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发表于 2006-6-3 09:41
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Trend of B-Boy in Korea
By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
B-boy Eagle executes an ``airtrack'' _ a complicated move that involves spinning in mid-air, starting with both hands on the ground. /Korea Times Photos by Shim Hyun-chul
B-boy is the nickname for break-dancers who master the tough, athletic techniques of hip-hop movements and often demonstrate their skills in fierce team battles.
In 15-minute battles each b-boy team has to show everything they know, individually and as a group, to beat the opposing team. Dancing to impromptu music, they do head spins and handstands and the ``flare'', which resembles spinning on a pommel horse on the ground, as well as the windmill, in which dancers spin on their shoulders and chest while keeping their legs off the floor.
Not only do they concentrate on showing great techniques but also on setting a good strategy in the arrangement of dancers to outperform their counterparts.
Audiences can't take their eyes off the passion-driven dancers who are not afraid of challenging the limits of physical flexibility and power.
In recent years, South Korean b-boys have been making their names at the international level by winning first place at some of the most prestigious competitive events such as Germany's annual ``Battle of the Year,'' the United Kingdom's ``B-boy Championship'' and the United States' ``Free Style Session.'' Korean b-boys have also been invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Experts say that the best b-boy team in Korea is likely the best in the world.
B-boy is a key word in the latest youth culture trend in Korea, leading to an increasing number of related cultural products.
From mid-May, cable music channel M.Net began airing a weekly soap opera ``Break,'' featuring fierce rivalry and friendship among b-boys. Real b-boys from popular b-boy teams such as Maximum Crew, T. I. P. and Godzilla appear on the show. ``I wanted to show the audience that b-boy culture is already part of mainstream pop culture,'' said Han Dong-chul, a producer of the program.
Major TV networks are also planning to make programs on what drives the b-boys' lives. As for ``Over the Rainbow,'' scheduled to air from July 26 on MBC, Shin Yong-sok or B-boy Zeronine from the renowned team Last For One will make his debut as an actor. ``As Shin experienced the life of an underground b-boy, I believe he will be able to show a realistic performance for the drama which is about the passion of youth who aspire to become professional dancers,'' said producer Han Hee.
``Hip-hop,'' a comic series that sold more than two million copies will also be turned into a TV drama by Eight Peaks production. Currently, members from popular boy-band Tong Vfang Xien Qi are expected to star in it. Movie director Kwak Kyong-taek, known for the mega-hit film ``Friend'' is also preparing a movie on b-boys' lives under the working title `` Breakers.''
Cable sports channels like KBS Sky Sports and SBS Sports telecast live, domestic b-boy competitions.
In December, SJ B-boys Theater, an exclusive theater for b-boy performances was built near Hong-ik University in Seoul. The 500-seat hall is always crowded with those coming to see the non-verbal performance ``The Ballerina Who Fell in Love With a B-boy.'' Over 20 percent of the audience being foreigners on average, the performance has become one of Korea's representative attractions.
``As b-boying uses the whole body as a tool for expression, it can overcome cultural differences as well as language barriers. That is why it can be universally appealing,'' said Moon Joo-chul, the show's producer.
michelle@koreatimes.co.kr
06-01-2006 17:35
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/20...17355311680.htm
BY ST FROM 韩朝风 |
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发表于 2006-6-2 14:04
