Woo Fam Krump

Korea Is Buck.

Oh man, guys.  I got to go to Woo Fam's KRUMP SESSION VOL. 13 this past weekend.  (Seriously, that was the name of it.  Capitals and all.)

I've been a growing fan since my introduction about 5.5 months ago, and I still hold the members of Woo Fam as the best krumpers in the world.  (Right under Tight Eyez, at least.  As always.)  I've gotten to learn from them in class.  I've gotten pictures with Big J and Bucky.  I chatted with Youngster a bit.  I've had a mini celebrity crush on Kid Monster and Trixx.  I've learned as much about their stories as I can.

In fact, why don't I just tell you some of their story now?

So Monster Woo, the leader, was in LA for a good long time but got convicted of some time and was put in prison.  He's now forever banned from America, and when he came back to Korea after prison.  He had nothing to live for when came back and found krump as his only source.  Just like Tight Eyez, it was Monster Woo's salvation.  Through krump, he became alive again.

Back at the beginning of the fam (short for "family" which is what krumpers call their crews), Monster Woo saw potential in a group of young ones.  He recruited them to his family and put them through serious training.  These kids still had regular jobs, but they would practice after they got off work for SIX HOURS!  They practiced either 6 days a week or 7 days a week, I can't remember.  They'd get a few hours of sleep after practice, then go to work again, and then back to krump.  It sounds insane, but it is Korea, and they are some of the best in the world now.

They're also super nice.  They're legit teachers, and I've been called out twice now (by Big J) for doing something wrong/stupid, but I've had small conversations and happy smiles and a shared love for this dance with these guys.  I really like them.

I was SO excited to get to go to their battle competition, you guys have no idea.  My poor krump friends here in Seoul... I was bouncing off the walls excited.  When we finally arrived at the club, I started freaking out about the hat and clothes I was wearing and acting like a total fan girl when I saw Monster Woo's bike outside.  Sheesh.  I needed tranquilizers.

The competition went down as expected.  There were great krumpers and growing krumpers.  There was even one girl.  And two members of Woo Fam competed: Kid Monster and Rumbler, who won first place against this other guy who I was rooting for.  It was energizing to see so many different styles and levels out there putting out all their passion and creativity.  I breathed in every second of it.

And surprise!  The members of Woo Fam (all but Trixx) did a little freestyling for us in between the rounds!  My friend Sim was able to get an excellent angle where no one was in his way, but he posted it on Facebook, so I don't think I can show you.  Here's what I got of it.  I know it's shaky, and it was taken on my iTouch, but this video has so much amazing in it, I love it.

I just pulled out the camera in the middle of Bucky's time, so I missed Jr. Woo's minute, but here is Woo Fam!!

Bucky, Rumbler, Kid Monster, 2Face, Youngster, Big J, Giant, Young Monster, and Monster Woo.

As if I haven't gushed enough, here are pictures, too!  I took some, and Sim took some.

The venue: NB 1 Club in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea
The evening's host: Giant.  He's there in the black beanie and the "F the System shirt."
Monster Woo is to his left in the red beanie.

There was so much energy surging through the krumpers.  The place was electric.

Kid Monster battling
He's been a favorite of mine since I first saw him. in this video. It's from a couple years ago when he was just a young'in looking like he had major issues.
P.s.  Word on the street is, Kid Monster has been going to K-Pop Celebrity School.  (It is a thing.)  I guess fame and fan girls are more important to him now, which makes me consider him a sell out.  I guess my fandom wasn't enough for him.  *Sniff.*

Shots from the night including the only girl competitor pictured in the bottom right

This is me worshiping talking to Bucky!  She recognized me from when I was taking classes at Woo Fam's studio.  I'd asked for a picture with her there.  Here, she was holding and high fiving my hands and telling me I was pretty.  I was able to tell her the same thing in Korean (Exhibit A), and she smiled with a teasing air of "yes, sweetheart, I know."

Meeting Monster Woo himself!
All I asked for what a picture, but I guess he wanted me to have this, too.  Ha.
I didn't know what he was doing, by the way.

Anyone heard anything about krump in Atlanta, by the way?