Roller Skates, Retro Vibes, and Unexpected Heartfelt Moments
When legends meet their successors, sometimes all you need is a roller rink. On June 28, veteran K-hip-hop trio Epik High (Tablo, Mithra Jin, DJ Tukutz) invited Stray Kids’ producing unit 3RACHA—Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—onto their YouTube series EPIKASE, and the result was a chaotic, emotional, and surprisingly sincere variety show collision.
From Gangnam Beef Bribes to JYP Office Flexes
The episode kicked off in full retro mode with a goofy roller skate introduction. As everyone wobbled their way into the scene, Epik High greeted their junior idols with charm and some over-the-top self-promotion. Tukutz promised Korean BBQ in Gangnam. Tablo flexed his social bonds with industry titan Park Jinyoung, saying, “I’ve eaten at JYP HQ, even been to his house.” Mithra joked he could introduce kids under ten to Stray Kids, proving Epik High still knows how to hustle in variety show style.
Soulmate Games and Vintage Variety Chaos
The teams went toe-to-toe in hilarious challenges—from spaghetti pulling games to photo missions—creating playful moments and unexpected bonds. One by one, 3RACHA revealed their backstories, and Epik High, equal parts amused and impressed, responded with exaggerated, hearty reactions fitting of variety veterans.
A Full-Circle K-pop Moment
Mid-laughs, the vibe took a heartfelt turn. Bang Chan shared a childhood memory from Australia—the first time he saw K-pop was via a Dream Concert video, and the group performing was none other than Epik High. “That stage got me into K-pop. That’s how it all started,” he said.
Tablo, visibly moved, responded, “Hearing that from you makes life feel more meaningful. It makes me want to keep going.” It’s rare to see such genuine intergenerational respect on camera, and fans noticed.
Teamwork, Then and Now
As Tablo noted, both groups share a reputation for tight-knit teamwork—though often misunderstood. “People used to say ‘they don’t seem to get along,’ ‘they’re too rough with each other,’ about us,” Tablo reflected. “But here we are, 23 years later.”
It’s a warm message for fans who’ve followed Epik High since the early 2000s and for those discovering K-pop through today’s superstars.
A Toast to 30 Years of Stray Kids?
Wrapping things up, Tablo shared his hopes for Stray Kids: “Ten years is obvious. I hope you keep going for 20, even 30.” He even jokingly complained that his family—fellow Stays (Stray Kids’ fandom name)—has filled his room with more Stray Kids merch than his own.
This crossover episode wasn’t just nostalgic; it was a reminder of how the K-pop family tree grows from one artist to the next—and sometimes, the roots know the branches better than anyone.
Image credit: Epik High YouTube
