Chilgok Grandma Hip-Hop Group ‘Suni and Chilgongju’ Featured on Japan’s ‘NHK World TV’

Chilgok grandmother hip-hop group Suni and Chilgongju showcased their rap skills on Japan's NHK broadcast, impressing viewers in 140 countries worldwide with the charm and talent of 'K-Halmae' (K-Grandma).

Main photo of the news "Suni and Chilgongju" used by NHK World TV.

NHK World TV, considered a leading international broadcaster alongside the UK's BBC International, began airing a special feature on Suni and Chilgongju starting from the 25th of last month.

Suni and Chilgongju is a grandmother hip-hop group formed by eight grandmothers living in Jicheon-myeon, Chilgok-gun. They have been called 'K-Halmae' by major global media and have actively participated in activities including appearances in major corporate advertisements.

NHK World TV visited Chilgok-gun and conducted a two-day, one-night on-site coverage of Suni and Chilgongju, producing a 3-minute and 40-second news segment.

In the news, NHK introduced Suni and Chilgongju as making a name with fresh rhymes, proving that rap is not exclusively for the younger generation.

They also highlighted that age is not the only charm and that the group sings about how life and times have changed, expressing interest in following the group's future activities.

News on 'Suni and Chilgongju' featured on Japan NHK World TV homepage

Park Jeomsun, the leader of Suni and Chilgongju, said, "I can't believe we appeared on a global broadcast. It feels like we are experiencing a golden age in the twilight of our lives," adding, "I want to take good care of my health and rap until my last day."

Kim Jaewook, the governor of Chilgok-gun, attended the 'Jicheon-myeon Nakhwadam Hanmadang Festival' on the 4th, where Suni and Chilgongju performed a congratulatory show. He said he watched the broadcast featuring the grandmothers while on a business trip in Germany and cheered them on.

Governor Kim said, "My heart was full the moment I saw the elders of Chilgok on a TV in a distant foreign country," and added, "The grandmother rapper activities started with the intention of embracing the aging phenomenon from a positive perspective and supporting a vibrant life in old age."

Suni and Chilgongju have also been introduced overseas through various media outlets, including Arirang International Broadcasting of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which is viewed in 108 countries worldwide, as well as major global news agencies such as Reuters and AP, and Chinese CCTV and Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP).