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.
In Seoul
Epik High Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No king, no queen, no court jester
저 밤하늘에 소원을 기도해서 누가 들어줘?
Nobody, 신도 손 뗐어
별도 따서 팔아치워버리는 이 도시에서
숨도 못 뱉어, 입 열면 혀도 뺏겨
꿈 같은 건 꿈 같은 소리, 꿔도 못 깨어나
Till you rest in peace, 목숨 내어 성공해서
No answer 찾아봐 지도에서
살 길은 비좁고 막다른 길은 쌔고 쌨어
Feel like I'm back in the map the Soul era
I'ma be awake forever
I'm sleepless in Seoul (Seoul)
Sleepless in Seoul
I'm sleepless in Seoul
또 밤새 뒤척이고 있다
불안한 생각들과 후회들이 내 방안에 모여든다
저 처량한 달빛이, 달빛이 나야
저 쓸쓸한 별빛이, 별빛이 나야
이 도시의 소란이 앗아간 평온함
두 눈과 귀를 잠식하네 세상의 분노가
무책임한 말들과 불평등의 악순환
열정만 부채질해 키워놓지 불만
스스로 선을 긋게 만드는 사회 속에
출구는 없고 땀은 온몸에 남아도네
시기와 질투, 인정 못 하는 실수
탓만 돌리고 편 갈라 비수를 꽂는 모습만 익숙
여는 창마다 부정적인 얘기
눈 감는 게 당연해, 두려워서겠지
팔짱 낄 틈도 없이 두 손 들게 해
이 소란스러운 도시, 날 잠 못 들게 해
I'm sleepless in Seoul
또 밤새 뒤척이고 있다
불안한 생각들과 후회들이 내 방안에 모여든다
저 처량한 달빛이, 달빛이 나야
저 쓸쓸한 별빛이, 별빛이 나야 ooh
Sleepless in Seoul (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
La la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la
The lyrics to Epik High's song "In Seoul" convey a sense of restlessness and anxiety experienced in the bustling city of Seoul. The opening lines, "No king, no queen, no court jester, 저 밤하늘에 소원을 기도해서 누가 들어줘? / Nobody, 신도 손 뗐어" suggest a lack of significance or recognition in a city where dreams are sold and aspirations are often ignored. The artists feel trapped in a never-ending cycle of trying to succeed and make a name for themselves, but with no one truly paying attention or caring about their journey. They express the frustration of living in a city that can suffocate one's dreams, leaving them unable to breathe or speak out.
As the song continues, the artists reflect on the sleepless nights spent tossing and turning, haunted by anxious thoughts and regrets that gather within their room. The imagery of the lonely moonlight and starlight further enhances the sense of isolation and melancholy. The chaotic nature of the city, with its constant noise and anger encroaching on one's senses, becomes a suffocating presence. They criticize the society that fosters negativity, where blaming and backstabbing are familiar actions. The lyrics portray a society where pessimistic voices dominate, and closing one's eyes becomes a natural instinct due to fear.
Overall, "In Seoul" is an introspective song that delves into the emotional burden of living in a fast-paced city where dreams can be easily crushed and emotional well-being is compromised.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, Sir
Acknowledging someone's authority or command
No king, no queen, no court jester
In this city, there are no rulers or entertainers who distract from reality
저 밤하늘에 소원을 기도해서 누가 들어줘?
Who will grant the wishes that we pray for in the night sky?
Nobody, 신도 손 뗐어
No one, not even the gods, are paying attention
별도 따서 팔아치워버리는 이 도시에서
In this city that sells stars separately, abandoning dreams and aspirations
숨도 못 뱉어, 입 열면 혀도 뺏겨
Unable to even breathe, if you open your mouth, even your tongue will be taken away
꿈 같은 건 꿈 같은 소리, 꿔도 못 깨어나
Dreams are just dreams, no matter how much we dream, we can't wake up
Till you rest in peace, 목숨 내어 성공해서
Sacrificing your life to achieve success until you can rest in peace
Nobody's sayin' cheese on their way to mo' chedda
No one is smiling for a photograph on their way to more money
No answer 찾아봐 지도에서
Searching for answers on the map
살 길은 비좁고 막다른 길은 쌔고 쌨어
Living here is narrow, dead-end roads are steep and rugged
Feel like I'm back in the map the Soul era
Feeling like I'm back in a time when the map was dominated by Seoul's hip-hop scene
I'ma be awake forever
I will be awake, alert, and conscious forever
I'm sleepless in Seoul (Seoul)
I can't sleep in Seoul
I'm sleepless in Seoul
I can't sleep in Seoul
또 밤새 뒤척이고 있다
Once again, I'm tossing and turning all night
불안한 생각들과 후회들이 내 방안에 모여든다
Anxiety and regrets gather in my room
저 처량한 달빛이, 달빛이 나야
That lonely moonlight, the moonlight is mine
저 쓸쓸한 별빛이, 별빛이 나야
That melancholic starlight, the starlight is mine
이 도시의 소란이 앗아간 평온함
The chaos of this city has taken away its peace
두 눈과 귀를 잠식하네 세상의 분노가
The anger of the world invades my eyes and ears
무책임한 말들과 불평등의 악순환
The vicious cycle of irresponsible words and inequality
열정만 부채질해 키워놓지 불만
Only fanning the flames of passion, growing dissatisfaction
스스로 선을 긋게 만드는 사회 속에
In a society that draws its own lines
출구는 없고 땀은 온몸에 남아도네
Even though there is no exit and sweat covers my whole body
시기와 질투, 인정 못 하는 실수
Enviness, jealousy, mistakes that cannot be admitted
탓만 돌리고 편 갈라 비수를 꽂는 모습만 익숙
Only blaming others and stabbing with a knife, this familiar sight
여는 창마다 부정적인 얘기
Every open window tells a negative story
눈 감는 게 당연해, 두려워서겠지
Closing my eyes should be natural, maybe because I'm afraid
팔짱 낄 틈도 없이 두 손 들게 해
Without a moment to rest, my hands are raised
이 소란스러운 도시, 날 잠 못 들게 해
This chaotic city, it won't let me sleep
또 밤새 뒤척이고 있다
Once again, I'm tossing and turning all night
불안한 생각들과 후회들이 내 방안에 모여든다
Anxiety and regrets gather in my room
저 처량한 달빛이, 달빛이 나야
That lonely moonlight, the moonlight is mine
저 쓸쓸한 별빛이, 별빛이 나야
That melancholic starlight, the starlight is mine
ooh
Sleepless in Seoul (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Can't sleep in Seoul
La la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tablo, Mithra Jin, DJ Tukutz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miiiine
on 선곡표
Thank you for the explaination, may I ask for the link or hangul name of the song by Lee Mija singer?