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 fifth person we met is LEE HO WON. Just as he has shown unwavering commitment and passion at every moment, he once again responded to questions with deep and sincere dedication. Let’s discover LEE HO WON's story now.

Due to your consistent involvement in music and acting, building a strong reputation, it seems that returning to the dance field wouldn't have been entirely easy. Didn't you feel any pressure about this new challenge?

Actually, I didn't think of it as a “return” to the dance field. Since I first started dancing when I was young, I have never truly stopped or taken a break from it. It's true that it's been a while since I showcased my dance on a broadcast stage. While I did feel some initial pressure, my greater desire was to stand on many stages, which prompted me to take on the challenge.

Before your idol debut, you had formed teams named BK and 2 o’ clock. We'd love to hear about this period in your life. What was LEE HO WON like back then?

BK is short for ‘Black Korean,’ symbolizing a hip-hop team of Koreans with a deep appreciation for Black culture. We formed a team and performed with our mentor who taught our members. It was the first time in my life I had something resembling a profession, and the fact that I could earn some money while dancing, something I loved, is a truly cherished memory. 2 o’ clock, similarly a hip-hop dance team, comprised friends from BK. Although we're not active now, we still gather often, much like a club, and maintain a close bond. Back then, while I did harbor dreams of becoming a singer, I was profoundly in love with the act of dancing itself. It was a time of joy, fun, and freedom spent with friends who shared the passion for dance.

We heard that when you applied for ＜Be Mbitious＞, there were concerns and opposition from those around you. After successfully joining the team, how did the people around you react?

First of all, my family and friends, who genuinely cared and worried for me, were naturally very happy for me. Many told me I looked happier since I started working with Mbitious. They said things like, “It's great to see you doing what you love with people you get along with so well.” Thanks to my involvement with Mbitious, I started to think more positively and felt more invigorated. This has led to a feeling that everything else in my life is also going smoothly, keeping me in a consistently good mood.

You started as a B-boy from a young age, but understandably, your identity as a singer is much more pronounced. On the ＜Street Man Fighter＞ show, even when you were praised for your dancing, there were comments like ‘He doesn't have an idol vibe,’ and ‘He's totally a dancer,’ which seem to tie back to your original image. Did you have any regrets about these remarks?

I think the comment about not having an idol vibe is because I'm no longer in the typical age range for idols. Both the remarks – having an idol vibe and not having one – seem to be given as compliments. Regardless, I'm not just someone who dances; I also sing and act. Instead of focusing solely on the quality of the dance, I'm more concerned about how to present myself better in front of the camera and the audience. Regardless of opinions, I always view them in a positive light.

Then, during the filming of the show, was there a compliment that stood out or remained in your memory?

Although it didn't make it to air, following the announcement of the 21 successful candidates from the ＜Be Mbitious＞ one-on-one evaluation, ‘Rain’ sought me out in the waiting room. He called me out and pointedly said, “You were incredible”. I felt really great at that moment. Unfortunately, that scene was edited out.

You took on the role of the artist based on the opinions of other team members during the new song choreography mission on ＜Street Man Fighter＞. In this regard, what other aspects of your singing experience helped you in the field of choreography?

Honestly, I don't consider myself strictly a battler or a choreographer. Rather, I see myself as a player on stage, someone who showcases performances. Since both I and the members understood this role, they exclusively handled the choreography creation and directing, and I merely partook in what was set before me. At that moment, my primary contribution was as an artist. I considered how to look appealing on camera, which parts to dance or not, and how to gesture. In these aspects, I feel that my experience provided some assistance.

At the heart of it, what initially drew you to dance, and why do you continue to embrace dance even as you engage in multiple fields as a multi-player?

Around the age of 7 or 8, I believe my love for dance was sparked by watching singers on TV. Later on, I wanted to become a singer and initially focused solely on singing. However, after noticing that many of those who danced well got selected in auditions, I felt the urge to learn dancing as well. As I continued to learn, my passion for dance genuinely grew. Even now, I dance simply because I truly love it.

How do you find balance for yourself across various fields?

Having been involved in various fields, both personally and professionally, I'm frequently asked, “Do you like dancing, singing, or acting the most?” Every time I hear such questions, I genuinely ponder my own preferences. Recently, I've concluded that I seem to like all of them fairly equally. I make choices based on what my heart feels drawn to whenever an opportunity arises. Even in situations where I have to pour all my time into filming for acting or preparing for a dance stage, I always remind myself not to let go of any of the things I'm involved in. Therefore, there's a consistent desire to maintain everything in a balanced manner. My current involvement with Mbitious feels almost like a hobby in some ways. It's not that I take it lightly because it isn't ‘work,’ but rather because I genuinely enjoy spending time with the members, and it brings joy to my heart. In fact, today's schedule is all about reuniting with the members after a long time, so I approached it with the mindset of hanging out with them. Similarly, for performances, instead of feeling the pressure to prove myself on stage through dance, I approach it with the intent of creating memorable moments with the members.

 

What do you consider to be your greatest strength as a dancer?

Currently, I think my greatest strength is my willingness to learn. These days, trends change especially quickly. In such an environment, rather than believing that what I do is the best, I feel that my greatest asset and strength might be maintaining an attitude that there's always room for improvement, and being open to embracing and learning new things.

How do you usually practice dancing?

Before, I used to spend a lot of time practicing as if I was training on my own. However, since becoming a part of Mbitious, I've been practicing with the members in a fun manner, as if we're playing a game. We not only learn new things but also engage in freestyle jams.

You've shown a special love for Black music for a long time. Do you have any recent hip-hop songs to recommend these days?

I just finished filming a movie recently, which has kept me from listening to hip-hop as much as I usually do. Since the movie is set in the 1980s, I've been listening to music from that era. I'll try to explore the recent hip-hop releases after this interview. A song I frequently listen to is ‘It’s not love if it hurts too much’ by Kim Kwang Seok.

You got some attention in ＜Be Mbitious＞ for what is known as ‘Hod-lib,’ which are provocative comments. Were you not worried about how the broadcast would edit it or about your image?

I'm not typically one to speak in a calculated manner. Since is a survival program, I tried to speak more genuinely and directly. However, in hindsight, there were many others who were even more forthright than me, so my comments didn't seem to get highlighted much

.

When watching your activities on the broadcast, the keyword ‘passion’ strongly comes to mind. What's the secret behind never losing this passion even in challenging situations and various missions?

I believe we shouldn't take anything for granted and should always be grateful. That mindset drives me to work hard. I see every day and every schedule I have as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I believe it's due to my approach of always being positive and giving my all that I come off as passionate.

In 2022, when you applied for ＜Be Mbitious＞, you candidly mentioned that it had been ‘4 years since you last performed on stage’. After joining the team and post ＜Street Man Fighter＞, you've showcased your talents on various platforms, including national tours, KCON, and overseas fan meetings. How do you feel about this journey?

In the past, going to the airport was challenging because I traveled abroad for performances so frequently that it was exhausting. However, after my two-year military service coincided with the onset of COVID-19, I wasn't able to travel abroad for almost four years. This hiatus made me realize how precious and challenging it is to perform abroad. Over those four years, I deeply missed dancing and interacting with overseas fans. Through ＜Street Man Fighter＞, I got the chance to step back onto the international stage and truly enjoyed performing. Despite its tight schedule, our first overseas stint in Dubai was an incredibly fulfilling experience.

You've mentioned that the best part of participating in ＜Be Mbitious＞ and ＜Street Man Fighter＞ was meeting the Mbitious crew. Are there any memorable episodes or stories from your time working with the team that you'd like to share?

In the early stages of filming for ＜Street Man Fighter＞, we stayed in Incheon for over a week in close quarters. With only 2-3 hours of sleep each day, everyone was physically and mentally drained. Despite that, we would gather in a single room, eat cup ramen, chat, and then drift off to sleep. The moments when we shared fun and humorous stories and became closer to each other are particularly memorable for me.

Within Mbitious, what kind of role does LEE HO WON play?

If you were to only see me in a solo interview like this, you might perceive me as very serious. However, in reality, I'm quite the prankster. I act as a sort of mood maker for the group, frequently throwing out what we call ‘Hod-libs’ and making the other members laugh.

What are your goals as Mbitious, and what is LEE HO WON's personal vision and aspiration?

As we were wrapping up the intense shooting for ＜Street Man Fighter＞, I felt a surge of ambition. We thought, having come together as Mbitious, why not aim to reach the pinnacle as a dance crew? We talked about striving hard to succeed. However, a month or two later, member 5000 mentioned that we shouldn't rush with Mbitious activities, suggesting that we should take a slow and steady approach. After hearing that, I reflected upon it and found myself agreeing. More than achieving specific goals as Mbitious, I'd like us to continue having fun, being consistent, and staying active for a long time. Especially since all of us have our primary professions, our system revolves around working hard in our individual capacities and then coming together occasionally to create meaningful choreography and perform. While achieving grand milestones is desirable, I'd prefer a consistent and enduring presence. Personally, alongside Mbitious activities, I wish to keep sharing my music and continue my acting journey.

Lastly, is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?
 

It's been a year since Mbitious appeared on ＜Street Man Fighter＞. We’ve even garnered a fandom named ‘Nvious’. I never imagined that we'd have such a vast number of supporters, so I'm profoundly grateful. I hope to keep working with Mbitious for a long time and wish to walk this journey with our fans for many years to come. Thank you!
  
 

| Written by Han Seong Hyun (Editor for the music webzine IZM)