Hallyu Con 2022: A conversation with Korean dancer and choreographer Trandee Rock
Perilla leaf separation has sparked a wide debate in Korean circles, but this “cool guy” wouldn’t mind if his friend separated the leaves for his significant other.
Trandee Rock. Image: @aka_trandee_rock
It’s Saturday 1 October and South Korean dancer and choreographer Trandee Rock is sat down in front of an eager audience at Hallyu Con 2022. He’s a little nervous but nevertheless exudes charisma.
Having worked with SHINee, Mamamoo, The Boyz, Kai (EXO) and Taeyong (NCT), Trandee Rock has plenty of experience when it comes to choreographing for some of the biggest names in K-Pop right now.
When asked by Hallyu Con Co-Founder Shai (AKA THE K-WAY) what inspired him to become a dancer he said, translated by the bubbly Woogie, that since being a child he was very inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson and K-Pop.
Despite thinking that he could be a K-Pop artist himself, Trandee Rock found he enjoyed being a backup dancer much more and thus decided to build his career as a dancer.
As well as working with many big names in K-Pop, Trandee Rock was a contestant on the MNet survival show ‘Be Mbitious’ — the prequel show to ‘Street Man Fighter’ which will act as the male version of the popular ‘Street Woman Fighter’ released on August 24, 2021.
Whilst his cool reputation precedes him, his interpreter Woogie made a point of letting the audience know that this was Trandee Rock’s first time coming to the UK so he was very nervous. However, the audience met him with smiles and engaged with the questions alongside him, putting him at ease.
Trandee Rock. Image: @aka_trandee_rock
Working in the extremely fast-paced Korean music industry, Trandee Rock has to constantly work hard to create new dance routines. He explained that this is the most challenging part of being a choreographer — his main focus is to ensure that his latest piece of work is better than the last.
Despite being a difficult industry to enter, Trandee Rock also told aspiring choreographers and dancers to not be afraid to try. “Don’t think too much, just start,” he said.
To round off the interview, Shai introduced a quick fire round with questions from the Hallyu Con audience.
Would you let your friend separate the perilla leaf for your significant other?
“It’s okay, [I’m a] very cool guy”, says Trandee Rock. It’s clear he doesn’t mind as he gives a shrug and smiles. “Anyway, she’s my girlfriend”.
“He’s a romantic,” assured Woogie.
Cereal or milk first?
“우유! (Milk!)” Trandee Rock exclaimed. There were several light-hearted gasps from the audience and Shai asked, “any reason?”
His reason: The cereal will be more crunchy if you put the milk in first!
NCT or EXO?
Woogie ensured that Trandee Rock didn’t have time to ponder this one, repeating “빨리 (hurry)!” With a perplexed expression Trandee Rock explained that he loves both equally — it’s a difficult decision, we totally understand. He would, however, choose to be a backup dancer for Kai if he could only choose to dance for one of the idols.
Japchae or Tteok-bokki?
“Japchae, I don’t like tteok-bokki.”
Early morning or late night?
“Late night.”
DC or Marvel?
“My favourite character is Wolverine,” explained Trandee Rock — so it seems he prefers the MCU.
Is there one thing you want our audience to know about Trandee Rock?
His wish was to show the audience what kind of dancer he is and he certainly got to with his sexy performance of Kai’s (EXO) ‘Mmmh’.
This article wouldn’t have been made possible without Hallyu Con. Thank you for gifting our team tickets to your fantastic event!
