Jake Pains is a Seoul-based artist widely recognized as one of Korea’s most accomplished and in-demand MCs. His accolades speak for themselves: Cass Beats Best Crew MC Champion, Miller Korea MC Champion, Seoul Slam Poet Champion, Ironmic Freestyle Battle Champion, and the go-to MC for a long list of top international and domestic DJs. Highly regarded throughout Korea and beyond as one of the most versatile lyricists and performers in the region, his flow shines seamlessly across a plethora of genres including Bassline, DnB, Dubstep, Grime, Hip Hop, House, Trap, and UKG with a trademark energy that bridges the UK underground and Korea’s cutting-edge club culture.
Jake made history as the first MC, foreign or native, to hold an MC residency in Korea’s superclubs, including the iconic Club Octagon (at the time ranked 5th in the world in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs Poll). Today he stands as resident MC for Korea’s biggest international DnB party Darklight Seoul as well as the country’s other premier Drum & Bass brands Kore DnB and DNB Seoul, and is affiliated with SM Entertainment’s underground imprint Scream Records and Seoul Community Radio (SCR): the biggest online music broadcasting platform at the centre of Asia’s electronic music community.
Recent highlights include performing with international acts Goldie, D Double E, Ekko & Sidetrack, and Sub Zero, and Japanese icons Taku Takahashi (m-flo) and Tetsuji Tanaka, and supporting Hedex, Mampi Swift, Bryan Gee, and London Elektricity. Domestically, Jake is a staple of the major festival circuit. Beyond his 8-year tenure as a host for Waterbomb, he has become the trusted closer for university festivals, frequently tasked with following headline sets by icons like Jay Park, Tiger JK, Epik High, Dynamic Duo, and Simon Dominic to deliver the night’s high-energy finale.
Beyond his solo performances, Jake Pains is a founding member of Bass Attack, Korea’s first bass-centric night and DJ collective—the platform credited with introducing Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Grime, and UK Bassline together for the first time in Korea. The platform’s pioneering spirit is widely acknowledged as the spark for Korea’s thriving bass music scene today.
Whether holding down the mic at Seoul’s heaviest underground parties or driving the pace at international raves, Jake Pains brings an unmistakable presence: part UK grit & intensity, part Korean energy & positivity, with a power that turns every show into an experience of its own.

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