“Gimme 25 pushups.” Coolie orders while Jennie widens her eyes and drops her jaw.

“Is he telling me to do 205?” V asks as he stands up.

“Twenty five.” Rap Monster lets out a chuckle.

V drops down and starts doing pushups but Coolio demonstrates how to do it the right way.

Jennie (He reminds me of my dad. My dad is really…he’s more serious than my mom.)
As V continues his punishment, Jennie looks on in shock and worry when he does one arm pushups.

“Okay, get up.” Coolio gestures as V stands up and sits back down in his seat.

“Don’t make me laugh with all that ‘turn up’ shit. You don’t even know what you’re talking about. Quit playing with me. So basically, ya’ll don’t know shit about hip-hop. We’re goin’ have some fun but not now. I’ma teach ya’ll about hip hop. I’ma teach ya’ll the hard way. This is not a game, I take this shit seriously. This is my life, man. If it weren’t for hip hop I’d be dead. I’d be in jail, I’d be in prison. This is not a joke to me. This is very serious, this is my life.”

After his speech, Coolio performs for them.

‘Thoughts on Coolio’s performance’
Jennie (He’s so good. I wish I was on his level. That was real rapping. Gangster’s Paradise was always a song I would hear when my dad was blasting his music. I always think he’s going to go deaf because you can hear the music from downstairs in the kitchen.)

After showing Coolio No More Dream, Coolio was impressed. “Overall, I think you guys are all right. Ya’ll are pretty polished. You look like ya’ll practice a lot.”

Jennie (That means a lot coming from someone like him)

“You can always be better. Always practice. Don’t overdo it and then get bored. Okay now I’ma put ya’ll in four groups.” Coolio puts Rapmon and V together, Jennie and J-Hope, Jimin and Jungkook, and Jin and Suga together.

Jennie watches as Coolio begins to ask each group questions about hip hop and meets his gaze when he turns to face her and J-Hope. “I’m gonna give you a pop quiz, right now.”

Gulping, she points to herself. “Me? Just me?”

“Yeah, just you. I want to know what you know about the history of hip hop.”

“Starting from where?”

“All the way from the beginning.”

“Old school Hip Hop…?” She murmurs.

“When was that?”

“It started around the 70s.”

“Early or late?”

“Early...?”

“No. Late 70s. Name someone who was a part of that.”

“Uh…I really don’t remember.”

“Afrika Bambaataa. Who is he?”

“I’ve heard of that name…uh…isn’t he a producer or something.”

“I don’t know, is he?”

“I believe so. He is a producer.”

“Correct. Next era.”

Jennie exhales and starts to think. “Golden age hip hop.”

“When was that?”

“80s?”

“Just the 80s?”

“No, sir. 80s to the 90s?”

“Late or early 90s?”

“Early…?”

“Is it?” He raises a brow, staring at her seriously. “Be confident in your answers.”

“Yes. Early 90s.” She says confidently.

Coolio nods. “Name some artists that was apart of the Golden Age.”

“Beastie Boys?” She asks and gets a nod. “Dr. Dre, Ice-T, Ice cube…MC Hammer, Salt-N-Pepa.”

Everyone but Rap Monster looks at her in confusion, wondering what was going on, while Rap Monster looks on, impressed.

Rap Monster (Jennie just really looks so happy to be back in America, talking about the music she grew up with. It’s fascinating to watch and she does look scared to be answering all these questions that Coolio is asking. I know she doesn’t want to get anything wrong.)

“Are you a rapper?” Coolio questions her.

“No sir, I’m not. But I’m interested.”

“How about you rap a song for me. I want to see how serious you are. Spit something.”

Jennie widens her eyes. “Right now?”

“Spit something.” He repeats. “Let me hear how you flow. What you need to work on.”

Jennie (Um….r-right now? Now? NOW?)

“O-okay.”

She thinks of a song decides to go with Queen Latifah’s Just Another Day.

“Just another day, living in the hood. Just another day around the way.” She sings in a smooth tone. “Feelin’ good today. Feelin’ lovely-yay. Just another day, living in the hood. Just another day, around the way. Feelin’ good today. I hear the gunshot, but I’m here to stay.”

Moving around, she starts to rap the song by heart. “Well it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. A beautiful day in the neighbor-hood. Can’t go wrong, I feel strong and the flavor’s good. I’m with whatever comes my way, hip-hop hooray. Latifah’s on vacation, I’m just plain old Dana today. I strap out, step out in every direction. Glock, TECs, Jimmy hats, in case I need protection.”

Coolio continued to study her every move while she tries to keep calm and continue rapping. “So I land cruise, pump sounds, play out wanna be’s. A kid in a M3’s getting jacked right In front of me. So I play the Tech close, my finger’s on the trigger. Don’t wanna get wet, so they step. Cause mine’s is slightly bigger. But better yet, I’m a threat, so you better walk. Or get sketched out in chalk, cause I don’t wanna talk. I stay true blue, I’m hoping it’s you too. I got the fever for the flavor of a Woo Woo. So it’s back to the block, time to play. It’s just another day around the way, hey!” She stops when he cuts her off.

Jennie (Did he like it…? Oh gosh, I hope I didn’t embarrass myself.)

Coolio just stares at her. His stare was intimidating. “You started off nervous. Don’t give me that nervousness. I don’t want to see that shit.” He points out, shaking his head as she nods at his words. “Even though you were nervous, you found your confidence and started moving around, feeling the song. It sounds like this isn’t your first time rapping, this song. I hear the potential.”

Hearing him say that made her smile. “You have a long way to go. You need to work on how you move your hands and your gestures when you rap. Show more personality. More attitude. Don’t act cute when you rap. Be more serious. Be real, don’t give me that fake swag bullshit, that I see from some rappers today. But you have potential. You look serious about this and you’re not fuckin’ around. Go for it.”

“Thank you. So much.” She sighs out of relief. “I’ll take your advice to heart.”

Jennie (I am so happy. I have a lot to learn but now I just need to ask someone to help me. I want to ask Suga. If I can just bring myself to ask him. I hope he says yes. I think it would be so cool to rap with the rap line one day. It’ll most likely not be anytime soon because learning how to rap takes a lot of time. It won’t happen overnight. Coolio said go for it, so I’m going to go for it.)

“Out of everyone here, it looks like this young lady has knowledge about hip hop. But if you all don’t know the answers, whoever get the answers wrong, punishment will be severe, I promise you. I dunno what it’s gonna be yet but I’ma think of somethin’.” Coolio points out.

‘BTS this is what I want you to do. I want you to go to your neighbors, in your respective groups, I want you to go to your neighbors, you’re going to rap for them. Okay? Whoever is the best, gets to go out to dinner with Coolio.’

---

‘The location of today’s mission is a lawless, bloody neighborhood’
‘A high crime rate area, Compton! There’s lots of accidents here, but don’t be too nervous.’
‘Can they safely carry out their mission today?’

Walking around the neighborhood, Jennie leads with J-Hope as they all walk around the neighborhood, trying to find a place. “This door is open!” V runs up to the door.

“Yah!”

“Tae! Don’t do that!” Jennie scolds, dragging him back. “You can’t go into someone’s house if it’s open like that.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

“Jennie, you lead.” Rap Monster suggests as she walks around.

For the first attempt, Rap Monster goes up to a door but the lady was having a class, so they continued to walk.

“I guess I’ll do it.” She finds a house and she knocks on the door to see an African American girl opening the door.

“Hello~” The guys say in English.

“Hi, I’m Jennie, these are my friends. We’re staying here in the neighborhood for a while and was wondering if we can have a little of your time to see us perform.”

“Performances?” The girl asks with interest.

“Yeah, we’re divided into four teams. And each of us is going to perform for you and you just have to pick the best one. And take our rice cake. Is that cool?”

“Woo~ Rice cake!” The girl says happily and Jennie lets out a laugh.

“Yes, girl.” She high fives her.

“In Korea, when we visit our neighbors, we give rice cakes.” Rap Monster explains.

“Thank you so much for doing this.” Jennie beams.

“No problem!” The girl replies.

Jennie (Rap Monster and I are the skilled ones in English. He’s studied English and English is my first language but he’s way more skilled than me in rapping. He’s my biggest threat for this competition. But I will try my best to try to rap some throwback songs, the best that I can, so J-Hope and I can win this. I managed to show J-Hope the dance of the song that we’re performing. So I think we’ll have a good time dancing together. Fingers crossed!)

First up was Jimin and Jungkook performing Rapper’s Delight by Sugar Hill. Next up was V and Rap Monster who perform Coolin’ by 2 Live Crew.

Next up was Jennie and J-Hope and they decided to perform Salt-N-Pepa’s Push It. J-Hope plays the instrumental of the song on his phone, while Jennie perform the song while dancing with him.

“Salt and Pepa's here, and we're in effect! Want you to push it, babe. Coolin' by day then at night working up a sweat. C'mon girls, let's go show the guys that we know. How to become number one in a hot party show! Now push it!”

And lastly was Jin and Suga who perform fight the power by Public Enemy.

After all the performances, it was time for the girl to make her decision.

“Just don’t forget, they forgot the lyrics.” Rap Monster call out, pointing to Jin and Suga.

“Wow~. Trash talker!” Jennie interrupts him.

“They used a song! But we came up with our own performance.” He points to Jennie and J-Hope, trying to make the girl choose his team.

“What? You got nothin’ on us. We slayed! You have to admit.”

“Yeah, we did very well!” J-Hope high fives her, sticking his tongue out at Rapmon.

“We did better.” Rap Monster claims. “We had more originality.”

Jen rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Whatever you say, RapMon…”

“You know I’m right!”

“Uh huh.”

“I can’t decide.” The girl says. “I think I need to see another act.”

Jennie (Another act…okay. What can really get this girl to choose us?)
“Drop a beat, please.” She glances at J-Hope as he starts beat boxing.

Jen clears her throat and looks at the girl with a smile as she starts singing a Beyonce song.

“It’s like I’ve been awakened…Every rule I had you break it~. It's the risk that I'm taking. I ain't never gonna shut you out. Everywhere I'm looking now. I'm surrounded by your embrace. Baby, I can see your halo.” She points to the girl as she starts smiling.

“You know you're my saving grace. You're everything I need and more.” She starts singing louder, with more soul. “It's written all over your face. Baby, I can feel your halo. Pray it won't fade away. I can feel your halo!”

Rap Monster (Show off...hahaha!)

“I want to…walk with you.” Jin says in broken English.

“You want to walk with me?” The girl grins.

“We’re going to let Jin hyung have a conversation with her and show her world peace.” Suga mentions.

“Why you’re too much.” J-Hope sighs.

The girl and Jin start walking around but then V, Jimin and Rap Monster interrupt their little date.

“Wow! Really? No privacy?” Jennie laughs.

Jin decides to sing to her Just One Day for the talent while Jimin and the rest of the guys try to interrupt.

“You’re so beautiful.” Suga blows a kiss, making everyone laugh at him.
When it was finally decision time, the girl decides to reveal Jennie and J-Hope as the winners.

“AHHHHH!” J-Hope yells in excitement, acting all giddy as he hugs the girl.

“YES! Oh my god, thank you!” Jennie jumps up and down while Rap Monster huffs and crosses his arms. “We did it, J-Hope!” She hugs him and jumps up and down.

Jennie (Beyonce always slays. We did it~ I couldn't have done it without J-Hope. I’m glad I could charm her with a beautiful song. And also, our awesome dance moves. We make a great team!)

After making two more stops, other people chose V and Rap Monster and then Jennie and J-Hope yet again.

‘First Mission: Hope and Jennie win!’
‘Now it’s scary teacher Coolio’s homework inspection time, right?’

---

As they get back to the dorm, they meet up with Coolio. “You guys rapped to your neighbors, what happened?” Coolio asks as they explain to him. “So, who won?”

Jennie and J-Hope raise their hands. “Why do you think you guys won? Do you think you have an advantage because one of you is fluent in English? And knows more American style than the others?”

“No, I don’t think that’s it.” Jennie answers. “I believe we won because we showed a lot of enthusiasm for it, we had fun with it. We almost forgot it was a competition, because of our love for performing. That’s what I believe. We showed a lot of things, I had nostalgia, J-Hope was feeling my vibes, we had chemistry.”

“Okay, sounds good. When you lose, you get consequences. There’s consequences when losing. I’m not tryna bail no loser out. When you lose I want you to suffer.” Coolio states. “So that you won’t lose next time.”

Jennie (Yeah…I’m very blessed that I was able to win with J-Hope.)

“What happened with the homework assignments I gave ya’ll?” He asks. “Winners go first. Do you remember the question I asked you?”

“You asked us, who is the World’s Most Dangerous Group.” Jennie mentions.

“And that is?”

“N.W.A.” Jennie and J-Hope answer. Coolio nods and high fives them for getting the answer right. Once the rest of them get their questions right, Coolio explains why he gave them those questions.

“Now the reason I asked you these four questions is because these are four things that were very important not only in Hip hop but very important in the music industry. Part of mission one was performing for your neighbors. I want to see it.”

After the three teams perform, Coolio watches Jennie and J-Hope’s performance intently.
“Ya’ll did a good job, I understand why you won. Strong energy. Ya’ll hungry?” He asks, taking
Jennie and J-Hope out to lunch while the rest of the members groan and stay back.

Jennie (Is this really happening? J-Hope and I are in the car with Coolio. Coolio. And we’re about to eat. Like how many people can say that they got to chill with Coolio? I’m very grateful.)

The car ride was fun, listening to his rap songs, and vibing with him. Once they arrive at the nice restaurant, she looks on in surprise. J-Hope and Jennie sit with Coolio. Jennie sits in front of him, drinking sparkling water with him.

“This is good as fuck!” She blurts out and covers her mouth for cursing. “Sorry!” She laughs while Coolio just waves it away. J-Hope giggles at her for cursing and looks at the card.

“There is an amazing, thing. American Hustle life Hip Hop School.” J-Hope reads the paper.

“Nice!”

“We’ll have to keep this forever when we go to Korea.”

Once a plate of steak was presented to Jennie, she sighs. “I really missed American food. And it’s steak! Thank you!”

“Did you live in the hood?” Coolio asks her.

“I haven’t. I was fortunate enough to live stably. My sisters are in college. I wanted to perform since I was younger and was in a group a few years ago. I’m happy where I am now. Being with BTS, it’s humbling. I would like to make my own music, one day.”

“What do you hope to accomplish as a performer?”

“As I’ve gotten older I’ve noticed that things aren’t like they used to. Especially in hip hop.”

“You can say that again.”

“I want to rap about things I love. And about female empowerment. Confidence, something that sends a positive message and is real. I feel like we live in a society where there’s an epidemic of women bringing down other women. An epidemic when it comes to bringing down one’s self esteem.” She genuinely answers.

“You gotta look a certain way. Oh, she’s too fat. She’s too skinny. She’s too tall, she’s too short. Where’s her boobs? She’s so flat chested.” She goes on. “She’s wearing too much make up. She’s not wearing enough make up. It’s sad and it’s heartbreaking. I want to send positive messages through music. That is one of my goals as a performer.”

Coolio nods at her words. “Sorry, I went on a full rant, haha.” She feels her face heat up.

After the dinner, they take a group photo with Coolio.

Jennie (Mom, dad, I met Coolio and had dinner with him! It’s lit!)

---

‘Next Morning’
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

The sound of Nate’s yelling, interrupts Jennie’s slumber. “Are you for real…” She groans, getting out of bed. She cringes when he yells again. And then another time while V goes into Tony’s room to get away from the noise.

“NATE!” She snaps, going into his room. She grabs a pillow and throws it at him. “We’re awake!”

“AHHHHHHHHHH!” He yells and shakes her, making her laugh.

Jennie (Ah...he’s so handsome in the morning.)

Suddenly, they hear V yelling as Jennie covers her ears. “Oh mah God!” She marches to where the yelling was coming from. She goes into Tony’s room to see V on his bed with the lights off. “BOY! If you don’t wake up! Let’s go!” She turns on the light.

“Five more minutes~” He whines.

“No.” She tries to drag him off the bed. After five failed attempts, she huffs and gives up, walking out of the room, while V grins victoriously.

Later on, everyone is sitting down and Coolio’s message appears.

“Okay, BTS. This is challenge two. You’re going to cook. I want you to create me a meal. I’m going to judge it. And the winner of challenge two, gets to go shopping with me!” He mentions.

Sitting on the couch, Jen and J-Hope discuss what they want to cook. “I can make chicken. Chicken is always good.” She offers.

“Ah...I want to do Korean food.”

“Ah...but chicken.”

“Korean food, please?”

Jennie (It is a bit difficult because J-Hope wants to create something Korean. But I want to make something America. So, what are we going to do? Make both? Would that mix? Ugh, I really wanna do American.)

‘Cookin’ with Hip Hop Mission evaluation start!’

Coolio walks in with two pans and smacks them together a couple times while Jennie and the guys sit at the table.

Jennie (That just reminded me of Tanisha from Bad Girl’s Club.)

“I asked you guys to express yourselves through cooking a meal because cooking is a serious form of expression.” Coolio mentions. “And it’s very artistic. I think that cooking and music and performing go head and head. It’s just the same thing to me. I made something too, so I’ll bring it in a little bit later. But first let’s see what ya’ll got.”

For Jennie’s and J-Hope’s presentation, they had on sunglasses and hoodies, dancing and nodding to the beat of Snoop Dogg’s Gin and Juice, creating chicken and Kimichi rice.

After they were all done, they sit back down while Coolio critiques them and gives them constructive criticism.

“Now first of all, just like performing, putting out a CD, puttin’ out a tape, puttin’ out an album, just like doing anything, everything is a presentation.” Coolio says while Jennie nods at his words. “Especially with food. Here’s the theory, if it looks good, it smells good, and it taste good, it IS good. That’s the first thing you gotta understand about preparing food. That’s the first thing you gotta understand about preparing a performance. It’s always the first thing when people taste your food and when people see you. It’s the visual. That’s when you make the ultimate mistake.”

“We should’ve put more of our attention on decorating the food.” Rap Monster says to the guys.

“Let’s start with the worst. You guys were fuckin’ terrible.” Coolio turns to V and Rap Monster while Jennie cringes at his harsh criticism.

“Yeah…sorry, sorry.” V murmurs

“How did you expect me to eat that? It was this fuckin’ tall.” Coolio mimics how tall the sandwich was. “You didn’t think it through. Who made the waffles. The waffles were terrible. The chicken was beautiful.”

His praise made Suga and Jin cheer loudly, earning a giggle from Jennie.

“Who made the chicken and rice?”

“We did.” Jennie answers.

“It was good. Very good. Well done.”

His words led to Jen high fiving J-Hope.

“You two made the stir fry? It that something you make at home? It was good. Your presentation was good, the food was good.” Coolio turns to Rap Monster. “I expect more from you, bro. I understand you gotta work with him.” He points to V. “And that leaves you at a
disadvantage.”

“He said you’re a burden to me.” Rap Monster translates as V starts to grin nervously. Coolio starts patting him hard on the back, making everyone laugh.

“You should feel honored!” J-Hope points out

“You’re going to be all right, though. We’re gonna get you right.” Coolio puts a hand on V’s shoulder.

Notes