The moment was surreal for Block M. Still settling into their new lives at Stax Entertainment, they received a personal invite from none other than Mitsunari himself. The message was simple but powerful: "I have one song left for my debut album. It's called Survivor. I want Block M to be a part of it."
When the members gathered in Studio One a sleek, dim-lit recording space at Stax HQ, they were buzzing with excitement. Jeren, still riding the wave of his unexpected rise, looked around at his fellow members, heart racing. This wasn't just a feature, this was history.
Mitsunari entered with Tao by his side, both smiling. "You've made it this far because you didn't give up," Mitsunari said. "I want this last track to reflect that. To reflect you." He gestured to the control board. "We've titled it 'Survivor.' And this song it's yours just as much as it is mine."
He pressed play.
The speakers erupted with a pulsing beat that was intense yet bright, energetic but hopeful. The bass rumbled like a heartbeat, and a string of vocals introduced the theme: survival, struggle, rebirth. Then came the beat drop that's clean, impactful, and filled with layers of synth and live instruments.
Block M's jaws dropped. It sounded like an anthem. A song made for stadiums, made for stories like theirs. It wasn't heavy with sadness aa it pulsed with defiance and belief.
As they listened, Mitsunari narrated gently, "The first verse is mine. The second and third are yours. I want two of you to take those. The rest of you will come in on the final hook with me. That final moment? That's our declaration."
Johnny whispered under his breath, "This… is crazy."
Donghun tapped his fingers on his leg, already thinking through possible flows for his verse. He glanced at Suho, who looked just as eager. Mark looked overwhelmed, but in the best way.
When the track finished, Tao turned off the speakers. "This isn't just a feature. It's Mitsunari's closing statement on his debut album. And he chose you."
Jeren, still the leader by heart, stepped forward. "Thank you. From all of us. We won't let you down."
Mitsunari grinned. "I know you won't. You've already proved it."
They spent the next hour listening to the instrumental again and again. The beat became familiar, almost like a pulse, syncing with their breath. Josh and Issac took turns freestyling quietly, testing out cadences.
Jun, their producer, stood quietly in the back, nodding along. He could already imagine how this would sound and how Block M's energy would blend with Mitsunari's tone.
The two verses were open to any members who felt ready to take them. After a quick discussion, Donghun and Mark volunteered. "Let me start verse two," Donghun said. "My lyrics are already forming."
Mark raised his hand too. "I've been saving something. This is the perfect place to use it."
Mitsunari nodded in approval. "Perfect. Let's hear what you've got."
Over the next few hours, the lyrics took shape. Donghun's verse was grounded, poetic. He rapped about self-doubt, betrayal, and rising above expectations. "Even shadows cast by the past still dance in my flame," he wrote.
Mark's verse followed with speed and bite. His rhythm was sharp and confident. "They told me I'd break, now I'm breaking ceilings," he rapped. It was bold, defiant and pure catharsis.
The rest of Block M huddled around with Mitsunari as they crafted the final hook. It was meant to sound like a choir of survivors with a layered chant, melodic and full of power.
Tao listened from the control booth, eyes closed. He could hear the message clearly: "We made it. We're still here. We're not done."
When recording began, Donghun entered first. His voice was calm, composed and measured with emotion. The room stayed quiet, hanging on every word.
Then Mark took over. The energy shifted. He exploded onto the mic, bouncing with every syllable. By the time his verse ended, half the room was applauding.
The hook recording was an event in itself. All nine members of Block M stepped into the booth together with Mitsunari. They recorded in layers with group chants, harmonies, solo moments, and one line that they all shouted together.
The final lyric of the hook: "We're not the lucky ones; we're the fighters who stayed."
When they listened back to the full draft of "Survivor," everyone was silent for a long moment. Then, Jeren broke the silence. "This song… feels like who we are."
Tao nodded. "It is who you are."
Mitsunari sat beside them, quietly emotional. "This was the ending I needed. Not just for my album. But to show where we're all going. Together."
They didn't just contribute verses and hooks as they etched their legacy into the song. "Survivor" wasn't just a track anymore. It was a movement, an acknowledgment of everyone who didn't give up when they had every reason to.
And as the final beats of "Survivor" echoed in the studio, the message was clear: Block M had arrived, and they were here to stay.