A South Korean Air Force sergeant has gone viral after performing Kendrick Lamar’s songs Not Like Us and TV Off at a military concert. The video has received millions of views, with fans calling the 23-year-old aspiring rapper «Korean Lamar.»
Sergeant Eom June, also known as Kober, is a member of the Military Police Battalion of South Korea’s 19th Fighter Wing. His performance took place on 1 1 June, but it didn’t go viral until recently, when the Korean Forces Network aired it.
As Eom recreates parts of Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl performance, soldiers sing along, throw their hands in the air, and react enthusiastically. A video shared by the US hip-hop magazine XXL received over 280,000 likes and 10,000 comments, with one comment labelling him «Korean Lamar» and receiving over 20,000 likes.
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Rapper before the uniform
Eom was already pursuing music before beginning his mandatory military service. He started writing rap in 2014 and cites Lamar, Nas, Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. among his influences.
For TV off, he even added his own lines referencing the 19th Fighter Wing and its military record. He said the aim was to entertain fellow servicemen and show pride in his unit.
The unexpected combination of a uniformed Korean airman, fluent English delivery, and one of hip-hop’s most recognisable recent performances pushed the clip far beyond South Korea.
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Some viewers, however, questioned a Korean performer delivering lyrics rooted in Black American history, including Lamar’s reference to «40 acres and a mule.» Eom responded that he respected Black culture and apologised to anyone who felt uncomfortable, while stressing that the military performance was non-commercial.
