Dear Friday Chopsticks readoers this is Claudia and I am here at one very special place, which is “1million dance studio” and today instead of dancing I am here to interview one of your most favorite choreographers, who inspires so many people around the world. I am really thankful for having him here and I hope, that you will enjoy our conversation, so let's introduce him to you and not keep you any longer. Here is Junsun Yoo or Yoo Junsun like they say in Korea.
Let's start first with a self-introduction.
Yes, hello! I'm Junsun Yoo from 1million dance studio in South Korea. My real name is Yoo Junsun, but I work under the name Junsun Yoo. Nice to meet you all!
Let's start first with a self-introduction.
Yes, hello! I'm Junsun Yoo from 1million dance studio in South Korea. My real name is Yoo Junsun, but I work under the name Junsun Yoo. Nice to meet you all!
When did you start and what made you start dancing?
I started dancing in the 3rd year of middle school when I was around 15 years old in Korean age. There is no specific reason why I started dancing. Actually, at that time I found studying very hard. I was a really good student when I was younger, but at one point I reached a level which was very hard to achieve. This made me really worried. Would I able to succeed in studying? And at that time my little sister told me “Big brother, learn some dancing! Try to find something different that would satisfy you and then wouldn't studying become interesting again?” In the beginning, I did it with this purpose, but later because I hated studying, I worked harder in dancing instead. It kinda started in this funny way.
Where your parents against your dancing activities?
They were really against it. In the beginning while I was still just learning to dance, they were saying “Do it”, “Try it”, but while attending school I told myself that I would like to pursue a professional dance career and then they were strongly against that. Since I was very young, I could not learn dancing with my own money – I had no money. So my parents gave me all their financial support, but they said “We do not want to support you, but we want you to take care of yourself and make money and learn to dance!” My mom was especially against it, but my dad on the other hand was very optimistic. He was like “Try it”. My father originally wanted to be an entertainer – a singer. He said that a lot, but he was really worried. “Of course I would like if everything turns out well for you, but I am also feeling uneasy”.
I started dancing in the 3rd year of middle school when I was around 15 years old in Korean age. There is no specific reason why I started dancing. Actually, at that time I found studying very hard. I was a really good student when I was younger, but at one point I reached a level which was very hard to achieve. This made me really worried. Would I able to succeed in studying? And at that time my little sister told me “Big brother, learn some dancing! Try to find something different that would satisfy you and then wouldn't studying become interesting again?” In the beginning, I did it with this purpose, but later because I hated studying, I worked harder in dancing instead. It kinda started in this funny way.
Where your parents against your dancing activities?
They were really against it. In the beginning while I was still just learning to dance, they were saying “Do it”, “Try it”, but while attending school I told myself that I would like to pursue a professional dance career and then they were strongly against that. Since I was very young, I could not learn dancing with my own money – I had no money. So my parents gave me all their financial support, but they said “We do not want to support you, but we want you to take care of yourself and make money and learn to dance!” My mom was especially against it, but my dad on the other hand was very optimistic. He was like “Try it”. My father originally wanted to be an entertainer – a singer. He said that a lot, but he was really worried. “Of course I would like if everything turns out well for you, but I am also feeling uneasy”.
What inspires you when making choreographies?
What inspires me when making choreographies...It is different every time. For instance, in the latest video that came out - “Rockstar”, when I was listening to the lyrics I got a lot of inspiration. In this song, I wanted to match the moves to the lyrics to the maximum. With other choreographies, whenever I have sad days or happy days, or experience a funny day, I get a lot of inspiration. When I really get inspired, I make choreographies fast. For example in the case of Chris Brown's “Party”, I made this choreography only in 3 hours. I was really happy that day, and while I was listening to this song I was thinking “oh I like it, I need to make a choreography”. In those three hours I was just looking at the mirror and trying to find matching moves, and everything came up. But really it's different in every case. I also get inspired when I watch movies.
So do other people also inspire you? For example other choreographers from the US or other countries?
I get this type of inspiration too. When I was younger, especially when I was starting to dance. I got a lot of inspiration from other choreographers.
Can you share who for example?
They are really many and it is difficult to pick just one, but maybe the person who gave me inspiration in the beginning was Lyle Beniga. I thought he was really cool and that I would also want to do the same – to teach classes, to have activities as a choreographer, to make nice choreographies.
What inspires me when making choreographies...It is different every time. For instance, in the latest video that came out - “Rockstar”, when I was listening to the lyrics I got a lot of inspiration. In this song, I wanted to match the moves to the lyrics to the maximum. With other choreographies, whenever I have sad days or happy days, or experience a funny day, I get a lot of inspiration. When I really get inspired, I make choreographies fast. For example in the case of Chris Brown's “Party”, I made this choreography only in 3 hours. I was really happy that day, and while I was listening to this song I was thinking “oh I like it, I need to make a choreography”. In those three hours I was just looking at the mirror and trying to find matching moves, and everything came up. But really it's different in every case. I also get inspired when I watch movies.
So do other people also inspire you? For example other choreographers from the US or other countries?
I get this type of inspiration too. When I was younger, especially when I was starting to dance. I got a lot of inspiration from other choreographers.
Can you share who for example?
They are really many and it is difficult to pick just one, but maybe the person who gave me inspiration in the beginning was Lyle Beniga. I thought he was really cool and that I would also want to do the same – to teach classes, to have activities as a choreographer, to make nice choreographies.
Which dance style do you like teaching the most?
Maybe it will be easier for me to say which style I don't like teaching the most. It's not that I don't like it, but it's more like it's difficult to teach – and this is the couple dance. For example when I was on the show “Hit the stage” with Hyoyeon from Girl's Generation it was really difficult. Because I haven't done it a lot, it was hard. For teaching maybe I like easy choreographies, because when people are able to follow them very well it makes me happy. These days, the most pleasant style for me to teach is hip-hop. I also like teaching EDM. I don't teach a lot of sensitive things today, because while I dance I can start crying. Yeah, if I have to conclude, the three styles, that I like teaching the most lately are hip-hop, electronic and something exciting, like funk.
What difficulties have you faced as a choreographer?
Hm there are not many, honestly. Maybe the stamina that you need while you use your body to dance. In fact, the more you use your body, the stamina, the strength are getting weaker. But of course this is in the case of choreographers. If you are a dancer, it is okay. As a choreographer, you need to use both your mind and body and that requires a lot of strength. Especially if you have to combine many things in a choreography, it is difficult. Maybe these things are certain difficulties. Also, when you worry about the future. When I don't have the same energy anymore, what will I do later? Maybe this concern. When I think about it, there really aren't many difficult things.
Maybe it will be easier for me to say which style I don't like teaching the most. It's not that I don't like it, but it's more like it's difficult to teach – and this is the couple dance. For example when I was on the show “Hit the stage” with Hyoyeon from Girl's Generation it was really difficult. Because I haven't done it a lot, it was hard. For teaching maybe I like easy choreographies, because when people are able to follow them very well it makes me happy. These days, the most pleasant style for me to teach is hip-hop. I also like teaching EDM. I don't teach a lot of sensitive things today, because while I dance I can start crying. Yeah, if I have to conclude, the three styles, that I like teaching the most lately are hip-hop, electronic and something exciting, like funk.
What difficulties have you faced as a choreographer?
Hm there are not many, honestly. Maybe the stamina that you need while you use your body to dance. In fact, the more you use your body, the stamina, the strength are getting weaker. But of course this is in the case of choreographers. If you are a dancer, it is okay. As a choreographer, you need to use both your mind and body and that requires a lot of strength. Especially if you have to combine many things in a choreography, it is difficult. Maybe these things are certain difficulties. Also, when you worry about the future. When I don't have the same energy anymore, what will I do later? Maybe this concern. When I think about it, there really aren't many difficult things.
Then, if someone wants to become a choreographer, what kind of preparation should he or she have in your opinion?
The things you need are a lot. You cannot do anything perfectly. Because you can receive a lot a recognition or fame from people or from artists or other dancers, the specificity of your dream is very important. Confidence is also one of the most important things, your mindset. You have to customize yourself... you should not be lazy to practice. But even more important than that, to never stop the learning process.
As most people know, you have a famous younger sister – Yooa – from the group “Oh my girl”. How does her career affect your life?
If I have to speak truthfully, her career doesn’t affect me.
Is there a positive effect then?
We are just brother and sister, we are family. We don't really affect each other’s lives with our activities. The situations in which there is some kind of effect is usually, let's say in articles, the younger sister of Junsun is Yooa from “Oh my girl” or the older brother of Yooa from “Oh my girl” is the choreographer Junsun Yoo from 1million dance studio. Maybe to this extent, but you check once and it disappears. Actually, press is so fast with things lately, the people will forget about it quickly. If our jobs were the same I might be influenced a little more… but we just cheer for each other and it seems like we don’t have strong influence on each other. I say “Sister you are doing well,” and my sister says like “You’re doing well! Brother, it seems like your skills are improving. Compared to before, your choreographies are better now.” Thing like that. But besides that, there isn’t anything big. She’s just my family.
The things you need are a lot. You cannot do anything perfectly. Because you can receive a lot a recognition or fame from people or from artists or other dancers, the specificity of your dream is very important. Confidence is also one of the most important things, your mindset. You have to customize yourself... you should not be lazy to practice. But even more important than that, to never stop the learning process.
As most people know, you have a famous younger sister – Yooa – from the group “Oh my girl”. How does her career affect your life?
If I have to speak truthfully, her career doesn’t affect me.
Is there a positive effect then?
We are just brother and sister, we are family. We don't really affect each other’s lives with our activities. The situations in which there is some kind of effect is usually, let's say in articles, the younger sister of Junsun is Yooa from “Oh my girl” or the older brother of Yooa from “Oh my girl” is the choreographer Junsun Yoo from 1million dance studio. Maybe to this extent, but you check once and it disappears. Actually, press is so fast with things lately, the people will forget about it quickly. If our jobs were the same I might be influenced a little more… but we just cheer for each other and it seems like we don’t have strong influence on each other. I say “Sister you are doing well,” and my sister says like “You’re doing well! Brother, it seems like your skills are improving. Compared to before, your choreographies are better now.” Thing like that. But besides that, there isn’t anything big. She’s just my family.
What would you work if you were not a choreographer?
I would probably go for the design area.
What kind of design?
Fashion design. When I was younger, whenever I got money I used them for clothes, I was paying attention to my style. I think, that this would be nice.
How would you describe your dance classes in 3 words?
Detail, control, speed.
Which is the nicest aspect of your job?
Firstly, maybe freedom. No matter how you look at it it's art. You can work, whenever you want to. It's not a job where I don’t have to follow certain arranged appointments of course. As a matter a fact even if it's a choreographer job it's still a job. It is also really fun. As a choreographer, when I talk to other choreographers, there is not a single person who said that this job is not fun and there isn't anyone that is unhappy. While you do something that you like, you also get money for that. I don't feel like I can do the going to work at 8 in the morning and finishing at 6 in the evening thing. Therefore, I am a bit happy about my job. I can wake up late and go, I can also sleep for a long time.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don’t think I ever really thought about that. I do have a big dream. But within that dream, like a staircase, there are very small goals. If I imagine myself in 5 years...If I wouldn’t be able to fulfill that, I might be disappointed. So I don’t think about it and step by step, like a staircase, I have goals that I want to achieve. And going like that, it doesn’t seem like in 5 years I will be worse than now.
I would probably go for the design area.
What kind of design?
Fashion design. When I was younger, whenever I got money I used them for clothes, I was paying attention to my style. I think, that this would be nice.
How would you describe your dance classes in 3 words?
Detail, control, speed.
Which is the nicest aspect of your job?
Firstly, maybe freedom. No matter how you look at it it's art. You can work, whenever you want to. It's not a job where I don’t have to follow certain arranged appointments of course. As a matter a fact even if it's a choreographer job it's still a job. It is also really fun. As a choreographer, when I talk to other choreographers, there is not a single person who said that this job is not fun and there isn't anyone that is unhappy. While you do something that you like, you also get money for that. I don't feel like I can do the going to work at 8 in the morning and finishing at 6 in the evening thing. Therefore, I am a bit happy about my job. I can wake up late and go, I can also sleep for a long time.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don’t think I ever really thought about that. I do have a big dream. But within that dream, like a staircase, there are very small goals. If I imagine myself in 5 years...If I wouldn’t be able to fulfill that, I might be disappointed. So I don’t think about it and step by step, like a staircase, I have goals that I want to achieve. And going like that, it doesn’t seem like in 5 years I will be worse than now.
Do you have plans to do workshops in Europe?
I don't have, but I really want to. I haven't been to Europe before.
Which country would you like to visit first then?
Actually I don't know. Since in Europe there are many countries, the countries that I know or are the most famous, I want to see in more details. If I go to specific places, others will be upset. Therefore, I want to do a Europe tour.
If you do a tour, make sure to come to Bulgaria once!
Ah of course! Of course I have to go to Bulgaria!
And finally, would you like to say something to your Bulgarian fans?
Hello! I am Junsun Yoo. I didn't know that I have many fans in Bulgaria. I will have to take the assumption that they are many. I only heard that they are many, but it makes me happy and thankful. Thank you for liking me. I wonder if I can go to Bulgaria one day. Yeah, please like me more, so we can see each other in person. But really, I can only thank you a lot! I actually believe, that you like my work. I really can't believe that people like me, because wherever I go I think that people don't really like my style a lot. But I am really thankful! I will really come one day to Bulgaria! And when I do, please welcome me. In the future I will make more cool choreographies for you. Everyone, please make sure, that you don't hurt yourself and I will also try to stay healthy so I can keep creating things. for you! I wish, that all of you also stay healthy and that we will see each other one day!
I don't have, but I really want to. I haven't been to Europe before.
Which country would you like to visit first then?
Actually I don't know. Since in Europe there are many countries, the countries that I know or are the most famous, I want to see in more details. If I go to specific places, others will be upset. Therefore, I want to do a Europe tour.
If you do a tour, make sure to come to Bulgaria once!
Ah of course! Of course I have to go to Bulgaria!
And finally, would you like to say something to your Bulgarian fans?
Hello! I am Junsun Yoo. I didn't know that I have many fans in Bulgaria. I will have to take the assumption that they are many. I only heard that they are many, but it makes me happy and thankful. Thank you for liking me. I wonder if I can go to Bulgaria one day. Yeah, please like me more, so we can see each other in person. But really, I can only thank you a lot! I actually believe, that you like my work. I really can't believe that people like me, because wherever I go I think that people don't really like my style a lot. But I am really thankful! I will really come one day to Bulgaria! And when I do, please welcome me. In the future I will make more cool choreographies for you. Everyone, please make sure, that you don't hurt yourself and I will also try to stay healthy so I can keep creating things. for you! I wish, that all of you also stay healthy and that we will see each other one day!
