“Kendrick Lamar” in uniform: South Korean soldier’s performance draws U.S. attention

A South Korean soldier in uniform has unexpectedly become a talking point among U.S. hip-hop fans after performing two Kendrick Lamar songs at a military concert.

Corporal Eom Jun, from the military police battalion of the South Korean Air Force’s 19th Fighter Wing, performed “Not Like Us” and “TV Off” during the 650th episode of the Korean Forces Network’s “Consolation Train” program. The performance was recorded on Aug. 11 and broadcast on Aug. 16.

The set drew attention because it went beyond a few familiar lines. Eom handled much of Kendrick Lamar’s rapid rap delivery and distinctive rhythm, moving smoothly from “Not Like Us” into “TV Off.” Soldiers in the audience raised their hands, shouted along and moved to the beat, creating a scene that looked as much like a hip-hop festival as a military concert.

U.S. hip-hop publication XXL posted the video on its official social media account on Sept. 2, describing the performance for its followers. The video on the Korean military broadcaster’s YouTube channel had reached about 310,000 views. Online commenters embraced the nickname “Gundrick Lamar.”

The song choice also carried a clear pop-culture reference. “Not Like Us” emerged from Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 dispute with Drake, became a global hit and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Lamar performed it during last year’s Super Bowl halftime show, helping make the song even more widely known. As the clip spread overseas, fans joked that Drake now had to contend with the South Korean military too.