"Not Falling for the Devil's Editing"... Why the MZ Generation Is Enthralled by 'Street Woman Fighter' Featuring All-Star Sensible Sisters

Photo by Mnet, screenshot from the broadcast of 'Street Woman Fight'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Recently, the dance competition program "Street Woman Fighter (Seuwpa)" has been gaining immense popularity among the younger generation.

"Seuwpa" is a survival program aired on Mnet since the end of August to find the best dance crew, featuring many dance crews that created choreography for K-POP. Since dancers usually perform behind the scenes to highlight singers, it was expected that interest in "backup dancers" would be low, but Seuwpa became a huge hit.

According to Good Day Corporation, a TV buzz analysis agency, Seuwpa ranked first in buzzworthiness in the non-drama TV category during the first week of September, and six out of the top ten most buzzworthy cast members were Seuwpa dancers.

The popularity of Seuwpa is largely attributed to the choice of the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z), who lead the pop culture trend. The dancers’ outstanding dance skills, their "hip" fashion that accentuates their talents, the unique characters of each dancer, and the relationships between dancers that add immersion to the program all served as attractive elements for the MZ generation.

Photo by Mnet, screenshot from the broadcast of 'Street Woman Fight'

Mnet has consistently faced criticism for its editing style known as "evil editing," which distorts the truth. Although this editing method is used to enhance the program’s entertainment value, it sometimes results in labeling someone as unlikable. The Mnet production team also emphasized confrontational dynamics and heightened tension through editing in Seuwpa.

In the first episode of Seuwpa, Noze, the leader of the dance crew WayB, received a harsh evaluation from other crews, saying that if it weren’t for her appearance, her influence as a dancer would not be high. When Noze showed an uncomfortable expression in response to the cold evaluations from many crews, Yeo-jin, a member of the dance crew YGX, appeared to tease her by asking, "Noze, are you okay?"

However, netizens discovered through social media that Noze and Yeo-jin are close friends in real life. Although the editing made it seem like Yeo-jin deliberately provoked Noze to escalate a "power struggle," netizens clarified that Yeo-jin’s question was not meant to embarrass but was a sincere gesture of comfort toward a close friend.

Accustomed to "evil editing," the MZ generation is not only focusing on the confrontational dynamics led by the producers but is also actively interpreting the broadcast by seeking out the relationships between dancers.

The most notable relationship is between Honey J of "HolyBang" and Lee Hee of "CocaNButter." They were once part of the same crew for seven years, like family, but suddenly parted ways due to personality differences and reunited after five years through Seuwpa. Their estrangement was a well-known story in the dance scene, so their simultaneous appearance generated buzz even before the show aired.

Honey J of 'HolyBang' (left) and Rihey of 'CocaNButter' (right) reconciled after 5 years following a dance battle. Photo by Mnet, screenshot from the broadcast of 'Street Woman Fight'

Honey J and Lee Hee, known as the strongest in "girls’ hip-hop," faced off in a dance battle on the second episode of Seuwpa. Although they showed tense expressions and a psychological battle before the match, they resolved their grudges and reconciled through dance. The MZ generation responded enthusiastically to their connection through dance. A 20-year-old viewer, A, who identified as a loyal Seuwpa fan, said, "It’s touching to see them compete with skill and connect through dance. While rivalries are fun, it’s impressive to see them acknowledge each other and have a healthy battle."

Cultural critic Jang Deok-hyun explained why the MZ generation is enthusiastic about Seuwpa: "The MZ generation has always shown great interest in dance itself, but outstanding dancers were often overshadowed by singers. Through Seuwpa, dancers showcase their skills by creating choreography themselves, and their characters are reappraised, gaining popularity."

Jang also noted, "Seuwpa gained popularity by focusing on clashes between strong characters to increase the show’s tension. However, the younger generation knows that the competition shown on the program is not everything, as Mnet releases unaired footage on YouTube and dancers share various sides of themselves on social media. This multifaceted view of Seuwpa greatly enhances the MZ generation’s attraction to the program."