Be Mbitious
Be Mbitious (Korean: 비엠비셔스; lit. "Be Ambitious") is a South Korean dance survival reality television program created and broadcast by Mnet.[1] It functioned as a prequel to the male dance crew competition Street Man Fighter, selecting members for the project crew Mbitious from solo dancers through auditions and battles.[2] The show featured 40 participants drawn from 458 applicants, who showcased choreographed and freestyle performances judged by industry professionals and public votes.[3] Aired from May 24 to May 31, 2022, across three episodes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:20 PM KST, Be Mbitious highlighted dancers from diverse backgrounds, including K-pop idols, performance directors, and university professors, competing in high-stakes challenges.[2][1] The format included initial video submissions of choreography to an official Street Man Fighter track, followed by on-site battles and a live YouTube voting round to determine the final lineup.[3][1] Hosted by Rain, with judges including Aiki, Monika, and others evaluating the contestants, with the final selection based on 40% public voting and 60% judge scores.[3] The program culminated in the formation of Mbitious, an all-male crew comprising eight members—Roh Taehyun, 5000, Wootae, Tarzan, Lee Howon (Hoya), Kim Pyoungya, Kim Jungwoo, and Jinwoo—who went on to represent the crew in Street Man Fighter.[3] Be Mbitious received positive reception for showcasing raw talent and intense competitions, earning a 7.9/10 rating from viewers and contributing to the growing popularity of street dance survival shows in South Korea.[2]Background
Development
Mnet first teased the concept of Street Man Fighter, the male counterpart to Street Woman Fighter, during the finale of Street Dance Girls Fighter on January 4, 2022, signaling an upcoming dance survival program focused on male crews.[4][5] On March 22, 2022, Mnet officially announced Be Mbitious as the prequel and inaugural segment of this male-oriented series, positioning it as a foundational step to build hype and talent for the main competition.[6] The program's core purpose was to assemble an 8-member project dance crew named Mbitious, drawn exclusively from solo male dancers, who would then represent the group in Street Man Fighter against established crews.[6] This approach aimed to highlight individual talent in street dance while fostering rapid team formation, mirroring the improvisational and competitive essence of the genre. The production timeline was accelerated to align with the summer premiere of Street Man Fighter. Applications for solo dancers opened immediately following the announcement, requiring submissions of choreography videos via social media and formal forms, with a deadline of April 8, 2022.[6] Filming commenced shortly thereafter in late April and extended into early May 2022, capturing the intense selection process over a compressed 48-hour audition period to evoke the high-stakes, energetic spirit of street dance battles.[7] The show adopted a concise 3-episode format for its broadcast from May 24 to May 31, 2022, prioritizing brevity to maintain viewer engagement without diluting the raw intensity of the auditions. This structure allowed Be Mbitious to serve directly as a lead-in to Street Man Fighter, introducing the newly formed crew as a key participant in the larger event.[6]Relation to Street Woman Fighter
Street Woman Fighter (2021) served as the female-led predecessor to Be Mbitious, popularizing the crew-based dance survival format on Mnet through its competition among all-female street dance crews.[6] The show's success, with viewership ratings exceeding 1%,[8] highlighted the appeal of street dance battles and evaluations, prompting Mnet to expand the franchise with male-oriented content. This led to the announcement of Street Man Fighter as the male counterpart, with Be Mbitious positioned as its prequel to build momentum.[6] Be Mbitious adapted the format for solo male dancers, who competed to form the project crew Mbitious, contrasting the pre-existing all-female crews in Street Woman Fighter.[9] Unlike the original's emphasis on established groups, Be Mbitious focused on individual auditions and crew assembly through challenges like one-on-one battles, enabling selected dancers to represent the newly formed Mbitious in Street Man Fighter.[9] This adaptation maintained the competitive essence while addressing the underrepresentation of male street dancers in the franchise.[6] The programs shared core elements, including battle evaluations that tested dancers' skills in real-time confrontations and a focus on street dance genres such as hip-hop and waacking.[10] These ties reinforced Be Mbitious as part of the evolving K-dance ecosystem initiated by Street Woman Fighter, with missions like choreography replication drawing direct inspiration from the predecessor's structure.[9] By leveraging the original's proven model, Mnet aimed to capture similar audience engagement and elevate male street dance visibility.[6]Production
Casting Process
The casting process for Be Mbitious began with an open call targeting male solo dancers aged 18 and older with experience in street dance styles. A total of 458 applicants submitted video auditions through the Mnet website during April 2022, with the application period closing on April 8.[6][11] These submissions underwent initial screening, where 40 participants were selected to advance based on their video performances, which emphasized original choreography to the track "SMF (Performance Version)" by Changmo, highlighting aspects such as originality, technique, and charisma.[11][12] Among the applicants were several high-profile figures from the K-pop industry, including Kim Samuel, former B.A.P members Jong-up and Zelo, and DKB's Hee-chan; however, none of these individuals advanced to the selected group of 40.[12][7] The pre-filming auditions were evaluated by an internal Mnet team, with a focus on incorporating diversity across street dance styles such as breaking and popping to form a balanced cohort for the competition.[10]Filming and Broadcast Details
Filming for Be Mbitious was conducted in a compressed 48-hour challenge format at the Mnet studios located in the CJ ENM Center, Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. The production emphasized an intense schedule to simulate high-pressure crew formation, allowing solo dancers to compete in real-time missions under tight constraints. Host Rain participated actively during filming, guiding contestants and facilitating segments as the MC.[13] The series comprised three episodes, all presented in Korean and broadcast on Mnet's cable television channel, with simultaneous availability on digital platforms including Mnet Plus and Tving for streaming. Episode 1 premiered on May 24, 2022, followed by Episode 2 on May 25, 2022, and the finale, Episode 3, on May 31, 2022.[2] Airings occurred on Tuesdays and Tuesdays/Wednesdays at 10:20 PM KST, aligning with Mnet's prime-time slot for dance and variety programming.[13] Technical production incorporated advanced dance cameras for dynamic multi-angle captures of choreography and battles, alongside live judging interactions to maintain authenticity. Post-production focused on editing highlight reels of key confrontations and performances to enhance viewer engagement.[14] Promotional teasers released prior to launch highlighted the emerging crew name "Mbitious," building anticipation for the project group's formation.[15]Format
Hosts and Judges
The show was hosted by Rain, a prominent South Korean singer, actor, and dancer recognized as a K-pop icon for his influential career spanning music, performance, and entertainment since the early 2000s.[13] As the main host, Rain managed opening and closing segments, facilitated contestant interactions, and provided motivational commentary throughout the competition.[16] The judging panel consisted of 10 experts, primarily leaders from prominent female dance crews featured in Street Woman Fighter, selected to offer a gender-balanced perspective in evaluating male dancers and ensuring rigorous standards in street dance assessment.[17] These included Leejung from YGX, known for her hip-hop choreography expertise; Gabee from LACHICA, a versatile dancer specializing in waacking and house styles; Hyojin Choi from WANT, celebrated for contemporary and fusion techniques; Noze from WAYB, a tutor dancer with popping and locking proficiency; Rihey from CocaNButter, renowned for krump and freestyle innovation; Monika from Bebe, a battle specialist in hip-hop; Honey J from HolyBang, the Street Woman Fighter winner and all-round choreographer; and Aiki from HOOK, an influential mentor in urban dance.[18] Additional judges were Lip J from Prowdmon, a creative director focused on experimental street styles, and Kiel Tutin, a UK-born international choreographer providing global insights through his work with artists like BLACKPINK and Jennifer Lopez.[11] The panel collectively evaluated performances on technique, creativity, and execution, contributing to the formation of the Mbitious crew. Special guests appeared in Episode 1 as dance instructors to guide contestants through initial choreography challenges. Members from HolyBang, including Jane and Hertz, along with LACHICA's Peanut, H-1, and Simeez, demonstrated routines and offered hands-on training to help applicants adapt to crew dynamics.[19]Contest Structure and Missions
The contest featured 40 solo male dancers selected from 458 applicants, divided into groups to undergo evaluations that led to one-on-one battles for advancement.[20] The program consisted of two main missions designed to test participants' ability to replicate choreography, engage in battles, and demonstrate freestyle skills, with each group allotted a strict 3-hour time limit to prepare and perform.[11][21] In the first mission, a choreography copy challenge, contestants learned and performed segments of "Hey Mama" routines in versions by HolyBang and LACHICA, evaluated in groups of three or four by representatives from both crews, who issued "Respect" (pass) or "Retry" (fail) rankings based on execution accuracy and overall performance.[22] To secure a "Respect" ranking and advance, a dancer needed approval from both evaluating crews; those receiving "Retry" were given a limited opportunity for re-evaluation, but the mission concluded either upon selecting 20 "Respect" dancers or at the 3-hour mark.[22] The second mission involved "Respect" dancers selecting "No Respect" opponents for one-on-one battles, incorporating directed choreography and freestyle elements, judged by a panel including leaders from Street Woman Fighter crews, along with choreographers Lip J and Kiel Tutin.[22][23] Advancement from the battles filled 20 "IN" spots, with one additional exception slot to reach 21 finalists eligible for public evaluation.[20] These finalists submitted performance videos to Mnet's "The Choom" YouTube channel, where public engagement determined partial rankings through a combination of view counts and likes (scaled by a factor of 100).[20] The ultimate selection of the final 8 members for the Mbitious crew was based on a points system: up to 600 points from the judging committee (60%) and up to 400 points from fan voting conducted from June 1 to 4, 2022 (40%).[24] Judging across missions emphasized technique, creativity, energy, and teamwork, providing a balanced assessment of individual and group dynamics essential for forming a cohesive crew.[22]Participants
Auditionees and Rejections
The audition process for Be Mbitious drew a diverse pool of over 400 solo male dancers, ranging in age from their late teens to 30s and encompassing styles such as hip-hop, breaking, and contemporary. Applicants submitted video auditions, which were evaluated by special judges on fundamental skills like technique, musicality, and overall potential.[13] This initial screening eliminated the majority before any on-site filming, narrowing the field to just 40 selected participants who advanced to the main program. Among the applicants who did not advance were several notable figures from the K-pop and dance scenes, including soloist Kim Samuel, former B.A.P members Jong-up and Zelo, DKB's Hee-chan, and freestyler WetBoy. These high-profile rejections underscored the program's emphasis on street dance authenticity and individual originality over established idol credentials. The non-selection of such recognizable talents amplified the show's selectivity, sparking discussions on social media about the challenges of transitioning from idol choreography to competitive street dance.[25] In particular, Kim Samuel's audition generated significant online buzz due to a controversy involving overlapping choreography with other applicants, Kasper and Chae Woo Tae, which highlighted expectations for unique solo submissions.[25] This incident, along with the broader pool of rejected hopefuls, drew attention to the rigorous pre-production cuts and elevated anticipation for the 40 dancers who proceeded to the on-camera battles.Selected Contestants and Finalists
The selection process for Be Mbitious resulted in 40 solo male dancers advancing from an initial pool of 458 applicants, chosen by special evaluators including leaders from Street Woman Fighter crews such as Leejung, Gabee, and Aiki.[10] These contestants represented a diverse array of backgrounds, with no prior crew affiliations required, emphasizing individual talent in street dance genres like hip-hop, popping, krumping, breaking, and waacking. Many had professional experience as backup dancers for K-pop groups such as BTS, EXO, and SHINee, while others came from underground battle scenes or international training; the group included established idols, veteran instructors, and emerging rookies, with ages ranging from 19 to 44 and an average of approximately 27.[3][26] Notable among the 40 were former K-pop idols like Lee Ho-won (Hoya), the ex-main dancer of INFINITE with over a decade in the industry, and Kang Hyun-seung (Kino) of PENTAGON, known for his choreography and performance skills honed since his trainee days.[26] Roh Tae-hyun, previously of HOTSHOT and JBJ, brought krumping expertise from his group activities, while Kim Pyoung-ya and 5000 represented underground hip-hop and battle veterans, with 5000 boasting over 50 competition wins and 16 years of freestyle experience.[3] Other key figures included instructors like Tarzan (Lee Won-joon), a masculine hip-hop specialist at 1MILLION Dance Studio, and Yoon Jin-woo, a choreographer for NCT 127 and GOT7 with 13 years in popping and choreography.[26] International diversity was evident in participants like Yamakasi, a Mongolian breaking and popping dancer who trained in Korea after years abroad.[3] Following the choreography copy and one-on-one battle missions, judges selected 21 finalists to proceed to the viewer-voting round, consisting of 20 based on performance evaluations plus one exceptional "NO RESPECT" dancer chosen for standout potential.[27] This group maintained the initial diversity, blending idols such as DKB's Harry June (19, main dancer and Hanlim Arts student) with street talents like Wootae (32, professional choreographer for major K-pop acts), Brother Bin (23, popping prodigy with viral TikTok challenges), and OHBODY (44, first-generation hip-hop leader and Novelty Wildy Motion founder).[26] Veterans like Bae Seung-yoon (25, feminine hip-hop master trained under Honey J) and UKUN (25, COLOR Dance Team hip-hop performer) joined rookies such as Kim Jung-woo (19, krumping talent from Seoul Performing Arts High School) and DAN (24, contemporary dance major versatile in street styles).[3][26] The contestants were isolated during filming to foster focus and originality, undergoing intensive preparation without external influences, which highlighted their individual journeys from auditions to the competitive stage.[2]Competition Progress
Mission 1: Choreography Copy
In Episode 1 of Be Mbitious, aired on May 24, 2022, the 40 contestants formed groups of three on a first-come, first-served basis and were allotted three hours to learn the "Hey Mama" choreographies originally performed by HolyBang and LACHICA on Street Woman Fighter. These groups then executed both routines back-to-back before special guest evaluators from the two crews, testing their ability to replicate the precise movements under time constraints.[23][28][2] Each crew independently ranked the contestants as "Respect" for successful replication or "Retry" for deficiencies in accuracy or execution, with advancement requiring "Respect" from both HolyBang and LACHICA. Contestants receiving a "Retry" were granted one additional attempt, limited to two total retries overall. The mission concluded once 20 "Respect" dancers were confirmed, initially advancing them while leaving 20 others in "Retry" status. These "Respect" dancers subsequently selected "No Respect" opponents from the failed group for potential saves via confrontational evaluations.[28] Notable challenges included a high failure rate due to synchronization difficulties among group members, often resulting in uneven performances that underscored the precision demanded of the routines. Eliminations were calculated based on group averages where rankings varied, ensuring only 20 total passers, inclusive of any saves, proceeded. The episode's editing amplified tension through close-up reactions and dramatic reveals, building anticipation for the one-on-one battles in Mission 2.[14]Mission 2: One-on-One Battles
In the second mission of Be Mbitious, titled One-on-One Battles, the 40 surviving contestants from Mission 1 were divided into "RESPECT" and "NO RESPECT" groups based on their prior performances.[28] Each "RESPECT" dancer selected a "NO RESPECT" opponent for a direct confrontation consisting of two rounds: a choreography round, where the "RESPECT" dancer created an original sequence for the opponent to replicate under time pressure, and a freestyle round allowing personal expression.[29] The battles were judged by the eight crew leaders from Street Woman Fighter: Aiki, Honey J, Monika, Lip J, Leejung, Noze, Gabee, and Rihey, who voted immediately after each matchup to declare a winner advancing as "IN" and the loser eliminated as "OUT." Rain hosted the show.[18] The mission unfolded across two episodes, with initial battles airing on Episode 2 on May 25, 2022, and the remainder on Episode 3 on May 31, 2022.[29] A total of 20 battles were held, yielding 20 "IN" advancements and 20 eliminations, but in an exceptional case, the judges exercised mercy to save one additional "NO RESPECT" dancer from elimination, bringing the total to 21 finalists.[29] This reduction from 40 to 21 intensified the competition, highlighting individual skill, adaptability, and resilience under pressure. Notable moments included intense rivalries, such as Cha Hyunseung, a former Produce 101 contestant, being targeted by nine different challengers due to his standout reputation, yet prevailing in his matchup against Midnight Blue through precise execution despite a slippery stage from prior performances.[30][28] In another highlight, underdog Kim Pyeong-ya advanced after battling through a high fever caused by exhaustive practice, demonstrating perseverance in his freestyle against an established rival.[30] Technical errors also led to upsets, as seen when a wet stage prompted Noh Taehyun to assist by drying it mid-battle and Cha Hyunseung to guide his opponent to safer footing, earning praise from judges for sportsmanship while securing his win.[28] The 21 finalists— including Pentagon's Kino, Infinite's Hoya (Lee Howon), former HOTSHOT's Noh Taehyun, and independents like 5000, Tarzan, and Wootae—proceeded to a public voting phase via performance videos on The Choom's YouTube channel, where the top eight by view count would form the Mbitious crew for Street Man Fighter.[30][26]Results
Elimination and Advancement
The elimination and advancement process in Be Mbitious began with 40 solo dancers competing in Mission 1 (Choreography Copy), where 20 advanced as "RESPECT" dancers based on their ability to accurately replicate the "Hey Mama" choreography within a 3-hour limit, as judged by members of HolyBang and La Chica.[29] These passers received unanimous "IN" votes from the judges, while the remaining 20 were initially eliminated, though some received "RETRY" opportunities for a second attempt before final elimination; no re-entry was permitted after two failures.[29] In Mission 2 (One-on-One Battles), the 20 "RESPECT" dancers selected opponents from the eliminated pool and competed in freestyle battles, judged by a panel of nine experts, including leaders from Street Woman Fighter crews such as Aiki, Monika, Honey J, and Gabee, as well as Lip J and Kyle Tutin.[3] The advancement criteria relied on judge consensus for "IN" votes, resulting in 17 direct advancements from the battles, with 19 dancers eliminated outright due to losses.[31] An exception was made for four additional dancers—Brother Bin, Dan, Biggle, and Trandee Rock—who demonstrated significant potential despite their battle losses, bringing the finalist pool to 21 for public voting.[31] No re-entry was allowed for any eliminated contestants. These eliminations, featured prominently in Episodes 2 and 3 (aired May 25 and May 31, 2022), heightened the show's drama by fostering narrative arcs of redemption through retries and rivalries in the battles, while underscoring the judges' role in identifying raw talent.Formation of Mbitious Crew
Following the conclusion of Mission 2, the 21 surviving solo dancers underwent a final evaluation to determine the eight members of the Mbitious Crew, combining expert assessments and public participation.[9] The selection process featured scoring from a Crew Selection Committee, which could award up to 600 points based on the contestants' skills across various dance elements.[3] This was supplemented by a fan vote from June 1 to 4, 2022, contributing up to 400 points derived from (views + likes) × 100 on their individual performance videos uploaded to Mnet's The Choom YouTube channel.[3] The final rankings, reflecting the combined totals out of 1,000 points, were as follows:| Rank | Contestant | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roh Tae-hyun | 882.7 |
| 2 | 5000 | 779.6 |
| 3 | Wootae | 761.2 |
| 4 | Tarzan | 736.1 |
| 5 | Lee Ho-won | 735.2 |
| 6 | Kim Pyoung-ya | 727.1 |
| 7 | Kim Jung-woo | 709.5 |
| 8 | Jinwoo | 676.4 |
Reception
Viewership Ratings
Be Mbitious, a three-episode dance survival program on Mnet, recorded modest viewership ratings on cable television, as measured by Nielsen Korea's national audience share for paid platform households. The series averaged approximately 0.6% across its run from May 24 to May 31, 2022, reflecting the challenges of competing in a cable slot dominated by public broadcasters that often exceed 1% ratings.[34][22]| Episode | Air Date | Rating (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 24, 2022 | 0.5 |
| 2 | May 25, 2022 | 0.5 |
| 3 | May 31, 2022 | 0.8 |
| Average | - | 0.6 |