After a resounding victory in the Mega Crew mission, Korean crew BUMSUP seemed poised to dominate Mnet’s global dance survival show, World of Street Woman Fighter. But their momentum came to a screeching halt when the following “Dance Film Mission”—centered around the theme of “women”—was met with sharp public criticism.
In the previous round, BUMSUP stunned both judges and fans with an artistic and powerful Mega Crew performance. Judge Park Jin-young praised it as “100 points, including artistry,” while Lia Kim reacted with awe, saying, “This is insane. It’s impossible.” BUMSUP’s victory in that round boosted their standing, shedding the early reputation of being a “weaker” crew.
However, the goodwill faded quickly. In the latest mission, BUMSUP chose to express femininity using garter belts, long hair extensions, and overtly sexy choreography, including floor work. The video, released via YouTube, instantly ignited criticism.
Comments poured in, branding the performance as “old-fashioned,” “stereotypical,” and “lacking in creativity.” One viewer pointed out, “If the theme is ‘woman’ and all we see is sexy dancing with long wigs, that’s disappointing. There’s so much more to femininity.”
Other netizens contrasted BUMSUP’s approach with other notable female dancers like Aiki, Lip J, and Leejung, who often represent femininity through bold short hairstyles and unique styling choices. “Femininity isn’t just long hair and garters. It’s diversity,” one commenter wrote.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time, especially after BUMSUP leader Honey J stirred public outrage by making a comment many interpreted as sexual harassment against AG Squad’s Danica. This context has further amplified backlash against the crew.
Despite the earlier high, fans are now torn—many saying they had high expectations but felt let down. With semifinals approaching and only four teams left—AG Squad, BUMSUP, Motiv, and Osaka Ojo Gang—the pressure is on for Bumjeop to redeem themselves and reclaim audience favor.
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