Nafla and Noel, Korean hip-hop labeled as ‘den of criminals’

News of rappers' crimes continues. Napla (real name Choi Seok-bae) was arrested on charges of evading military service. Noel (real name Jang Yong-jun) caused controversy due to numerous drunk driving and verbal abuse controversies. In addition, the hip-hop world is giving rise to various problems such as sex-related issues and drugs. There is a gap with the ‘mainstream culture’ desired by the public.

On the 22nd, the Seoul Southern District Court conducted a substantive warrant examination prior to the arrest of Nafla, who is suspected of violating the Military Service Act. On this day, the court issued an arrest warrant for Nafla, saying, "There is a risk of destruction of evidence and escape."

Nafla is accused of ‘exemption from military service.’ Nafla began alternative service as a social worker at Seocho-gu Office in February 2021. The charge is that he did not properly perform his military service by pretending to go to work even though he did not.

He is also accused of submitting false information, including work records, in order to be judged unfit for service.

Naflada is already in the shadow of his second crime. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison and two years of probation for inhaling weed in November last year. He was also a rapper who once brought a new wave to the Korean hip-hop scene.

Nafla is a rapper who appeared on Mnet's 'Show Me the Money 777' in 2018 and showed the charm of the 'boom bap' genre. Nafla made an album called ‘Wu’ in 2016 and received favorable reviews. Even now, ‘Wu’ is considered a masterpiece.

The album receives praise, but the owner does not. It is giving fans who like hip hop both disappointment and disappointment. News about the crime of a rapper who leads the hip-hop world. Naturally, it is creating a ‘negative image’ of domestic hip-hop.

Nafla is not the only rapper who has had a negative influence on Korean hip-hop. Noel also created numerous rumors. Noel is the son of National Assembly member Jang Je-won.

He is also a criminal who was sentenced to prison for a drunken traffic accident. His wrong thoughts are also expressed in the lyrics. In one of his lyrics, he said, 'If it were Chun Doo-hwan's era, if you touched me, I would go straight to the basement.'

Noel proudly reveals his wrong thoughts. In the hip-hop world, revealing one's self-esteem is considered a virtue. However, there are no fans who will acknowledge comments that seem to defend the military regime.

Many rappers are creating many problems. Bulida Bastard (real name Byeong-ho Yoon) is serving time in prison for dealing with drugs several times. There is also a boatman (real name Kim Jin-woo) who stopped his activities due to sex-related issues.

Naturally, interest in and popularity of hip-hop is cooling down. Rappers often refer to the weakness of ‘Show Me the Money’ and look for problems externally.

In the end, it is the industry players who created the negative image of hip-hop. The hip-hop world is festering. It's been about 10 years since it went from the non-mainstream to the mainstream. Also, we are preparing to move down from the mainstream to the non-mainstream.

Reporter Junho Yoon, Ten Asia delo410@tenasia.co.kr