Salon Sport: Cutting Deeper Into Seoul
Salon Sport was founded in Seoul by Minsung Kwon who first had the idea during his time in the Korean military. Assigned to cut hair, he started sneaking music into the barbershop, and soon soldiers were dancing between the chairs. That moment stuck. If a small room could transform like that, why not bring the same energy into real life? That became the seed for Salon Sport.
How did Salonsport start?
Salon Sport traces back to my time in the Korean military, where I was assigned to cut hair. At first I wasn’t allowed to play music, but once I ranked up I started putting it on—and soon enough, soldiers were dancing in the barbershop to everything from hip-hop to hardcore. I thought it was funny and wondered, what if I recreated this in real life? That moment became the seed for Salon Sport, which now turns everyday spaces, like old Korean barbershops, into unexpected stages for music and community.
Why the Salon setting?
The salon setting came naturally from that military experience. Cutting hair with music playing showed me how an ordinary space could instantly feel alive. Barbershops in particular carry a sense of nostalgia and community, and I liked the idea of reimagining them as creative stages. It’s about taking a place people pass by every day and giving it a new context through music.
What’s your mission for the Seoul/global underground scene?
Our mission is to give the underground a new stage. In Seoul, we’re reimagining forgotten spaces, like the old Korean salon, as places where music and culture collide. It’s about showing that the underground doesn’t have to live only in clubs; it can breathe in everyday spaces, creating something fresh and unexpected.
How do you want people to feel when they watch your sets?
I want people to watch our videos and edge to them. Like forget Pornhub, just throw on Salon Sport 🤣
How do you pick DJs to feature?
At first, we just called up close friends like Poi and the GBS crew to come play. From the start, we knew we didn’t want DJs who play it safe or cater to “lame” crowds. The people who step into Salon Sport are DJs who truly understand the music they love, and they bring that raw energy into the space. That authenticity is what defines Salon Sport.
Most memorable set so far?
The most memorable set has to be our very first episode with Poi. I was still a soldier, just a month from discharge, so I tried to use the military discount on the KTX for Poi—without him knowing. Poi had pulled an all-nighter and was taking a nap on the train when the inspectors woke him up; he was completely shocked and had no idea what was going on. Even funnier, he was wearing a military jacket and had a shaved head, so the inspectors probably thought he was trying to pass as a soldier. In the end, we got caught and had to pay a $500 fine. On top of that, the barbershop owner was hesitant at first, but we somehow convinced him—and he ended up being super chill. Chaos, nerves, and laughter all wrapped into one—definitely unforgettable.
What’s next for Salon Sport
Next for Salon Sport, we’re expanding beyond Seoul and taking the concept global. While I’ll be spending more time in New York, the Seoul team will keep curating intimate sets, and we’re bringing in big-name artists alongside rising talent. We’re also planning to grow the collective with more DJs, live performances, and unexpected spaces—always turning everyday places into stages and showing that underground music can be just as exciting as the mainstream.
