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Time of India
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Leejung: From Aspiring Dancer to International Choreographer Transforming Dreams into Reality
When Your Hobby Becomes Your Lifeline Picture this - you're 26, and instead of being stuck in a boring 9-to-5 like most of us are expected to be, you're choreographing for global superstars like Blackpink and Twice, and now even creating dance moves for animated characters. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for Leejung, this dream is her reality, and honestly, her story is giving us major life goals. For this remarkable 26-year-old choreographer, dance has become something far deeper than just a career move. "Dance isn't just an art, a genre or a job to me anymore. It's what keeps me going. I hope this doesn't sound too dramatic, but it's truly been my salvation," she has expressed about her relationship with her craft. Now, before you roll your eyes thinking this is just another "follow your dreams" lecture, hear us out. This girl has been grinding in the dance scene for a decade, and she's still hungry to learn more. That's the kind of energy we need to channel, whether we're into coding, music, art, or even making reels that actually go viral. The Global Stage That Changed Everything Remember how dance was once considered "just a hobby" by most parents back home? Well, Korea went through a similar phase until shows like "Street Woman Fighter" came along in 2021 and literally transformed dance from a niche subculture to mainstream entertainment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Dulalowo Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Leejung was part of the latest season, "World of Street Woman Fighter," where she represented Team Korea Bumsup against crews from Australia, the US, Japan, and New Zealand. The show featured some seriously impressive judges too - Mike Song from the legendary dance crew Kinjaz and Park Jin-young (yes, the JYP guy). Imagine competing on a stage where your childhood idol is watching you perform. That's exactly what happened when Kaea from Australia's AG Squad - someone Leejung looked up to while growing up - called her a "star" and an "icon". Even though Team Korea didn't make it to the finals, Leejung's attitude is something we can all learn from: "Every moment left me thinking I could've done more - and sure, I wish I had. But I don't regret any of it". That's the kind of mindset that separates dreamers from achievers. What's fascinating is how this mirrors our own entertainment industry's evolution. Just like how dance reality shows transformed perceptions in Korea, shows like "Dance Plus" and "Dance Deewane" have given our dancers platforms they never had before. The struggle of convincing parents that dance is a legitimate career choice is universal, whether you're in Seoul or Mumbai. Breaking Boundaries - From Real Moves to Animated Magic Here's where things get really interesting. Three years ago, Leejung got the opportunity of a lifetime - choreographing for an animated project called "KPop Demon Hunters". Now, if you think choreographing for real people is challenging, imagine creating dance moves for animated characters where literally anything is possible. The project came to life when producers approached her with an ambitious vision. "At our very first Zoom meeting for this production, they told me what they were planning and that they needed me. My heart literally started racing," she later revealed. The producers basically told her, "There are no physical limits, so go ahead and do everything you want to do. Dream big". Can you imagine being given that kind of creative freedom? What's even cooler is how they incorporated her natural movements into the animation. During motion capture sessions, they kept the cameras rolling to observe how she naturally interacted with friends, especially in casual settings like a sauna. Her unconscious movements and natural gestures became part of the final animated product, bringing an authentic human touch to the digital characters. This kind of innovation reminds us of how our own animation industry is evolving. From traditional 2D animations to motion capture technology being used in projects, the creative possibilities are endless when passion meets technology. About Passion and Persistence After a decade in the dance scene, Leejung had moments of doubt - wondering if she'd ever get bored of dancing. But her recent experiences reminded her that there's always more to learn, always room to grow. "As long as I'm not good enough, there's no way I'll get bored. That in itself was really reassuring," she has reflected on her journey. This hits different when you think about our own journeys. How many times have we given up on something because we thought we weren't progressing fast enough? Leejung's story reminds us that the learning never stops, and that's actually the beautiful part. As someone who's now become a role model for young aspiring dancers, her message is simple yet powerful: "Protecting and doing what I love might not change the world, but it can at least change my world. So I hope that everyone discovers what they love and holds onto it". In a culture where we're often pushed toward "safe" career choices, Leejung's journey from a passionate dancer to an internationally recognized choreographer working with top K-pop groups and animated projects shows us that sometimes the "risky" path is actually the one that leads to the most fulfilling life. Just like how our own classical dancers, from Bharatanatyam to contemporary, have carved their own paths despite societal expectations, Leejung's story proves that authentic passion, when nurtured with dedication, can transcend all boundaries. Her journey also reflects the changing landscape of creative careers globally. Whether it's a choreographer in Seoul or a content creator in Bangalore, the digital age has opened doors that previous generations couldn't even imagine. The key is having the courage to walk through them.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
V-Unbeatable cheating case: HC slams MBVV police for tardy investigation
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Tuesday rapped the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar (MBVV) Police, stating that the senior officers adopted a 'calculated way' to defend their juniors. This came in response to the cheating accusations made by the dance group, Vikas Unbeatable, renowned for winning America's Got Talent, against their manager. The troupe had approached the high court through advocate Shravan Giri, alleging that no action was taken by the police on their complaint against their manager, Om Prakash Chauhan, for alleged embezzlement of funds. Their plea claimed that the MBVV police refused to file an FIR against Chauhan when they first approached them on July 24, 2024. No action was taken after escalating the matter to the DCP on July 25. The petition also highlighted that when the group members, along with their parents and guardians, went to demand their dues, police officers at the scene used 'criminal force' against them. Public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar stated that the matter has been looked into and as a result of it, the then Investigating officer was exonerated. A report was filed by the assistant commissioner of police on January 23, 2025, which contained 22 points as regards the conduct of the officer. He further stated that a fresh enquiry shall be conducted against the officer by an officer not below the rank of additional commissioner of police, Mira-Bhayandar, which shall be completed within a period of six weeks. In response to these submissions, advocate Shravan Giri, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that all the relevant material in support of the 22 points shall be submitted to the office of the additional commissioner of police within a period of two weeks. 'Needless to clarify that the period for completion of enquiry being six weeks shall be reckoned from the date of the petitioner submitting the relevant document and material in support of his contention against the officer,' he added. The division bench of justices Nitin Sambre and Sachin Deshmukh discarded the report of the assistant commissioner of police, observing that the 22 points were not looked into and dealt with in the Enquiry Report. It directed the authorities to make the enquiry report available to the petitioner by July 31, highlighting that the petitioner shall have every right to question the report and the adverse conduct of the police inspector, who had earlier acted as an Investigating Officer in the matter. The dance group, which first gained fame as the runner-up on the reality show 'Dance Plus,' claimed that they never received the prize money or performance fees. The dancers stated that they only received meagre payments ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000, even though during their 60-day stay in the United States for America's Got Talent, they were supposed to receive a $25 ( ₹2,084) daily allowance. Subsequently, with no visible progress in the investigation, the case was transferred to the Economic Offence Wing (EOW). After the inquiry was conducted, the court found out that the authorities did not address the troupe's grievances properly.
