Some years ago we got an International Channel on our cable lineup (which has since been snatched away along with National Geographic channel and now you have to pay through the nose to see them). Not only did we enjoy Bollywood musicals, but a Korean version of MTV, as when MTV showed actual music videos. Different individuals and groups performed in Korean versions, doing moody, syrupy angst-filled ballads, boy-band dancin', and gangsta rap, all in Korean. It was vastly entertaining to watch. The difference was, of course, all the Korean kids were just as cute as buttons, in fact, some were downright pretty, even when acting all violent and bad n' stuff. (Made the American versions look even more vomitous than they were.)

Miss that channel, I do. I'll just bet the Korean dance crews now could really kick the Americans asses (and of course look much better while doing it). Hey, I'm shallow - sue me!

First, kudos on this article. It's well written and informative and I appreciate that Salon is making an effort to provide diverse topics to the readership.

Second, I just watched all of the videos of these youth and the talent, athleticism, imagination and coordination of these routines were jaw-dropping. I can't even fathom the amount of work, number of injuries and hours of sacrifice associated with doing something just sheerly for the love. That's a type satisfaction and freedom most of us never know.

Although I would hate to see this performance art become staid and routine is there any interest from an organization such as X-Games into competitive breakdancing?

As a Korean-American growing up in the suburbs, I loved Korean food, sort of spoke Korean poorly, and had mixed reactions to Korean pop music. But I was 14 back in 1996 and all the kids were getting into breaking and popping. It was kind of a pleasure to see people's reactions to some quiet Korean kid hogging the spotlight at a high school dance with a nice solo routine ending with a headspin or flare move.

This article brought back some nice memories, and it's also nice to see how the South Korean government has changed its tune since the early 1990s when it came to "corrupting" Western influences.

. . . South Korean break dancers or Japanese Rastafarians.

right ... because cultures shouldn't mix, right? Which is why you have a non-english screen name are typing in English on an english-language site.

But I'm sure you're wearing historically and culturally clothing for your ethnic background, right? Eating historically and ethnically accurate food, too?

The only boundaries of culture exist inside small minds.

more jeff chang please - and jeff, don't be such a modest, third person narrator - i'm just as curious at your own exploits in korea as a korean-american, cross-cultural hip-hop ambassador. you rock, son!

As an avid breaking fan and dance writer, I've had the privilege of witnessing b-boying (and b-girling) as a worldwide phenomenon. In 2005, I traveled to China for an international tourism and dance festival, and I saw many countries, including South Korea, feature hip-hop dance. Not just b-boying, but popping, locking, waving, tutting, gliding, house dance...It's truly inspirational to not only see other countries embrace these styles, but to make them their own.

Salon: Let's see more articles on dance! And kudos to Jeff for a well-researched, well-written piece.

A couple of years ago I was at a fancy Chinese/Korean wedding where the Korean men started breakdancing. I just went, "huh?" Now I understand!

I got to see a live performance in the Dongdaemun area when I was in S. Korea a few months ago! It was amazing stuff. The men are absolutely beautiful (Korean men are ridiculously good looking), and they appear even more so as they defy gravity. Great article. I will check out your book, Jeff.

I wonder if you cover hip hop music from Korea and Japan--there is some good stuff here. I am still amazed that Rain/Bi couldn't crack the U.S. market. Se7en was in L.A. a couple of months ago, by the way.

Also, for those of you who miss AZNTV on dish/cable, you can access Korea shows directly from the main broadcasters nowadays--most broadcasters live stream. Also, download veohtv if you want already uploaded shows (raw files are up within hours). Youtube has a decent collection of b-boy stuff as well.

I think it's "America's Best Dance Crew."

and I could not find one

tha's all

squick? my screen name is Squick?