From Battlefields to Breakdancing: Unveiling the Extraordinary Legacy of American Soldiers in South Korea
American soldiers introduced breakdancing to South Korea in the 1980s, sparking a cultural phenomenon that would later spread across the country Witness how this vibrant hip-hop dance, originating from military bases, has evolved and captured the hearts of Koreans, from the Asian Games to its inclusion in the Olympics Discover the captivating journey of B-boys as they leave their mark on Korean history
American soldiers, enthralled by hip-hop, taught Korean soldiers how to perform headspins and windmills at US military bases in the 1980s. Little did they know that breakdancing would explode in popularity in Korea. When breakdancing reached Korean soil, it was Korean-American hip-hop promoter John Jay Chon who played a pivotal role in fueling the phenomenon. By distributing VHS tapes featuring tutorials and competitions to Seoul's underground dance and club scenes, Chon was widely recognized as the driving force behind the breakdancing boom.
Breakdancing gained popularity in South Korea during the 1990s with the release of mesmerizing music videos by K-pop pioneers Seo Taiji & Boys. This modern art form seemed contradictory to the country's conservative culture at that time.
In the following decade, known as the "golden years" of breakdancing in South Korea, Korean crews achieved great success, winning numerous titles at Battle of the Year, a prestigious international b-boy competition.
With the rise of the first generation of K-pop, which also embraced elements of US hip-hop culture, South Korea witnessed a tremendous surge in popularity, leading the country's tourism board to invest millions of dollars into breakdancing competitions. The hope was to recreate the success of the K-wave phenomenon.
During the mid-2010s, the iconic symbols of baggy jeans, boomboxes, and tattoos that once dominated American pop culture also experienced a decline in mainstream Korea. It is worth noting that breakdancing even made an appearance at President Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1985.
But it never went away - and is now in a resurgence that will next year take Korean b-boys and b-girls to the Olympics.
South Korean breakdancing team Jinjo Crew at the World K-pop Concert in 2021.
Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images
From Asian Games to the Olympics
: Breakdancing to Make its Debut at the Asian Games and Set to Wow the Summer Games in ParisIn the 1970s, Black and Latino youths in the Bronx originated breaking, a fusion of dance styles like "locking," "popping," and "uprocking," that requires physical intensity. Rather than categorizing breaking strictly as an art-form or sport, those involved in the industry recognize it as a "culture."
In terms of regulations and evaluation, the rules and judging for this modern sporting context are still developing. In Hangzhou, two medals will be presented in both the men's and women's divisions.
Asias top male and female breakdancers will showcase their skills in head-to-head battles, mesmerizing the audience with their extraordinary routines. Distinguished judges will meticulously evaluate their performance based on six essential criteria: perfomativity, musicality, personality, creativity, variety, and technique.
Jeon Jiye, or b-girl Fresh Bella, will feature for the South Korean delegation at the Asian Games.
Jiang Han/Xinhua/Getty Images
South Korea has consistently been recognized as one of the top nations in the world of dance, despite the absence of an official ranking by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF). Heading the breaking team of Team Korea in Hangzhou is Kim Heon-woo, also known as B-boy Wing. Being a renowned member of the esteemed Jinjo Crew, Kim has achieved multiple world champion titles and is considered a strong contender for a gold medal in the Asian Games.
Kim is optimistic about achieving a favorable outcome at the Games, as South Korea's largest ever delegation participates in the quadrennial event. This motivation has been further fueled by the country's impressive performance in the emerging field of esports at the Asian Games.
"We have faced challenges along the way, but we have always held onto the belief that our opportunity would eventually arise. We have dedicated ourselves to this goal," shared Kim, who has been involved in breaking for over twenty years, with CNN.
The exposure that breaking received on the popular dance survival TV reality shows "Street Woman Fighter" in 2021 and "Street Man Fighter" in 2022, in which Kim starred, provided a glimpse of its return to its former glory days. Kim expressed the significance of this, stating, "It highlights the sport's worth and marks an important starting point for its future."
Hip-hop and breaking originated in the United States, with various countries now creating distinct dances that align with their unique characteristics. While some mutual unfamiliarity still exists, there is increasing acknowledgment and curiosity regarding our dances.
Kim Heonwoo, or b-boy Wing, of South Korea at the 2023 WDSF Asian Breaking Championships in Hangzhou, China in July.
Jiang Han/Xinhua/Getty Images
B-boys last dance
While Kim has an eye on Paris 2024, the Asian Games is undeniably a milestone for what is probably the last batch of first-generation Korean breakers.
"This is essentially their final dance," stated Kwon Jang-ho, a journalist based in Seoul who is currently working on a documentary exploring the history of breaking in Korea.
Having commenced his journey in breaking during the early 2000s in the United Kingdom, Kwon later stumbled upon the emerging Korean breaking community during his gap year at university. Over the course of approximately 10 years, he had observed its undeniable dominance."
Korea achieved remarkable success in terms of global titles, dominating the scene like no other country. Witnessing this was truly astonishing. However, since then, no new generation has emerged to continue this legacy," he remarked.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Asian Games and Olympics, Kwon expressed a belief that these events would serve as a final chance for the golden generation to redeem themselves. He expressed hope for a post-Games revival of the scene.
Revised:
"Drawing attention to our continued existence and our position as a leading force in Asia would be a powerful statement. Although it may seem like our peak has passed, these individuals are striving for one final remarkable achievement - to inspire future generations, not only in Korea," he expressed.
According to Chen Po Chun, also known as Bboy Bojin, the chairperson of Breaking in the Asian Games and the head of the Breaking Division in WDSF, the fact that breaking has extended into the world of sports can only bring positive outcomes.
"The world we currently inhabit is rapidly evolving. The outcome may not please everyone involved, but it serves as a valuable learning experience," shared Chen, a breakdancer with three decades of experience.
"South Korea, along with Japan and even China, holds significant importance. Each of these nations has played a pivotal role in various eras and has exerted remarkable efforts in breakdancing. We should express gratitude, feel blessed, and appreciate the present state of affairs."
We will witness all of this at the Asian Games: legends, young stars, super athletes, nobodies transforming into somebodies, all competing fiercely. It sets a remarkable precedent for other Asian countries, as breaking barriers will continue to elevate and captivate a larger audience.
