Fifteen years after facing one of the most painful controversies of his life, Tablo of Epik High has returned to Stanford University, the place that once symbolized both his academic success and the heart of a national scandal. This time, the visit was filled with banter, nostalgia, and a sense of healing, as his bandmates DJ Tukutz and Mithra Jin stood by his side.
In a video posted to Epik High’s official YouTube channel on Aug. 7, the trio marked their milestone of surpassing one million subscribers by visiting YouTube’s headquarters to receive their Gold Play Button. On their way back to their accommodation, Tukutz and Mithra Jin suggested an impromptu detour — to the very campus where Tablo earned his degree.
For Tablo, Stanford holds deep significance. In 2010, he became the target of an online group called “We Demand the Truth from Tablo”, whose members claimed he had fabricated his academic credentials. The accusations sparked one of South Korea’s largest and most infamous cases of cyberbullying. At the height of the controversy, Tablo appeared on MBC Special, traveling to Stanford to confirm his records in person. Even then, he expressed the emotional toll of the ordeal, saying, “It’s not that they can’t believe me, it’s that they won’t.”
Fast-forward to 2025: Tukutz and Mithra Jin decided to revisit what they jokingly called “a historical site.” In a playful nod to the past, Tukutz brought along the same style of black beanie and hoodie that Tablo had worn during the televised segment 15 years earlier. Caught off guard, Tablo laughed, saying, “I really went here, you know,” before ultimately giving in to the lighthearted re-enactment.
Standing in front of the campus, Tablo repeated the pose from that original scene — but this time, instead of a somber, tearful face, he wore a bright smile. “I’m already healed,” he declared. Still, his eyes glistened as the moment stirred old emotions. Tukutz, watching with genuine relief, told him, “Now I feel completely at ease.”
The scene was more than a parody. It was a symbolic act of reclaiming a painful memory, shared among friends who had endured those years together. By turning that chapter into a moment of levity, they shifted the weight of the past into something far lighter.
In fact, Tukutz had foreshadowed the plan during his appearance on MBC’s ‘Hangout With Yoo’, saying, “We should go see Stanford in person — it’s a part of history.” He also remarked, “After 15 years, even the saddest pain can be turned into comedy.” True to his words, what once brought only sorrow was now met with smiles and laughter.
Though Tablo is known to fans for his wit and charisma on stage and online, moments like these reveal the deeper, more introspective side of the artist. On this day, when he proclaimed himself “fully recovered,” the mixture of laughter and tears suggested a genuine moment of closure. For Epik High, it was not just a skit for their viewers, but a testament to enduring friendship — and a reminder that time, trust, and shared history can transform even the heaviest scars into something lighter, even joyful.
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