After facing backlash for the original "DNA Remix" video, H1GHR MUSIC CEO Jay Park has uploaded a new video for the collaboration project. The new video, showing the culture, traditions and landmarks of South Korea through the eyes of a young boy, hit YouTube on August 15 to coincide with National Liberation Day of Korea.
The holiday, according to Wikipedia, is celebrated every year on August 15, in both South and North Korea, in commemoration of the victory over Japan, "when at the end of World War II, the U.S. and allied forces helped end 35 years of Japanese occupation and colonial rule of Korea, which lasted from 1910–1945." On social media, H1GHR MUSIC says the day "represents South Korea and its peoples’ perseverance, pride and courage."
K-hip-hop artists on the "DNA Remix" collaboration song project include: Jay Park, pH-1, YLN Foreign, D.Ark, 365LIT, lIlBOI, Lee Young Ji, Ourealgoat, Choo and OSUN.
The new video for the song replaces the controversial June version that was taken down after it received criticism amid accusations of cultural appropriation of African-American culture. Artists in the video were seen wearing hairstyles such as afros, braids and dreadlocks. Before taking the video down, Park sparked additional uproar during his lengthy defense of the visual in the comments section of the video, saying in part...
”A lot of our heroes are Black rappers and not just the aesthetic but their mindset… so it’s only natural that we want to be like them to a certain extent.” Park also wrote; “Having a certain hairstyle or look gives us confidence and inspiration and makes us feel like rockstars and it’s because it’s what we see and hear, it feels natural to us.”
With the upload of the new video showing the culture of South Korea, Park posted on Instagram...
"Today is OUR day! Don't make it about nothing else. Happy and Thankful for National Liberation of Korea day."