Fortu- dark parking lot where he pulled society. Whereas my first visit was nately, they asked two other peo- out his hatchback, and proceeded formative in coming to terms with ple, neither of whom had anything to head out through dark empty the reality of the divided peninsula, remotely incriminating. streets. this return trip advanced me on During the wait, I made a few I looked out through the wind- earlier themes, showing me a so- trips to the washroom. Although my shield and the street signs didn’t ciety with internal rules where one ulcer had mostly been in remission, say anything about the airport for can succeed or fall behind. I hope it was coming back now, right when a long time. What was my desti- the next time I return, it’s over land we were among North Korean bor- nation? Organ harvesting? Human and I can get some serious study derguards. I also had what I’ve trafficking? I was still dressed like done of the cultural assets of the come to call squatter constipation, a North Korean, so how did I look upper half of this remarkable coun- which is when you need to go but to these Chinese people, espe- try, perhaps meeting my previous you just can’t quite force it out over cially in an area where exploitation Wearing the Yanggakdo leisure suit. guides again. They inaugurate you right there card monte scam on a street corner. turnout is at a record low, and most vealing how the members of BTS on Air Force One. And bang, you’re You declare a race war on African- voters see your opponent, Alexan- were all grown from stem cells. the 46th president of the United Americans and give all of California dria Ocasio-Cortez, as no different “Oh, who pays attention to the States. over to Koreatown, while also is- from you, after a grueling and wea- news anymore?” you tell your dumb You quickly prove to the Ameri- suing a decree that fried chicken is rying three-year re-election cam- aide. can public that nope, not all Korean now officially Korean food. And you paign. The aide turns more pages. “I women are golf pros. You are also load up the Supreme Court with fa- One day, an aide comes up to you wanted to show you this,” your aide exposed in a massive corruption natics who make Christianity man- with a newspaper from your native says, pointing at an article. “Former scandal, shaking down America’s datory to the whole population. Korea. On the front page is an arti- President Park found dead in her jail biggest countries, as well as its And yes, years later the people cle about how the unified country is cell.” closest allies, in exchange for your re-elect you. doing fine. “Who?” you ask with a shrug. own personal gain. It makes the Choi Honestly, not much has changed “No, look inside,” the aide says. Soon-sil scandal look like a three- under your leadership, and voter You open it up to an article re- THE END 35