South Korean Soldier Not Like Us and TV Off Performance Goes Massively Viral
A military stage, two Kendrick hits, and a global reaction
South Korean Soldier Not Like Us performance has taken over social media after a member of the South Korean Air Force delivered a high-energy cover of two Kendrick Lamar songs during a military entertainment event. The video of the performance spread quickly once U.S. hip-hop accounts began sharing it, drawing both praise and strong reactions online.
In this article we look at exactly what happened on stage, who the soldier is, which songs he performed, how the performance was received inside the military event, and why the clip later went viral across the world. We also cover the mixed responses that followed once the video reached a wider audience.
From the military setting to the full stage energy and the online conversation that followed, here is the complete story behind the moment.
Table of Contents
South Korean Soldier Not Like Us: The Performance That Caught Attention
A South Korean Air Force soldier named Eom Jun stepped onto the stage during KFN’s Troop Support Train, a morale-boosting entertainment program for service members. Assigned to the Military Police Battalion of the 19th Fighter Wing, he performed two of Kendrick Lamar’s biggest recent tracks: “Not Like Us” and “tv off.”
The performance was delivered with clear energy. Eom Jun rapped both songs in front of fellow soldiers, who responded with applause and visible excitement. Some of the stage movements and presentation appeared to reference elements from Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, adding an extra layer of recognition for viewers familiar with that performance.
The video was originally uploaded to the Defense Media Agency’s YouTube channel as part of regular military entertainment content. It remained relatively low-key until hip-hop accounts in the United States, including XXL Magazine, shared the clip. From that point the performance spread rapidly.
Who Is the Soldier Behind the Performance
Eom Jun serves as a Corporal (also referred to in some reports as Private First Class) in the South Korean Air Force. He is attached to the 19th Fighter Wing’s Military Police Battalion. Like many young South Korean men, he is completing his mandatory military service. Appearances on programs like Troop Support Train are common ways for talented soldiers to entertain their peers and boost morale during service.
His decision to perform two of Kendrick Lamar’s most recognizable tracks stood out because of the global popularity of the songs and the confident delivery he brought to the stage.
The Songs and the Stage Moment
“Not Like Us” remains one of the most culturally significant hip-hop records of recent years, while “tv off” also gained major attention after Kendrick performed both during his Super Bowl set. Choosing these two tracks for a military entertainment show was unexpected for many viewers outside Korea.
On stage, Eom Jun stayed in military uniform while delivering the songs. The audience of fellow service members reacted positively in the moment, cheering and engaging with the performance. The setting itself, a formal military entertainment program, later became part of the wider conversation once the video left Korean platforms and reached international audiences.
How the Video Spread
After the official military channel posted the performance, the clip gained steady views. The real surge came when American hip-hop pages began circulating it. XXL Magazine was among the accounts that posted the video with a simple description of a South Korean Air Force soldier performing the two Kendrick tracks for his fellow service members.
Once it reached U.S. timelines, the performance became a topic of discussion across X, Instagram, and other platforms. Some viewers focused on the technical side of the cover and the fact that Kendrick’s music had reached a military stage in South Korea. Others zeroed in on the cultural context of the lyrics being performed in that setting.
Mixed Reactions After the Clip Went Viral
While many people online expressed surprise and interest at seeing the songs performed in a military environment, a portion of the conversation turned critical. Some commenters accused the performance of cultural appropriation, pointing to the heavy Black cultural and historical references in “Not Like Us,” including lines about “40 acres and a mule.”
Others defended the cover as an example of the global reach of hip-hop and Kendrick Lamar’s influence. A number of reactions simply treated the moment as unexpected entertainment rather than a serious cultural statement.
The discussion remains divided between those who view the performance as a straightforward cover by a soldier entertaining his peers and those who see deeper issues in the choice of material and presentation.
Why the Moment Stands Out
The combination of a formal military setting, a high-profile American hip-hop track, and a confident delivery created a clip that traveled far beyond its original audience. Whether people watched it for the performance itself or for the conversation it triggered afterward, the South Korean Soldier Not Like Us moment has become one of the more unexpected viral music stories of the week.
As the video continues to circulate, it highlights both the worldwide impact of Kendrick Lamar’s music and the different ways audiences interpret cultural exchange when it appears in unexpected places.
