Massive Attack deliver history lesson on K-pop’s roots in political protest
The lyrics of a famous Korean pop song, covered by Massive Attack during recent shows, express frustration with the establishment and with political hypocrisy.
British band Massive Attack performed a cover of the Korean song Regret of the Times (sidae yugam) at recent shows in Australia and around the world. The song, originally released by Seo Taeji and Boys in 1995, serves as a reminder of K-pop's roots in political protest. Massive Attack's version is accompanied by images and footage from South Korea's Gwangju Democratisation Movement of May 1980, a pivotal moment in the Korean anti-authoritarian movement.
Thousands were killed or wounded during the student-led protests, which the band sees as a symbol of continuity, revival and solidarity with Seo Taeji and Boys, a progenitor of K-pop whose work defied state censorship and created a global genre.
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