On May 21, Epik High members Tablo, Mithra, and Tukutz released a new video on their official YouTube channel, where they explored an old storage unit filled with items from their past.
The members explained that around 10 years ago, when they left YG Entertainment and became independent, they hurriedly packed everything from their studio and office into storage. Since they did not even remember what was inside, the video became a “treasure hunt” through their own history.
At first, the members found nostalgic items such as old merchandise, fashion pieces from their YG days, and diaries. But the biggest shock came when they discovered their exclusive contract from the beginning of their career. Epik High debuted in October 2003 after signing with Woollim Entertainment, which was still a new agency at the time. Their first full-length album, Map of the Human Soul, marked the beginning of their long-running career.
However, Tablo’s reaction turned serious the moment he saw the old Woollim contract. “Oh my God. This is crazy. Woollim, our former agency,” he said. Looking at the date, he added, “September 23, 2003. Because of this contract…” before expressing his frustration. Tablo then revealed why the document still upset him so much. “I made ‘Fly,’ but I didn’t receive a single won. Because of this damn contract, we didn’t get a single won from music revenue,” he said.
He also appeared to call out the agency further, adding that they were angry at the group for eating shrimp despite allegedly not paying them music revenue. Tukutz reacted with surprise, saying, “I had this? This is crazy.” Tablo then joked bitterly, “This is the thing we should hang up somewhere.” The moment quickly caught attention because “Fly” remains one of Epik High’s most iconic songs. The track played a major role in helping the group gain mainstream popularity, making Tablo’s claim even more shocking to fans.
What started as a nostalgic storage-unit video suddenly turned into a raw reminder of the harsh contracts artists faced during the early years of K-pop and Korean hip-hop. For longtime fans, the discovery was more than just an old document. It was a painful look back at how Epik High built their career despite difficult conditions — and why Tablo still remembers that contract with anger more than 20 years later.
Sources: Daum | 스타뉴스