[Limelight] The Fateful Meeting of 'Baekdu and Horangi'... Webtoon and Hip-Hop United

Baekdu Author's New Work 'Jinju' Serialized on Naver Webtoon
Tiger JK Participates in Music Production... Lyrics, Composition, Singing
"First Met at Webtoon Event... Drew Album Jacket"
"Inspired Since Middle and High School... Excellent Webtoon Interpretation"

The Gream Entertainment will serialize 'Jinju' on Naver Webtoon starting from the 13th. It is a new work by Baekdu (Baek Seung-hoon), who has drawn rough action webtoons such as 'Tong' and 'Dokgo.' The story deals with events that unfold as Jin Joo-hyun, a former boss of a Busan organized crime gang, receives a cancer diagnosis and retires, returning to her hometown Jinju. It simultaneously conveys a desperate crisis caused by unresolved bad ties and a gentle pure love for the woman he loves.

Rapper Tiger JK also participated in the creation. He interprets the webtoon story from his own perspective and expresses it through music. The first song released alongside the serialization is 'Jinju.' Tiger JK wrote the lyrics, composed, and sang it, featuring Yoon Mirae. It was inserted in the webtoon prologue and will be revealed on stage in the future. This is an attempt to diversify the use of intellectual property (IP), and more demand creation is expected. We met the two creators to hear about the process of uniting through 'Jinju' and the blueprint for a new leap.

- How did you first connect?

Tiger JK "We first met at a webtoon event in 2019. It was a very difficult time for me personally. As managing FeelGhood Music became difficult, debts piled up, and my father passed away after battling cancer. Around the time I was determined to steadfastly get on stage despite hardships, Baekdu came to greet me. He introduced himself as a member of my fan club 'Tiger Bomb.' Feeling delighted, we started to open our hearts and connect. He often visited my studio. In 2021, he also drew the jacket image for the 'Love Peace Movement' album."

Baekdu "He has been a great inspiration since my middle and high school days. Even the debut album's song titles struck me powerfully. 'Do You Know Hip-hop?' was definitely different from existing hip-hop songs in content. I listened to it every day on my way to school. I also enjoyed it in the military. After discharge, I even sang along to MR on the street. It was a kind of busking (laughs). Because of my strong affection, I wanted to continue the connection. I was able to materialize that with the jacket image for the 'Love Peace Movement' album."

- Does Tiger JK's music still inspire you?

Baekdu "Of course. Experiencing various changes in life, I sometimes realize the true meaning belatedly. I think, 'Oh, so you put this thought into the lyrics back then,' and let my imagination soar."

Tiger JK "Every time I encounter such reactions, I feel thrilled. It's not an arrogant thought like 'Finally, someone understood my song.' It's a hot emotion that wells up from recognizing that previous songs are continuously reinterpreted."

- Conversely, do you get inspired by Baekdu's webtoons?

Tiger JK "My original dream was to be a film director. I switched to being a rapper after judging I lacked talent. Since I have always valued storytelling, I inevitably get influenced by webtoons. The working method itself is fascinating. Especially the process of drawing various emotions one by one on paper in an illustrative (dramatic) style is a continuous source of awe. I think it is the craftsmanship of a master who deserves protection."

- Most of Baekdu's webtoons like 'Tong,' 'Dokgo,' 'Blood Rain,' and 'Chongsu' are noir. Have you preferred this genre from the beginning?

Tiger JK "My favorite director is Martin Scorsese. As a child, I was instantly captivated by movies like 'Raging Bull' (1980), 'Goodfellas' (1991), and 'Casino' (1995). The straightforward way of portraying violence was very impressive. Of course, the nature of my songs is quite the opposite. I fear and dread the violent incidents happening around me. I plead for people to listen to that. With a childlike heart."

- Hip-hop and webtoons were not mainstream when you debuted. I'm curious how you silently endured the path of hardship so well.

Baekdu "In the early webtoon industry, there were not many storytelling-based dramatic genres. Most were short forms with a comedic nature. Since it was not a field I could excel in, I avoided it. Instead of compensating for weaknesses, I honed my strengths more. Thanks to that, I was able to keep pushing forward."

Tiger JK "'Do you know webtoons?' is a fitting phrase (laughs). I had no time to think about the barren environment of hip-hop. My existence was denied. The agency forced me to change everything from my appearance to my name. I had to overcome self-loathing first. With the determination of 'I have nothing to lose, so let's just try,' I started performing. I begged clubs in Daehangno, Sinchon, and Itaewon to let me have just five minutes on stage. Gradually, I gained popularity and was able to release an album with a new agency."

- Perhaps because of this shared background of struggle, this collaboration seems very meaningful. What kind of work is 'Jinju'?

Baekdu "I have been serializing one series for a long time. 'Jinju' is indirectly related. The difference might be the emphasis on character relationships. The protagonist Jin Joo-hyun is intimately entangled not only with the beloved Hyun-jin but also with villains."

- Unusually, the story is told together through webtoon and music. It seems there was a lot of prior exchange.

Tiger JK "I have collaborated with various fields such as beer and games before. Each time, I often asked about the production background. I think the original intention is more important than highlighting my own color. I tend to adjust to the desired direction. 'Jinju' was no different. I approached it thinking of it as a movie OST. I wanted to be Robert De Niro, who best understands and expresses Scorsese's intention. I composed the chords while looking at the drawings sent from the studio. I dressed the song appropriately by changing sources and instruments to match the mood. Half excited, half worried."

Baekdu "I was surprised by the high level of completion. I thought the collaboration itself was meaningful."

Tiger JK "Thanks to a lot of help. At first, I was trapped in prejudice and made a song that would suit action. Then, when I checked the webtoon dialogues, I was dizzy. There was a lack of rhythm or lyrics that would express Jin Joo-hyun's romance and inner self. A harmony of strong masculinity and soft emotions was needed. If it leaned too much to one side, it might harm the webtoon."

Baekdu "When I first listened to the resulting song with my wife, I was moved, especially at the introduction. The shout of 'I love you' was so good it felt like dreaming. Even with just the short prologue manuscript, you expressed well the story Jin Joo-hyun wants to tell but cannot."

Tiger JK "You sent many pictures, which helped me change my stereotypical thinking. It was an interesting approach. Until now, I was busy singing my own story. Writing lyrics as the protagonist in the webtoon allowed me to work more freely."

Baekdu "I also glimpsed new possibilities. Quite a few Tiger JK songs are storytelling, especially 'Hollywood.' It is about shooting guns and avenging a gang, and I had the reverse idea that it would be fun to materialize it as a webtoon."

- Are there other synergy effects you expect from this collaboration?

Tiger JK "Of course. For example, I want to decorate the background of the 'Jinju' stage with webtoon. It seems it could convey the meaning of the song more effectively. If that is produced in 3D or virtual reality (VR), it might create a new experience. Isn't this the diversification of intellectual property (IP)?"

Baekdu "If you ask anytime, I will give up sleep to make it for you (laughs)."