Outsider: The Fast-Rapping Reptile Advocate

In 2005, American rapper Ricky Brown set a world record for the fastest rap, delivering 723 syllables in 51.27 seconds. However, in 2016, South Korean rapper Outsider (아웃사이더), aged 42, shattered that record on a TV variety show, rapping the lyrics of his hit song '외톨이' in just 50.26 seconds. This moment showcased why Koreans are often considered the most impatient people in the world.

When asked if he was listed in the Guinness Book of Records, he replied, "It can't be recognized because the lyrics aren't in English."

In January, Outsider took the stage again, this time at the National Science Museum, where he delivered a lecture on reptiles. "This year is the Year of the Blue Snake. I covered everything from the origin of snakes to their physical characteristics and ecological conditions. The students found it particularly interesting," he explained. For instance, he has been raising an Aldabra giant tortoise for 25 years, which can live over 200 years, grow to 120 cm in shell length, and weigh over 300 kg.

"It's a slow animal, but it suits my personality," he said, emphasizing its uniqueness.

His business card reads 'Director of RAP Academy,' but it’s not a typical rap school. "It has a double meaning. It stands for Reptile, Amphibia, and Plant. We’ve been operating a space for observation, learning, and even certification exams since last year," he clarified. Located in Goyang, this facility houses 200 reptiles of 60 different species. While feeding the tortoises bok choy, he remarked, "In a world where everything is easy to raise, more pets are dying because of it." He is also an ambassador for the Korean Amphibian and Reptile Association and became a full-time professor in the Special Animal Major at Seoul Hoseo College three years ago.

When asked what special animals are, he explained, "Animals are broadly categorized into three groups: livestock, pets, and the rest. The rest are special animals, which include reptiles. They are the outsiders of the animal kingdom. The market is changing; at our school, 60% of applicants are for the special animal major, whereas it used to be mostly dog training and grooming students. There are about three reptile fairs held nationwide each month, and rare specimens can cost millions. What used to be considered creepy and strange is becoming trendy. The pet food market for these animals is projected to reach 200 trillion won by 2031."

Outsider also organizes reptile fairs. "In 2019, we held the 'World Reptile Festa' at COEX, the first biological exhibition there. It was a risk, as a mass escape could have caused chaos, but we saw potential in hosting it in a central location. We continued the fair at the National Gwacheon Science Museum, attracting over 100,000 visitors. This weekend, we will also hold an event at BEXCO in Busan."

For those unfamiliar with Outsider, he is known for his rapid-fire lyrics, famously stating, "I ride the beat differently and faster than anyone else." Since debuting in 2004, he has achieved significant success with hits like '외톨이,' '주변인,' and '슬피 우는 새,' topping various music charts. His trademark is speed combined with precise pronunciation, as demonstrated in a commercial where he recited the names of 110 countries in 45 seconds.

His passion for reptiles began with his first pet, a turtle. "I loved the animated series 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.' In elementary school, I kept a water turtle and later bought a leopard tortoise in middle school. The Cheonggyecheon market had everything from sea turtles to crocodiles, but I didn’t know how to care for them. I found old English books in second-hand bookstores and studied them with my father. As an adult, I would share sliced cucumbers and carrots with my turtles. Have you ever watched a turtle for a long time?"

When asked if he had, he replied, "No. When I got home from work, I would find my turtle in the living room, moving so slowly and quietly. Yet, it would do everything—yawning, passing gas, and stretching its limbs. An hour or two would pass quickly. I realized that while I had to be fast to survive, I could also adjust my pace of life."

Outsider, whose real name is Shin Ok-cheol, truly embodies the outsider persona. As a child, he was nicknamed 'Siot' because he struggled with the pronunciation of the letter 'S.' He faced bullying and isolation, spending hours practicing pronunciation with a dictionary. In high school, he aspired to be a journalist but ended up enrolling in an English program at a vocational college after failing the college entrance exam. His college life was far from joyful.

"Did you become a voluntary outsider?" he was asked.

"I made excuses to save money and study. I only ate sandwiches and cola. I would often go to the rooftop of the main building to listen to music and peek down at the campus. Surprisingly, I found that life outside the center was quite enjoyable. I could see the scenery better from the outside. Even if I couldn't write articles, I could write lyrics."

He transformed his loneliness and the solitude of those around him into music. His love for Black music and participation in high school competitions helped him develop his speed. He dropped out of college the following year and began performing as a rapper in Hongdae clubs, producing a mini-album and distributing it to agencies. "Not a single agency wanted to sign me. They said I was fast but a bit awkward. In short, they thought I was just rambling."

When asked how he improved, he said, "I read every visible word aloud. I practiced pronouncing everything quickly and accurately, from newspaper editorials to subway maps and restaurant menus. I also studied classic literature like '운수 좋은 날' while adjusting my tone. I lost 25 kg because I thought I couldn't be fast if I was overweight."

In 2006, he released his single album 'Speed Star,' recorded in a makeshift studio in his basement. The track '연인과의 거리' gained popularity and was even included in karaoke machines. Major agencies began reaching out to him, and he was signed by rapper MC Sniper, whom he admired. His first album was released the following year, and he was on fire.

"Was that the birth of a star?" he was asked.

"No, I was still working a night shift at a convenience store."

Unlike many hip-hop artists who flaunt material wealth, Outsider's music reflects his struggles and determination to overcome them, which is why he has become a prominent speaker at youth talk concerts. He serves as an ambassador for the Youth Violence Prevention Foundation and has even lectured to educational officials. "After serving in the military, I was invited to give a talk at my alma mater, Konkuk University High School. It went well, leading to invitations from other schools. I've been doing this for 13 years now, and last year alone, I held 250 sessions."

"The title of your lecture was 'Apashow,' right?" he was asked.

"I create music based on my deficiencies. I start by sharing my story, encouraging them to open up as well. When I rap, they still sing along. It’s a way to create a connection. I enjoy feeling the audience's reactions. I’ve read a lot, so I have plenty of material to use in my lectures."

When asked about the audience's reactions, he said, "Sometimes they ask, 'Do you know what you and reptiles have in common?' I respond, 'They don’t talk.' But I keep talking. I think that’s the role of an adult."

He recalled a student from around 2014 whose teacher had reached out to him. "There was a student who had been injured and was struggling to adapt after returning to school. I met him, and he shared how difficult it was to make friends. He had attempted to jump off a building but survived. He was still struggling and thought about trying again. But then he heard a faint song playing somewhere. 'Is there anyone to heal my wounds? If I leave it alone, it will keep getting worse... Always a fool carrying the sadness of being alone.'"

"Those are the lyrics to '외톨이,'" he noted.

"He was so shocked to find out that the song had once topped the charts. He realized he wasn't the only one suffering. That moment changed the weight of my words. I realized I could have an impact, even if I’m not a huge figure. I need to speak more carefully and sincerely."

The song has a hidden backstory. Shortly after releasing his first album, he was living the life of a celebrity. "I would boast to my friends about sharing a waiting room with BIGBANG or being friends with Girls' Generation. I pretended to be doing well, but in reality, I was struggling. I worked a night shift at a 7-Eleven near Konkuk University from 10 PM to 9 AM, earning 2,700 won per hour. I looked flashy on the outside, but inside, I was on the verge of falling apart."

"Did it eventually fall apart?" he was asked.

"Like a scene from a drama, I ran into my then-girlfriend at the convenience store around midnight. I was so flustered that I stammered, and we broke up. The next morning, I received a text message ending the relationship because it was embarrassing."

A few days later, he set off on a solo journey across the country. "I needed to clear my head. I traveled for 98 days, cycling over 10 hours each day. On the tenth day, I was riding on a national road, and it felt like there was no exit in sight. It was dark, cold, scary, and painful. I hitchhiked for the first time, but no cars stopped. So, I threw my bike and myself onto the road. Suddenly, a truck pulled over. Do you know what my first words were?"

"What were they?" he was asked.

"Please save me... The truck driver picked me up and dropped me off in front of a small supermarket, buying me boiled eggs and milk. He patted my back. I cried. At that moment, I decided that if I was struggling, I should ask for help. I shouldn’t hide it. Someone would extend a hand, and I could get back up. That’s how I wrote the lyrics to '외톨이.'"

Everyone experiences a moment when they feel pushed to the outer edges of their life. For him, that moment came in 2020. After a prolonged hiatus due to conflicts with his agency and legal disputes, he opened a kids' café in Ilsan while raising his only daughter. The café was a massive 500-pyeong space, complete with a turtle-raising area. "Then COVID hit. I was losing 100 million won each month due to rent and salaries. All performances stopped, and I went through a divorce. I had to let all my staff go and managed the vast café alone for the last four months. I’m generally optimistic, but one day, I found myself hanging over the railing on the second floor of the café."

"That must have been tough," he was asked.

"I pulled myself up and saw my tortoise. I’m not making this up; my Aldabra giant tortoise was shedding tears. It happens when the humidity is low. I knew it wasn’t crying out of sadness, but in front of that big creature, I broke down. I thought, 'I still need to feed them...'

"I started rapping again. I had to do something. I even started a personal YouTube channel. Creating helped boost my self-esteem."

Around that time, a young rookie rapper released a diss track mocking Outsider as a 'has-been.' Hip-hop is a genre that often favors youth, and being in your mid-thirties can make you feel old. Outsider responded by uploading his first-ever diss track titled 'Old Dog' on YouTube.

"What does that mean?" he was asked.

"Honestly, I’m an older rapper. While my speed may have decreased, there’s wisdom that comes with experience. Even if I seem past my prime, I can still take you down. I usually don’t read comments, but this time I read them all, trembling. Most were supportive, showing that I’m still alive."

In February, he released his 20th-anniversary album 'Historia.' In the title track, he declares, "I don’t want to force myself into a group. Don’t try to fit in or deceive yourself to belong to our group." He noted, "It’s been ten years since I released my fourth studio album. I compiled all the songs I had been holding onto into this fifth album. I felt I couldn’t move forward without organizing this. It’s a kind of shedding, like a reptile shedding its skin to be reborn. I’ve earned a lot and lost a lot. I had 2.1 billion won in debt, but now I have 160 million left."

Outsider's journey continues to expand into Outsider Art. It’s a form of art that is powerful even if it’s not mainstream. Recently, he held a 'Reptile Art Exhibition' in Seogyo-dong, showcasing paintings and sculptures inspired by lizards and crocodiles, as well as vivariums designed to resemble their habitats. "There are quite a few specialized artists in Korea. I plan to gather and consistently introduce them," he said, showing off a traditional Korean painting he created featuring a dragon. "This genre was created by common people without professional training. It’s Outsider Art. The dragon is also a type of reptile."

"You’re always an outsider," he was told.

"In other words, it’s a challenge to the mainstream from the margins."