Music remains one of the few passages between Japan and South Korea fostering good vibes in increasingly strained times between the two. Rap, in particular, has enjoyed quite the creative exchange in the 2010s, highlighted by “It G Ma,” but flourishing lately thanks to an underground rap community on both sides open to collaboration and inspiration. “Reflect Alone” offers a nice snapshot on this, while also presenting one of the more unique ways this interchange has blossomed. This number, by Chiba rapper PALM2REE featuring a guest verse from Gokou Kuyt, is a take on South Korean rapper Yuzion’s “Jealousy,” a twinkling number featuring a video borrowing from Japanese pop culture (and, you know, physically set there too). Watch that one below.
“Reflect Alone” recreates the beat — key to its charm, it sounds just off, giving this one a Silly Putty vibe to it — and lets PALM2REE bounce over it. Gokou Kuyt is always going to be near the top of our SoundCloud-era rapper charts around here, and their section proves a highlight, as they deliver a welcome bit of melancholic chilliness to the otherwise bouncy number. It’s sturdy enough on its own, but extra intriguing given how it draws across borders. Listen above.