In Korea’s dance scene, the name Choi Ho-jong is already one to reckon with.
From 2014 to 2016, he dominated the prestigious Donga Dance Concours, clinching bronze, silver and gold medals in consecutive years. By 2017, fresh out of university, he became the youngest-ever member of the National Dance Company of Korea. Quickly ascending to the role of sub-principal, he took center stage as the lead dancer in one major production after another, solidifying his reputation as a rising star.
Recently, Choi added another jewel to his crown by claiming the top spot in Mnet’s dance survival program “Stage Fighter,” the fourth installment of the popular Street Fighter TV franchise. The competition brought together 64 male dancers from across genres including Korean traditional dance, contemporary dance and ballet, who faced off in challenges.
Coming from Korean dance, Choi not only emerged as the ultimate winner but also distinguished himself as the only contestant to consistently hold the coveted “First Class” rank across all four dance missions throughout the show.
However, Choi said that he doesn’t yet feel he’s reached his prime. In fact, he described himself as being in a slump.
“I believe a dancer’s prime is when you can fully control your body, experience freedom, and have absolute confidence in the movements you create. I don’t think I’ve reached that point yet,” said Choi in an interview with a group of reporters on Monday.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m settling or giving up. Quite the opposite, I’m curious and excited about what lies beyond this phase.”
His own toughest critic
Rigorous self-discipline may be the secret behind Choi‘s ability to maintain his composure under the intense pressure of competition. His unparalleled skill and calm demeanor amid cutthroat rivalry earned him widespread attention. Already a well-established figure among his peers, Choi’s influence reached younger dancers, some of whom cited him as their inspiration for taking up dance. Yet, he remained his own toughest critic and said he would rate himself no higher than one star.
“I’ve always been hard on myself,” said Choi. “I constantly remind myself of my shortcomings, pushing myself to do better, even if it means being a bit harsh -- thinking I’m never quite good enough.”
When he was first offered the chance to join the competition, he was conflicted.
“It’s a survival competition, and you never know. I wasn’t sure if I could perform well. I thought it might be a moment where I would break, lose and fall. In the end, I decided to humbly accept my own doubts and the situation.”
But the competition also revealed an unexpected side of him -- an inner fighter instinct.
”I didn’t know it, but I realized that I truly enjoy competing,“ Choi said with a laugh. ”I also wanted to set a good example for dancers who are purely focused on the arts, and to compete without losing my composure or artistic integrity.“
The 30-year-old dancer shared one of his tips for enjoying the spotlight -- to go on stage not as oneself but as a character.
“When I focus on the character or the narrative, I can express myself without hesitation. I believe the key is to see the stage as a separate space, not standing as myself, but through the lens of the character or a defined narrative. That mindset allows me to express myself more freely.”
Balance public appeal and artistic integrity
Before stepping into “Stage Fighter,” Choi made the bold decision to leave the National Dance Company after eight years to prepare for the next chapter in his career. He is now serving as the associate artistic director and a performer for the experimental contemporary dance company Subverted Anatomical Landscape.
“I deeply love Korean dance, but at the same time, I wanted to expand my horizons to other dance styles and develop my talents as a choreographer as well.”
Following on his victory in the Mnet program, Choi is now also a member of STF Dance Company, formed by the top 12 finalists under a two-year contract.
With two very different companies, Choi hopes to navigate between mainstream public appeal and his artistic pursuits.
“I would like to pursue activities on two fronts now. I plan to continue connecting with the public through STF, while with SAL, I also want to consistently focus on artistry, staying true to the group’s unique characteristics.”
Choi said he has been thinking a lot about bridging the gap between contemporary art dance and the public, but believes that “being overly conscious of the public‘s gaze isn’t the right approach.” He explained, “I want to reach a point where I am recognized by the public by dancing in a way that is trueer to myself.”
Choi’s upcoming schedule includes a nationwide tour with STF Dance Company, set to kick off on Wednesday in Incheon. The tour will continue with performances in Seoul (Dec. 28-29), followed by stops in Daegu, Busan and Gwangju. Fans can expect to see some of the standout works from the Stage Fighter program.
In addition, Choi said he is preparing a large-scale choreographic piece for a SAL performance next year.
hwangdh@heraldcorp.com
