“Produce 101” Jang Moonbok Was Outcast At School After Appearing On Audition Programs

Jang Moonbok made a huge impact when he first appeared on Produce 101. With his long hair and preceding “Hip-hop President” title, he swiftly became a household name.

Behind that, however, he suffered for close to 12 years. On a recent episode of Marching Grandma (literal translation), he shared that he had been looked down upon for 12 years. When he was 16 years old, he appeared on the audition program Superstar K2.

Jang Moonbok on Marching Grandma. | Channel S

Although he had bravely taken up the challenge, his mistake on stage made him the laughingstock of his class. What made things worse was that his 16-year-old self had proclaimed himself as the “Hip-Hop President“.

Because of the Hip-Hop President image, I was looked down upon for 12 years. What should I do so that I won’t be looked down upon anymore? After that show, when I went to school, as soon as I appeared, there was silence. I thought, “they don’t even treat me as a human.” They even called my mom anonymously and cursed at her. I ws only 16 then, but it seems like my image on the show was that of a pushover.

— Jang Moonbok

While Moonbok found friends and acceptance later on Produce 101 in 2017, looks like the pain stayed with him for years.