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| ▲ This screenshot image is captured from Mnet’s “Street Woman Fighter 3” (also known as “SWF3”). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- Returning on a larger scale, Mnet’s “Street Woman Fighter 3” (also known as “SWF3”) is once again sparking a powerful dance craze.
Although the younger generation — more accustomed to online video platforms (OTT) than traditional TV — is the main viewer base, the show's buzz rivals that of popular dramas and entertainment shows.
According to the third-week June “FUNdex Report” from Good Data Corporation released on Wednesday, “SWF3” ranked No. 1 in buzz among all TV and OTT dramas and variety shows currently airing. Compared to the 2023 season of “Street Woman Fighter 2,” its buzz increased by 47.0 percent.
The explosive popularity is also evident in YouTube view counts.
Mega crew mission videos of each participating team released on Mnet’s official YouTube channel “The CHOOM” on June 18 surpassed 31 million views in just five days.
Among them, the choreography video of Korea’s team “Beomjeop,” titled “Dreamscape: At the Boundary of Dreams,” recorded 13 million views as of the 24th. It is the first time in the “Street” series that a mega crew mission video has exceeded 10 million views during the public voting period.
Claiming to be a global dance battle between nations, “SWF3” sets itself apart from previous seasons by expanding its scale worldwide.
The show features trending dance crews such as “Osaka Ojo Gang,” rooted in hip-hop culture; Australia’s “Age Squad,” composed of core first-generation members of a global dance crew; and the U.S. team “Motive,” led by old-school hip-hop dancer Marley.
The cast’s girl-crush charm, exuding bold confidence backed by talent, resonates again this season.
These dancers, who have already swept international dance battles and served as judges, captivate viewers with jaw-dropping performances, charisma, and sportsmanship that draws audiences into the fierce competition.
Their journey of transcending nationalities and personal grudges to unite through dance provides deeply moving moments.
In a closely contested battle, Lip J ends up losing the choreography she created to another team in the main dancer selection round. Grabbing the mic after the evaluation, she says in English, “Thank you for making my choreography shine even more than we could,” addressing “Age Squad,” who performed it until the end.
Viewers praised her sportsmanship, saying, “Smiling and accepting defeat shows real maturity,” and “Her skills and mindset are both admirable.”
The star power of the cast adds to the fun.
Kyoka of “Osaka Ojo Gang” charms fans with her cute appearance and voice offstage but exudes overwhelming charisma on stage. Members of Korea’s “Beomjeop,” initially underestimated and dismissed as the weakest, are writing an underdog success story that’s winning hearts.
According to the “FUNdex Report,” “Beomjeop” ranked No. 1 in non-drama buzz, followed by Kyoka at No. 2 and “Osaka Ojo Gang” at No. 3.
However, opinions are divided on the production's emphasis on conflict for the sake of storytelling.
Some viewers feel the editing disrupts immersion by focusing more on rival reactions than the actual dance during battle scenes, and criticize the so-called “evil editing” that paints certain cast members as villains, saying it causes fatigue.
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