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B-boys meet Korean traditional dance

The crossover dance performance "Battle B-Boy: Love Story", which features Korean traditional dance elements. The show is being staged at the B-Boy Theater, Hongdae, Seoul on an open run. / Courtesy of B-Boy Theater

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By Lee Hyo-won

Koreans' knack for exhilarating rhythm runs deep — from "samulnori" (Korean traditional percussion) to contemporary performances such as "Jump!" and, of course, b-boying.

A b-boy project has found inspiration in local traditions, and old becomes new again in this pulsating infusion of dance, music and theatricality.

"Battle B-boy — Love Story" marks the second season of "The Ballerina Who Loved a B-Boy", the first successful crossover performance of which ran for over four years at the B-Boy Theater in Hongdae. If the first season showcased a dynamic concoction of pointe work and head spins, then "Love Story" tries something more experimental by juxtaposing the elegant movements of Korean traditional dance with mind-bending contortions of the human body found in b-boying.

What makes the performance so popular is that it has a simple storyline and resonates well with audiences of all backgrounds. Since non-verbal foreigners can often be spotted in the audience.

"Love Story" features a classic love triangle involving two rival b-boys and a lovely traditional dancer. Boy meets girl, but the second boy, who feels an inferiority complex toward the first, also happens to fall for the girl. Gripped by envy he sets out to beat his rival in dance by joining a group of thuggish dancers and also steal his girlfriend. Given that the story is essentially about two b-boys fighting over dancing skills and a girl, the audience can look forward to plenty of battle scenes.

The performance evokes a nostalgia in viewers with a youthful romance in the tradition of "West Side Story", as boys and girls interact flirtatiously to cheerful music. But what sets the show apart is of course the fancy b-boying sequences and an array of other dance types including popping, locking, hip-hop and the show's distinctive highlight, traditional dance.

The performance does not make b-boys mimic traditional dance forms; rather, the heroine is seen performing solo sequences and the score itself features traditional drums and gongs. The two male protagonists do appear in a highly stylized scene wearing modernized "hanbok" (traditional costume) in order to depict the central love triangle in a poetic way. Another tasteful infusion of traditional elements is a striking mask dance which is sure to surprise viewers.

What it means for something to be "quintessentially Korean", as opposed to being "traditional", needs some contemplation — b-boying may be an imported culture but has become a familiar type of entertainment for modern Koreans. It is thus thoroughly Korean, and "Love Story" combines the local, contemporary appeal with traditional elements in an exciting new way.

This reflects not only in the production itself but also in the way it is staged. "Love Story" takes full advantage of the live performance, by consistently interacting with viewers. The intimate space of the theater allows the viewer to feel every pulse and breath of the dancers, and this can be seen as a sort of rebirth of Korea's unique "madang" (open field) culture.

Western-type performing spaces where the performer and viewer are clearly separated were introduced less than a century ago — before that, live shows were meant to be viewed from all around, as traveling art troupes staged works in markets and other outdoor areas. In the B-boy Theater, viewers are seated on three sides surrounding the stage, and those sitting in the first rows shouldn't be too surprised when dancers literally get in your face — all the sequences are tightly coordinated.

The b-boys keep the viewers engaged by lip-syncing to the music lyrics, eliciting "heung" or a party spirit. During battle scenes, the audience is in a way part of the show itself, by doubling as the viewers cheering for the dance face-offs (similar to a play-within-a-play).

"At first I was very doubtful, because I didn't think traditional dance would go well with b-boying", Lee Kyung-rok, who plays the hero in "Love Story", told The Korea Times. "I didn't think 'gugak' (traditional music) would match either. But I'm very proud of our show, and the traditional elements give b-boying something extra special".

Kim Jong-wan, 22, who plays Lee's rival, said that dancing in modern hanbok was a new experience. "It was actually uncomfortable and we had to be careful not to slip". His co-star agreed but said the costume had its plus sides — "The flowing silhouette actually makes the dance movements look larger and more organic, so sequences appear more stylish".

Lee, who has performed abroad, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year, believes that such experimental projects as "Love Story" are a reflection on the recognition of Korean b-boying from both near and far. The 23-year-old assumed the leading role in "Ballerina" and said he felt more confident in his acting in the second season.

Yet there are still developments that need to be made. "Many parents still think it's an unhealthy 'hobby', but there are universities that teach b-boying in dance courses and there are open run performances like this. It's a lot of hard work and often the media only portrays how difficult it is. Sure, it's a lot of hard work, but I wish the public could know more about the positive aspects, such as the passion and energy that goes into it", said Kim, who is a three-time winner on the popular SBS talent program "Star King".

"Battle B-boy — Love Story" is being staged on an open run at the B-Boy Theater, located near Hongdae (Hongik University). All tickets cost 50,000 won. The theater is designed in such a way that the audience can enjoy the show from any seat, including the second floor which provides an optimum view of the movements from above.

Performances begin at 8 p.m. from Wednesdays to Fridays; at 6 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. There are now shows on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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