#also let’s not act like violent retaliation hasn’t been the most effective way to tear down oppressive governments structures

[chryblossomjjk]

interesting how most of the people dropping moral think pieces on the lack of humanity following the attempted assassination of trump haven’t said a single fucking word about the current genocides happening…

[moonbokrk]

Date: 14th June 2019 Location: Seoul Arts High School, Jogno-gu Song used: Octagon by Outsider ft 2TAK, Kuan, Tymee and Bewhy (01:45-02:45) tw: mentions of religion

                                                ~Strongest Skill - RAPPING~

Much to his annoyance, Moonbok has run into the same problem as he did last year, getting his rap audition to meet the 1 minute time goal. Oftentimes, raps in songs sound much longer but when you look at the duration they’re, at most, about 45 seconds. And Moonbok doesn’t want to do anything to risk his chances of making it past the first round.

At least this year, he’d been researching raps far more thoroughly instead of sticking to his favourite artists and panicking because of the length and content. And while he had eventually chosen a song penned by Outsider, it wasn’t his idol’s part he’d chosen to audition with, but Tymee and Bewhy’s raps instead. Like with Cheetah’s Coma 07 from the year before, the lyrics had stood out to him, and he hopes he’s be able to better hold his nerve this time around.

“Jang Moonbok.”

Upon hearing his name, Moonbok calls out an acknowledgment and stands from his seat, pocketing his phone and swapping nods with the other rappers who were sitting around waiting. Once again, he finds himself in a room facing a panel of judges Though this time the intimidation was not there, which meant he had no reason to put on a show of fake bravado for the cameras. Instead, it with an easy smile that he bows to the judges and introduces himself.

“Good morning, my name is Jang Moonbok. Today I’ll be performing Outsiders’ Octagon, specifically Tymee and Bewhy’s raps. I hope you’ll enjoy.”

Once he’s given a nod, he hands over his phone to allow it to be connected to the sound system in the room. Admittedly, he could have performed without a backing track, but Moonbok finds it easier to rap alongside music. It helps him keep in time, not letting him rush ahead or slow down too much. Bouncing on his heels a little, he lets out a breath, his expression fading from a smile into a more determined one.

He won’t make a show of himself like he did last year.

From the second the music begins, he’s off. This is a far faster paced song than Coma 07 or Before the Dawn and Moonbok is glad to show off the fact that he can rap quickly without turning into the verbal equivalent of a keysmash.

Ready, go The fool* is scared to death (expletive edited for audition) Slapping me on my back when I turn around, If you tackle me, I can probably knock you down Looking like a hobo who lost everything Acting like as if you got so much power

There is one reason why he never retaliates to Jiwon’s tormenting of him, besides the vain hope that the other will just get bored because of a lack of reaction from him. It’s because Moonbok knows that, if he truly wanted to, he could beat Jiwon’s ass from one end of the SNU’s music department to the other. He was a graduate from the military, he knows how to handle himself in a violent confrontation, while Jiwon hadn’t even made the moves to be enlisted yet. But Moonbok will never fight back, he won’t sink to the other’s level.

Soul of lies, you said you're calm? Ain't got no swag in reality You've got a long way to go, look at him surrendering already You lost this game the moment you were born

Instead, he hopes this particular segment is shown on television, that Jiwon sees it and realizes that Moonbok might endure his insults and punches, but he’s no longer cowed by him anymore. That he’s not that shy nerdy senior who cried his eyes out on national television at least three times.

This is his warning.

There's no such thing as win-win at the top of this ring Little kid rubbing his chest Hey loser, if you can't go crazy like me, hit the GG and get the heck out of here Before I smack-down you, I won't give up I'll give you a piece of advice, so listen up

Moonbok's not going to lie, he's not sure how much he's matured since his elimination last year. He'd thought he'd come a long way, but Chaewon and Yena's criticisms of his self-written rap had brought him back to earth with a bang. And while he still believed in the words he'd written; they were born from the trauma and guilt he still carried with him, Moonbok can appreciate why Yena said the thing she'd said about it, why Chaewon had laughed her ass off when she'd seen the title.

Moonbok wishes he could go back in time to the year before, to confront his younger self and shake some sense into him. To tell him it's alright to be nervous and uncertain, that acting like he's debut ready is a recipe for disaster. But he can't. All he can do is try to learn from it. And as much as it had hurt, he wouldn't be the person he is today had he not gone through it all. And it's the memories of that time that push him on, even though he's second guessed himself so much, even when he'd half considered not showing up to the auditions at all.

Last year, he'd wanted to prove he was the best, prove to his parents that he was right in pursuing his dream. Now he just wants to prove to himself that despite his flaws, he's still worthy of standing on a stage, even if it doesn't lead to the outcome he wants. It's still this fact that he has trouble accepting, but hopefully someday, he'll come to terms with it.

It's pretty obvious who's the winner between us two, who is next Cut it out already if you don't want to die

He’s not the same Moonbok from last year. He won’t let his insecurities plague him, nor will he let himself be carried away by delusions of grandeur.

I'm J to the M V O K* (Edited to replace bewhy’s name) My weight on the top of this track is completely different from yours So heavy, I am sexy S.T You're running from your life when you see me, return of the David This will be a nightmare for a Goliath like you who only cares about his physique Failure is forever yours

It feels a little conceited to use his stage name in play of bewhy's, but as far as Moonbok is concerned, he's not on the other rapper's level yet, not even close. So he doesn't dare try to use bewhy's name. And as much as he doesn't want to think it, this also feels like a diss against him, reminding him that he's still not the rapper he wants to be. But unlike last year, where he'd been so absorbed in Cheetah's similar lyrics that he'd almost became overwhelmed, it only strengthens Moonbok's resolve to push himself harder. Because surely, one day, he'll be in a place to deserve to write raps praising himself and his growth.

Failure might be forever his right now, but only if he lets himself believe in those words and gives into the pressure from his uncle and walks away. As long as he keeps trying, keeps writing, keeps going to auditions, he'll surely succeed one day. And his uncle will have failed in his efforts to control the image he had of their family name.

He's definitely not sexy though, he's always be a failure in that regard, no matter what some netizens and others might say. In fact, at that particular line, Moonbok fees himself flush and hopes his expression is as serious and as calm as when he started. Him, all of 160cm and a baby face, sexy?! Dream on.

I don't have such thing as a coach, just my god and my way Only the lord will act as my director The residents of I-town have started partying already even though the game hasn't started yet That's because my victory is obvious

Moonbok is not one to be obnoxious about his religion, believing it's not his place to pester people about it one way or the other. But he won't deny that role it's played in his life, or how much it means to him. His faith has been a source of comfort through the hard times, given him inspiration when he needed it and it's been a stepping stone for the start of his musical journey thanks to his church's choir.

He prays now even as he raps that God will give him the strength and courage he needs. That He'll watch over Moonbok and guide him to his destiny, no matter what path it takes. That by the end of his time on the MGAs, no matter how long it may be, that Moonbok will have given his family and friends a reason to celebrate his growth.

The audience you called, the judge inside and outside of the octagon are all your side But, don't play so nasty like that No need to state the obvious, I'm the champion

Once again, he knows that he's at the mercy of the judges and netizens, and of Mnet who'll probably use their evil editing to his disadvantage again. The memories of him being compared to Hojung based on their looks alone, of the focus Mnet had given to his breakdown in the training room and the errors he made on stage make him burn with the injustice of it all. He knows it's effecting him, he can hear it in the way his voice changed to become louder and more forceful as he comes to the end of the rap. But he's not crying this time, not letting his emotions control him. No, he's channeling them into his performance, letting everyone know that even if Mnet play nasty once more and even if he's ripped to shreds by the judges again, he'll become a champion.

The music fades and Moonbok takes a deep breath in, throat dry and suddenly desperate for a bottle of water. But he feels content that how his audition has gone, he kept control of himself this time, there's no tears in his eyes, his breathlessness is not from the emotional overload. Just a feeling that, hopefully, he's proved himself. His serious expression once more fades into a smile and he bows to the judges before him again.

"Thank you for listening to me. I hope you liked my performance."

When he gets the signal to be dismissed, Moonbok heads back into the corridor and slumps a little in the seat he'd been occupying beforehand, gulping down his water as fast as he could without choking. Moonbok watches the next auditionee enter the room before he gets back to his feet and heads towards the interview venue.

[Word Count without lyrics, 1,516] Translation credit: x Hangul lyrics: x