Street Dance Girls Fighter 2 winners Baby Jam, who are part of Jam Republic Agency, share why dance and self-expression go hand-in-hand.
Related: From Korea To The World, Baby Jam Is Ready For So Much More
Whether you’re a trained dancer or have two left feet, everyone has the dance moves in them. When music and movement meet, it makes for a frankly magical experience that isn’t determined by how much skill you have. It’s a form of self-expression that transcends languages and cultures, something dance crew Baby Jam knows all too well. The young dance crew is not only one of the finest teams out there, as evidenced by their Street Dance Girls Fighter 2 win, but they are also composed of members who embody the creativity and self-expression of the new generation.
More than just a way to showcase their talent, dance, along with other performing arts, serves as an avenue for Gen Z to be themselves and express who they are. In their journey to self-discovery, PK, Sienna, Bella, Ria, and Miyabi find who they are through dance. Read on below as these young dancers open up about the power of movement, finding yourself, and more.
When was the first time you realized you had a passion for dancing?
PK: When I was in high school, I was preparing to study abroad and when everything was settled, as in plane ticket, foster home, school, etc., I got offered by a dancer who was my ex- crew’s founder. I instantly accepted it because somehow my heart felt like it was my final escape hole. I was trying to deny it but I’ve been feeling pressured and depressed during all those times when I wasn’t in the dance industry. I’ve always looked up to artists who stand on stage but was too scared to try. So, accepting that offer without hesitation made me realize I’ve always wanted to dance.
BELLA: I used to go along with my Mum and my Nana to watch my sister at her dance classes and I always wanted to join in. When I turned 2 years old, I was allowed to start dance classes, which mostly involved skipping around the room wearing fairy dresses, waiving fairy wands, and doing cartwheels. I loved everything about it, and I have loved dancing ever since.
What is your favorite thing about dancing?
PK: My favorite thing about dance is that there isn’t any certain form or rules you have to follow to call that a dance. There are countless ways to use your body, to express one’s emotions to another, which is what I think is very exciting. There isn’t an end to dancing. You can always learn something from other dancers and find a new path to use your body. That makes dance exciting and new every day.
MIYABI: I’m usually a shy person, but when I dance, I feel like I’m freeing myself, overflowing with confidence, so I like how dance brings that out. I also like the fact that if it’s dance, even if we don’t speak the same language, we can dance and do the choreography together.
SIENNA: My favorite thing about dance is being able to express myself through my movement. I love that I get to execute moves how I want to and get to feel my body flow through the movements. When the music starts playing, I feel free.
How do you express yourself whenever you get to dance or perform on stage?
PK: Stay true to yourself and the music you are dancing to. When I dance, I feel like I’m the translator between the music and the audience. Before I dance, I need to know what I am dancing to. What the music is telling me, and what I feel from that, I try to leave my everyday identity off stage, and on stage, it’s just me and the music. I still find it hard to be totally real in front of the music, which is what I am working on every time I perform.
BELLA: Dance is a beautiful art form that allows me to share a piece of myself. I feel like performing onstage is a powerful way to express myself and connect with an audience. It allows me to convey a range of emotions through movement.
RIA: When I’m on stage, I feel as if I am in a parallel universe. It’s a world where I can express myself freely and transparently. I keep this feeling alive in me when I dance as I enjoy myself on stage.
Why should Gen Z still see dance and other performing arts as viable fields worth exploring and potentially turning it into a profession?
SIENNA: I think Gen Z should take the time to appreciate how much effort dancers and other performing arts put into their work. If you love what you do then turning it into a profession is worth it.
RIA: I believe that with dance, the possibilities are endless. I love the dance culture in Europe/the US and the dance scene in Asia is very exciting. I feel that as someone who is part of Gen Z, we should cherish the music and dance created by our pioneers and aim to continue it, making it even better.
How do you handle the pressure of having to be or act a certain way?
PK: I try to remember that if I really respect the person I’m facing, I have to be true to the paths I’ve walked, the people I’ve met, and what I learned from them in the past. Because people know if the person is truly being themselves or not. By reflecting on that, I can get rid of the pressure more easily.
BELLA: Pressure can come from many sources, whether it’s social expectations, school/academic demands, or personal goals. Some of the strategies I use to cope with pressure and stay true to myself are recognizing that it’s normal to feel pressure in certain situations, focusing on what I can control, setting realistic expectations of myself, and having positive role models in my life.
SIENNA: There are a lot of pressures as a teenager. Social pressures, living up to expectations of others and myself, overcoming issues and problems but what I do is take the challenges as they come and just be myself.
What do you think it means to “Just Be”?
BELLA: We can simply exist without feeling the need to be someone we are not or having to prove our worth. When we learn to “Just Be”, then we can fully enjoy life every day instead of worrying about the past or the future.
What advice do you have for the Gen Z out there who are struggling to be themselves?
MIYABI: If we compare it to dance, now that SNS (social networking sites) has developed, there may be a lot of kids desperately trying to become popular. I think we all have people we admire, but because we only see the superficial aspects of that person on SNS, we don’t understand the process by which that person rose to this point. That’s why it might be a good idea to focus not only on the superficial aspects but also on the basics of everything, such as how to achieve it and how to make an effort. In short, go back to basics!
BELLA: I know this may sound cliché but embrace your uniqueness and be proud of your individuality. Be kind to yourself and treat yourself with love and understanding. Remember, everyone makes mistakes. Don’t let others define you and find friends who accept you as you are. Always remember, you are amazing!
RIA: Cherish your individuality. Work hard towards your dreams and goals. If you stay true to yourself, you’ll meet more people with similar values along your journey, and to this day, I continue to pave my future with those people.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Photos by CJ ENM.
