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. The fourth person we met is 5000, the eldest member and leader of Mbitious. His outrageous freestyle movements are as unique as a flowing stream, always crafting his own stage. Likewise, his interview stood out due to his witty responses.
 

What led you to dream of becoming a dancer?

I first became fascinated with dance when I was in middle school. At that time, I happened to see a scene on a TV show where many celebrities were dancing together, and I started out by following along little by little. I continued like this until high school, and then I joined a performance team, which led me on a professional path as a dancer. I continued dancing because I enjoyed it so much and that's how I have reached where I am now.

You're also a founding member of the Gwangju street dance team ‘Bitgoeul Dancers’. Is there a story behind the creation of the team?
 

‘Bitgoeul’ is a pure Korean expression from Gwangju. Before ‘Bitgoeul Dancers,’ there was a team called ‘Bitgoeul Waackers’. This team was initially made up of waacking dancers from Gwangju, but as we began to incorporate friends who were skilled in other dance genres, we changed our name to ‘Bitgoeul Dancers’. We formed the team because when we first started as dancers in Gwangju, we went through a lot of struggles. So, we aimed to create an environment for the next generation of dancers where they could fully focus on dance and avoid making the same mistakes that we did.

In fact, Bitgoeul Dancers has greatly contributed to the development of Gwangju's dance scene. Since the year after its establishment, the team has been hosting the 'Battle Lineup' competition annually and providing classes for many aspiring dancers. Then, what kind of member is 5000 to Bitgoeul Dancers, and what does Bitgoeul Dancers mean to 5000?
 

I'm not sure if this expression is appropriate, but I might be something like a ‘nominal leader’ in Bitgoeul Dancers. (Laughs) Even if it seems like I'm doing something important in a crucial position within the team, the actual important tasks are all done by other members. Well, for me, Bitgoeul Dancers represents my ‘history’ and ‘roots’. They have been with me long before the name ‘5000’ became famous.

You have left a brilliant winning record in various street competitions since 2014. What is your secret to winning battles? Also, was there a moment during the battle when you were sure you've won?

Well, the way to be good at battles… I think I'm still figuring that out. Battles are not games with set patterns like formulas, but rather unpredictable contests where the one who adapts the best to different situations each time wins. And if I said I never felt like ‘I won’ during a battle, that would be a lie. But there have been too many times when I thought that way and lost. (Laughs) So, I try not to think that way after a certain point. If I think I've won and then lose, the damage is doubled.

What do you think is the charm of the ‘dance battle culture’?
 

It's the ‘improvisation’. There's a certain atmosphere that only arises when one dancer goes against another. And even in that matchup, you don't know what song the DJ will play. I believe the appeal of a battle lies in the unique situations that spontaneously arise in every moment. I think that such spontaneity is the biggest attraction.

The word that represents 5000 is ‘freestyle’, but do you have a signature move of your own?
 

Since most of my moves on stage are improvised, I don't have anything specifically set. However, when I first enter the stage, I tend to walk slowly around it. It's about appearing relaxed and getting a feel for the atmosphere of the song.

What is the most memorable episode among the countless battles you've been through?

Every battle holds deep significance for me, but if I had to choose one, it would be my victory in the final battle held in the Bronx, New York, in 2015, after winning the Asian preliminaries. The reason this victory stands out to me is that I'm Asian, and in a way, I felt a distance from the epicenter of hip-hop culture. Moreover, the competition judges at that time were pioneers who led this dance culture, and winning that competition felt like receiving their acknowledgment. The Bronx, New York, is a historic site, known as the birthplace of the first hip-hop party. At that time, I was also wondering whether I was doing well, and the fact that I won in such a symbolic place seemed to be particularly meaningful.

Do you remember the reaction of the foreign audience at that time?

The competition wasn't as large-scale as they are now, but it was a renowned annual local battle competition. As I advanced through each round, the reactions were not as enthusiastic, which made me a bit nervous. However, I remember that during the final round, both the audience and the judges reacted warmly to me, as if to say ‘you are cool’. It felt like I was being celebrated by everyone.

How is ‘5000’ referred to abroad?
 

Each country has a unique way of referring to '5000'. In America, I'm called ’Five Thousand,’ in Japan, it's ‘ごせん(Gosen),’ and in China, they call me ‘五千(Wu Qian)’.

 

What led you to decide to participate in ＜Be Mbitious＞?

There were two reasons. ne reason was the need for a new challenge in my career, but the more substantial reason was my aspiration to elevate the Bitgoeul Dancers' reputation. From my perspective, although the Bitgoeul Dancers were working hard and doing meaningful work, it seemed like we weren't receiving commensurate recognition. Therefore, I decided to participate in a big show to directly promote the team and to enhance our efforts' effectiveness.

After your first appearance on the show, you broke through numerous competitors and finally became a member of Mbitious, promptly moving on to ＜Street Man Fighter＞ where you achieved an excellent result of overall 3rd place. That time must have felt like a relentless storm for you too. Looking back, what are your memories of ＜Be Mbitious＞ and ＜Street Man Fighter＞?

Indeed, that period was challenging, pushing me to my limits both physically and mentally. There were many situations where I thought ‘I can't do this,’ but then I found myself wondering ‘how is this happening?’ I always had to surpass myself. So, I think it was a time of great personal growth for me. Within the category of dance, I got to experience areas other than what I had been doing until now, learned something new, and felt my own deficiencies. Thanks to that experience, I have now gained the strength to adapt smoothly to any situation that arises.

You are currently the leader of Mbitious. What kind of leader do you think you are?

I tend to be a more laid-back leader, preferring a fun-loving approach rather than strict task management. Especially, I love having fun with the members.

What do you think is the strength of Mbitious?

Our fans often affectionately refer to us as ‘M-ess’. Usually, teams tend to present a homogeneous image, with everyone moving in the same direction. However, in Mbitious, each member carries a unique and distinct personality while still maintaining strong teamwork. I believe that aspect is our greatest strength.

You often cite ‘musicality’ as your strength. Indeed, you often show how you can perfectly interpret any music through your own choreography. What aspects do you pay attention to when you listen to music?
 

Well, it varies with the music, but I tend to prioritize the melody. Because in any case, I feel emotions from the rhythm of the song, and I tend to express that emotion through movement. (Do you usually listen to music often?) I listen to it every day. It's almost a part of my daily life.

You have mentioned ‘HOZIN’ as the person who has most influenced you and the one you would like to compete against. What made you fall for him, and is there anything about him that you would like to make your own?
 

I first encountered HOZIN in an online video, where it felt like he was translating music into body movements. Even if it's a song I'm hearing for the first time, when HOZIN dances, it feels like I can hear every single beat. In that sense, if there's something I could take from HOZIN, it would be his ‘expressiveness’. His expressiveness is really top-notch on a global level. Although we haven't had the opportunity to compete yet, if that day comes, I think it would be a really meaningful day for me.

There's quite a story behind the name ‘5000,’ isn't there?
 

When I was younger, I used to search through English dictionaries with my friends to come up with dancer names. At that time, I wasn't in a position to participate in many competitions in Seoul, so I wanted to create a name that would stick in people's minds at once. At the time, I was living alone, struggling without money, and the only thing in my wallet was 5000 won. There weren't any dancers who had chosen a nickname based on numbers, so I thought this would be a unique choice that would also serve as a reminder of my humble beginnings, leading me to adopt ‘5000’ as my name.

When you look back on your journey of overcoming tough times, earning numerous victories and gaining recognition, how do you feel about your nickname now?

I think I chose very well. When I share this story with other dancers, they often find it quite poignant. Of course, when I go abroad, the name ‘5000’ tends to get bigger due to units or exchange rates (laughs), but anyway, I'm really satisfied with my name now.

How do you usually practice dancing?

In the past, I would dedicate a lot of my practice time to perfecting the moves I struggled with. Nowadays, I try to express what I feel at the moment without pretense. Instead of renting a practice room, I prefer a more casual setting for practice. I like to set up a camera in places like parks near my home, put on some music, and practice there.

When was the happiest moment since you became a dancer?

I find the greatest happiness now, being part of Mbitious. There were so many joyful moments during my life as a dancer, but in a way, it feels like the result of all those experiences combined. Meeting good friends, receiving so much support, and having the opportunity to challenge myself in new areas - it feels as if I have achieved all my goals.

If you were to define 5000's dance in one word?

Hmm, I would define 5000's dance as ‘5000’. My dance is something that really only I can do.

What do you want to show as Mbitious, and what are your personal goals for the future?

I want to be busier, moving around and making frequent appearances in various areas. If I were to choose a personal goal, I would like to be someone who can create more opportunities for my junior dancers. Large dance events are still prevalent in other countries, but most have disappeared in Korea. I want to recreate large-scale events like before and provide a good environment for Korean dancers. At the same time, my goal is to keep performing well for a very long time as a dancer.

Lastly, Finally, would you like to share a message with your fans who consistently provide you with support and encouragement?

First of all, thank you so much for your constant support. In fact, I used to dance because it was fun, but these days, I feel another motivation for dance when I hear people say they feel empathy and comfort from my dancing. I feel like I've changed positively and gained a lot of confidence since knowing Nvious. We aim to reciprocate this support for a long time, so please continue to watch our journey.
 

| Written by Jang Junhwan (Editor for the music webzine IZM)