DJ DOC to release new album for 30th anniversary

Unclear whether all three members will participate in the upcoming album

DJ DOC members Lee Ha-neul (right) and Jeong Jae-yong perform a new song, "Cheers," at a year-end party concert held in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Dec. 30. (Funky Town)

A legendary first-generation hip-hop group from the 1990s, DJ DOC, marks the 30th anniversary of its debut this year with a plan to release a new album, the first in 14 years.

According to the group's agency Funky Town, DJ DOC unveiled a new song titled "Cheers," at a year-end party concert held in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on Dec. 30. The new song, which is a hip-hop song based on "newtro" funk and trot, will be included on the 30th anniversary album.

The group released its seventh full-length album, "Pungryu," in 2010.

However, it is unclear whether all three members of the group will be part of this year's project. There is a long-standing discord between leader Lee Ha-neul and vocalist Kim Chang-youl, and only Lee and Jeong Jae-yong appeared on stage for the performance on Dec. 30. After his brother Lee Hyun-bae died in 2021, Lee claimed that Kim was partially responsible for Hyun-bae's sudden death, revealing that there was a financial issue between his bandmate and Hyun-bae.

Lee Ha-neul appeared on the YouTube channel "Choi Mu-bae TV" on Dec. 4 and said that, while he had not been in contact with Kim for about two years, he would like to hold the trio’s last concert as DJ DOC and communicate with fans once again.

DJ DOC, a hip-hop trio that debuted with "Sorrow of Superman" in November 1994, gained popularity with its rebellious style and sharp lyrics on social issues. With hits such as "Summer Story," "Run To You" and “Dance with DOC,” the trio occupied a significant position in the music scene, loved by audiences and pop culture critics alike.

By Lee Jung-youn(jy@heraldcorp.com)