Mnet dance battle show 'Stage Fighter' set to highlight Korea's classical genres

Mnet’s renowned dance competition franchise is stepping off the streets and onto the grand stage with its latest show, "Stage Fighter." This time, the spotlight will shine on classical dance.

From left, dancer Ryu Hoi-woong, singer Kang Daniel, chief producer Kwon Young-chan, producer Choi Jeong-nam, dancer Jung Bo-kyung, ballerina Kim Joo-won, dancer Choi Soo-jin pose for a photo during a press conference for Mnet's new dance competition show ″Stage Fighter″ held in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

Mnet’s renowned dance competition franchise is stepping off the streets and onto the grand stage with its latest show, "Stage Fighter." This time, the spotlight will shine on classical dance, featuring Korean dancers, contemporary dancers and ballet dancers.

“There are so many outstanding K-classical dancers in Korea right now who are actively performing worldwide,” the show’s chief producer Kwon Young-chan said during the show’s press conference held in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday, ahead of the show’s release.

“However, they aren’t that familiar to the general public. So, we decided to create this program to introduce these amazing dancers, expand their appeal to a wider audience and help each dancer gain a dedicated fandom. We also wanted to showcase the incredible performances of these K-classical dancers to the world.”

Screen captures of Mnet's new dance competition show ″Stage Fighter″ [MNET]

Mnet’s new dance competition show, “Stage Fighter,” is set to air its first episode on Tuesday at 10 p.m. The show will follow the battles between 64 currently active dancers from three genres: Korean dance, contemporary dance and ballet.

Singer Kang Daniel, who previously hosted the street dance franchise, will continue to lead the new show, but with a different approach, according to the singer.

“While hosting the 'Street Fighter' series [2021-], I tried to be more like a ‘battle MC,’” the singer said. “[But for this show,] since there are no live-format competitions, my tone and pacing as a host naturally shifted to being more like I was making announcements in a theater or hall, as if I were providing guidance to the audience.”

The singer added that the new show differentiates from the previous series, saying, “The biggest distinction, I would say, is the incredibly captivating acrobatic and technical movements. The dancers carry such an elegant and refined aura that while they performed such moments, I felt a sense of reverence.”

Posters of Mnet's new dance competition show ″Stage Fighter″ [MNET]

Alongside Kang, renowned figures in the dance scene are also set to appear as the show's master and coaches. Ballerina Kim Joo-won will be the master in the show, who will lead the dancers overall. Matthew Rich will appear as the show’s rehearsal director, while Kim Jae-seung and Jung Bo-kyung will take the roles of the Korean dance coaches. Seong Chang-yong and Choi Soo-jin will be the contemporary dance coaches and Ryu Hoi-woong and Han Seong-woo will be the ballet coaches.

The cast and producers acknowledged that classical dance is a genre that many viewers may not be accustomed to. However, they emphasized that the show's viewers shouldn't have much difficulty in understanding the three genres, thanks to the extensive commentary provided by the coaches.

“The viewers should feel like they’re listening to a commentary while watching a competition between sports athletes,” producer Choi Jeong-nam said.

Director Park Chan-wook is also set to appear in the show, and producer Choi said to watch the show to find out more, while hinting at the director’s appearance.

Stills from Mnet's new dance competition show ″Stage Fighter″ [MNET]

“The dancers will be assigned a mission to express Park’s works using their body, which the viewers should see by watching the show,” producer Choi said.

Though the show is about survival and competition, the cast and producers emphasized that it will provide more than just battles and will show competitiveness.

“While the show may seem like there is a hierarchy and a battle structure among the dancers, there are moments where each dancer pushes beyond their own limits, which were so moving for me,” ballerina Kim said. She said that she cried a few times on set when seeing such moments. “I felt on set that beyond the intense and exciting competition, there were moments of deep emotion that the viewers could really resonate with.”

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]