Artist: Yoojung Lee
Media: Music, the floor, the mirrors
Website: https://www.1milliondance.com/
Instagram: yoojunglee11
For the Artist of the Week’s student choice essay I chose to write about my favourite dancer and choreographer, Yoojung Lee from 1Million Dance Studio. Almost near the age of 30, her passion for dancing started during sophomore year of high school when she watched idols dancing on stage and thought it was really cool and she too wanted to give it a try. A couple months of dance studying led her to 1Million Dance Studio where she has been a family member for the past couple years. When she isn’t mesmerizing the stage with her presence, Yoojung likes to chill at skating rinks since skating is one of her favourite hobbies. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she’s as amazing a skater as she is a dancer.
Yoojung’s art and performance can often be described as smooth, sharp and effortless in the ways her moves transition from one another to forming the current piece entirely. Because many of her dances have so much flow in them, Yoojung’s videos can be seen as aesthetically pleasing or enthralling to follow. The songs she chooses to perform are often upbeat or have that kicking rhythm to it for demonstrations of popping, laid back for the dance style of contemporary or just straight up hip hop. Donning baggy clothes also help highlight Yoojung’s dance style as free, relaxed and just casual fun.
When talking about her favourite piece choreographed, “The Ocean” by Mike Perry featuring Shy Martin, Yoojung mentioned getting “possessed by the choreography spirit” and letting it guide her and to create an enjoyment for both her and the students she taught and danced with. She tries to convey the emotions the song highlights in her pieces not only through the moves and style but also with her facial expression and the little details such as her wardrobe.
This choreographer’s first years of showing the world her capabilities was also when I started to get into dancing myself, around 2016. I often watch her videos during these days to note the parts I’m lacking or the genres and styles I would like to learn more of. Her mention about “Ocean” actually got me emotional because it’s my favourite piece of hers and always the choreography I go back to when I’m having a dancer’s block. Although I’m not as absorbed in dance right now, I know I can look at my idol to feel inspired and understand the wonders dance can bring to music whenever I need it.
