As the K-pop phenomenon continues to sweep across the globe, the New York Times has highlighted a South Korean music group that defies the typical conventions of K-pop.

On January 30, The New York Times published an article featuring the musical group Balming Tiger, a South Korean band that diverges from the stereotypical image associated with K-pop.

Balming Tiger is a group consisting of 11 members - rappers Omega Sapien and Mudd the Student, singer-songwriter Sogumm, DJ wnjn, DJ Abyss, Unsinkable, director San Yawn, music video directors Jan'Qui and Leesuho, and editor Henson.

The group gained attention in 2022 when they released "Sexy Nukim" featuring BTS's RM. The group was able to claim the top spot on Billboard's 'World Digital Song Chart' with that track.

The New York Times introduced the group, stating, "Their music, a fusion of diverse genres from electro to hip-hop, is funky and edgy. Their look, unkempt and grungy, is far from the professional styling of the groups that most of the world associates with K-pop."

Despite deviating from the typical image of K-pop artists, Omega Sapien told the New York Times that, "they claim that label, too. K-pop is any music that comes out of South Korea. Everything in that realm is K-pop." Except they don't identify as idols.

Chanhee, a vocalist working with the group, explained to the New York Times, "Even if we wanted to be like idols, we can’t." Sogumm added, "It’s our imperfections that actually make us more attractive," highlighting their unique free-spirited traits. She added, "I want people to see us and think ‘K-pop is cool,’ not just in the frame of being pretty and handsome, but being something that appeals to a diverse audience."

Meanwhile, following the release of their first full-length album, 'January Never Dies,' in October of last year, Balming Tiger embarked on a world tour, covering Europe as well as Asia and the Americas until the end of the year.