 |
| ▲ This image, provided by Brand New Music, shows rapper MC Gree, the son of famous emcee-entertainer Kim Gu-ra. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, July 18 (Yonhap) -- "I wanted to learn how to survive on my own in the military, so I applied to the Marine Corps."
Rapper MC Gree (26), whose real name is Kim Dong-hyun, will enlist in the Marine Corps on the 29th. He is known previously as "Donghyun-gun" and since 2018, simply as MC Gree. To the public, he is better known as the son of mega entertainer Kim Gu-ra.
MC Gree, who has grown from the cute boy appearing on TV variety shows with his father to a solo singer in his twenties, surprised many with the sudden news of his enlistment, especially his decision to join the Marine Corps.
In a phone interview with Yonhap News on the 18th, MC Gree shared, "Since my father is such a big figure in the entertainment industry, I felt like I was subconsciously complacent while working. I wanted to fix that." He added, "I've always admired the red badge of the Marines and had a respect for them. When the time for enlistment came, I thought it was the perfect time to pursue this admiration."
Initially, his father, Kim Gu-ra, opposed his decision to join the Marine Corps out of concern. MC Gree explained, "Given how I’ve lived, my father worried that I wouldn't be able to adapt. But I was firm in my decision, saying that if it wasn't the Marines, I wouldn't go."
MC Gree has been active in the broadcasting industry since around 2006, appearing in shows like KBS's 'Comedy Club 2,' 'Star Golden Bell,' SBS's 'Good Friends Note,' and 'Star Junior Show Bungeoppang' alongside his father. He entered the music industry in 2015, featuring on rapper San E's album, and officially debuted in 2016 with the song 'Nineteen.'
Having spent 18 of his 26 years in the entertainment industry, the public has followed his growth through TV and YouTube content. Reflecting on his early years, he admitted, "There were times when such attention felt burdensome, and it would be a lie to say it was never uncomfortable. But now, my friends who are preparing to be actors are envious when we go to restaurants, and people recognize only me."
His debut song 'Nineteen,' which once peaked at No. 2 on Melon’s daily chart, encapsulates his struggles at the time. In the lyrics he penned, he contemplates, "As Kim Gu-ra's son / If I were Kim Hyun-dong's son / Would I have been like my friends?"
He recalled his school days, "I couldn’t participate in field trips or retreats because of work. Even when I wanted to go to the PC bang with friends after school, my father worried that people might recognize me and start trouble, so he bought another computer and told me to bring my friends home instead."
Nonetheless, MC Gree expressed gratitude towards his father, "He always listened to my opinions and tried to make up for what I lacked. That's why I didn’t deviate and was able to have a relatively smooth childhood."
The label of being 'Kim Gu-ra’s son' was both a 'wing' and a 'hard shell to break out of' for him. While he acknowledged his father's influence as a 'wing,' his thoughts were quite nuanced.
"At one point, I was determined to become someone far greater than my father, so I avoided appearing with him. As a result, I ran out of work and couldn’t establish myself musically. Eventually, I started talking about my father again out of necessity."
He further reflected, "Having been exposed with my father from a young age, I realized that harmonizing with him while carving my own path and showing our chemistry was the right approach for me."
Ahead of his enlistment, MC Gree is releasing his final single before joining the military, titled 'Goodbye,' on the 18th at 6 PM. The pop R&B song, characterized by its minimalistic instrumentation, expresses a calm farewell to a weary love. He participated in writing and composing the song.
Transitioning from a rapper under the name MC MC Gree to increasing his vocal contributions, he expanded his musical range and changed his stage name to MC Gree in 2018. He expressed his aspirations, "I want to be recognized as a K-pop artist and continue finding interesting projects after my discharge."
Asked about his dreams of future family life, MC Gree, who has grown from a teenager contemplating his identity to a young man singing about love and heartbreak, shared, "I have a strong desire to build a family. I’m such a coward that I can’t even sleep after watching a scary movie alone. I always think about living with someone who truly loves me." He laughed.
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
