Hip-Hop Grannies: Korean Women in Their 80s Form a Rap Group
Source: World Of Buzz
Imagine being in your 80s, and instead of slowing down, you decide to form a hip-hop group with your friends. Well, that’s exactly what a group of Korean women, calling themselves ‘Suni and The Seven Princesses,’ did. These spirited grannies, residents of Chilgok county in South Korea, have become local celebrities by rapping about their rural farm life.
Making their debut at a community center in August 2023, the group quickly gained popularity, attracting more than 150 fans initially. Their fame extended beyond their county, leading to invitations to perform in neighboring towns, appearances on national television, and over 77,000 views on YouTube. The group’s journey into hip-hop began when they discovered a rap performance online, inspiring them to learn the art with the help of their hangul teacher.
These women, who missed out on formal education due to the challenges following the Korean War, enrolled in an adult education class in 2016 to learn to read and write hangul. With newfound literacy, they delved into rap, celebrating their rural upbringing through verses like, “Picking chilli from a chilli farm… Picking watermelon from a watermelon farm. So happy to be back home!”
Their rise to fame aligns with South Korea’s transition into a “super-ageing” society, with a fifth of its population expected to be above 65 by 2025. Rural areas like Chilgok, facing a decline as young people move to cities, find a unique source of vibrancy in Suni and The Seven Princesses. The group, dressed in matching sweaters, bucket hats, and baggy pants, brings life to their community, offering a nostalgic journey for its 81-year-old leader, Suni. According to her, “It feels like I’m regaining my youth… Even in my old age, I feel invigorated.” This inspiring tale has sparked the formation of four other rap groups made up of older South Koreans in Chilgok, signaling a potential rise in hip-hop seniors in Korea.
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