It's unbelievably heartbreaking thinking back on all the hell he went through. This truly is the scary side of the internet, fame, and toxic anti-fan culture. So many malicious people that do these things constantly to idols NEED psychological help and NEED to be held accountable.

This is unique to South Korea I believe. A former news anchor in South Korea who was in Stanford with him, now KZfaqr SeoulLiteTV, gave an insight about how proof after proof was given that he did graduate from Stanford with flying colours, but the prejudice about how such a graduate should look like, and what a hip hop artist is about, persist. People could not accept that he was smart, graduated from a prestigious university, married to a pretty actress, famous as a rapper himself. They just couldn’t accept that. Because if Tablo could do it then what does it mean for those who believed that graduating top class from a prestigious university means locking themselves up in soulless jobs to provide for your families. They also insisted on comparing their education system with the US, which can’t be done. I highly recommend that video for a bit more info and context. Of course from Tablo’s own mouth is always most important. But this type of witch hunt is still happening from what I can see today. To others. Someone will start something and people just role with it. So much more than anywhere else I have seen outside of South Korean context. He was targeted not only BECAUSE HE WAS FAMOUS. But because he was outwardly challenging the existing norms.

I remember when I found out about this story a decade ago. I found out through a WIRED magazine article and even saw an old documentary where Tablo went to Stanford to prove his innocence. Although I had gotten into Epik High a couple of years prior, I wasn't knowledgable about the Korean music industry as a whole so I didn't know about artists and their personal lives outside of music (Epik High were also on hiatus bc Tukutz and Mithra Jin were in the military which I also didn't know about at the time either). I got back into EH when Tablo and the rest of the group signed onto YG. It must've been hell on Earth for Tablo. It was a witch-hunt but for it to spread on the internet like wildfire to the point where the rumors tried to break reality is eerie to say the least. Tablo also lost his dad to cancer around that time and he mentioned how sad and angry he was that one of his dad's last memories was of his son going through such a turbulent time.

What a horrific thing to happen to anyone.. He has such courage to endure and ultimately rise above it, and be determined to keep spreading kindness and love. He's so right - if we all leave platforms that spread lies and hate, the darkness will win out. your interview was done with sensitivity and care.

it breaks my heart hearing about the horrors fellow humans do to others. Who started this and why? Someone had a beef, was jealous???? but the torture that Tablo and his family endured.... was cruel, I am sorry, this was experience. I am glad he is able to perform successfully now and have some peace in his life.

As a fan from back then im glad they are happy now.

TABLO..Thank you for NEVER giving up on the TRUTH.. Wishing you & your Family ALL the Best! LOVE your music!! 💜🫶🏼🇺🇸

Tablo, you're too kindhearted for this cruel world, such an incredible human being.

What a horrific situation! We’re bound to have moments of shadow in our lives, but this is unconscionable. Thank God we eventually come back into the light each time. Wishing you well my brother in Spirit. 🕊

That's called gaslighting btw when someone who is bullying you makes you doubt your instincts/ think it didn't happen

Omg… I just heard of this guy because RM has great respect for him.. so I recognized his name on ur channel title. I had to click on this video… I’m so appalled at how people can ruin people’s psyche and normal life and for what??? I’m so glad some of them went to jail!!! I am so angry!!! Tablo is a well spoken and thoughtful speaker. Almost like he’s talking about someone else’s horror story!! I really admire this guy very much!! I want to have the same strong mindset and cool calm and collected attitude!! He’s so intelligent!! I hope others see him as he is showing himself!! Oh the courage as the host is saying !! Tablo is so strong and people who are fearful of being failures are the ones who are trying to ruin strong good people like him!!

Be strong and never give up. Your a good man and thank you for opening up about your ordeal so those who are going through what you gone through can see that you shouldn't give up and need to fight back stand up for what's right. Your not alone at all you got fans that care. Take care tablo and continue being a good rolemodell a good human being.

thank you tablo for sharing this very painful story. i'm falling in love with your music more and more every day, and admire your tenacity and positive spirit. also appreciate tom for your empathy and openness throughout the interview.

Tablo you're so inspiring

Tablo is so strong

Love Tablo. So smart, talented, honest and wise.

The world really is a scary place but luckily he stayed true to himself and fought this. I love how haru Is the apple of his eye like seriously I feel like sometimes she is the driving force for everything he does and we has fans get to sweep the benefits. I love tablo and epik high I went to their concert in Dallas in April it was....EPIK lol but I love that he is speaking up on this matter and is open about his past mental health

First of all to Tablo, If you read this, there are really no words to describe how sorry I am that this happened to you. It's a trauma you take with you, but I'm so glad to hear that you're healing, working, and creating, spreading love and positivity in this world still after everything. You are such an amazing and special kind of person, and it takes a lot of courage to do and act as you do. SENDING YOU A HUGE HUG FULL OF LOVE! I'm almost 2 years in my Kpop\Korean music industry learning phase, and I think that will never change, I'll always keep on learning, cause there are always new groups, new artists coming up (to me at least), BUT something that I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND!!! Is watching the waves of love, happiness, and positivity clashing with anger, lies, hatred spreading, death threats and much more in this "Fandom World". To know that people go to that extent of Full Evil Hatred toward someone based on lies, spreading those lies yourself, sending death threats, wishing death to people, hurting their families... Isn't that just FREAKING INSANE to do and act, or am I the crazy one??? Like what the hell is going on in people's heads when they do those things?! I wouldn't do that to someone that I'm absolutly sure did me wrong on purpus, so to someone you don't know and based on Freaking internet rumers??? I think my first time "seeing" that was about BTS. Getting death threats, protesting for them to kill themselves, masking as an emploee and F$CKING POISONING one of the members!!! and then I saw that on Felix (from STRAY KIDS which are my ults!), someone sending him death threats, sending pics circeling seats close enough to hurt him when he's on stage, LIKE WHAT?! Even if I didn't know Felix is such a warm fuzzy ray of Sunshine and happiness that does so much to help others in need, and even if I didn't know BTS which have done so far and beyond for the comunity and how much love and positivity they all spread to the world, I would still find it Freaking Bananas\Crazy to do to someone!!! HOW is this a "regular" thing to do??? I know that the K music industry always give us more from the artist, their personality, their lives, their true feelings. They go on Lives A LOT just to talk and share with their fans, not like in Western music (Which probably gets death threats too, but It's less common), So how can we, as fans, as "Just" people, act like that to other people in such a veryyyy specific way and target someone like that, target their families, their friends?! I'm not really expecting an answer, cause I don't believe there is one. That's just me ranting right now and getting pissed off!

When I first heard about this story years ago, I dove deep into research. He really went out of his way to prove himself, which is understandable. He even went back on campus, on camera. He accidentally met a professor, and a Stanford official even did an interview. It’s crazy how people responded to everything, despite him proving himself time and time again.

It is so sad that such a wonderful person as Tablo had to suffer such hateful attacks. So called fans can be so delusional and cruel. What happened to Tablo is an extreme example but supposed fans of EXO picketed their agency demanding Chen get a divorce. It is shameful behaviour. I'm sorry that Haru will have to deal with what happened to her dad when she was born. Let's hope that anyone trying to hurt her family is brought to justice.

Kodos Mr. Pablo!! You are so brave!!

May GOD give strength to Tablo and family.

My heart still hurts so much for what he and his family had to go through. Such inhumane, malicious, and ferocious people should all go to jail for good.

I fan him! Real! Not joke

I feel really sad and angry people would stope to that level of destroying someone's life because of jealousy. He really was in the dark places worse than hell. Im glad he pull through and made it out of that abyss. I wouldn't be shocked if he has PTSD and trust issue. There are horrible people out there and I think there sent by Satan to start the distraction in people.

This whole thing reminded me of crabs in a bucket. Here's a successful, intelligent, talented man and so many koreans hated to see that and wanted to bring him down.

Wow~ I love his attitude, I learned to be positive that way. Using Memes and GIFs. Using good humor. When people try to bully or push their negative narrative on me. I heard of stuff like that, and it does happen to people still sadly. Someone who is not super famous but is getting some KZfaq fame, got slandered recently. But so far, it seems like he’s going to be fine. The fake story is not getting much traction. Just repeating the same, but there are holes in when it started to show up and what they’re accusing the person of. For a sec, I wondered, but then I realized, it was too much like clickbait and tabloid fodder. It’s definitely a false accusation.

There are some crazy people out there

People are insane. Feel so bad for him.

The sick folks who perpetrated the lies will get their just desserts

I can’t imagine the HELL you and your family when through. How anyone could be so cruel.. I think you are so hilarious.. I laugh so much when I listen on the podcast with Eddie Nam…I just started listening to Korean music and movies..I love all the music..I’m from the USA and can’t understand any of it just love the beat.. sorry I’m rambling sorry🥰

#EPIK_HIGH #TABLO

What a nightmare.

wow his eng is fluent

This is heartbreaking. People can be so effing evil. Tablo and his lovely family didnt deserve any of it. Haru didn't deserve any of this, how can you react like that on twitter when you are announcing your baby is healthy. I know this happened years ago but you cannot forget things like this, you cannot let this slide and forget about, Jesús Christ. I wish all my best to Tablo and his family.

I had vaguely heard about what happened to Tablo. I was aware of the facts but not the details. What these people did is truly evil. Its so scary that Tablo was living in a real life Hellbound, having what was basically a cult targeting him. Its scary enough in any given situation but he even had a baby at that time. And ofc the rest of his family suffered too. Like wtf? Its unfathomable how people came together just to make this mans life hell, because of baseless lies. Hell is really other people.

Those envious people who grudge other people's succes. If they aren't successful themselves no-one other is allowed to. Simply disgusting 🤢

I lived in South Korea around the time people were making his life hell. People were obsessed with him. It was disgusting. Then later the bs about Top came out. I would not want to be a celebrity over there. Its some weirdos that love scandals there.

Cancel culture

Stanford is not Ivy League. Let’s not start the weirdness over again.