Grandma rappers 'Suni and the Seven Princesses' mark third anniversary

Suni and the Seven Princesses, a group of grandmother rappers from Chilgok-gun in North Gyeongsang Province who began by learning hangul and went on to appear on national television and international online platforms, marked their third anniversary.

The group held a celebration Monday at the Chilgok-gun county office. County Chief Kim Jae-wook attended to congratulate the grandmothers on their third year together.

Suni and the Seven Princesses was formed in August 2023 around a group of elderly women who had been studying hangul in Sinsa 4-ri, Jicheon-myeon, Chilgok-gun.

They drew wide attention by rapping lyrics they had written themselves, and appearances on major television programs made them a household name across the country.

The group recorded a song promoting efforts to address the low birth rate, took part in a road-safety campaign aimed at reducing traffic accidents involving older adults, and has continued to perform at local events as a form of community service.

When founding member Seo Mu-seok died in 2024, her fellow members sent her off at the funeral home with a rap they had performed together during her lifetime. The moment was widely covered by broadcasters and news outlets.

The vacancy was filled through an open audition. Of six candidates, grandmother Lee Seon-hwa beat out the field at 6-to-1 odds to join the group as its newest member.

Like a K-pop girl group, the ensemble also has trainees — members in waiting who are preparing for future activities alongside the official lineup.

International media attention has followed as well. Reuters, the Associated Press, Japan's NHK and China's CCTV all traveled to Chilgok to report on the grandmothers' daily lives and their rapping, with the resulting coverage reaching audiences around the world.

"One friend has gone ahead of us, and a new one has joined, but when we get together and rap it's still a lot of fun," said Park Jeom-sun. "As long as our health allows, I want us all to keep rapping together."

"Suni and the Seven Princesses have shown that life can change when you keep learning and taking on new challenges, no matter your age," County Chief Kim said. "I hope they stay healthy, keep doing what they do, and continue to give hope and courage to many people."