K-pop has spread far beyond Korea, becoming a favorite for fans across the globe. As it continues to grow, it often blends with other genres like Hip-Hop, Latin, and R&B, making the music more dynamic and helping it connect with new listeners.
A great example of this fusion is KPOP KRACKED, a live show by DJ Fenner, who is originally from London but now lives in Seoul. He mixes K-pop with EDM to create a special and exciting performance.
DJ Fenner has performed on major stages and at renowned festivals, including Ultra Miami, Ultra Korea, Seoul’s National Fireworks Festival, and Thailand’s Songkran Water Festival, among many others.
He has shared the stage with top global artists such as Afrojack, DJ Soda, Morcheeba, and Hong Jin Young. Additionally, EDMRoid ranked him as the “Top 22 Best DJ in Asia” and the “No. 1 Foreign DJ in Korea.”
His project, KPOP KRACKED, stands out as an innovative blend of music and visuals that’s gaining attention not just in Korea but globally. His success as a foreign DJ in Korea makes his story really admirable.
As a foreign artist thriving in Korea, DJ Fenner represents a growing wave of global talent reshaping the sound of K-pop and live performance. Through this interview, we explore not just his career and creative process, but also the cultural significance of how international artists like DJ Fenner are contributing to and redefining the Korean music industry today.
In an email interview conducted from June 20-23, he shared what led him to become a DJ. “I love music. I got my first set of LP turntables off my friend back in 2000, and it’s gone up from there.”
He has lived in Korea for more than ten years. When asked what attracted him to the Korean music scene, he said, “Since I live in Korea, exploring Korean music felt like a natural step in my musical journey.” When asked why he chose to blend K-pop with EDM, he explained, “I’ve been mixing EDM for over 20 years, but combining it with K-pop brought a fresh and thrilling new dimension to my work.” This is an exciting challenge that allowed DJ Fenner to explore new sounds and connect with a wider audience.
Regarding how he selects K-pop songs to remix, he said, “I mainly choose songs that I like or that are popular hits, but sometimes I also remix tracks when someone requests them.” When reminiscing about his first festival or club show in Korea, he said, “My first club gig in Korea was at a small venue in Itaewon, playing alongside a few friends who were organizing the event.”
When asked what KPOP KRACKED is and how it began, he said, “KPOP KRACKED is my live video DJ show combining K-pop and EDM. It started as a creative experiment that gradually developed into the complete performance it has become today.”
Reflecting on an unforgettable moment on stage in Korea, he shared, “Performing as Fenner at the Seoul Fireworks Festival (2022) for more than 20,000 people was incredible. I also debuted some of my new KPOP KRACKED edits, and the crowd’s amazing response really motivated me.” Regarding his next goal, he shared, “My next goal is to tour with K-pop idols as their DJ.” “It would be the perfect opportunity to support their live performances with creative ideas while also showcasing my own music at the same events,” he added.
DJ Fenner’s journey, from London to performing on big stages in Korea, shows how music can bring people together, as well as through his innovative fusion of K-pop and EDM, he’s creating fresh sounds that excite fans worldwide.
Original article can be found here:
https://honoraryreporters.korea.net/