Baseline Bikers ride, party to help sex crime victims

Two women are riding from Seoul to Busan and hosting DJ parties on the way to raise money for an organization that provides English-language help for victims of sexual assault in Korea.

Thato Mokobane and Katlego Nakedi departed Seoul on Saturday and plan to hold their final party in Busan in aid of Seoul Survivor Services, which provides counseling, legal and medical advice to victims and their families and friends.

The two, who call themselves the Baseline Bikers, will be staying on friends’ couches and at jjimjilbang, riding in the morning to avoid the summer heat. They will be joined by friends for part of the ride and will hold fund-raising DJ events in Gumi and Busan, in addition to two already held in Seoul.

Mokobane has a friend who helped set up SSS, but was also encouraged to raise money for the organization after a friend was attacked after a night out in Itaewon.

“A man followed, grabbed and tried to pull her into a dark alley in full view of the public who didn’t help her,” she said. “Luckily she managed to get away unharmed.”

“I asked why she hadn’t immediately contacted the police. She told me it was because the last thing she wanted, after the shock of that ordeal, was to have to speak to someone who may not understand what she was saying due to language barriers,” she said.

“I feel that this type of service is becoming increasingly necessary as the population of English speaking expats continues to grow.” But Mokobane also said that she was intending to have a good time doing it.

“I get to combine two of my favorite activities ― long distance biking and DJing ― with philanthropy. I get to do what I love and help an organization I believe in, all at the same time,” she said.

“I feel as though I’m getting the best part of this deal.”

The first two parties were held at Dojo Lounge in Noksapyeong on June 27 and Aug. 2. Mokobane, who also goes by the name of DJ Little T, raised more than 800,000 won.

The next event will be at Corona Bar in Gumi on Wednesday, where they will raise money with donations from the owner and patrons and from games such as beer pong and darts and pool tournaments.

The Baseline Bikers plan to join another event on Saturday, at house club Almost Famous in Kyungsung University area on Aug. 17.

Mokobane is on the list of DJs and there will be donation jars around the club for collections. The event will also donate 6 percent of the bar profits toward SSS.

For more information, visit the “Baseline Bikers Seoul to Busan Charity Challenge” Facebook page.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)