EMFLO’s Korea Tour Breaks Down Language Barriers to Expand K-Pop Global Exchange

As K-Pop’s global influence continues to grow, collaborations with international artists are becoming more frequent. The Japanese hip-hop group EMFLO visited South Korea to perform at the “Da Vinci Motel,” a cultural fusion festival organized by Hyundai Card. Known to Korean music fans since the early 2000s, EMFLO has gained popularity through songs like “The Love Bug,” which features Miss Yoo and BoA. In an interview held on the 20th local time in Itaewon, Seoul, the members expressed their affection for Korea. Member Verbal, who is of Korean-Japanese descent, said, “I’ve visited Korea personally several times over the past year. There’s a unique energy here that can only be felt in Korea. I’m happy and grateful to be back again.” Lisa, the group’s bright spot, described the energy in Korea as “a passionate vibe that feels like shouting, ‘We’ve been waiting for you!’” She added that she always felt that intense spirit whenever they performed there. EMFLO described their music as “delicate,” meaning it strikes a perfect balance between novelty and familiarity, avoiding sounding difficult or outdated. Thanks to catchy melodies that follow their energetic rap, many fans know their songs even if they’re not familiar with the members. Member Taku said, “When we wrote the songs, we didn’t expect them to be loved for so long. But after years of performing, we realized that using our favorite expressions and putting pure hearts into our work is key to lasting success.” EMFLO has strong ties to Korea, having collaborated with many domestic singers including Taeyang of BIGBANG, Wheesung, Sik-K, and 2NE1. They were so active in Korea that they even performed at domestic year-end music awards in 2004. Taku explained, “I think our shared pursuit of new music, combined with Korea’s tendency to seek the latest trends, has helped maintain our popularity.” Verbal is of Korean-Japanese descent, Taku is Japanese, and Lisa is of Colombian-Japanese descent — all three attended international schools. This diverse background among the three members is what makes EMFLO open to different cultures. Lisa said, “EMFLO is a group that breaks down language barriers. By mixing Korean, English, Spanish, Japanese, and other languages into our songs, we overcome linguistic obstacles and create a sense of being in a ‘small Earth.’ I believe this is why we can be loved globally.” Verbal added, “We don’t release songs unless we’re having fun. We create music by focusing on uniqueness and joy.” During their Korea tour, EMFLO performed a variety of songs spanning their past and present, from well-known tracks like “Miss Yoo” to new releases, all in an energetic atmosphere. Meanwhile, the K-Pop idol group ENHYPEN, as Seoul’s promotional ambassador, released new global videos. As a seven-member boy group from the global audition program “I-LAND,” ENHYPEN has rapidly grown since their debut in 2020 thanks to their outstanding musical talent and performances, establishing themselves as a leading K-Pop idol group. Recognized worldwide and with a strong overseas fanbase, they were appointed as Seoul’s promotional ambassadors in June. The released videos include a 1-minute main version showcasing Seoul’s key policies and landmarks such as the Han River Bus, Garden City, and outdoor libraries, along with a 30-second TV version. Seven more short videos introducing Seoul’s charms by the seven ENHYPEN members will be released sequentially. The goal is to directly convey Seoul’s appeal to foreigners and enhance the city’s brand image. The videos will air on CNN (worldwide) and Discovery (North America and 18 Asian countries), and will also be streamed via the digital OTT platform “Max” and YouTube targeting English-speaking and Chinese-speaking countries in 30 key countries where Koreans travel, ensuring that 245 million foreigners can watch them. This event marks the fifth edition of “Da Vinci Motel,” which featured 39 teams across various genres, including comedian Lee Soo-ji, renowned songwriter Kim Yi-na, the band Wave to Earth, and choreographer Choi Ho-jong of the National Dance Company, in addition to EMFLO. EMFLO expressed joy at reuniting with Korean fans and their desire to return. Lisa said, “I’m so happy to meet my fans in Korea again. I hope we can hold a tour concert here someday.”