Show Me The Money

Tyno

Exclusive Interview with Tyno: “Just Enjoy the Ride”

Tyno is an upcoming artist with amazing performance energy, based in Seoul. He is most well known for his singles ‘Gang’ and ‘Mr Miyagi‘. We interviewed the upcoming artist to get to know more about his music style, experiences on SMTM6, and what we can expect from him as artist. Tyno was raised in London and brings a unique flavor to hip-hop by incorporating aspects of music he was influenced by growing up in England as well as experiences he has had in Korea.

Firstly, can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Yo, what’s good, my name is Tom aka Tyno. I’m 25, from South-West London, I moved out to Seoul a few years back. I was born here but raised in the UK. I do music and also teach here. Livin the lifeee.

I left [Korea] when I was 7 and moved to England and have been there ever since. I also lived in the US for 2 years.

Whereabouts in London did you live?

The South-West, there is an area where a lot of Koreans live, it’s called New Malden.

Tyno

What led you to pursuing music?

I’ve always enjoyed music, especially hip-hop, since I was young. I was a trainee in Korea and I think that kind of made me get more into music and able to work on my own music as well. I think just the interest in music I’ve had since I was really young is what made me pursue music.

Do you think moving to Korea helped you get into that more?

Yeah definitely. I’ve always been interested in music, dancing, and performing so it was an opportunity for me. In Korea I’ve been able to go to more auditions because the music industry is really big here.

How would you describe your music style?

It’s quite aggressive. I do a lot of grime as well, not so much these days, but I was into the whole grime thing for quite a while.  That was because when I was in middle school I listened to grime and American hip-hop but not really any Korean hip-hop.

Which of your songs would you recommend to first time listeners and why?

Definitely ‘Gang’ because that’s the most up to date polished version of me. Other tracks, they are me but I was never confident enough to publish them as singles. I was still trying to find my style and I think with ‘Gang’ I found what I really want and the style which is really me.

If you could collaborate with any artist (Korean or international), who would it be?

Anyone! I would be grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with any artists out there.

Singers or rappers?

If we’re talking about singers or vocalists then maybe someone like Jay Park, my music is quite aggressive so putting those kind of vocals together with my rap could be something quite new. Or perhaps someone else who also has an aggressive rap style.

Where do you get inspiration for your songs?

Music that I listen to, that’s a big one.  And just life, hanging out with friends. But mostly from other music I listen to.

In 2018 you released your single ‘Gang’, what is the meaning behind this song?

Gang just means like my friends, my crew, and what we do. We party, enjoy life, make music.  It’s just what me and my friends do.

‘Gang’ was remixed, right?

Yeah, with ness and Vanzo. Vanzo is a beat maker as well, and rapper. ness I met from SMTM6 so I think it was a really good chance for me to collab with them.

How did that collaboration happen?

So I actually asked them if they wanted to hop on the track and they were cool with that. Because it was my first single I wanted to have the original one and then have people hop onto the remix so ness was one of the people I asked. I think it went really well.

Would you consider remaking any of your SoundCloud tracks?

Yeah I’ve been thinking about that recently, so one of the tracks I have from the past I might kind of polish it and release it as a single. *watch this space*

Can you tell us about your experiences on SMTM6?

It was good because it was a way for me to get out there and challenge myself and at the same time it was an opportunity to get my name out, so in that sense it was really good. The audition, it was hectic,  I didn’t sleep for 40 hours. Some people bring tents and sleep, it’s just like waiting outside and then there are some people who are doing cyphers, rapping, and practicing. I got through the first round, second round (where I met ness), and in the third round I did a one on one battle with ness which is where I got dropped.

Who has been a major role model in your life, how have they influenced you both musically and personally?

I think my brother is a role model to me in terms of music. He is in med school so he has a lot of work. He is always bombarded with work but he actually does music too. He doesn’t rap, he does something completely different. People compare him to Ed Sheeran, he sings and plays guitar. The reason why I respect him is he has so much work on his hands but he always grinds and does his music. He taught himself to play guitar, he does mix mastering himself, he writes lyrics, and he uploads it all on SoundCloud. He has a lot of listeners. His passion, hard work, and attitude are definitely things I look up to.

Can you talk about some of the musical projects you are currently working on?

I have a few lyrics that I’m writing but I’m currently looking for beats so it’s kind of on hold right now. I have a few things in the making but nothing is set in stone yet.

What do you like to do when you aren’t making music or working?

I do jiu jitsu, Brazilian jiu jitsu. I’m really into that, I try to get training in 3 times a week.  Training is a big part of my life right now.

Tyno

If you had to live in another country where would you go?

Can it be America? I was in America for 2 years and I really enjoyed it, I was in California and New Jersey. I really really liked California so if I could I would move back to Cali. Seriously, it was really good.

What’s your go-to late-night snack?

Chicken, pizza, ramyeon. I eat so much these days. Everything.

Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring musicians?

Enjoy what you do, don’t be pressured to succeed and make results. I think you should just enjoy it, enjoy the ride, go with the flow. It’s fine if you’re not making music for a while, you don’t always have to get stuff done. Just enjoy the ride and enjoy the music. I think too many artists feel pressured sometimes, don’t treat it as work!

Lastly, is there anything you want to say to our readers?

I would love it if you check out my music and also thank you to HiphopKR for the interview!

Follow Tyno:
[icon type=”instagram”]     [icon type=”soundcloud”]     [icon type=”youtube-square”]

Interview, Photography: Amy Benham
Editor: Lena

How to Win SMTM

[Translators’ Notes] How to Win SMTM with myunDo, Mc Rap, Kidk Kidk

HiphopKR recently subtitled AKATV‘s How to Win SMTM featuring rappers myunDo, Mc Rap, Kidk Kidk, and two mysterious producers.

In 7 + 1 episodes of How to Win SMTM, a former Show Me The Money producer named Kae Jinsang (an alias translating to: The F*cking Truth) teaches the three Gimchi Hill Gang members in their humble residence how to win Show Me The Money’s fifth season. He shares his knowledge about how to write the application, when to line up for the audition, how to impress the producers, how to win the 1:1 battle, and more. He even invites a famous rapper who participated on SMTM as a producer before …

With its exaggerated humor, the show wittily makes fun of and criticizes Korea’s famous hiphop show. A lot of the jokes can only be enjoyed with a bit of background information, so we suggest you first watch each episode and then read our notes below for everything you need to know as well as some fun facts. Enjoy!

Subtitle Credits How to Win SMTM
Translations, Timing, Edit: Lena
Translation Check: Nahae
Quality Check: Lena, Nahae

Related links:
AKATV  [icon type=”facebook”]   [icon type=”instagram”]   [icon type=”play”]   [icon type=”youtube”].
AKATV’s mascot MC AKA  [icon type=”instagram”].
myunDo  [icon type=”facebook”]   [icon type=”instagram”]   [icon type=”soundcloud”]   [icon type=”twitter”]
Mc Rap  [icon type=”facebook”]   [icon type=”instagram”]   [icon type=”soundcloud”]
Kidk Kidk  [icon type=”facebook”]   [icon type=”instagram”]   [icon type=”soundcloud”]

[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h1″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Episodes and Translators’ Notes[/x_custom_headline]

Episode 1: Follow Me

https://youtu.be/HKMpQeym5SY

  1. The Korean TV show ‘세상에 이런 일이’ (How Is That Possible) shows all kinds of incredible, unbelievable events.
  2. Kae Jinsang is introduced, a very frivolous and rude character who exudes a lot of hot air, constantly cusses, and lives up to his name by bluntly stating the truth. He also blithely abuses his position as a “teacher” and the fact that he is older than his three students, who, according to Korean etiquette, have to treat and address him with respect.
  3. Jinsang tells Kidk Kidk to change his name to lolol (ㅋㅋㅋㅋ) because Kidk Kidk (키득키득, read: kideuk kideuk) literally means to snicker/giggle/chuckle.
  4. Kidk Kidk is fishing for fangirls so here you go:


    You’re welcome.

  5. Kae Jinsang tells Mc Rap to move to the side because he’s been sitting in the way of the camera directed at Jinsang.
Episode 2: Writing the Application

https://youtu.be/czEZbK9K0DY

  1. The lowkey advertising in the beginning of the episode uses the well-known slogan of a drinking water brand (“Water that’s close to my body”), as well as that advertisement’s music, while Jinsang is actually drinking makgeolli.
  2. When describing Swings’ character, Jinsang refers to Swings’ famous first audition during the second season of SMTM.
  3. When deciding on myunDo’s character, they’re saying how everyone has a certain concept about myunDo in mind and urge him to voice it. They mean “ugly,” and Jinsang says it by shamelessly disguising the word “ugly man” as “fall man.” The word in question is “추남” (chunam), which is written with the characters for “ugly” and “man” (醜男) but Jinsang explains it as “秋男” with the characters for “fall” and “man” which is pronounced the same. “Fall man” (or “가을 남자” ga-eul namja, which is the Korean word for it) refers to a somewhat melancholic, sensitive, and romantic image of a man.
  4. The text on the collage of a typical fall man, where the subtitles read “The Fall Man,” refers to the Korean drama ‘The Innocent Man‘ (세상 어디에도 없는 착한 남자) with Song Joongki. The Korean title was changed from “A guy so nice you can’t find anyone like him anywhere else in the world” to “Such a true fall man you can’t find anyone like him anywhere else in the world,” further poking fun at myunDo’s looks.
Episode 3: Creating the Characters

https://youtu.be/9un43GmhnEE

  1. While watching the introduction video of former 45RPM member A. C. Lee from SMTM’s first season, a real tear-jerker after which you cannot help but pity A. C. Lee, the three rappers are actually envying him because he has such tasty food and better lodging than them. Watch A. C. Lee’s appearance on SMTM where he battled SongRapper.
  2. albamon is a word made out of ‘alba’ and ‘mon’ (probably from ‘monster’) whereas ‘alba’ (알바) means ‘part-time job’ in Korean (originating from the German word ‘Arbeit’ meaning ‘work’). albamon is a website for finding part-time jobs and famous for their commercial with Hyeri from Girl’s Day.
  3. Please note that they are by no means making fun of defectors but of the program which exploits the fact that someone is a defector. They are also poking fun at Kidk Kidk who does have the looks for the concept. That is why they laugh, and because the idea is so absurd but also shockingly true.
  4. There has been a North Korean defector on SMTM before, Kang Chunhyuk. Watch his first audition here. He also mentioned Aoji Coal Mine in his lyrics (“My mother caught tuberculosis at Aoji Coal Mine”), a place infamous for especially hard labor.
Episode 4: Entering the 1st Round of Auditions

https://youtu.be/wN-dGHtvtPw

There is nothing to note for this episode. Let us know if you have any questions!

Special Episode: Silver-Spoon myunDo

https://youtu.be/mvVmXyrqUik

  1. When Jinsang says that he would have passed Mc Rap if he had been there, he means that if he had still been working for Mnet on SMTM when Mc Rap auditioned, he would have passed him. As it turns out, he did in fact work there when Mc Rap auditioned. Oops!
  2. Jinsang abuses his status to have the food mixed with the sauce instead of dipped into it.
Episode 5: How to Pass the 1st Round of Auditions

https://youtu.be/qWiFbk44FVA

  1. Like most Korean fans who watched this video, you might be 100% sure that the new man with the mask is San E, but it is actually his younger brother Sean who effortlessly and perfectly imitates his brother, profiting from their striking resemblance. The Korean on-screen text calls him “Sean E” (샨이), hinting at this fact. (We received permission to reveal this piece of information.) myunDo immediately recognizes him and calls him “hyung” as they traveled the US together while filming Swaggers Made in USA (if you’re attentive you can spot Sean in several episodes).
  2. When myunDo raps in English, the Korean on-screen text reads !@#$%^& and then “Sorry, we can’t write down English by hearing.”
  3. When “Sean E” asks myunDo if he doesn’t want to consider plastic surgery, the on-screen thought bubble over myunDo’s head reads: “Evaluate my rap, not my face!”
  4. “I don’t rap these days, I sing ballads.” – Sean E (Just wanted to point this out because it’s so hilarious.)
  5. Mc Rap’s punchline “Because I’m Asian, music until the end” is a pun on ‘music’ (노래, read ‘norae’, lit. song/singing) and ‘yellow’ (노란, read ‘noran’).
  6. The two masked hyungs ask Mc Rap which of the three big labels (YG, JYP, SM) he wants to go to, as if they were at KPop Star and not SMTM.
Episode 6: How to Pass the 2nd Round of Auditions

https://youtu.be/2CsVecPHU0M

  1. Although we wrote in the subtitles “I was bullied for my looks,” remember that the word myunDo is using allegedly means “fall man” and not “ugly man.” However, since the latter is what they actually mean, we kept it that way in the subtitles to make it clear.
  2. Correction: myunDo says he was bullied for his looks in elementary, middle, and high school. So, basically all the time.
  3. When myunDo raps ‘Jawn Tho’, the Korean lyrics on screen write the English words in Han-geul, which is rather funny. It reads something like: yukaendo wadadu […] ttae jeondo raenmigaettae jeondo, rejeondo raenmigaettae jeondo
  4. Jinsang-hyung says “Into the fire!” because remember that when candidates are eliminated during the second round they literally go down in flames.
  5. MC Sniper is not actually a voice actor, Jinsang just mockingly calls him that because there is a lot of narration in MC Sniper’s songs.
Episode 7: How to Survive the 1:1 Battle

https://youtu.be/WBFJj4koseQ

  1. Nearly all the foul tips Jinsang-hyung gives are things that actually did happen before on the show.
  2. When Kae Jinsang demands the lesson fees, the Korean on-screen text reads: *Beware of swindlers 24/7*

 

This concludes our translators’ notes. Hit us up in case you still have any unanswered questions! And if you enjoyed the watch, do share this post or the videos and leave a comment letting AKATV and us know how much you laughed. Thank you!