[Note: This series originally started as a project on Reddit. You can find an explanation of what Bible Study is all about here.]
Welcome back to Part 2 of Mingi's page! Today, we will be taking a sentence from Mingi's page and contemplating it deeply by journaling about it for ten minutes with our sacred writing practice.
04: sacred practice
Bobby: I do not have statistics to back this up, but it does seem that any time Ateez performs somewhere for people who are not primarily Atinys, they end up trending on real time searches
GD: I have noticed that too. It's possible that happens to all groups and we just don't see it because of our own timelines
But it's still nice
Bobby: Perhaps, but it does illustrate the importance of performing at various types of festivals and whatever
GD: I have gone ahead and gotten us a line.. but then... what are we even on today?
Is it writing?
Bobby: Though, the toxic part of my brain is like "you've done everything you can possibly do to gain the gp's favor, what more do they want from you?"
Yes, we are writing
GD: And we do still get a line for that
So we're good
Our randomly chosen line is 10, which is "Look at the sea."
Bobby: Ah. Well.
GD: See you in ten
[Ten minutes later]
GD: My thoughts aren't thoughting today
Bobby: Same
I'm skimming the surface but can't dive deep on anything
Look at those water metaphors
Bobby's Sacred Writing Practice:
Look at the sea.
It does remind me of that famous quote by a famous author whose name I should absolutely remember who said something about how the cure for all ills is salt water–either tears, sweat or the sea.
The sea also symbolizes possibility and maybe even the unknown. I’m having a thought about how it also mirrors the sky. And we get our guidance (navigation) from celestial bodies so it feels there’s something there just beyond my mental capacity today.
The sea is also about travel. They are currently traveling on a boat (whose boat is it?) to the guardian island. I think that links back to possibility. For Mingi to look out at the sea is for him to open his eyes to this new world full of new possibilities with these (relatively) new friends.
The sea also contains hidden depths. There’s so much more to it than what we see on the surface–which feels particularly true about Mingi.
There is, of course, the pirate connection.
There is something both comforting and overwhelming about the sea. When I go to the beach, the ocean makes me feel very small and sometimes insignificant. But at the same time, it feels reassuring that something so big and vast can exist. And can–maybe not remain unchanged, because we know sea levels are rising–but can continue existing no matter what happens. Mountains can be leveled if we so choose, but there’s no getting rid of the sea.
And so what I think Mingi needs here is certainty. Something he can rely on. He’s already had it, he just didn’t realize it until this moment.
GD: The sea really is such a good metaphor for Mingi the character and person.
He's not really a what you see is what you get sort of person. There's so much hidden underneath the surface, and just vast and unexpected amounts of depth
Bobby: It's frustrating that he was labeled early on as a sort of lovable idiot
GD: The trouble with kpop stans and culture is that they want people to be only one thing, and they want them to be that thing all the time
Bobby: Was just thinking that
GD: Mingi can be a lovable idiot, and he can be a deep poetic thinker. He can and is both, depending on the day, his mood, the subject.
Which is true of all people because people are multifaceted
But there is often not room for discussions of real humanity as it relates to idols
Bobby: It's like with people being upset when idols claim Michael Jackson or Chris Brown as role models. A person can be a terrible human but also a great, inspiring musician
GD: I think about the death of the author theory a lot
Which I think applies here. I don't really subscribe to all of the death of the author theory. Like you can't completely divorce a person from their artistic work. But it's more nuanced for me than just 'they were a bad person, so anything they did is bad and terrible and I will not look at it'
And when I'm looking at an author's work, I really hate considering things like authorial intent in fiction pieces specifically, but I think the same would be true for music or paintings
Like it's one thing to consider the author's intent and purpose in a nonfiction essay with a thesis trying to prove something, but often when I'm considering art, I always just feel like 'well who cares what the author intended'
Bobby: I feel like I can care about both things simultaneously
I think it's fascinating to try to tease out an author's intent in a story--it's like solving a mystery. But at the same time, it's not more important than the meaning that I derive from the story on my own. Because my interpretation will be colored by my own experiences the same way the author's intent is colored by theirs. And it's interesting to uncover those tiny mysteries
I do think that authorial intent is so much more important to consider in the realm of non fiction and criticism
GD: Building the meaning of a story is, I think, a conversation between creator and observer
I don't know how I got here. This has nothing to do with the sea
Bobby: The sea is vast
GD: Right right. Let me share mine.
GD's Sacred Writing Practice:
I was actually thinking about this line earlier when I read through it the first time. I remember Wooyoung once joking that they were pirates who had never been to the sea, but obviously the sea is so closely tied up to their imagery and their lore. Pirate, sea, Wave. Even turbulence mentions waves.
But I think the imagery of the sea works really well with the story they’re telling. The sea can be both scary and full of possibilities, dangerous and lucrative. The line makes me think of Moana–the sea calling her to it. Wanting to know what lies beyond the known. And she does struggle when she goes to the sea, and her parents were right, it is dangerous. But look at what all she found.
I am, in my heart, a beach baby. I’d always rather go to the beach than the mountains. Partially that is because I hate being cold more than anything in the world, but I do think there is a freedom to the ocean. A vast expanse. There isn’t a set path you follow at sea–you have to forge your own path. Which, in light of the comeback spoiler that came out today, (‘follow your will’) it feels like a very apt metaphor. Go where you want to go, do the things you want to do.
I guess in some ways the same things that make the sea beautiful are also the things that make it so dangerous? Because you don’t have a set path, you don’t know what obstacles you will encounter, and making your own path is always harder. It just takes so much more effort. And it sort of reminds me of everything in life. Is there anything in life worth doing that doesn’t require a little bit of risk? I feel like I want to discuss art, but I am also tired and having trouble connecting my thoughts there. I guess I’m thinking about the actual members choosing to follow a career in the arts. It was a risk, but look at all they’ve gained.
Bobby: It's hard to focus when your world is topsy turvy [Editor's note: the comeback had literally been announced a couple of hours before we sat down to do this.]
I'm just thinking how deeply, deeply hilarious it would have been for Ateez to have finally had a full pirate comeback
I think that everything really worth doing involves risk
GD: I agree
The difference between surviving and living
Bobby: Yes
I would argue that, as a very solid introvert, there are many different ways to live and not all of them involve traveling the world and jumping out of helicopters
GD: I can't imagine anything worse than jumping out of a helicopter. But, you know, it was a risk when I quit my job a couple of years ago to write full time. And it is a risk that has not yet produced a reward, but I still think it was worth doing.
Bobby: I do feel that we are constantly sold the same ideal as really "living".
I don't know if that made sense
GD: It does. It made me think of what I said to you yesterday after I posted that reel on Instagram. I sure hope it looks like I was having the Most Fun and the Best Life. Because I sure was miserable and uncomfortable
Sort of the idea that the perfect life can be curated into social media moments
Meanwhile, I would've been just as happy, if not happier, staying at home and watching a movie
Bobby: You know--I've said about a thousand times that I'm very much an introvert--but when I look back over the things I've dragged myself out of the house to do, most of the time, I don't regret doing the thing
GD: I suppose for me part of whether I've enjoyed the thing I dragged myself to depends on why I didn't want to go in the first place. Like, am I not going to this event because I'm an introvert and I think it will be uncomfortable and I don't want to put myself in this situation? Or am I not going because it wasn't something I wanted to do in the first place?
I guess I'm saying the only time I think being an introvert is a problem is if it's preventing you from doing a thing you really want to do
Bobby: Yes, I agree. And I'm thinking of things that I want to do (or maybe want to have done) but am scared or nervous about.
GD: Right
I'm stupidly thinking about how I can't bring myself to post about our blog on social media because I worry I'll do it wrong and 'ruin' our chance. As if we have only one chance. And there's a way to do it wrong
Bobby: Post the wrong blog would probably be a wrong way
But seems an unlikely error
GD: Well I'll take a nap first. That is the type of error I could make while tired
Bobby: I have fully and completely lost the plot
GD: Perhaps we should attempt some takeaways and connections
Bobby: I feel like I owe Mingi an apology
GD: Well, we did pretty okay on his actual post. It's once we got into trying to go deeper on it that our tired brains stood in the way
Bobby: Pretty okay will have to be good enough
05: connections and takeaways (previously mental murder board)
GD: Any takeaways and connections?
Be Free Girl continues to be ever present, like some sort of god of the series
you can really just bring everything back to her
Bobby: She's not really here, but she is here
GD: Did I tell you that one of my friends named her? And made her into a dnd character?
Bobby: No, but she's Be Free Girl in my heart and that will never change
GD: Bulnoriya
I can't remember what the dnd character was like, but it was fun
I guess what I'm saying is she offers powerful imagery that a lot of people pick up on
Bobby: Feels like she should have been bard-adjacent
GD: Possibly. Definitely a charisma based character
Any other takeaways and connections or should we close it out?
I did have Geoff get me that donut which means I'm now having a terrible sugar crash
Bobby: I'm just thinking about how I really appreciate the quiet entries. The first one describing the warehouse, Yeo's letter, and now Mingi's moment at sea.
I think it ties back into the diaries having more depth than they're credited with. Which is also something we've said about Mingi
GD: That this story with all this world building and sci-fi stuff is truly at it's best when it's introspective and quiet says a lot about what the actual story is about
06: closing
GD: Do we choose the hymn first?
Bobby: Yes
No. Prayer
No hymn?
Idk
GD: Let's do the prayer
My prayer for Mingi is that he savors these moments of connection and continues to find more beauty in the world
Bobby: Perhaps this is echoing my sentiments about Ateez in general, but I need Mingi to have an unquestionable Win
GD: A good prayer
I have two songs to offer up for our hymn
Wave and Treasure
Bobby: Treasure I know is taken. Well, the Smoothing Harmonies is. We can still do original
GD: One day they will all be taken and what then
Bobby: Not if Ateez gives us a full album
GD: Halazia. Is my prayer
Not my song choice
I realized that could be confusing
Bobby: I thought you'd just packed it up and skipped to the end
Wave is free
GD: I like Wave because Mingi calls the dancing silly, but he loves it anyways
And sort of reminds me of hakuna matata ya
Bobby: Wave it is
GD: Song of the summer, just in time for fall
Who will be your patron saint this week?
Bobby: You know, I never picked a new one last week
GD: I didn't realize
Bobby: I had thought to pick Hongjoong because I felt I needed to exert strong leadership to make it through the week
But honestly, I think Yunho did very well. And if you think about it, people don't really fight Yunho. If Yunho says a thing, they tend to go along with it. He doesn't really exert himself all that much? (is exert the word I want?) But I think the members pay attention when he speaks. You know what I mean?
GD: Yunho is the dance leader, isn't he? So he's also a leader. But I agree--he has that vibe where you will listen if he tells you to do a thing.
Bobby: But anyways, it's Jongho week. So there is no one for me but him. Also, I need some steadfastness
Power would be good too
GD: It is Jongho week
I thought I would stick with Yeosang until I'm done with my baddie dance classes
But perhaps I too need Jongho this week because I think I'll be upset on his birthday when there isn't a birthday live, which I assume there won't be, but I don't know that for sure
Bobby: I don't expect a live. He seems to be fully on break [Editor’s Note: I have never been more pleased to have been wrong.] But who knows. Maybe he'll give us a present
GD: I'm hoping they at least drop some old pictures for us.
You know his birthday is his favorite day. So anyways, I will need Jongho's strength to get me through
Bobby: Is he back in the dorm? Did he ever leave?
GD: Unclear.. Seonghwa said he was taking vocal lessons along with his exercises, and vocal lessons implies he's still coming to the KQ building at least. He did go to his parents for the holidays. He said he was with his family over the holidays
Bobby: Well, I guess we'll see what happens. If he misses it, he'll definitely do something later
GD: Yes, I'm sure. It will be a big and happy day when he comes back
I will celebrate more than anyone
Except for maybe you
Bobby: I still feel we need a plan
GD: Possibly
I just don't know what to do
Shall we do our prayer and close out bible study so we can think other Thoughts and also I can take a nap and then think Better thoughts
Bobby: Rosary time?
GD: 8 makes
Bobby: 1 team
GD: Be the light
Bobby: Halazia
GD: Beautiful
Bobby: We made it
Choppy seas today
GD: As is often the case
Thank you for joining us as we navigating a bible study on a post comeback teaser high. We will be back next week to discuss Wooyoung's page. Happy Sunday, and happy comeback season!
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