Between cultures and emotions: Jenn Jung looks back on her victory and artistic journey. On August 18, 2026, I had the opportunity to exchange in writing with Jenn Jung, a young Korean dancer whose journey is attracting increasing attention. With only a few years of practice, she has already established herself on several stages thanks to a singular artistic identity: an instinctive fusion between the energy of K-pop and the rhythmic depth of Afro dances.
What strikes about Jenn Jung is not only her technique or her stage presence, but the way she approaches dance as a language capable of connecting cultures, stories, and different sensibilities. Trained by teachers who shaped her artistic outlook, she moves forward with astonishing maturity, driven by a sincere curiosity and a constant desire to grow.
Her recent first place in competition, obtained with a high-intensity fusion performance, marks an important milestone in her journey. But for her, this trophy is not an end in itself: it is a confirmation, proof that years of effort, doubts, rehearsals, and passion make sense.
Through this interview, Jenn Jung looks back on her experience, her inspirations, her challenges, and her vision of a dance that crosses borders. An artist in full ascension, who embodies this new generation capable of creating bridges between cultures and proposing a deeply contemporary, sincere, and living expression.
1. First of all, congratulations on your first place! How did you feel when your name was announced?
Jenn Jung: "I was truly overjoyed. Since I prepared this performance with very close friends and my teacher, hearing my name was an almost surreal moment. Several emotions surged at once, and I had trouble realizing what was happening.
By continuing to learn dance, I have always dreamed of showing my color and energy to more people. So this reward represents much more than a good result in competition: it is like a confirmation that the path I am following is going in the right direction."
By continuing to learn dance, I have always dreamed of showing my color and energy to more people. So this reward represents much more than a good result in competition: it is like a confirmation that the path I am following is going in the right direction."
2. You received a prize of 2 million won. What personal significance does this prize hold for you, beyond the financial aspect?
Jenn Jung: "For me, this goes far beyond the question of the amount or the ranking.
This time, I had the honor of participating in a work created by teachers from whom I have been learning for a long time. Being part of a piece that has already accumulated so much experience and recognition has been an immense source of learning. This award reassures me: it shows me that the direction I am pursuing in dance is not a mistake.
The prize money also has great symbolic value. It is not only financial compensation, but the recognition of the time, effort, and artistic value we invested in this work. I would like to use it meaningfully to continue creating beautiful performances and develop my artistic journey."
This time, I had the honor of participating in a work created by teachers from whom I have been learning for a long time. Being part of a piece that has already accumulated so much experience and recognition has been an immense source of learning. This award reassures me: it shows me that the direction I am pursuing in dance is not a mistake.
The prize money also has great symbolic value. It is not only financial compensation, but the recognition of the time, effort, and artistic value we invested in this work. I would like to use it meaningfully to continue creating beautiful performances and develop my artistic journey."
3. Can you present the performance you interpreted? Where does its concept come from?
Jenn Jung: "Our piece is a fusion performance combining K-pop with African music and dance. The concept, choreography, and general direction were created by the teachers who taught me Afro dance.
It was not a work created specifically for this competition. It has already been recognized for its originality and quality at events like World of Dance or Seoul Winter Festa. Being able to learn and interpret such an accomplished piece was a huge honor.
What I found particularly fascinating is how Korean identity through K-pop naturally meets the energy of African dance on stage. It is not a simple mix of genres: each movement and each rhythm is highlighted to create a coherent performance.
Thanks to Afro dance, I learned a lot about how to feel music with the body. Interpreting this piece as a team allowed me to grow even further."
It was not a work created specifically for this competition. It has already been recognized for its originality and quality at events like World of Dance or Seoul Winter Festa. Being able to learn and interpret such an accomplished piece was a huge honor.
What I found particularly fascinating is how Korean identity through K-pop naturally meets the energy of African dance on stage. It is not a simple mix of genres: each movement and each rhythm is highlighted to create a coherent performance.
Thanks to Afro dance, I learned a lot about how to feel music with the body. Interpreting this piece as a team allowed me to grow even further."
4. What was the most difficult part in preparing for the competition?
Jenn Jung: "The most difficult — and the most essential — part was breathing as a single team. In competition, it is not enough to memorize choreography: the energy and timing of the group must be perfectly aligned.
Afro dance is not a style that you master simply by learning movements. Its rhythm and groove must be absorbed naturally, which takes time and repetition.
So I spent a lot of time practicing individually, but also working with the team to understand each other's movements and become a true ensemble."
Afro dance is not a style that you master simply by learning movements. Its rhythm and groove must be absorbed naturally, which takes time and repetition.
So I spent a lot of time practicing individually, but also working with the team to understand each other's movements and become a true ensemble."
5. How did you perceive the other participants and the general atmosphere of the event?
Jenn Jung: "Seeing so many different genres and styles was extremely stimulating. Each team coming from different countries had its own way of expressing itself, and their energy was unique.
Even though it was a competition, there was a lot of mutual respect and support. I saw familiar faces, we encouraged each other, and I felt great gratitude towards K-pop which brings together dancers from such varied backgrounds in the same place."
Even though it was a competition, there was a lot of mutual respect and support. I saw familiar faces, we encouraged each other, and I felt great gratitude towards K-pop which brings together dancers from such varied backgrounds in the same place."
Credits: © Jenn Jung
6. What message or emotion did you want to convey to the audience?
Jenn Jung: "Above all, I hoped the audience would enjoy themselves and feel the energy of our performance.
I wanted them to naturally experience the synergy created when K-pop meets African music and dance. I also wanted to show that different cultures can meet on the same stage to create something harmonious and exciting.
If the public remembers our performance as a 'fun, energetic, and unforgettable' moment, then that is already very meaningful to me."
I wanted them to naturally experience the synergy created when K-pop meets African music and dance. I also wanted to show that different cultures can meet on the same stage to create something harmonious and exciting.
If the public remembers our performance as a 'fun, energetic, and unforgettable' moment, then that is already very meaningful to me."
7. This first place is an important step. How do you think it will influence your artistic journey?
Jenn Jung: "This award allowed me to reflect on my past work and clarify the type of artist I want to become.
For me, dance is not just a technique: it is a language that expresses my sensations and stories. I want to broaden my expression beyond a single genre, exploring acting and media while keeping dance at the center.
Thanks to this piece, I saw how different cultures and styles can create new forms of expression. I want to develop my cultural sensitivity as a strength and one day become an artist capable of communicating naturally with people from different cultures.
This award gives me the necessary confidence to move toward this goal."
For me, dance is not just a technique: it is a language that expresses my sensations and stories. I want to broaden my expression beyond a single genre, exploring acting and media while keeping dance at the center.
Thanks to this piece, I saw how different cultures and styles can create new forms of expression. I want to develop my cultural sensitivity as a strength and one day become an artist capable of communicating naturally with people from different cultures.
This award gives me the necessary confidence to move toward this goal."
8. Do you have any upcoming projects or performances?
Jenn Jung: "I plan to continue participating in various projects centered on Afro dance. Recently, I performed with a Tanzanian friend for World Swahili Language Day, and I am expanding my activities in unit with dancers who share the same artistic vision.
I am also developing my activities in acting and media. My goal is to combine my capabilities as a dancer and an actress to create a unique artistic identity. I am exploring how the inspiration and energy I draw from dance can apply to acting and video performance.
With the experience I am building in Korea, I would like to expand my activities to broader international stages."
I am also developing my activities in acting and media. My goal is to combine my capabilities as a dancer and an actress to create a unique artistic identity. I am exploring how the inspiration and energy I draw from dance can apply to acting and video performance.
With the experience I am building in Korea, I would like to expand my activities to broader international stages."
9. Any message for the judges, the public, and all the people who supported you?
Jenn Jung: "I sincerely thank the judges for appreciating our performance and awarding us first place. I am also very grateful to the public who appreciated and supported our presentation.
Above all, I want to thank the teachers who created this work, as well as the team members who worked tirelessly with me. Sharing this piece on stage and celebrating its success together was an immense happiness.
I hope this award will allow more people to discover the beauty of Afro dance."
Above all, I want to thank the teachers who created this work, as well as the team members who worked tirelessly with me. Sharing this piece on stage and celebrating its success together was an immense happiness.
I hope this award will allow more people to discover the beauty of Afro dance."
10. Finally, what advice would you give to young dancers who dream of stepping on stage?
Jenn Jung: "I am still learning myself, so giving advice feels humbling, but I think the most important thing is simply to get up and move.
In dance, we constantly notice our shortcomings and compare ourselves to others. I have had many moments of doubt. But by continuing to learn and step on stage out of love for dance, opportunities like this competition arrived.
Rather than focusing solely on results, I think we must focus on the energy we transmit and what we truly love showing on stage. Meeting good people, learning new styles, stepping on stage one more time — all of this becomes your strength.
And it is something I also repeat to myself: do not judge your potential too quickly by comparing yourself to others. Everyone grows at their own pace.
If you continue to do what you love and take on challenges, your color and identity will eventually emerge naturally. Even if you do not yet know how far you will go, those who keep moving and trying end up creating their own stage."
In dance, we constantly notice our shortcomings and compare ourselves to others. I have had many moments of doubt. But by continuing to learn and step on stage out of love for dance, opportunities like this competition arrived.
Rather than focusing solely on results, I think we must focus on the energy we transmit and what we truly love showing on stage. Meeting good people, learning new styles, stepping on stage one more time — all of this becomes your strength.
And it is something I also repeat to myself: do not judge your potential too quickly by comparing yourself to others. Everyone grows at their own pace.
If you continue to do what you love and take on challenges, your color and identity will eventually emerge naturally. Even if you do not yet know how far you will go, those who keep moving and trying end up creating their own stage."