BUMSUP’s Leejung Compares “World Street Woman Fighter” to “Squid Game”: “It’s Not Fun, It’s Survival”
Appearing on the June 3 episode of Salon Drip 2 on the TEO YouTube channel, dancers Honey J, LIP J, and Lee Jung, currently starring in World Street Woman Fighter, shared behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s intense atmosphere.
When host Jang Do-yeon asked whether another viral routine could rival the global success of their “Hey Mama” choreography, Honey J responded with confidence, “It’s going to be huge. Truly next level.” Leejung supported the sentiment with a firm thumbs-up.
But the mood shifted when discussing the emotional weight of this new season. LIP J noted, “It looks so much harder and more painful, which means it’s going to be even more entertaining.”
Leejung, however, candidly described the suffocating pressure, “Competitions aren’t everything in life, right? But the moment I walk onto that set and see the flags representing each team, I switch to a mindset of, ‘If I don’t win this, I might as well die.'”
She continued, “Yes, that mindset makes the show more entertaining… but it definitely doesn’t feel like a fun game anymore.”
Drawing laughs and concern, she added, “Even dancers who performed at Coachella are trembling on that Incheon set. It seriously feels like Netflix’s Squid Game.” Honey J backed her up, commenting on how even elite-level dancers show signs of stress under the spotlight of global scrutiny.
Airing Tuesdays at 10 PM KST on Mnet, World Street Woman Fighter pits the world’s best dance crews against each other in fierce battles where talent alone isn’t enough, mental grit is just as vital. With the stakes this high, it’s no wonder the show is feeling less like a stage and more like a survival arena.
