Mnet’s dance competition show Street Woman Fighter is undoubtedly one of the biggest media sensations of 2021. With a jaw-dropping rating of 94.5 percent on its streaming platform Tving, the program has amassed a global audience and fandom, all invested in different aspects of the show – whether it be drama, choreography, or comedy. Shedding light upon the hidden masterminds of K-pop performances and their overshadowed personalities, the program has exposed the public to many charismatic female dancers. One individual to benefit from this is none other than the esteemed dancer Choi Hyojin, leader of the crew WANT.

“I wanted to set fire to the life I had grown so complacent and accustomed to as a dancer,” answered Choi when asked about what influenced her decision to appear on the program. Choi’s words reflect Choi’s ambitious, and humble mindset, despite being such a renowned figure within – and well-beyond – the dance community. Her enthusiasm and genuineness have garnered her attention for not just being a phenomenal dancer, but an uplifting person, gaining her the nickname Kookmin Umma, meaning Nation’s Mother. In many ways, Choi has already presented herself as a talented force to be reckoned with and a genial character that viewers relate to and respect.

Going Full Circle

Despite her shorter airtime during the first episodes compared to other dancers with more dramatic storylines, footage of Choi’s unaired freestyle battles spotlights her sheer versatility and resilience as a dancer. Released videos showcase Choi’s battle against an indomitable icon of the girls’ hip-hop scene Rihey, where Choi defiantly flaunts her sublime sense of fluidity, all while wearing a cast on her right arm. In the freestyle battle, Choi’s style, although drawing inspiration from a variety of street dance styles, still maintains a hint of elegance that nods toward her roots in ballet and contemporary dance. Her diverse dance background imbues an exciting, unique depth to her movements and allows her choreography to take on more dimensions, making it easier for her to captivate the viewers.

Besides street choreography, another performance that truly illustrates Choi’s dexterity and versatility in body control is her winning performance on another Mnet TV program Hit the Stage. On the show, she choreographed and performed a sensual, intimate piece to Nick Jonas’ “Close” with K-pop star Hoya. Revolving around the theme “this love,” the performance tells the story of lovers conflicted with a reality that forbids their passionate connection to each other. The piece itself pertains to a modern, contemporary style, yet pays homage to Choi’s influences in jazz-funk choreography, focusing on elements of body isolation and jumping techniques.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Putting all technicalities aside, dancers are ultimately storytellers that push the limits of their body to deliver an intricate message to their audience. “Honesty is the only thing that matters,” Choi commented when asked about the keywords to describe her choreography. “Every single move I make while I dance should be exactly what I want to express at that moment.” A prominent example of the rawness and honesty of Choi’s choreography is her first prize-winning performance in 2019 Urban Summer Life, a dance competition where instructors showcase mega-crew performances with their students. Dancing to Sia’s “Alive,” Choi, alongside her students, delivered a contemporary-style piece that symbolized the uphill battle of overcoming insecurities and personal bouts of trauma. The performance, full of emotional acting and improvisation, evokes unsettling feelings of regret, confusion, despair, but ultimately, the overpowering grit of humanity.

Despite WANT’s elimination from “Street Woman Fighter,” Choi has proved to the world that she truly is a victor – a warrior who has dismantled the preconceptions of dancers having closed-off, intimidating dispositions. Not only does she succeed in doing so through her personality, but also her versatility, which ultimately staged a novel perspective on street choreography, alongside her unadulterated transparency as a performer. She has, and will continue to represent the epitome of performance ethic, bridging the realm of her selfhood to the audience through the medium of art.