GIJS

Chapter 157 Courtesy with Courtesy, Rudeness with Rudeness

"Pao Cai...?"

When encountering unfamiliar words, one immediately searches for and studies them. This is how a scholar adapts to modern society.

Initially, there were many things to learn, but with the help of smartphones, adaptation to this society gradually became possible. Of course, abbreviations and similar things were not easy, leading to some small accidents.

Learning new words always came with a sense of joy. Despite achieving high academic success at a young age, the scholar found modern times full of new things to learn. Anything new was welcome, even vulgarities were entertaining.

"Damn, damn!"

"Has he lost it? Why is he suddenly cursing?"

"Taewoong, this term is really interesting. Damn!"

"Stop using it! That's profanity!"

"It's always been like this. Vulgarities always have a certain charm!"

However, "Pao Cai" was different.

As the scholar searched for the word on his smartphone and read the open dictionary, his expression gradually hardened.

"So, that's what the word means."

The term itself referred to Chinese-style vegetable pickles, but to Koreans, it had a slightly different connotation. Pao Cai was one of the representative cultural items pushed by China.

In simple terms, China claimed Pao Cai was the "real kimchi." Using such a suggested word in a competition with two Korean teams essentially meant they were looking for a fight.

"What do you think, Gunja?"

"These kids must have failed to learn their lesson even after being hit once."

"True. I don't want to let it slide."

"Of course."

Crushing the paper with the suggested word, Gunja also clenched his teeth.

Before coming to Dynasty Castle, he recalled what Leon and Pael had said. Although it wasn't a national selection, they were essentially representatives of their country.

If they just laugh it off after this insult, it would not only tarnish their dignity but also disappoint their fans, and even all Korean idol fans.

Courtesy should be met with courtesy.

However, if someone is rude, isn't it right to teach them manners?

"It seems these kids have completely forgotten the teachings of Confucius and Mencius."

"Probably. They destroyed it all themselves."

"Yes, it seems that way."

Thus, "Pao Cai" became "Power Difference."

In line with the nature of the "Instant Mission," [Our Power Difference] started with a simple sketch. Unlike the first round, they did not use various instruments or attempt structural changes.

With a powerful 808 drum and a catchy hip-hop beat featuring a minor-key melody line from a synthesizer, the new song sketch took less than half a day to complete.

Thus, the remaining time allowed the members to focus on writing lyrics and conceptualizing outfits.

While 7IN had mostly worn Eastern-style costumes in previous stages, [Dynasty] marked the beginning of new costume experiments.

If they wore firefighter or prisoner jumpsuits in the first round, this time, they prepared an oversized white hoodie and wide-legged jeans for a hip-hop stage.

Despite this, they meticulously maintained their group's identity through details.

Among the seven members, Gunja, Yuchan, and Hyunsu wore white hanboks over their hoodies to give an Eastern atmosphere, while the other members wore Eastern-style large bracelets and earrings, and snapbacks with Four Gentlemen patterns.

Once the song preparation was complete, lyrics were finalized, and the outfit concept was set, the remaining time was spent on constant practice.

Investing all the remaining time in practice at the much-improved commoner's facilities, the stage quality was bound to improve.

While Teibo threw dirt at 7IN, 7IN had prepared to turn that dirt into a bomb to throw back at Teibo.

Although 7IN had been the last to perform last time, this time, they took the stage first. Despite being the most avoided, even Velocé hesitated, the members were unperturbed.

Doo-woong, Doo-woong—.

With the heavy synthesizer sound signaling the intro, the boys in large hoodies appeared on stage with free movements.

Their movements were directed toward Gunja in the center of the stage. Gunja, dressed in a white hoodie and a white hanbok, faced the audience with his hoodie turned backward.

Ziiing, Ziiing—!!

Seeing—.

With a higher-toned synthesizer sound, Gunja's deep voice reverberated across the stage.

At the same time, Gunja and the boys turned to face the front. The boys, except for Gunja, wore masks resembling the Fang Xiang Shi, warding off evil spirits.

Ziiing, Ziiing—!!

They don't know courtesy—.

Once again, Gunja's voice echoed with the synthesizer sound. This time, the six boys' limbs moved smoothly around Gunja, showcasing a hip-hop dance with clean, impactful moves. Though there was no group dance, the timing of the movements was as precise as a machine. The intro part, showing the results of intense practice, already had the judges' hearts racing.

Ziiing, Ziiing—!!

Malice will surely return—.

Yeah—!!

As the intro part ended, Gunja removed his hoodie. Simultaneously, the six Fang Xiang Shi masks fell off, revealing the seven boys to the audience.

Barking nonsense, Oh, China level, our power difference.

Blowing up the enemy, Oh, China level, your Pao-Cai-!

Taewoong's direct vocal style led the first hook. The lyrics, created under Taewoong's leadership, were straightforward and aggressive.

Kuuung, Kuuung—!!

Jumping on the 808 drum that thumped like a bomb, Taewoong fired aggressive lyrics at the Teibo members.

We rise, Oh, Next Level, without swords or armor.

Unaware of the subject, Oh! China reality, this is power difference-!

Within 30 seconds of the competition starting, the stage's heat soared. Thanks to the clear diction, everyone understood the lyrics.

"Wow, wow, this seems like a diss track—!!"

"Crazy, but so cool—!!"

Wooooo—!!

The audience's reaction was explosive. The mood in the Korean audience had been the worst since seeing the suggested word "Pao Cai." However, 7IN did not falter or back down. Their choice was to smash rudeness head-on with a frontal assault.

Even the judges exchanged surprised looks. PD Kim Seok-hoon looked as if he hadn't expected 7IN to prepare such a song.

"What is this, why is it so lovable—!!"

Next on stage was 7IN's main rapper and producer, Ji Hyun-su.

Fake Gucci, Fake Prada, now even Fake kimchi.

But honestly, thanks Pao-Chai, fake is proof of luxury.

Even as the verse started, the intensity of the lyrics did not decrease. Teibo, who had expected a lackluster performance, could only grit their teeth watching the energetic and engaging stage.

"What are those guys saying!"

Amid the chaos, the Korean interpreter missed not a single word of the lyrics.

"... This, this is insane..."

Listening to the interpreter's crisp translation, Teibo members' faces turned as red as Guan Yu's.

But You can't take the original, creating another dark history.

But you can't make the original, you're my laugh bell.

But You can't take the original, creating another dark history.

But you can't make the original, you're my laugh bell.

In the final part of the verse, Ji Hyun-su, Cha In-hyuk, and Gi Yu-chan combined their voices. After their simple group dance, Hyun-su and Siwoo took the lead with raw, vivid lyrics.

Shopping in a minefield, the source of my anger,

Thanks to Taobao & Ali.

Hanfu is inferiority, Hanfu's sound,

But will that resolve the grudge?

Hyun-su prepared a powerful rap with no singing, while Siwoo followed with harsh lyrics devoid of any smiles.

Inferiority is a disease, mimicry addiction is a chronic illness.

Proud mental illness, cultural appropriation is a plague.

Fighting all kinds of ailments, yet becoming a hypocrite,

Where has the way of the world gone?

The level of the lyrics continued to rise. The audience was almost ready to jump onto the stage, but 7IN members kept leading the stage without a single mistake.

Barking nonsense, Oh, China level, our power difference.

Blowing up the enemy, Oh, China level, your Pao-Cai-!

We rise, Oh, Next Level, without swords or armor.

Unaware of the subject, Oh! China reality, this is power difference-!

By now, it was the third chorus. Gunja, who had been energetically performing on stage, was also heating up.

Looking at the distant Chinese audience, their expressions were a sight to see. Gunja's slight smile only deepened their frowns.

Indeed, how much better it would have been if they had maintained etiquette from the start.

Gunja, who had thought he had no interest in attacking others, felt even more excited seeing Teibo members lost for words. Originally, he had planned to finish the last verse in the center of the stage, but his body instinctively turned toward the audience.

Kuuung, Kuuung—.

An unexpected movement, but the members, without a hint of panic, gathered around Gunja with the Fang Xiang Shi masks. This too was the result of extensive practice.

The six members, excluding Gunja, donned the Fang Xiang Shi masks.

Ziiiiiing—.

The beat shifted to a minimalistic style as Gunja's verse began.

Tried to treat courtesy with courtesy, but

When there is no courtesy, there is no solution.

Burning the teachings of Confucius and Mencius,

Learning rudeness in the land of rudeness.

Where has the way of the world gone,

Where has the etiquette of Song Ming gone.

Where has the brilliant history gone,

Where has the righteous heart gone.

Mencius said human nature is good,

Yet Mencius's descendants have become a counterexample.

Xunzi said human nature is evil,

Yet Xunzi's descendants have proven it.

Courtesy with courtesy, rudeness with rudeness.

Courtesy with courtesy, rudeness with rudeness!

Each line, each word, was a sharp strike breaking the bones of the Teibo members.

By the time the verse ended, Pi Hou-kam's eyes were almost filled with tears.

After Gunja's verse was perfectly delivered, the members jumped up and down on stage for the final hook.

Barking nonsense, Oh, China level, our power difference.

Blowing up the enemy, Oh, China level, your Pao-Cai-!

We rise, Oh, Next Level, without swords or armor.

Unaware of the subject, Oh! China reality, this is power difference-!

The audience had now become one with fans from China, Japan, and the US.