Mnet’s ‘World of Street Woman Fighter’ ends July 22, making up for familiar format with global scale

The Korean team Beomjeop performs during the Mega Crew Mission on music cable channel Mnet’s dance survival program “World of Street Woman Fighter.” / Screenshot from the YouTube channel “The CHOOM”

Music cable channel Mnet’s dance survival program, “World of Street Woman Fighter,” concludes its run on July 22. While some critics say the show follows the same format as previous seasons without much novelty, others praise its expanded global scale and the emergence of new star dancers. Although the TV ratings hovered around 1 percent throughout the broadcast, the show gained significant buzz online. According to Good Data Corporation, the show ranked first in popularity among TV and OTT variety shows for seven consecutive weeks as of the second week of July.

In fact, the format of “World of Street Woman Fighter” did not differ significantly from previous seasons. The competition continued to feature elements such as the “Weaker Challenger Battle,” where dancers pick rivals they consider less skilled for one-on-one dance battles, “Class Mission,” “World of K-pop Mission,” and “Mega Crew Mission,” all staples since season 1. The show drew viewer criticism for “evil editing,” which repeatedly cut and emphasized negative remarks about specific individuals, as well as exaggerated reaction shots.

However, the show compensated for these shortcomings by scaling up. Unlike earlier seasons mostly featuring Korean teams, this season included six teams representing five countries. From Korea, popular dancers from “Street Woman Fighter 1,” including Honey J, Aiki, Gabee, Noze, Lee Jung, Lee Hey, Lip J, Monica, and Hyojin Choi, united as the team “Beomjeop.” Japan sent two teams: “RH Tokyo,” led by world-renowned choreographer Riehata, and “Osaka Ojo Gang,” rooted in hip-hop culture. The U.S. team “Motive” focused on old-school hip-hop, New Zealand was represented by “Royal Family,” known for their distinctive group choreography, and Australia’s “Age Squad” consisted mostly of former Royal Family members.

The show’s format of “international competition” added to viewer engagement. The rivalry between Japan’s two contrasting teams, RH Tokyo and Osaka Ojo Gang, and the competition between Age Squad and Royal Family, both originating from the same roots, added excitement. Fans rallied passionately, with many Koreans expressing strong support for Beomjeop.

Beomjeop’s “Mega Crew” video, in particular, garnered high views and boosted the show’s popularity. Their performance titled “Mongkyung ― On the Border of Dreams” showcased a unique choreography reminiscent of a traditional Korean ritual, featuring performers dressed as grim reapers wearing traditional hats. The video surpassed 12 million views within four days of its release, and as of July 20, one month after upload, it has exceeded 15.65 million views. When the video was uploaded on Mnet’s official YouTube channel, The CHOOM, public institutions such as the Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Intangible Heritage Center left comments praising it as “a performance worthy of national heritage.”

However, Beomjeop was eliminated at the semi-final stage, finishing fourth, which left fans disappointed. Compared to other teams mainly composed of dancers in their late teens to early twenties, most of Beomjeop’s members were in their thirties. The team was also formed specifically for the show, which critics say weakened their cohesion. Beomjeop’s early exit as Korea’s representative sparked surprise and mixed reactions, with some saying the “burden of representing Korea was too great.”

Distinctive foreign contestants also raised the show’s profile. Kyoka from the Japanese team Osaka Ojo Gang became an internet sensation, nicknamed “Kyokain” (a pun blending her name with “cocaine”). Kyoka, who has been dancing since she was nine, is considered a legend in Japan’s street dance scene. Her tough appearance contrasts with her cute and friendly behavior and exceptional dance skills, helping her build a strong fan base.

Motive’s leader Marly gained recognition with a politically themed performance during the Mega Crew mission, drawing parallels to U.S. political situations. Alicia of Age Squad rose to popularity after her performance during the Class Mission went viral, showcasing not only her impressive skills but also earning her the nickname “Betty Boop” for her unique stage presence and character.

“World of Street Woman Fighter” concludes with its ninth episode on July 22. The live finale will feature three teams, Age Squad, Motive, and Osaka Ojo Gang, battling for the championship.

※This article was translated by an AI tool and edited by a professional translator.