A b-boy performs a dance move during the 2023 Jeonju B-boy Grand Prix. Courtesy of Jeonju City
Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, known for its traditional hanok village, is pivoting from its traditional identity to become Korea's premier hub for street dance.
The 19th Jeonju B-boy Grand Prix kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Samsung Culture Center of Jeonbuk National University. The major cultural event will feature more than 20 crews, including international breakdancers from Japan, China and Taiwan, competing for a total prize pool of 18 million won ($11,970). The winning crew will receive 10 million won.
Jeonju cemented its position in the domestic breaking scene after local crew Last For One won the Battle of the Year competition in Germany in 2005, becoming the first Korean team to claim the international title. This unprecedented global victory broke Seoul's cultural dominance in the breaking scene, sparking regional confidence that led to the creation of the Grand Prix in 2007.
The festival has rapidly evolved into an international stage, as seen when renowned Japanese crew Body Carnival won the 17th competition in Jeonju, drawing inquiries from overseas participants.
The field of competitors is also evolving. While veteran dancers in their 30s previously dominated the main battles, a large influx of younger breakers has revitalized the competition. These younger dancers bring flashy aerial techniques and a faster pace heavily influenced by social media and short-form videos. The youth movement gained further momentum after breaking made its official Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games.
The judging panel features top Korean talent, including Jeon Ji-ye, who competes under the name Fresh Bella. The Jeonju native won a bronze medal in the B-girl category at the 2023 World DanceSport Federation Asian Breaking Championship. She is joined by Hwang Jung-woo (Flex), Lee Byung-jun (Mario), Kim Yeon-su (The End) and Park Jin-hyung (Dol).
B-girl Jeon Ji-ye showcases her skills during the 2023 World DanceSport Federation Asian Breaking Championship in Hangzhou, China. Yonhap
The festival includes community events and special performances by the crews Hanya and So What. A performance by the judges before the main battles remains one of the most anticipated segments of the night.
A Jeonju city official said the Grand Prix expands the city's traditional image by embracing youth culture.
Source: Korea Times News
