One of the most anticipated missions is back…
‘Street World Fighter: Directors’ War’ wouldn’t be a Korean dance survival show without a K-pop mission. This type of mission is certainly one of the most debated aspects of the competition, with some viewers claiming that strong contenders are left behind because of the K-pop element. Yet, a K-pop mission, featuring a K-pop idol/group, a K-pop song, and K-pop choreography, is part of the series’ DNA.
Usually, as seen in other editions of the franchise, the K-pop mission is where many contestants have little or no experience and start to struggle. This time, however, the story is different. With only one exception, all participants already have some connection to the K-pop industry.
While some may have just stepped into that world, others have years of experience working with some of the biggest K-pop icons. So, this makes this year’s mission a very different but interesting battle.
The K-pop Solo Artist Director Mission
For this mission, two K-pop idols, namely, NCT 127’s Taeyong and ALLDAY PROJECT’s Bailey, will serve as the main icons of the challenge, each bringing their own pre-prepared song. From there, it will be up to the contestants to interpret the song, come up with choreography, and transform it into a complete stage performance for the two celebrities.
Two artists, two songs, and eight choreographers to direct their performances. These eight contestants will be split into four groups, and the losing teams will automatically advance to the ‘Last Stage: 24H’. It’s clear that the stakes are high. Most of the participants are not newcomers to working with K-pop idols, and the two artists chosen for this challenge are known for their incredible dancing skills. Hence, this will add another form of pressure, because choosing the right team and choreography will not be a simple or purely creative decision.
NCT 127’s Taeyong – ‘Wacka Wak’
- Bada and Back Koo-young
Among all the pairings, Bada and Back Koo-young looked like the Avengers team: one is known for turning any move into something stylish and cool, leaving the audience amazed, while the other is backed by around 24 years of industry expertise.
Some felt their choreography was too simple and questioned their use of acting, as well as the forehead flick move. Simplicity does not necessarily mean a lack of impact. Sometimes, a song can feel completely different depending on how it is presented. Their interpretation, energetic moves, and even the forehead flick step gave life to the song and allowed it to breathe. It was memorable and fun, which is ultimately something any artist would want.
With Bada, there is always the expectation that whatever she does will look great. The forehead flick might not have left a lasting impression on Taeyong and the audience if it had been performed by someone else. However, the moment she came on screen with the ‘flicking heads’ move, it became strangely addictive to watch and recreate.
- Babyzoo and Nain
Many viewers enjoyed the work created by Nain and Babyzoo, and it was easy to understand why both are gaining recognition in the K-pop scene. Since they are actively working in the industry, you can see how they are part of the new generation of talent: their choreography is trendy, hip, and in tune with what young audiences respond to today.
Yet, there seems to be an invisible line of restriction in their performance. Nain is known for clean and refined moves, but in this case, a polished and sophisticated style may actually work against the team. Both the artist and the song call for something bolder, looser, and more fun. The outcome is fresh and trendy, but not memorable or addictive.
Final Winner: Bada and Back Koo-young
ALLDAY PROJECTs’ Bailey – ‘Can’t Kill Me’
- Simeez and Ingyoo
Expectations were very high for this pairing. Simeez has a strong reputation through her choreography work with the girl group IVE, while Ingyoo has enjoyed a rise in popularity since the release of ‘like JENNIE’. People expected Simeez to add her feminine flair and sharp presence, while Ingyoo would shape the performance with his strong edge and genius ideas. Unfortunately, the outcome was slightly disappointing.
Their interpretation was perfect, as was the overall use of the concept, but the execution was not. For instance, at the beginning of the performance, the idea of using the red fabric had real potential and could have been an unforgettable visual element, but the final execution made the intro weaker.
- Casper and Minjun
Casper may have the right credentials since he has worked with respected idols like Taemin, but he has not yet managed to leave a lasting impression on the show. On the other hand, Minjun, who may have been underestimated at first, has consistently demonstrated a strong range of dancing skills.
For this mission, Casper and Minjun might have appeared to be the weakest pairing, but the same cannot be said for their performance. Using dancer Shuri was not only a great idea but also helped add a different style to the overall concept of the song. With Casper’s creative direction and Minjun’s strong capabilities, their choreography had the potential to make anyone immerse themselves in the song.
Final Winner: Simeez and Ingyoo
For the next challenge, children will be at the centre of the mission. Yes, children. It does feel different, as the show has thrown in something completely unexpected.
What will the mission be about? What will the roles of the kids be in this mission? Will the contestants be able to work with children and still create unforgettable stage performances?
Stay tuned for our next review!
Written by Diksha Gangadeen
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