Noel Comments on Martial Law and Releases New Song 'Love, Peace, Freedom'

Rapper Noel (장용준), the son of former National Assembly member Jang Je-won, has made headlines by addressing the current martial law situation in South Korea and subsequently releasing a new song titled '사랑 평화 자유' (Love, Peace, Freedom). On December 3, a fan shared a news article about the martial law declaration with the hashtag '노엘을 국회로' (Noel to the National Assembly), referencing a line from rapper Giriboy's song '아퍼' (Upper) that Noel performed. In response, Noel posted on his social media, stating, "You all stay home. Although I am a public service worker, I will be watching over you." The following day, he surprised fans with the release of his new track, which has garnered significant attention due to its timely title amidst the ongoing crisis.

Noel first gained recognition in 2017 through his appearances on Mnet's '고등래퍼' (High School Rapper) and '쇼미더머니6' (Show Me the Money 6). He has faced controversy in the past, including two DUI incidents, and in September 2021, he was sentenced to one year in prison for assaulting police officers after refusing to undergo a breathalyzer test following a drunk driving accident. He was released in October 2022. In March of this year, he addressed his past mistakes on social media, acknowledging the criticism he has received and expressing hope for objective judgment regarding recent events. Additionally, Noel was classified as a social service worker after receiving a 4th-grade military service classification during his military evaluation in 2020, and he is currently serving in that capacity.