Boy George Compares Performing Culture Club’s Signature Hit ‘Karma Chameleon’ to ‘Diarrhea Through a Wet Sock’

Boy George, the British pop star, recently made a surprising comparison while reflecting on his performance of Culture Club’s iconic song “Karma Chameleon.” During his appearance on the new Apple TV+ series ‘KPOPPED,’ where he sang the 1983 hit alongside K-pop group STAYC, Boy George equated performing the song to “diarrhea through a wet sock.”

In a candid interview with The New York Post, Boy George shared his reservations about singing “Karma Chameleon,” the track that catapulted Culture Club to international fame. Despite its popularity, Boy George expressed his reluctance towards the song, admitting that it wasn’t his preferred choice. “When they first picked that song, I said, ‘Oh absolutely not,'” he disclosed, shedding light on his initial hesitance.

Acknowledging that the song is often the “obvious choice” from his repertoire, Boy George revealed his lack of enthusiasm for performing it. “I wasn’t exactly excited by doing ‘Karma Chameleon.’ It was just, ‘Oh f— off, that again,'” he confessed. This sentiment was echoed when discussing his first reaction to the idea with Apple, where he adamantly declared, “I’m not doing this.”

Describing the experience of singing ‘Karma Chameleon’ as akin to “diarrhea through a wet sock,” Boy George didn’t hold back in expressing his lack of excitement. He elaborated, “It’s about as exciting as nothing I can explain.” Despite his initial reservations, Boy George eventually embraced the opportunity, drawn in by the prospect of embarking on an adventure to South Korea with the production.

Reflecting on his time filming in Seoul for ‘KPOPPED,’ Boy George revealed that the experience turned out to be more fulfilling than he anticipated. “It was actually the adventure of going there in the end. I just loved it,” he expressed, highlighting the joy he found in the journey. The upbeat track ‘Karma Chameleon’ appeared on Culture Club’s 1983 album Colour by Numbers and achieved chart-topping success in numerous countries.

The premiere of ‘KPOPPED’ on August 29 introduced a platform for cultural exchange, with western icons collaborating with K-pop stars to reimagine their biggest hits. Executive producers Lionel Richie and Megan Thee Stallion spoke to PEOPLE about their involvement in the show, emphasising the importance of embracing surprises and cultural diversity in the music industry.

Lionel Richie, reflecting on the collaboration, voiced his enthusiasm for embracing new experiences that challenge conventional norms. He shared, “I like surprises. I like things that make people go, ‘What the hell? What is that all about?'” In discussing the essence of cultural exchange, Richie highlighted the significance of ventures like ‘KPOPPED.’

Megan Thee Stallion, who eagerly embraced the opportunity to collaborate on the show, expressed her passion for learning and exploring new horizons. She shared her excitement for the project, emphasising the blend of work and pleasure that made the experience feel like a vacation. Megan’s openness to cultural immersion mirrored the show’s ethos of fostering creativity and mutual appreciation across borders.

In a world where music transcends boundaries, ‘KPOPPED’ serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and artistic exchange. The show’s ability to unite artists from different backgrounds in a shared musical journey underscores the transformative impact of music in fostering connections and celebrating diversity. As Boy George continues to navigate his musical legacy, his reflections on ‘Karma Chameleon’ offer a glimpse into the complexities of artistic identity and the enduring allure of creative expression.