Honey J is making waves once again on Mnet’s “World Street Woman Fighter” (WSWF) with a performance that’s being hailed as the series’ most electrifying yet. Despite being branded the “worst crew” with the most minus points early on, Honey J’s team BUMSUP turned the tide with their unforgettable Mega Crew Mission, proving her resilience and artistic vision on a global stage.
As of June 19, the video titled “[#WSWF] Mega Crew Mission Global Public Evaluation | BUMSUP (범접)” on the YouTube channel The CHOOM has surpassed approximately 6.2 million views in just one day and currently ranks #1 on YouTube’s trending videos.
Amid the explosive response, the official YouTube account of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea drew attention by commenting, “I came here because I heard this was a performance worthy of becoming a national heritage.”
The video, themed “Monggyeong – At the Border of Dreams,” was directed by Honey J and features performances from Gabee, Noze, Leejung, Rihey, Lip J, Monika, Aiki, and Hyojin Choi. The crew transformed into grim reaper-like figures and expressed Korean sentiment through a powerful performance.
Released on June 18 via the show’s official YouTube, BUMSUP’s performance shocked viewers and critics alike. Notably, Honey J wasn’t even the original leader of BUMSUP. Monika was initially slated to lead but had to withdraw due to pregnancy, and Honey J, having just returned from childbirth in 2023, stepped up. Concerns were raised about her physical condition and performance quality, but she silenced all doubts through sheer skill.
Once dismissed as underdogs, the crew, led by Honey J, delivered a haunting, cinematic stage that redefined expectations.
The routine featured actress Roh Yoon-seo and Bada from BEBE, combining a chilling horror concept with Eastern aesthetics. Viewers praised the eerie storytelling, meticulous choreography, and immersive production. The stage not only captivated fans but also silenced critics who questioned Honey J’s leadership and physical readiness.
In earlier episodes, Honey J faced harsh criticism, including being labeled with “no respect” stickers, losing battles to crews like RH TOKYO, and even being branded “worst dancer” in the leader-ranked dance mission. But rather than falter, she focused on her crew, trained harder, and refused to complain, a leadership style viewers have come to admire.
This isn’t Honey J’s first turnaround. In SWF Season 1, her crew HOLYBANG also stumbled early but went on to win the entire competition following a standout Mega Crew performance. Now, in WSWF, she’s writing a new chapter of redemption and excellence.
The stage is seen by many as a pointed rebuttal to RH TOKYO leader Riehata’s earlier remark that “BUMSUP is not global class.” From artistic composition to technical execution, BUMSUP delivered a performance that showcased the very best of Korean street dance on a global scale.
As of 6:40 p.m. on June 20, it had surpassed 9.24 million views, with numbers continuing to soar.
The piece received rave reviews not only from the general public but also from Korean public institutions and celebrities. A wave of humorous yet admiring comments, dubbed “fanboy comments,” came pouring in from official government agency accounts:
- The Cultural Heritage Administration commented, “We heard a national treasure-level performance had dropped, so we came.”
- The National Museum of Korea said, “The national treasures must return to our museum as soon as this gig ends.”
- The Korea Health Industry Development Institute wrote, “Forget health—we ran here the moment we saw BUMSUP’s grim reapers. Let us know if you get hurt while dancing.”
- The Korea Foundation for Traditional Performing Arts added, “Traditional performance is our specialty. But this stage? We dare not touch.”
- The Korea Cultural Heritage Promotion Institute chimed in with, “BUMSUP—the untouchable. We cheer for Team Korea!”
Even Jay Park was swept up in the hype, commenting, “I was dancing along and ended up here. Honey J’s absence on stage was felt—but clearly, she was doing something even bigger behind the scenes.”
In a special event held on June 19 called “Mega Talk: Deep Dive”, Honey J shared behind-the-scenes details of the stage. She explained how they customized the traditional gat hats for the performance:
“The hats were made of mesh, so we first lined the inside with black masking tape, then meticulously applied white tape one strip at a time, like making Korean ‘sujebi’ dough. I’m grateful that people recognized this effort.”
Until now, Team BUMSUP had struggled in international evaluations and faced harsh criticism in the World of K-pop Mission, even ranking last in the team battles. The crew previously expressed their emotional toll, saying, “We were crushed by the negative comments. It felt like getting shot.”
As WSWF pushes boundaries with international competition and heightened stakes, Honey J remains a pillar of strength, creativity, and discipline. Her journey—from being overlooked to becoming a household name—is not only a testament to her talent but also an inspiration for dancers worldwide.
