I posted this on YouTube in the comment section of BANK TWO BROTHERS dance performance. I want to leave it here as well.
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I am going to post a long a** essay haha.
It's midnight, I was relaxing after my daily dose of studying, unable to sleep, I suddenly wanted to see SMF related videos, particularly of BANKTWOBROTHERS. As I delved into it, watching and enjoying many choreo and battle videos, two hours have unknowingly passed by.
As this is a personal essay, I'm going to start off talking about myself.
As a fan of SWF, I have always been aware of SMF. A few days ago, I watched the programme where SWF members introduced the crews taking part in SMF, and for some reasons I didn't quite understand myself, I found BANKTWOBROTHERS to be very charming and I knew next to nothing about them at that point. My heart simply leaned towards them despite the fact that I'm far more familiar with many dancers in other crews.
My way of private and quiet support suddenly took a turn as some things happened which were quite unpleasant. I saw misdirected anger, some prejudice and biased assessment. I personally believe many people acted on a fair sense of protection for the naming controversy. While for the dance performance rating, the public has the absolute rights to choose based on their preference and personal liking. In that case, everything is running well and fair. That though made me decide, I need to do something more, I need to let these people know for sure that they are loved and supported.
I made an mnet plus account just to be able to vote, I use all my social media accounts, including those intended only for family and friends to spread information and encourage more people to see their performance and vote for them.
I even use a side Instagram account that has always been private and acts as my comfort zone in this messy online world to post a story showing my support, not that it matters, but I'm quite surprised at myself and my willingness to go that far for these guys. I am determined to make them see the outpouring support for them and not being discouraged by the number of views comparison. Not to mention, how they responded to my instastory absolutely made my day so I'm with them all the way now.
Regarding the show and what many predict to be the result, I trust these guys to find their way out of emergency circumstances. If the eliminations are decided by freestyle battle, I can rest assured they'll be fine, they're monster battlers. They will be okay, I'm certain of that, and at the same time, I will still go to great lengths to show my support. I take supporting them very personally now haha.
Ahhh I can't believe I'm not sleeping right now and typing this word after word instead despite being in a very taxing period in life.
I have a very important exam that will hugely shape my future in 10 days and here I am being emotional for something that has nothing to do with my upcoming exam. But, I realise, being inspired by passion and effort, seeing people who genuinely love their crafts trying their best to achieve their goals and dreams through that and become the best version of themselves is actually not meaningless at all, I believe the emotional investment won't go in vain. I am enjoying this experience of being inspired by pure passion as well as effort that goes to lengths. I'm enjoying being a fan of the great dancers in BANKTWOBROTHERS.
My heart breaks everytime I think of them being discouraged due to lots of bad publicity regarding the shortened version of their name and the mob flocking their personal pages, also how their style of dancing is not familiar to many people and thus not that well received by the general public.
I understand why it happens. Perfect synchronisation is becoming almost synonymous now with good performance and sharp and fast movements are what draw attention the most at least for casual viewers so them doing performance while sticking to their original 'loose' style will surely take time to get public recognition. It does take time after all for people to digest what's unfamiliar to them.
I want to applaud BANKTWOBROTHERS for doing thing their way and I hope as the show unfolds, they will be able to find their way to navigate how to do things in the best way possible. They are starting moderately and hopefully fly higher and higher for the rest of the show or even after the show ends.
On the brighter side of things, as I've said above, they are beasts when it comes to freestyle. I have watched many battle videos of the members and they put me at ease.
I understand J-Roc is one of the OGs in Korean hip hop dance scene. He's been around for quite a long time, and having seen many of his battles, he's indeed remarkable, the way he dances is just amazing, loose and tight at the same time, big movement with outstanding care of details, clearly visible even to the eyes of a casual viewer. I'm sure he'll do great as the leader.
Gof is an absolute sweetheart, the sweet little gestures he makes to his battle opponent and people around him in a battle never fail to make me smile, people can watch his battle videos to see what I mean. I have always loved watching dance but I can't dance to save my life, but even so, I'm amazed when seeing his dancing, which can only mean one thing, Gof possesses excellent showmanship, beside his remarkable technicality of course.
Busybe is another great battler from the team, he's very fun to watch, the way he moves and the flow of his movement are very satisfying to see. And from the way he responds to a stranger's post of support (mine) I can safely conclude he's a sweetheart. I can always stay behind a skilled person with kind heart. Take all my support oh you kind talented people haha.
The other members I'm sure are amazing as well, I just cannot say much for now because I haven't got to watch many videos of them dancing. Overall, them as team I am sure will do great.
I hope by some way, they get to read this, and many kind words of support and encouragement from other people as well. I just want them to know that their efforts are appreciated, their two released performances on SMF are thoroughly enjoyed, their dancings are outstanding, and myself as well as many others I believe are looking forward to see more of them, be it their dancing, their performances, and just them as individuals .
Well, this is longer than I initially predicted haha, I hope this doesn't come off as weird, I swear I only want to leave good words to cheer them up. I admit I do have the tendency to root for the underdog and take the 'rooting' very seriously haha.
I'm a big fan of seeing big talents getting proper recognition, especially those who since long have been working tirelessly underground, to think of them finally getting a very deserving place under the brightest spotlight makes me very emotional already.
Supporting these guys and the rest of the crews has been kinda like an oasis for me, the exciting beat and rhythm to my very mundane day, consisting only of working hard and studying even harder. Maybe that's why all of this feels very personal to me. These guys mean a lot to me, and I really mean, A LOT.
So dear BANKTWOBROTHERS, grow your and wings and fly high, may you reach the highest cloud. Dance your way, I hope you find the perfect way to please public's expectation without having to compromise the root of your chosen style. In the meantime, take care of yourselves physically and emotionally, I believe everything will turn out in the most beautiful way.
멋진 무대를 통해 아름다운 열정과 춤에 대한 진정한 사랑을 보여주셔서 감사합니다, 진심으로 응원합니다.
BANKTWOBROTHERS, 화이팅!!!
p.s. I said 'essay' as a joke because as I started typing I could feel it's gonna be long, but this length is still quite surprising haha