Australian dance crew AG SQUAD has released an official statement addressing the controversial remarks made by Honey J and Aiki during a reaction video for Mnet’s World Street Woman Fighter (WSWF). Their message of forgiveness and female empowerment has helped defuse rising tensions between the global crews.
In a June 24 post titled “With love, AG SQUAD,” the team wrote, “At the end of the day we’re all human and mistakes happen. We’re all about women empowerment & everything has been sorted out respectfully behind the scenes!”
The controversy began when BUMSUP choreographer Hyojin Choi uploaded a YouTube reaction video featuring Honey J and Aiki watching the premiere of WSWF. During a battle between AG SQUAD’s Danika and BUMSUP’s Gabi, Honey J commented, “Is that even dancing? That’s just sex,” sparking widespread criticism for its vulgar tone.
Tensions intensified after Aiki shouted profanity at AG SQUAD’s Aliyah, following a scene where Aliyah suggested Aiki had purchased TikTok followers. Though Aliyah’s comment was itself divisive, Aiki’s “You f**ing b***, get lost!” response drew harsh reactions.
Both dancers issued apologies on June 22. Honey J said she became “overly immersed” and “deeply regrets” her careless remark. Aiki acknowledged that “no emotion justifies hurting others” and pledged to be more mindful in the future.
The incident came at a crucial time for BUMSUP, whose Mega Crew video had just topped YouTube’s trending chart with over 11.82 million views in four days. Korean netizens were particularly dismayed that Korean dancers had made such remarks in a global competition setting.
AG SQUAD’s decision to forgive and move forward has been praised as a mature and empowering stance. By choosing solidarity over division, the crew reminded fans that strength in the dance world isn’t just about performance, it’s also about character.