Plus Magazine

Through a long journey from competing in ＜Be Mbitious＞ to becoming stars in ＜Street Man Fighter＞, the members of Mbitious, united by their passion for dance, are now moving in one direction. We, Plus Magazine, had a chance to meet with them. KIMPYOUNGYA, who initially offered greetings a bit nervously, seriously pondered his answers once the interview started, making any worries fade away. Throughout the conversation, he repeatedly expressed gratitude, and we were able to reaffirm his desire to move forward and his love for his fans.   
 

What led you to become genuinely interested in dance?

I first encountered dance through b-boying. Rather than learning professionally from the beginning, I began to take an interest by randomly encountering guys breakdancing on small stages in front of shopping malls or places like Dongdaemun. Watching their performances made me realize that this is what is called dance. After that, I naturally started searching for various genres of dance on the internet and gradually became immersed in dance.   
 

Who is the dancer who has particularly influenced you?

There are many people who have inspired me as I've learned a lot from watching various dancers. Among them, Monster Woo is my role model. I watched a lot of his videos even before I started krumping, and his energy really resonated with me.

Were there any objections when you first said you wanted to be a dancer?

My father was especially opposed. At that time, I had not shown him that I could seriously commit to anything. I was very curious, but I quickly lost interest in whatever I did, so he probably opposed thinking I might do the same this time. He also seemed to worry about what would happen if I got hurt while dancing. Despite the opposition, I kept dancing, and I think I disappointed my parents at the time.

Has there been a change in your attitude towards dance while working as a dancer for a long time?

I didn't expect to end up where I am now because my initial start was merely out of curiosity. When I started my career as a dancer, I think I was quite nervous. It wasn't fear, but rather a touching and pleasant excitement. With small senses of accomplishment, I've somehow managed to get where I am now. Now I just feel like someone who loves dance. I also give dance lessons, but regardless of the role, dance is now a part of my life. It's just a natural part of me, like eating and sleeping.

How close is the current KIMPYOUNGYA to the goal you dreamed of in the past?

I think I still have a long way to go. There are still many experiences I have yet to go through, and I want to show you more diverse aspects of myself, so I don't think I'm in a state of self-satisfaction.   
 

Could you share the reason that led you to decide to participate ?

As I've shared on the show before, I had a time when I was seriously injured and in great pain. I was a little deflated at the time and my self-esteem had fallen, leading me to isolate myself from society. Consequently, I naturally ended up watching more TV. That's when I came across and started to hope for dance again. Initially, it was hard for me to open up. I wanted to go on stage, but it felt like my body wasn't responding. Then I heard the news that members were being recruited for a team for on a show called . I thought it was a good opportunity to overcome my fears and limits, so I bravely took on the challenge.

Despite this, you often seemed to exude confidence on the show.   

I decided to participate with the mindset of overcoming my limits, but in reality, I was really nervous. It was very tough to feel the pressure of having to fully reveal myself in front of so many cameras, but I think I just trusted myself. Regardless of the outcome, whether I do well or not, I know myself best, so I decided to trust myself without regrets and approached it with confidence.   
 

Can you feel that there has been a resurgence in the dance scene after various shows?

I really feel it a lot. It’s truly fun when I’m walking down the street without much thought and see people filming short-form dance content at places like the Han River. I can't help but smile and feel pleased. I am happy and grateful that many people are taking an interest in dance.

In this upward trend, hasn’t Mbitious also grown as one of the crews at the center of this craze?

We are really thankful and honored for that. Going forward, we want to show cooler performances and if there are people who still don't know much about dance, we would like to educate and show them more about this culture. More than anything, it's thanks to the many people showing interest not just in the show but also in me and our team that we can continue to keep our passion for dance alive. We are always grateful."   
 

How does this change affect you as a dancer?

I always thought that the position of dancers was different compared to singers or rappers. Dancers primarily support and enhance the main artist when they go on stage, so even though there are many street dance events and competitions, I felt regretful that we could only show a limited part of ourselves to the public. Nowadays, with the boom of K-dance, dancers have more opportunities to show other aspects of their roles, which makes me feel good. It also makes me think that I need to work harder to be part of this.

What charm does KIMPYOUNGYA's dance hold?   

If Krump is a genre with a powerful feeling, and hip-hop is a genre with a freer feeling, I think I can deliver a taste of both in the middle. It's energetic yet free within, creating an off-balance style that is strangely attractive. Also, my nickname is KIMPYOUNGYA, which means 'Let's see infinite possibilities in the vast plain'. I'm striving to dance as freely as if I'm running in a plain.   
 

Do you have your own criteria for choosing songs to dance to?   

Actually, I don't think I have a big standard. Regardless of genre, I continuously listen and move my body to judge, so I listen to any music multiple times in various ways.   
 

What kind of music do you often listen to in your daily life?

I really like upbeat songs. Especially jazz hip-hop. I've admired rapper Beenzino since I was young, so I listen not only to his current music but also to the music from when he was in a group called Jazzyfact. Occasionally, as I sing along to his music, I've had thoughts of trying my hand at rapping.

So, will we have a chance to meet rapper KIMPYOUNGYA someday?   

I wanted to experience making music, so I set up a workshop and started learning rap by myself. However, I feel dance suits me better. For now, I only plan to do music as a hobby.

What do you do in your free time when you're not dancing?   

I had a long period of loneliness, so I think I've developed a lot of hobbies that I can enjoy by myself. I spend time with my cat at home, go for a walk alone when I can't sleep at night, or ride a bicycle on the Han River. I also enjoy listening to songs on LP at home.   

 

What is the most memorable event in your life as a dancer?

There are two things in particular. One is becoming a member of Mbitious, and the other is meeting our fandom, Nvious, who cherishes us. These two things will remain in my memory for the next 10, 20 years, and probably until the day I die. These memories hold immense significance to me.   


Do you have any messages you'd like to share with young friends who dream of becoming dancers?

I believe that you don't have to take classes in academies or participate in competitions to become a dancer. These days, even by participating in simple dance challenges, I think you have already taken more than half a step into the dance community. Don’t be afraid of dancing and trust yourself; taking that first step is probably the best approach.   

 

Do you have any personal goals you want to achieve?

As a member of Mbitious, every time I packed my bags at home for overseas performances, my parents were really happy for me, but at the same time, they seemed envious. It hurt my heart to see that. My family members have been working so hard in their respective roles that we never had the chance to go on a proper trip together. I want to work hard and go on a family trip, whether it be domestic or overseas, and create wonderful memories together.

What is your mindset for the upcoming stages?

I plan to keep my initial determination, working harder and giving my best in all tasks given to me. This is not just for me, but also for Mbitious; we will continue to come back with better performances.    
 

Finally, could you say a few words to your fans who never fail to support you?

I'm always grateful for your unconditional love and support. I will work even harder to show you better performances in the future. I hope that all of you who love us also take care of your health. Especially to our fandom, Nvious, we will stay healthy to perform for you, so please don't overdo yourselves. We always love and appreciate you.   
 

| Interview by Baek Jongkwon (Editor for the music webzine IZM)