Ever since 1MILLION delivered their powerhouse Mega Crew Performance in Mnet’s ‘Street Woman Fighter 2’, I think it has set a new benchmark — which is why a ‘High Angle’ segment was added in this season’s Mega Crew Mission. But, as soon as this year’s performance videos were out, they all quickly became a hot topic. In particular, BUMSUP caused a sensation in South Korea, going viral and amassing far more views than 1MILLION’s performance video.
However, with good news came bad, and despite the hype, one crew still had to be eliminated.
Mega Crew Performances
AG SQUAD
I’ve always seen AG SQUAD members as strong performers. From the beginning of the show, they looked like dancers with the right skills and strong technique training. With their commitment and hard work, they earned hearts. So, seeing them get the lowest score was a shock.
While they are one of the strongest dance crews, I think the other teams outshone them. Don’t get me wrong; their performance video wasn’t bad — they executed the mission like students who followed the teacher’s instructions perfectly. They did a good job incorporating many cultural elements from Australia, but the overload of references ended up making the video feel more like a school presentation. Also, their high-angle segment didn’t particularly stand out. Maybe if they had used and focused solely on the animal concept, the video would have been more memorable.
MOTIV
Personally, I thought MOTIV would be the weakest team, but they caught everyone off guard. I underestimated them, but they turned out to make more than just a dance performance video.
As an avid watcher of Mnet’s dance shows, I always look forward to Mega Crew Performance videos for their sharp formations and clean choreography. But MOTIV left a lasting impact with an emotionally resonant and artistic piece that reflected America’s unstable political climate and the growing anxiety about the future.
Instead of faking it with a pretty image, they showed America and hip-hop in different layers. They represented the American flag, ideological divides, and youth, and brought rhythm into that raw and harsh reality.
RHTokyo
Their video did receive some criticism — but honestly, I think it mostly stems from hate targeted towards the group’s leader, Riehata.
Riehata is a renowned K-pop choreographer who’s worked with celebrities like BTS and G-Dragon. So, with such a resume, it’s only expected that she’d nailed the direction of a Mega Crew Performance video. From the Japan news intro to the hand choreography and overall aesthetics, I think they did a great job. Particularly, those simple hand moves during the “apare” part of the chorus were so clean and catchy — proof of why she’s a top-tier choreographer in the K-Pop industry.
While the flashy and colorful fashion in itself was an expression, and shooting at the Shibuya Crossing was a great idea, I feel like the high-angle segment with the umbrellas didn’t go well. Also, including the famous ‘Yuki Chiba’ as a cameo in the video didn’t really elevate the excitement that many may have hoped for.
OSAKA Ojo Gang
I swear every time I hear Ojo Gang, I remember Marlee’s “Ojo, more like Oh no!”
There’s so much I want to say about this crew’s performance video, but I’ll start by agreeing with Judge Lia Kim’s statement — Ojo Gang’s performance felt more like a TWICE music video.
Even though the crew got lots of praise, it was really disappointing to see them relying heavily upon TWICE while sidelining their own members like backup dancers. The beginning of the video, the music, the colors, and the moves built so much excitement, but when the focus shifted to TWICE members, it was a complete letdown.
Additionally, another honest critique of mine is that, compared to RHTokyo, Ojo Gang didn’t incorporate much of their country’s cultural elements.
BUMSUP
Um, do I really need to review their performance? I mean, what’s left to say when their performance video racked up millions of views and they scored the highest in this mission?
From the beginning of the show, BUMSUP members were constantly criticised, especially because they are the Korean crew and ‘WSWF’ is a Korean dance show. They didn’t win any missions, they lost many battles, and struggled to capture public support. But with their Mega Crew Performance video? That truly felt like such a huge comeback!
As a regular viewer of Korean shows — and I mean more than K-dramas — I already knew many of the BUMSUP members who are already very famous in South Korea. So, having watched Honey J executing the Mega Crew Performance back in Season 1, I was really proud when she won the mission this year. It felt like the redemption she deserved.
P.S. Not to be dramatic, but I swear I jumped off my chair when I saw Bada Lee in the video. I couldn’t look away and I was smiling like an idiot.
Elimination Batlle
Let me cut straight to the chase: RHTokyo was the eliminated crew.
Why?
The first reason is that they fought against one of the show’s strongest crews: AG SQUAD.
Secondly, their leader was not with them during the battle round due to an injury. Maybe her absence affected their morale. Without a leader, they may have lacked motivation and proper guidance that only a leader can give.
The last deciding factor was their weak and repeated moves, which also lacked energy and freshness. Again, once AG SQUAD started winning the rounds, you could see the sense of fatalism in their eyes. On the other hand, their rival was clearly fighting and battling to stay in the game. So, in the end, the best crew did win!
Final Thoughts
So far, I think the elimination rounds have been fair. Only the strongest crews remained. And, next up, there is the Artist Choreography Mission, and the global artist chosen is Saweetie.
So, for our next review, we’ll find out who won the mission as well as Saweetie’s heart.
P.S. Can I mention that scene where MC Sung Hanbin removed RHTokyo’s team flag from the Champion cup? He looked way too good. And yeah…I may have replayed it.
Written by Diksha Gangadeen
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