"518-062" is a song by his hip crew D-town which was produced by BTS's Suga. Back at the time of the song's release before his debut, he was known by the name "Gloss." The song was made to remember the Gwangju Uprising, which took place in 1980 from May 18 to May 27.

The nation's democratization movements, which had been shut down under the tenure of president Park, were starting to uprise again, and student unions led demonstrations for reform, including democratization, human rights, freedom of the press, and an end to martial law. These movements led Chun Doo-hwan, South Korea's Army major general, to extend martial law to the whole nation, banned political activities, and tried to silence the press. On the same day, many were arrested on the charges of instigating demonstrations.

Everything led to students gathering at the gate of Chonnam National University in the morning of May 18, which resulted in soldiers, paratroopers, and police attacking both protestors and onlookers. With the death of innocent citizens and the increasing violence against them, the number of protesters rapidly increased, and the Army opened fire on protestors and anyone who was present at the scene. The conflict continued until protesters forced the Army to retreat from the downtown area on May 21. In response, the authorities blocked all routes and communications in and out of Gwangju. On May 27, Army managed to get back control of the city.

The official number of casualties wasn't announced, but hundreds of civilians were killed, tortured, and went missing during those days, and hundreds were arrested later. Among those, seven received death sentences, and twelve received life sentences.

More than a decade later, Democracy finally returned to South Korea. In 1996, Chun Doo-hwan was found guilty of treason and murder, and in 1997 a National Cemetery was built for the victims.

The Gwangju Uprising had a profound impact on South Korean politics, history, and later movements and has become a symbol of South Koreans' struggle against authoritarian regimes and for democracy.

It is said at that time, the Army did not even spare the lives of children, and newly released pictures showed the martial law army laughing as innocent citizens were being brutalized.

 

The song "518-062" was produced by Yoongi and D-town leader Naksyeon rapped on it. The name of the song is a combination of two parts:

1) "5.18," which is the date of the Gwangju Uprising.

2) "062" is Gwangju’s area code.

And the lyrics ask everyone to once again remember this movement and never let it be forgotten.

The song was made for a festival in Gwangju in May 2010, but it was eliminated.

Yoongi posted a self-made video on Pann and explained about the song:

"I applied to the composition song festival ‘Cheong’ in Gwangju in May, but my song was mercilessly dropped in the first preliminary round.ㅠㅠ

I was reluctant to just throw it away, so I’m posting it here in the Nate Video section.

Naksyeon hyung-nim, the leader of the hip-hop crew D-TOWN that is active in Daegu, did the rapping.

D-TOWN’s producer Gloss produced this song, 518-062.

The meaning of 518-062 is the combined words of the Gwangju area code, 062, and 518 from 5.18, the date on which the Pro-Democracy Movement occurred.

five-one-eight from the o to the six two; in other words, the meaning is the rise of the 5.18 movement in Gwangju"

This song was made to ruminate once again about the 5.18 Pro-Democracy Movement that is gradually becoming forgotten in our memories.
You might have thought of a postal code if you read the numbers 518-062.

(If you didn’t, I’m sorry)
I made the words thinking about a postal code.
I hope this song 518-062 becomes a postal code and conveys a message to many people that says, ‘I won’t forget the 5.18 Pro-Democracy Movement.
Daegu Hip Hop Crew D-TOWN’s address http://club.cyworld.com/clubV1... though there aren’t many things to see, please come visit a lot!!"




Here you can watch the video with English subtitle:

The movie "Taxi driver" is also a real-life story of a Taxi driver who unintentionally became involved in the events of the Gwangju Uprising. "The Attorney" and "May 18" are other acclaimed movies that portrayed those days on the screen.