Epik High (에픽하이) is an alternative hip hop group from Seoul, South Korea, c… Read Full Bio ↴Epik High (에픽하이) is an alternative hip hop group from Seoul, South Korea, composed of three members—Tablo (타블로; Real name: Daniel Armand Lee, Lee Seon-woong (이선웅)), Mithra Jin (Mithra 眞, 미쓰라 진, 미쓰라 眞; Real name: Choi Jin (최진)), and DJ Tukutz (DJ 투컷; Real name: Kim Jeong-sik (김정식)). All three members of Epik High can sing, write lyrics, and compose and arrange music. Their music has been known to be a "lyrical piece of literature" and "urban poetry", lyric orientated, soulful and often witty while addressing serious social issues such as identity, discrimination, community, unity and change as a whole.

Tablo is the rapper, singer, lyricist, and composer of Epik High. Tablo has a Masters Degree from Stanford University (California, USA) where he majored in English Literature and Creative Writing. When he was 17 years old he wrote the song Rainy Christmas with the famous Korean singer Kim Gun-mo. While attending Stanford University, Tablo was part of an underground hip hop group known as 4n Objects, which caught the attention of CB Mass and Drunken Tiger, leading to them eventually offer to support Tablo in releasing a solo album in Korea.

Mithra Jin is the rapper and lyricist of Epik High. Mithra Jin had been featured on over 11 major albums in Korea even before Epik High's debut. Mithra Jin and Tablo met through the Movement Crew (a collaboration of hip hop artists who are determined to promote social and political awareness through hip hop culture and music), during a freestyle contest in Seoul. Mithra Jin was pursuing a solo career of his own, but with his artistic vision and style matching so well with Tablo's, the two decided to join together.

DJ Tukutz is Epik High's DJ, "the boy with the magic fingers". He started DJing in 1995, and has attended the Technics DJ School in South Korea. He has DJed in not only Korea, but also in Japan at raves, and in America on radio shows, live events and clubs around Boston and NYC. He had also composed many of Epik High's songs.

Epik High's debut album was Map of the Human Soul, released in 2003 and featuring some big Korean hip hop names such as CB Mass, Drunken Tiger and Yoon Mi-rae (T). This album and the following three (High Society (2004), Swan Songs (2005) and Remapping the Human Soul (2007)), have featured other well-known Korean artists such as Nell, Clazziquai Project, Loveholic, TBNY, unknownDJs, Pe2ny and more.

In 2005, Epik High won several awards including Best Hip Hop Artist at the Korean Gold Disc Awards, and a tie for Best Artist of the year. Their song Fly, from their third album Swan Songs was a huge hit, claiming the #1 place on many Korean TV music programs and online music charts. This song also appeared in the video game FIFA 07 as the signature Korean track.

Epik High, and especially Tablo, are often featured in the releases of other artists', and have formed several side-project including Blac Bakery, Blu Sunflower and A.R.K.

Their releases, Pieces, Part One and Remapping the Human Soul, featured a different style of music than their previous albums. Some songs more aggressive and controversial, and other more heartfelt.

In 2009, Epik High formed their own independent label, Map the Soul Inc., with their first release under this label being the book-album, 魂: Map the Soul. In late July, Epik High collaborated with the Korean electronic DJ team, Planet Shiver, to remix a number of Epik High's previous hits with the result being that of songs which sounded nothing like the original, yet still remained addictive. Epik High returned in September with a new two-disc album called [e], which consisted of 30 tracks, their largest yet. Altogether, the number of songs released for 2009 alone consisted of well over 50 tracks—including skits and remixes.

In 2010, despite the fact that DJ Tukutz temporarily left Epik High to enter the Korean army to perform his mandatory 2 year service, Tablo and Mithra Jin, now under Woolim Entertainment, were able to release Epilogue. This would be Epik High's last and only album under Woolim Entertainment before Mithra Jin joined the army to perform his service, and Tablo, disappearing from the spotlight as a result of harassment from Korean netizens who questioned the authenticity of his academic education at Stanford University.

With the completion of their army service in 2012 for DJ Tukutz and Mithra Jin, both members joined Tablo in signing with YG Entertainment, home to most notably, BIGBANG and 2NE1. With Tablo's release of his solo album, Fever's End under YG Entertainment in 2012, all members of Epik High are united again and are set to release their much anticipated album in September.

End of the World
Epik High Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I want you to love me
Like it's the end of the world
No one else above me
Nobody else you prefer

'Cause we got this thing I wanna trust
Even if it falls apart
I want you to love me

Like it's the end of the world

The end of the world
The end of the world

I don't believe
Anything that I see on TV
확성기 듣기 좋은 말만 떠들지
쓰디쓴 진실보단 달콤한 거짓이
배를 불리니까 이빨까면 죄다 썩은 이
I don't need a priest
I need a goddam law degree
나에게만 왜 항상 유죄추정의 원칙이
가해자만 왜 양심, 얼굴 다 블러 처린지

이게 대체 누굴 위한 법인지 yo
짜고 치는 이 게임
None of us can stop or beat 'em
선이 곱던 논리가 흔들리게
막춤을 추게 하는 algorithm, okay

It's gonna be okay
But that's a lie
이 세상은 지옥행, burn

I want you to love me
Like it's the end of the world
No one else above me
Nobody else you prefer (oh)

'Cause we got this thing I wanna trust
Even if it falls apart
I want you to love me
Like it's the end of the world (end of the world)

신도 못 구해
믿음보다 충만한 의구심
두 눈과 귀를 닫고 살면서 진실을 묻지
왜곡된 질문들에 무의미한 맞고 틀림
소수를 집어삼키는 다수의 불신
똑같은 죄를 짓더라도
죗값의 무게는 각자 달라
정의는 부를 비껴가고
부패된 만큼 살아남아

꿈꾼 만큼 상처받는 것이 당연한 일처럼 가르쳐
어두운 현실로 미래를 가려놨지
끊임없는 욕망과 이기심이 엉킨 세상
인간에겐 오직 인간만이 견제 대상
소통은 고통이 된 지 오래
입은 뗄 때마다 손해
눈만 뜨면 펼쳐진
저 세기말을 보네

I want you to love me
Like it's the end of the world
No one else above me
Nobody else you prefer
(Nobody else)

'Cause we got this thing I wanna trust
Even if it falls apart
I want you to love me
Like it's the end of the world
The end of the world

The end of the world
'Till the end of the world

Overall Meaning

The song "End of the World" by Epik High and GSoul is a reflection of the world we live in today, where trust is hard to come by and truth is obscured by lies. The lyrics ask for love like it's the end of the world, emphasizing the desire for a genuine and honest connection, rather than superficial or insincere relationships. The song talks about the skepticism towards what is seen on television and the distortion of truth by sugarcoated lies. It highlights the need for justice and righteousness, and the struggle to navigate through a corrupt world.

The song also touches on the idea of society's lack of trust in individuals, with the presumption of guilt being the norm rather than innocence. The lyrics illustrate the importance of communication and meaningful connection in a world where selfishness and desire for power are rife. The chorus reiterates the importance of love and trust in a world that seems to be falling apart.

Overall, the song paints a picture of a world in chaos, where true connection and justice are rare but necessary. The lyrics emphasize the importance of love and trust in navigating through the storm and finding hope.

Line by Line Meaning

I want you to love me Like it's the end of the world No one else above me Nobody else you prefer
The singer desires their lover's full and undivided love, as if they were the only two people left in the world.

'Cause we got this thing I wanna trust Even if it falls apart I want you to love me Like it's the end of the world
Despite the possibility of things not working out, the singer wants their lover to love them with an all-consuming passion.

The end of the world The end of the world
Repeated line emphasizing the urgency of the singer's desire for their lover's love.

I don't believe Anything that I see on TV
The artist has lost faith in mainstream media and is skeptical of what is presented to them.

확성기 듣기 좋은 말만 떠들지 쓰디쓴 진실보단 달콤한 거짓이 배를 불리니까 이빨까면 죄다 썩은 이
The artist believes that media often sugarcoats their messages, preferring sweet falsehoods over bitter truths that upset people.

I don't need a priest I need a goddam law degree
The singer believes that knowledge of the law is more important than religious guidance.

나에게만 왜 항상 유죄추정의 원칙이 가해자만 왜 양심, 얼굴 다 블러 처린지
The singer is frustrated with society's tendency to assume guilt rather than innocence, as well as the way perpetrators receive more sympathy than their victims.

이게 대체 누굴 위한 법인지 yo 짜고 치는 이 게임 None of us can stop or beat 'em 선이 곱던 논리가 흔들리게 막춤을 추게 하는 algorithm, okay
The artist questions the motives behind the establishment and those who control it. They describe how the rules of the game are rigged, and even the fairest of arguments can be undermined by an algorithm designed to influence and manipulate people.

It's gonna be okay But that's a lie 이 세상은 지옥행, burn
The artist is pessimistic and believes that the world is headed towards hell, making any assurances of things being okay seem disingenuous.

신도 못 구해 믿음보다 충만한 의구심 두 눈과 귀를 닫고 살면서 진실을 묻지 왜곡된 질문들에 무의미한 맞고 틀림 소수를 집어삼키는 다수의 불신 똑같은 죄를 짓더라도 죗값의 무게는 각자 달라 정의는 부를 비껴가고 부패된 만큼 살아남아
The artist is surrounded by a society that is full of doubt and suspicion, making it difficult to discern the truth amongst distorted questions and misinformation. They believe that justice is often served unevenly, with those who are guilty receiving different punishments for the same crimes.

꿈꾼 만큼 상처받는 것이 당연한 일처럼 가르쳐 어두운 현실로 미래를 가려놨지 끊임없는 욕망과 이기심이 엉킨 세상 인간에겐 오직 인간만이 견제 대상 소통은 고통이 된 지 오래 입은 뗄 때마다 손해 눈만 뜨면 펼쳐진 저 세기말을 보네
The singer sees how the world is full of pain and disillusionment, and that everyone carries the scars of their broken dreams. They see how the relentless pursuit of self-interest inhibits the ability to communicate and connect with others, causing people to feel like they are trapped in a life of constant loss. They believe that the end of the world is coming.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DJ Tukutz, Mithra, Tablo, Kevin Robert Fisher, Michael Mcgarity

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS