Plus Magazine

Through a long journey from competing in to becoming stars in , 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 last and seventh person we met is the youngest member of Mbitious, TARZAN. During the interview, he did not hesitate to stand up and express himself through his body movements, allowing us to fully experience the vibrant dancer named ‘TARZAN’. We hope his youthful energy and passion fully reach our readers, and here's a vivid account of our encounter.

You've been actively involved as a dancer since your childhood. What led you to become close to dance?

My parents had a significant influence on me. Inspired by my parents, both athletes themselves, I initially wanted to become a sports athlete as well. However, my mother and father did not want me to pursue that path. While I was still inclined towards the physical arts, wondering what I could do with my body, my parents suggested I try dancing. That's how I began my journey as a dancer.
 

How did you come up with the nickname TARZAN?

Since my first year of middle school, my height, facial features, and body shape have remained largely the same. Being tall, having tanned skin, long arms and legs, and being good at sports, my childhood friends began calling me ‘TARZAN’. Seeking a powerful and intuitive stage name, ‘TARZAN’ resonated with that image, so I adopted it.

While you have consistently worked as a choreographer, you began to gain significant attention after participating in 〈Be Mbitious〉. What made you decide to join the show?

I had been a part of a crew named AITTY TOO even before joining Mbitious. The team leader, Youngbin, suggested that I should consider participating. I never imagined that by joining a show on a whim, I would receive so much attention and love.

It seems you have a particularly deep connection with JINWOO, who has participated in 〈Be Mbitious〉 with you, has been part of AITTY TOO, and is now a member of Mbitious as well. What kind of person is JINWOO to TARZAN?

He's truly an intriguing elder brother figure to me. In many aspects, he's vastly different from me. In the past, he was academically accomplished, fluent in English, and has a keen interest in fashion. I always feel that there's so much I can learn from him.

Then, are there other dancers whom you are greatly influenced by or respect?

While several dancers come to mind, those who've recently inspired me the most hail from my crews, Mbitious and AITTY TOO. Since they're the ones I constantly see, I inevitably get influenced by them, and that influence energizes me positively. Outside of my crew members, two international dancers that stand out to me, whom I often watch and greatly admire, are Toby Deedaran and Laurence Kaiwai, who's tall and has a flavorful dance style.

You often interact with dancers from abroad. When connecting through dance in foreign lands, what have you felt or realized?

I often feel like I'm still a ‘frog in a well’. My self-esteem isn't that high, so I frequently push myself hard. Whenever I travel abroad, these feelings intensify. Every time I return to my hotel room, I think to myself, ‘Why do I do that?’ or ‘I need to work harder’.

There are also clear cultural differences. The atmosphere of dance classes and the way they hype up are quite different from Korea. The distinct style and essence of those learning dance overseas felt different from here. There's no experience as joyful and refreshing as communicating through dance when I'm overseas.

You participated in 〈Be Mbitious〉 and 〈Street Man Fighter〉. What was the most challenging part for you?

The hardest part for me was having to compete with people I didn't know. I tend to avoid conflicts in relationships, and it wasn't mentally comfortable for me to engage in direct competition with strangers like that.

Although you went through tough times, you achieved respectable results on the broadcast stage, solidifying the presence of the Mbitious crew. How is your relationship with the Mbitious members now?

I've been re-watching member Taehyun's YouTube videos from the beginning recently. As I watch, it's clear to see that we are getting closer over time. It's heartwarming, especially for someone as reserved as me, to see myself gradually connecting more with the older members.

What do you think your role or presence is within Mbitious?

A punching bag? (laughs) I feel like all the members' attention gets directed at me, almost too much to handle.

Fans' interest in you all is quite significant. What do you think is the biggest reason why Mbitious is so loved?

I'm not entirely sure why others like us, but I suspect it might be because of our individuality. It's been almost a year since the team was formed, each member embodying the unique charms of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Yet, each member's distinct color remains intact without blending with others. I think fans might appreciate this unique aspect of us.

You've mentioned in the past that you find SNS intimidating. However, you still actively engage in live broadcasts and actively communicate with fans, don't you?

It's not that I've specifically overcome my fear, but I try to familiarize myself with it by facing it continuously. Since I'm someone who's quite shy around strangers, when I stand in a place with many cameras and people, like today, I get very nervous. My back is even sweating right now. Still, I'm trying to get used to this kind of pressure. I believe that with continued exposure, I'll improve my skills and become more articulate.

Dancing freely and crafting intricate choreography seem to be two separate stories. When it comes to choreography creation, what point do you prioritize the most?

The aspect I always emphasize to my students is ‘flow’. All my friends think of me as a dancer who highly values flow. It can be the narrative arc from beginning to end, the rhythm of how both feet move in and out during the choreography, or the shift in the body's center of gravity. Every night, I reflect on my strengths, and I believe that the power within this sense of flow might be my unique charm.

Where does the leadership of TARZAN, which drives such a flow, originate from?

I think my leadership comes from a drive to excel. I always think, ‘The only answer is to do what I excel at’. Fundamentally, I need to dance well for my students to respect me. If I also possess the perfect demeanor, I believe they will naturally follow without me having to lead them at every turn. It's a way of proving oneself through actions.

How do you typically approach dance practice?

Like most people, I either follow choreographies or practice the basics. Among those, the key aspect I focus on is the level. To put it simply, it refers to the height of my body when I dance. Knowing how to perform movements stably from an appropriate upper body level is far more important than one might think.

Is there anything specific you focus on for physical fitness management?

I don't follow a strict regimen, but I usually eat light meals. It's not about keeping my body light, but because I have gastroesophageal reflux disease, my stomach often feels off in the mornings. But, amusingly, I tend to eat a lot right before sleeping. (laughs) I need to eat quite a bit before sleeping to ensure I sleep soundly, almost to the point of feeling too full. During health check-ups, the doctor always tells me to eat less, but I couldn't help it. I haven't given up on eating that way.

How do you usually spend your time on days when you don't have an Mbitious schedule?

It might be one of my flaws, but I can't sleep well on my days off. I'm often consumed by thoughts like ‘I did nothing today’ or ‘I only had fun today,’ leading to a restless night. So, I try to structure my days so that I don't have days completely off. On such ‘days off,’ I either visit the bank, do household chores, or catch up on tattoos that I couldn't get when I was too busy.

Since we're on the topic, we have to ask. What do tattoos mean to TARZAN?

Honestly, even when getting tattoos, I often ponder. I worry thoughts like ‘As I grow older, I might regret these tattoos’ or ‘I might regret them when I get married, have children, and eventually see my grandchildren’. However, up to this point, I only feel that getting them was the right decision. I believe my tattoos, in many ways, have contributed to my success. They have become an integral part of my identity and image as the dancer TARZAN. Currently, I only see their positive sides.

what was the most memorable moment in your life?

One of my most memorable moments was traveling to the U.S. with my closest friends. Eight of us pooled almost 100 million won to travel to the U.S., and that trip was a turning point in my life. The formation of the AITTY TOO team had been in progress before we traveled, but it was truly from that moment that our crew solidified. We also became close with foreign dancers and had such a joyous time that I can still vividly remember the weather, temperature, and the color of the sky from back then.

Do you have any advice you'd like to leave for young aspiring dancers?

If you're going to do it, do it right! While other members might offer kind and encouraging advice, I'm quite a realistic person, so I tend to be somewhat cold when it comes to this. Young dancers might see me as a famous and skilled dancer in Korea, but I still feel like I'm at the bottom. There are so many talented people out there that I often ask myself, ‘How am I teaching here right now?’. Instead of vaguely being curious and asking your parents for support, I encourage you to approach dancing with seriousness and find a direction that truly resonates with you.

What is the ultimate goal or dream you want to achieve?

Whenever I'm asked a similar question, I always say my dream is to live in a nice apartment located in the outskirts of Gyeonggi-do, possess the wealth to drive a good car, and build a family with one son and two daughters. As a father, I want to be neither too authoritative nor too permissive with my children, but I'll be dedicated to providing them with unwavering support, ensuring a harmonious household.

Dancing, as fulfilling as it is, takes a toll on our bodies over time. To counteract this, I've planned to establish a dance academy. My goal is to build prestige, elevate my reputation, and hire friends who can follow my lead as instructors to run the academy. I believe this is a way for me to remain close to the dance community even if I can no longer dance myself. I'm working diligently to make this plan come to fruition.

How would TARZAN like to be remembered?

While I'm genuinely touched that fans perceive me as ‘the cute, youngest member TARZAN’ that contrasts with my exterior, I'd also appreciate acknowledgment of my more mature side. I hope they see beyond my surface charm to recognize the determined, capable young man I am. I tend to perform better when I receive praise from others. I would really appreciate it if you continue to shower me with compliments in the future.

Lastly, could you leave a message for the fans who always support you?

I often tell our fans this, but the depth of love and support you show, even when Mbitious and I feel we've done nothing special, fills me with profound gratitude. It's amazing how you continue to give us love without expecting anything in return. I promise to work hard to become someone worthy of the encouragement and support you give. Thank you!