Balance

It’s no surprise to anyone that life is hard. This was something that I was told very early on. My father told me that no matter how settled I get in my ways, this world is going to find a way to keep me balanced. And it took me a very long time to understand what he meant by that.

These past few years have personally been so hard for me. I reached new lows I never knew existed. But ironically, these past few years have been some of the best years of my life. And why is it like that? Why is it a constant battle? Why is it a push and pull? Why is it a give and take? That’s life I guess.

“That’s life.” A phrase that gets used all the time but it’s never really understood. That’s life is something you’re told when you need consolation. When things didn’t go your way. It’s what people tell you when you are defeated. It’s what you hear when you lost hope. For some, people reach this point and they give up. They stop fighting for what they want because they don’t see the point. They’ve lost sight and feel crushed by the defeat. Surround themselves with it. But if you forget the drive, if you lose the fight, then what do you have? What are you really living for? If everything goes your way and you get everything you want, then where’s the balance? When do you get to appreciate? When do you get to love? How do you get to cherish? Why are you alive?

Balance.

Some people will never understand it. It pains me to know that some can’t see a reason to smile. Some only concentrate on the negatives. They long for a life of perfection that isn’t coming. If I’ve learned anything from these past few years its that our time on this earth is precious. So I will continue to keep my head up and I will continue to push on. I won’t give up the fight.

I wear this unwavering smile because I have to. I smile because I know that I am living my life to its fullest potential. I smile because I am very lucky. I smile at the give, I smile at the take. I smile because despite what I’ve been through, I know I am not the only one. And above all I smile because I am still here..

[120831] ADV Cyworld Club - JJK's Give & Take (feat. Zico) Behind Story

ADV Cyworld Club - JJK’s update

It was so far in the past that I don’t even remember how I received this track.

I was really surprised when ORGN/MRDN had me listen to it.

I was determined to make it a part of my album, and after a long time it is finally being released.

It is structured in a way that the track would definitely become boring if I continued on my own, so even before writing the first verse I started worrying about who will be featured.

When I first pictured it I thought, “What if Dok2 and Reflow participated with me?” 

But I didn’t properly request them to do it.

(Reflow who is close by only featured as an ADV rapper.)

I felt strongly about Jay Moon also and I even had Ugly Duck in mind.

But I didn’t request for any of them.

If any of the rappers mentioned above participated they would have definitely written a quality rap.

But I thought, ‘If I choose this member then wouldn’t it be a sufficiently expected range?’

I needed someone.

An artist who will be an unexpected combination and at the same time know how to show purpose that is supported by solid skills, and know how to interpret and emotionally understand the greatness of this song.

While searching for that kind of artist,

Through an acquaintance, I came to hear Zico’s mixtape.

I was convinced that he is an artist who fulfills all of the above conditions.

I had never seen his face, and of course I didn’t have his contact information,

Or even have the personal connections to receive his contact information.

I thought that it would be that much of a fresh combination then.

Now the problem was how I would get in contact with him.

There was a show by Independent Record lead by Vasco hyung.

It was a show I was going to anyway, and with good timing Zico was a guest there.

I thought that if I didn’t ask that day there wouldn’t be any other day when I would be able to naturally meet him.

If I do this and that then get his number and call him and set up a meeting.. that’s awkward.

That’s how I first met him at the V-Hall waiting room and we exchanged greetings.

Without any awkwardness, luckily Zico knew about me too.

Right after the greeting I proposed the featuring.

Zico accepted without hesitating.

(Luckily the company didn’t restrict underground activities at that time.)

I was surprised because he was unexpectedly good at freestyle too.

The video from that time is going around within fans.

By the time I received the second verse by Zico, I had already recorded the first verse and refrain.

Different from what I had imagined, it was very fast and elaborate.

I felt the speed of the song rapidly increase in the second verse.

While watching him record in the ADV studio, I decided to totally revise the plans for the third verse.

Because Zico made the rap so well, I thought that the song would lag if I just went with what was planned.

So the third verse was written differently from the initial concept and the track was completed.

After recording the third verse there were two instances when the source got erased.

Because of that I had to record the third verse twice more and I really thought I was going to puke.

Most likely many of Zico’s fans will see this,

So for you guys if I tell a story about Zico,

Zico is a really mischievous kid.

He maintained a bright and light mood throughout the entire recording,

But when recording he has clear standards and he never overlooks a detail.

I was surprised at how unexpectedly tall he is.

Before [The Arrival] even got released,

Zico’s fans found the registered title through the Copyright Association and found out that Zico will be participating in my album.

And after seeing “Give & Take” on Youtube right after being released, thus spreading it worldwide,

I felt that “Zico really is a celebrity”.

Source: ADV Cyworld Club

Translated By: youngha@blockbintl.com