Still Running South

Still Running South

Name’s Kang Chun-hyok twelve when I crossed that line
Tumen River turned to a “run-for-your-life” design
Now they call it “Run River,” everybody in line
One slip, one trip that’s a death row sign
Yeah I made it out, but this life ain’t living
Dog in the dirt, just surviving, not winning
Wide in the open, yeah I’m hunted, I’m driven
No voice, no words just a ghost that’s hidden
Four years locked jaw, yeah I swallowed the pain
Every single step felt like dragging a chain
Then I heard ‘bout the South man, that broke my brain
Everything I knew was a lie, all game
Damn… I’ve been played, whole life scripted
Truth flipped upside, whole world twisted
Had to see it myself, couldn’t stay restricted
Packed light one map, one vision, committed
China map, world map, yeah I’m on that mission
Feet to the ground, no permission, just driven
That’s the moment my escape turned expedition
From survival mode into full transition

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand
Final stop yeah I’m aiming for the South land
Born in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Final stop yeah I’m claiming my own land
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand
Final stop yeah I’m aiming for the South land
Born in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Final stop yeah I’m claiming my own land

Kunming rain season, sky crying all day
Walk from dawn to dusk, pain don’t fade
Half-dead pace but I still don’t break
Saw lights in the dark yeah a chance to escape
Knocked real slow, heart ready to explode
Broken-ass words, yeah my tongue in a chokehold
“Korea Town! Korea Town!” on reload
Lucky that the man there finally decoded
Took me to the embassy, thought it was done
Thought I finally made it, thought I finally won
But the staff looked calm, said, “You ain’t done
If you came this far, then you better keep runnin’
Make it to Cambodia, safe then breathe”
Man I’m drained, but I still can’t leave
Dragged my bones through the dirt and heat
Lost, then found still on my feet
Pulled up saw dozens just like me
Same scars, same chains, same need to be free
Hands locked tight like we sharing one key
All we ever wanted just to finally be free

#hiphopculture #northkorea #dignity #hopeful #freedom #peace