Latest news with #Bumsup
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lee Jung says dance is her 'source of life'
Star dancer and choreographer reflects on Bumsup's defeat on 'World of Street Woman Fighter' K-pop continues to dominate the global stage — not just through its chart-topping idol groups, but also thanks to the choreographers and creative minds behind the scenes who are now gaining long-overdue recognition. Among them is one of the hottest names in the game: Lee Jung, the 26-year-old star choreographer who recently appeared in Mnet's dance survival competition "World of Street Woman Fighter," the third installment of the hit competition franchise "Street Woman Fighter" (2023). The series aired its finale Tuesday, concluding with a showdown between dance crews representing countries around the world. Japan's Osaka Ojo Gang ultimately took the crown, beating out five other teams: South Korea's Bumsup, the United States' Motiv, Japan's RHTokyo, New Zealand's Royal Family and Australia's AG Squad. Though the nine-episode series pulled in modest TV ratings — averaging around 1 percent viewership — it became a sensation online. Across platforms such as YouTube and social media, the show dominated digital conversation, topping the non-drama rankings from Good Data Corporation's Fundex for the first three weeks of June. The rankings are based on an analysis of program-related information and netizen responses generated from sources including news articles and social media. The homeground team, Bumsup, was made up of some memorable dancers from the show's breakout first season, including Lee Jung, Aiki, No:ze and Honey J. On July 15, fans were stunned when it failed to make it past the semifinals and missed out on the finals. It was an emotional moment for Lee, who rose to stardom following her breakout appearance on 'Street Woman Fighter' two years ago and has choreographed some of K-pop's most iconic routines, including Twice's 'Fancy' and 'Feel Special,' as well as Blackpink's 'Pink Venom' and 'Shut Down.' After Bumsup's elimination, Lee sobbed on camera, a moment of sincerity that resonated with fans. Speaking at an interview in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Thursday, she reflected on the defeat. 'Since there are so few chances to perform live on stage, I thought this would be a rare opportunity to express my gratitude for all the support I've received, but I was really upset because I felt like I missed that chance,' she said. Lee, who began dancing professionally in 2014, credited "Street Woman Fighter" for helping bring dance into the cultural mainstream. 'In the past, dance was something shared and loved only by those who pursued it professionally. But now, even people who don't do it as a job genuinely love dance. That's what has really changed. These days, people are curious about who choreographed a routine, and they're interested in what someone like me, Lee Jung, will do next. That shift is incredible.' Lee's path to the stage began humbly: What started as a talent show gig for school eventually became her life's calling. For Lee, over time, dance evolved into something far more personal. 'Dance makes me incredibly happy. And what meaning is there in a life without happiness?' she asked. '(Dance) is not just an art form, genre or profession — it's a source of life itself and a form of salvation.' With "World of Street Woman Fighter" now wrapped, Lee is turning her attention to larger-scale, more varied creative ventures. One standout project was her role in choreographing the Netflix animated global hit "KPop Demon Hunters," marking another major step in her international career. Reflecting on the film, which had been in development for three years before its release in June, Lee shared her excitement about how the medium of animation shattered traditional limitations for dancers. "I was so excited when they told me, from a technical standpoint, 'Huntrix has no physical limitations.' They said, 'Lee, you can do everything you want.' ... That's why I was able to enjoy it even more." She also recounted a memorable moment from working on the track "How It's Done." "While working on the song 'How It's Done,' I heard that Huntrix members would be dropping from a plane and landing in the dome. I got super excited, because I'm also someone who thinks the way a performance begins — the entrance — is incredibly important. So hearing that kind of entrance idea even before we shared our visions made me think, 'This is going to be so much fun.'' Looking ahead, Lee said she's eager to explore choreography across a wider spectrum, embracing new formats and global platforms. 'I want to dance in a much broader realm. I want to go wherever dance is needed. Whether it's collaborating with a singer and making headlines, performing in commercials through dance or running a YouTube channel as a dancer, I believe there are things only I can do. I want to turn those rare, less-traveled paths into my own unique space. I want to dance on a bigger stage while staying true to the 'real me' — the version of myself in that underground practice room,' she said.
Asia News Network
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Asia News Network
What you need to know about the Saja Boys, Korea's grim reapers in K-pop form
July 4, 2025 SEOUL – When the Saja Boys appeared on screen for the first time, dressed in floor-length black hanbok and wide-brimmed hats casting shadows over pale, painted faces, Kang Chan-mi, a 32-year-old office worker in Seoul, immediately recognized the look. 'I knew instantly what they were,' she said. 'If you're Korean, it's almost impossible not to.' The Saja Boys, a fictional K-pop group from the new Netflix animated film 'K-pop Demon Hunters,' may appear to be just another stylish boy band debuting for a global audience. However, for many Korean viewers, their stagewear evokes something much older and far more haunting: the 'jeoseung saja,' or the traditional Korean Grim Reaper. The image is deeply familiar to Koreans. A pale-faced man, draped in black robes and wearing a gat, a traditional Korean hat made of horsehair and silk, has long signaled death in Korean storytelling. This isn't the first time the grim reaper's look has stepped into the limelight. Most recently, on the dance competition show 'World of Street Woman Fighter,' the Korean crew Bumsup built a performance around the figure, donning black shirts and 'gat,' a traditional hat, to evoke the jeoseung saja's chilling presence. In Korean television and film, grim reapers have often been reimagined as charismatic and charming figures. In the 2016 hit drama 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,' actor Lee Dong-wook played a modern version of the character, trading traditional robes and a gat for a tailored black suit and fedora. The styling was contemporary, but the symbolism remained intact. So, where did this image come from? Many trace it back to a June 1980 episode of the KBS series 'Legend of the Hometown' (unofficial title), a show known for its ghost stories. It was there that the jeoseung saja took on its now iconic appearance. 'We wanted to create a distinctly Korean image of death,' said Choi Sang-shik, a producer on the series, in a past interview. 'Since death is associated with darkness, we dressed the grim reaper in black robes and contrasted it with a pale face and jet-black lips.' But the grim reaper hasn't always looked this way. According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture by Kim Deok-mook, the jeoseung saja originally appeared in shamanistic rituals as a military officer, dressed in official armor. In many paintings from the Joseon era — including Gamjae Saja, which indicates one of the underworld messengers — he is depicted wearing bright red armor. He was also a figure to be feared, as his arrival marked the moment a soul was taken from the world of the living. Though he was a figure to be scared of, he was not treated with hostility. In traditional funerary rites, the reaper is regarded with solemn respect. 'Since the reaper also serves as a guide through the long and difficult journey to the afterlife, mistreating him could bring misfortune to the deceased,' Kim said. 'That's why families treat him with care during rituals.' Even the number of reapers varies between tradition and pop culture. In 'K-pop Demon Hunters,' there are five Saja Boys; in many Korean dramas and films, the jeoseung saja often appears alone, an isolated figure quietly escorting the dead. But in Korean shamanism, the number is typically three. According to Kim, in a traditional funerary ritual from Hwanghae Province, families prepare three bowls of rice, three pairs of straw shoes, and three sets of spoons and chopsticks. These offerings are meant to honor the three reapers guiding the soul from this world to the next. That belief has also made its way into modern storytelling. In the hit film 'Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds,' three grim reapers move together as a team. The group is led by a commander, played by Ha Jung-woo, with Joo Ji-hoon and Kim Hyang-gi portraying his companions.
Korea Herald
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
What you need to know about the Saja Boys, Korea's grim reapers in K-pop form
Born in ghost stories, reapers transform into pop culture icons When the Saja Boys appeared on screen for the first time, dressed in floor-length black hanbok and wide-brimmed hats casting shadows over pale, painted faces, Kang Chan-mi, a 32-year-old office worker in Seoul, immediately recognized the look. 'I knew instantly what they were,' she said. 'If you're Korean, it's almost impossible not to.' The Saja Boys, a fictional K-pop group from the new Netflix animated film 'K-pop Demon Hunters,' may appear to be just another stylish boy band debuting for a global audience. However, for many Korean viewers, their stagewear evokes something much older and far more haunting: the "jeoseung saja," or the traditional Korean Grim Reaper. The image is deeply familiar to Koreans. A pale-faced man, draped in black robes and wearing a gat, a traditional Korean hat made of horsehair and silk, has long signaled death in Korean storytelling. This isn't the first time the grim reaper's look has stepped into the limelight. Most recently, on the dance competition show 'World of Street Woman Fighter,' the Korean crew Bumsup built a performance around the figure, donning black shirts and "gat," a traditional hat, to evoke the jeoseung saja's chilling presence. In Korean television and film, grim reapers have often been reimagined as charismatic and charming figures. In the 2016 hit drama 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,' actor Lee Dong-wook played a modern version of the character, trading traditional robes and a gat for a tailored black suit and fedora. The styling was contemporary, but the symbolism remained intact. Tracing the allure of Korean grim reapers So, where did this image come from? Many trace it back to a June 1980 episode of the KBS series "Legend of the Hometown" (unofficial title), a show known for its ghost stories. It was there that the jeoseung saja took on its now iconic appearance. 'We wanted to create a distinctly Korean image of death,' said Choi Sang-shik, a producer on the series, in a past interview. 'Since death is associated with darkness, we dressed the grim reaper in black robes and contrasted it with a pale face and jet-black lips.' But the grim reaper hasn't always looked this way. According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture by Kim Deok-mook, the jeoseung saja originally appeared in shamanistic rituals as a military officer, dressed in official armor. In many paintings from the Joseon era — including Gamjae Saja, which indicates one of the underworld messengers — he is depicted wearing bright red armor. He was also a figure to be feared, as his arrival marked the moment a soul was taken from the world of the living. Though he was a figure to be scared of, he was not treated with hostility. In traditional funerary rites, the reaper is regarded with solemn respect. 'Since the reaper also serves as a guide through the long and difficult journey to the afterlife, mistreating him could bring misfortune to the deceased,' Kim said. 'That's why families treat him with care during rituals.' Even the number of reapers varies between tradition and pop culture. In 'K-pop Demon Hunters,' there are five Saja Boys; in many Korean dramas and films, the jeoseung saja often appears alone, an isolated figure quietly escorting the dead. But in Korean shamanism, the number is typically three. According to Kim, in a traditional funerary ritual from Hwanghae Province, families prepare three bowls of rice, three pairs of straw shoes, and three sets of spoons and chopsticks. These offerings are meant to honor the three reapers guiding the soul from this world to the next. That belief has also made its way into modern storytelling. In the hit film 'Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds,' three grim reapers move together as a team.
Forbes
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘World Of Street Woman Fighter' Dance Competition Is A Must Watch
World of Street Woman Fighter MNET It's been a while since shows like America's Best Dance Crew, World of Dance, and So You Think You Can Dance have showcased the world's best dancers and dance crews. It's about time we have a good dance battle competition. Well, look no further than Mnet's World of Street Woman Fighter. Based in South Korea, the home of K-pop's synchronized groups, Street Woman Fighter enters its third season with an International Dance Battle between crews and individual dancers from Korea, Japan, the U.S.A., New Zealand, and Australia. It's truly a battle between the best of the best. The first season centered on crews based in Korea, which later expanded to include international crews in the second season, resulting in several viral moments and dance challenges. This season goes even bigger to see who is the world's best dance crew, including well-known groups like RHTokyo, Royal Family, and Motiv. Several iconic dancers from Season 1 returned to represent Korea in their group Bumsup. World-renowned choreographer Riehata, who served as a guest judge during Season 2, is leading the team, RHTokyo. World of Street Woman Fighter Mnet 'Legendary,' says judge Mike Song during the show's press conference. 'This season is going to have absolutely legendary battles, but there are also legendary collaborations. Having all these dance legends in one place at the same time is miraculous.' Song is joined by judges – JYP Entertainment CEO J.Y. Park, a.k.a. JYP, and professional dancer and choreographer Aliya Janell - to select the winners for each challenge. So far, three episodes in, the show is becoming even more intense with its challenges and battles. 'This show is the only way that you can bring this level of dancers to compete against each other,' says Song. 'It's so big for dance culture because if you look at these crews, these are people that are deep into their dance careers. They would never, in any other situation, compete against each other. So I feel like, especially for the dance culture, this is a very, very rare celebration of dance.' JYP, known for discovering K-pop groups such as Stray Kids, TWICE, and ITZY, had been a fan of the series and wanted to be part of the action as a judge. He says during the press conference, 'Although I wear many hats in the entertainment industry, dance has always been the most instinctive part of who I am. I started my career as a backup dancer. That's how I first stepped into this field. Dance has been second nature to me since I was young. What made me so happy about this show was being able to feel and react with just dance along, putting aside everything else, like singing and other things. It was truly exciting to watch all the best dancers from around the world gathered in one place.' World of Street Woman Fighter MNET The series premiered in Korea on May 27th, with the first two episodes available on the Mnet Plus app and their YouTube dance channel, The CHOOM. Other episodes will be available on Prime Video and Apple TV+ via the CJ ENM Selects add-on, a week after broadcast. So far, three episodes have been released, and they're filled with intense drama and dancing. The finale is set to air on July 22nd. World of Street Woman Fighter has performed well throughout Asia, ranking Number 1 on the global OTT streaming service iQIYI and in the Top 20 Overall on Japan's streaming platform ABEMA, while holding the #1 position in their K-Pop category. In the U.S., the series has the highest viewership on CJ ENM's premium SVOD add-on service on AppleTV+ and Prime Video. 'World of Street Woman Fighter' Crews MNET Let's get to know the crews: Team USA: MOTIV Led by Marlee Hightower, the Orlando-based crew has headlined the World of Dance in New York this year. With the U.S. being the birthplace of hip-hop, Motiv plans to show the other crews what that truly means. The team is also the only one to have an Olympian as part of their crew – Logan Edra, also known as Logistx. Logistx participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics breakdancing competition. She previously won the Red Bull BC One World Final in 2021. Team Korea: BUMSUP Led by Season 1 winner Honey J, the Korean crew have all been part of the competition before. With the competition being on their home turf, they're more determined than ever to take home the trophy, but have been seen as both the most experienced and the weakest of the crews. But many are proving to their young competitors that age is just a number. Team New Zealand: Royal Family One of the most legendary crews founded by Parris Goebel is finally making its appearance on the show. But it's not the dancers you have come to expect from the crew. This is a new generation of Royal Family members, led by Teesha Taulepa. The pink-haired beauty is recognizable as one of Goebel's right-hand dancers. She's ready to show the world that the new generation is the best. Team Australia: AG Squad Many will recognize the members of AG Squad as former or inactive members of the Royal Family. Leader Kaea Pearce, Kyra, Ruthybaby, and Kaleece are all first-generation Royal Family members. There's some tension between TRF and AG Squad, but that makes the competition even more exciting. It's hard not to be impressed with AG Squad, as they're considered icons in their own right in the dance world. Team Japan: Osaka Ojo Gang Leader and waacking legend, Ibuki, is a well-known face in the dance and competition scene. She won 3rd on Street Dance of China Season 6. The team is comprised of experienced, battle-ready dancers, including Kyoka, whom all the teams have praised. The crew is a force to be reckoned with. Even when watching, there were moments that I, as a viewer, felt intimidated. If you are wondering why hip-hop dancer Hana looks familiar, she bears a striking resemblance to her little sister, TWICE's Momo. Team Japan: RHTokyo Yes, there's ANOTHER Japan team. It's hard not to include multiple Japanese crews as Japan has been dominating the hip-hop dance scene. Led by Riehata, RHTokyo consists of dancers who have been under the guidance of the successful choreographer for years. Many competitors call the crew: the teacher and the students. But many of the RHTokyo members have accomplished so much on their own. Rena was part of last season's Japanese crew, Tsubakill. The most interesting battles have been between the two Japanese crews as they are determined to be the ones to represent Japan best. Though the competition is intense and there can only be one winner, in the end, we, as viewers, are the real winners. New episodes of World of Woman Street Fighter drop every Tuesday.
Korea Herald
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
‘Street Woman Fighter' goes global
JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young, Beyonce tour dancer Aliyah Janell and Mike Song to judge popular dance competition The popular dance competition series "Street Woman Fighter" is back for a third season — this time, with only one Korean team. "World of Street Woman Fighter," the show's latest iteration, features competition between dance crews from five countries: South Korea's Bumsup, the United States' Motiv, Japan's Osaka Ojo Gang and RHTokyo, New Zealand's Royal Family and Australia's AG Squad. Series producer Choi Jung-nam said the decision to include crews from other countries was aimed at showcasing more global talent to Korean audiences, building on the success of their introduction in season two. 'When it came to casting global crews for the program, we didn't approach it with the mindset that specific countries had to be represented. We wanted to introduce crews that have a certain level of skill and status, and who could tell compelling stories within the context of our program,' Choi said during a press conference held Tuesday in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Due to the diversity of participants this time around, the production team said it is facing new challenges in the editing process to ensure a seamless viewing experience across languages. 'Since we're trying to show viewers the best version of the footage through editing, many translators are involved. Because we're dealing with multiple languages: Korean, English, Japanese and more. It's taking a lot of time to translate. ... Even if there are some rough or imperfect parts, I hope you'll look forward to the dancers' expressions through the language of their bodies.' Joining the judges' panel this season are three powerful figures from the dance and entertainment industry: JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young, Beyonce tour alum Aliyah Janell, and renowned dancer and choreographer Mike Song. Park, who brings perspectives as a performer and a producer, reflected on his approach to judging for the new season. 'In the past, when I was judging singers, there was some connection to my company, so I had to be careful. But this time, I felt I could speak based on what I saw and felt. Some of the contestants this time are dancers I paid to choreograph for me. So while I'm watching as a fellow dancer, I also naturally see things from the perspective of a K-pop producer who commissions choreography," said Park. Despite the nation-versus-nation frame of the competition, producer Choi emphasized the broader mission of the show. 'I found myself returning to the original mindset -- rather than thinking about which country to root for, I saw it as a way to introduce international dancers to fans who loved 'Street Woman Fighter' and to help build a fandom for them.'
