Korean dance crew 1Million kicks off '2024 Korea Season' with dance off in Paris

Music & Performance

Published: 05 May. 2024, 16:19 Updated: 05 May. 2024, 17:32

Korean dance crew 1Million kicks off '2024 Korea Season' with dance off in Paris

Korean dance crew 1Million and French break dancers Pokemon Crew perform "Urban Pulse Uprising," the opening performance to kick start the "2024 Korea Season," a series of cultural programs that are part of Paris Cultural Olympiad, on May 2 at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

PARIS, France — Théâtre du Châtelet, located along the quays of the Seine, has been an emblematic theater and opera house in Paris known for hosting stellar operas, dance performances and musicals. Usually, visitors to this type of theater have to suppress their sneezes and refrain from creating any type of disturbance. However, on Thursday evening, the Italian-style auditorium that seats some 2,000 people was jam-packed with people — and the swag was out of control.

They jumped out of their seats every now and then — automatically making those sitting behind them also stand up — and could not refrain from clapping, shouting and submitting themselves to the beat. This was the day when street dance took over — at least for those 90 minutes at the performance house.

Eleven dancers from 1Million Dance Studio, one of Korea's most popular dance academies among foreigners, staged a feverish dance performance to signal the start of the “2024 Korea Season,” a grand cultural program spanning six months across various French cities including Paris, Avignon, Aurillac and Nantes — all as part of the 2024 Paris Cultural Olympiad.

Dancers from 1Million perform at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on May 2. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

The show, titled “Urban Pulse Uprising” was a collaborative dance performance by Korean and French crews, organized as the opening performance of the “2024 Korea Season.” 1Million Dance Studio’s performance was followed by the French group, Pokemon Dance Crew. Both Korean and French dancers showcased their gigs for 30 minutes each and then wrapped up the night with a 20-minute dance battle that brought the excitement in the auditorium to the next level.

Pokemon Crew is one of the oldest and most popular break dance crews in France. Riyad Fghani, the artistic director of Pokemon Crew, said his team performed at the Théâtre du Châtelet once “to perform a short piece for an award ceremony,” adding that this performance with 1Million was their first at the Théâtre du Châtelet solely for break dancing.

“It’s an honor to perform in this theater — a theater with a long history of being visited only by the cultural elites,” Fghani said during the press conference at the theater held prior to the show on May 2. “And to be here tonight to put on different dances that belong to popular culture, like hip-hop, break dancing and K-pop — that’s what makes this venue significant.”

Dancers from Pokemon Crew perform at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on May 2. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Fghani, who led his crew to champion the Red Bull BC One twice in 2005 and again in 2009, said he is well aware of the talents of Korean break dancers. Red Bull BC One is a major international B-boy competition organized annually by the beverage company Red Bull. Korean break dancer Kim Hong-yul, also known as Hong10, is a three-time Red Bull BC One World Champion. He is one of five dancers competing in the preliminary battle to win the ticket to compete in the upcoming Games.

“I believe the two countries that would compete in the finals at the break dancing game that will debut at the Paris Olympics are Korea and the U.S.,” Fghani said. “Korean break dancers have always been so great, and I know they’ll not allow a single mistake.”

Yolla, a 26-year-old Parisian, said it was an “unforgettable experience to see street dancers from the two countries sharing a stage together,” adding that the show made her want to visit Korea, a country to which she has never been before.

Lyam Allard, 29, a self-professed K-pop fan, said he felt sorry for the old lady sitting next to him because he just “couldn’t resist screaming and dancing to the music throughout the show.

The Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, which seats about 2,000 people, is jam-packed with people on the opening night for the "2024 Korea Season." [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

“But when I saw her cheering and dancing as well, I knew I didn’t have to feel sorry. We were definitely in this together,” he said. “I’ve been following 1Million ever since they appeared on ‘Street Women Fighter,’ and I’ve been a big fan of Lia Kim. I was so honored to see her perform live in Paris.”

“Urban Pulse Uprising,” organized by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (Kofice) and the Korean Cultural Center in France, signals the beginning of an array of programs to follow in the next six months. The Culture Ministry was eager to showcase different Korean cultural content around the time when the Paris Olympic Games is held as travelers from across the globe will be visiting the city. The Paris Cultural Olympiad organizers sympathized with the Korean government and gave the “2024 Korea Season” its label, which certifies it as the official cultural project being held as part of the Paris Cultural Olympiad.

The “2024 Korea Season” features 34 programs of different cultural genres including a musical performance, art exhibition, crafts and tourism, prepared by 17 domestic cultural and arts organizations such as Kofice, the Korean Cultural Center in France, the Association of Korea National Arts Companies and the Korea Tourism Organization.

Other programs include a traditional Korean world music concert, an opera titled "Cheoyong" by the Korea National Opera, concerts by the Korean National Symphony Orchestra and the National Chorus of Korea, the National Contemporary Dance Company's "Jungle,” Lee Hee-moon Project's "O Bang Shin Gwa” and performances by Heart Heart Orchestra.

The Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Creative Content Agency, which have offices in Paris, will also participate in the Korea Season to present an array of cultural programs involving Korean music, drama, film and beauty.

Culture Minister Yu In-chon gives a toast during the opening night for the "2024 Korea Season" held at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on May 2. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

“I am pleased that the ‘2024 Korea Season' will be part of the Cultural Olympiad in this city of rich culture,” said Culture Minister Yu In-chon. “From performances and exhibitions by Korea's finest national art organizations to world-class performances by orchestras, we have prepared an array of programs to ensure that visitors to France can experience and encounter the diverse culture and arts of Korea."

Dancers from Pokemon Crew perform at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on May 2. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Culture Minister Yu In-chon, right, greets Korean pianist Paik Kun-woo, who came to the opening performance for the "2024 Korea Season" at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on May 2. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]