SINGAPORE – These male dancers go topless, gyrate and thrust their hips in front of a live audience.
However, members of the South Korean cast of The Wild Wild Show insist they are not a striptease act.
Described as South Korea’s sexiest musical, the popular show which premiered in 2021 features hunky male dancers grooving to intense choreography, punctuated with sensual dance sequences and cheeky teases.
“People ask if Wild Wild is a striptease show because we take off our clothes. Wild Wild is performance art,” stresses Roh Jin-wook in a video interview with The Straits Times.
He is one of the nine dancers in their 20s to 30s who will be in Singapore for a two-night performance at The Theatre at Mediacorp on July 13 and 14.
The first show is only for women, while the second is open to men as well. Both shows admit only those aged 18 and above.
Performing in the Republic for the first time, the cast members are confident they can excite even the most conservative crowd.
“We have worked hard to build impressive bodies. Audiences will also be treated to great dance performances and acting,” says former fitness model Jeong Han-saem. “We will show Singapore the spicy flavour of South Korean performers.”
Another dancer, Kang Chun-il, adds: “You can expect to be captivated by the genuine charm of South Korean men.”
Possessing a chiselled, Adonis-like physique is a must for all of them, and maintaining it is the hardest challenge.
Cast member Kim Jin-woo says he loves to eat. The foodie adds that he is planning ahead to make sure his body is in tip-top shape before coming here, so he can enjoy “all the delicious food in Singapore”.
While the guys do not follow a strict diet, their exercise regimen varies from hitting the gym four to five times a week to daily workouts.
When they are preparing for shows, they have to exercise every day, says Kang. “We have to check ourselves in the mirror daily, and make sure our body shape and sizes match.”
The trained contemporary dancer, who has a solo segment, adds pilates and yoga into his fitness routine to maintain flexibility. “Big, bulky muscles are unnecessary for me,” he adds.
There is a common misconception that the Wild Wild men are party animals in real life too.
“Because I perform sexy acts, some people mistakenly think that I’m very outgoing or even promiscuous,” says dancer Park Do-kyung, a self-professed homebody who spends his free time reading.
Adds Kim: “People assume I enjoy places with dancing, loud music and alcohol, but that’s not really me. I don’t drink much.”
Assumptions aside, the dancers love what they do and are proud of their unconventional career.
They hope to change people’s perceptions when they bring the show outside South Korea. Wild Wild has travelled to Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. They will head to Thailand after Singapore.
Reactions from audience members vary in different countries. “South Korean audiences tend to be more reserved, while the overseas crowds are more enthusiastic,” Jeong says.
“Hong Kong and Taiwan audiences are very enthusiastic. The Japanese start quietly, but get more excited as time goes on,” says Roh, adding the cast will not push boundaries even if the reaction is lukewarm.
Lee Kug-young recalls a touching moment when an older woman thanked him for taking her back to her youth. “Her comment made me realise I am doing well, and I can make the audience feel such nostalgia. It was very heart-warming and made me proud of what we do.”
The artistes say there are no strict rules when it comes to entertaining the audience, especially when it comes to offstage interactions. Part of their job includes knowing how to discreetly resist those who touch too much or act rudely.
Says Kim: “Since Wild Wild performances are provocative and sexy, there are certain things we need to be cautious about. We aim to show the best performance while being mindful of the audience’s reactions and maintaining proper manners.”
They also avoid gratuitous actions, Lee says, adding that they re-enact different scenarios during their rehearsals. “We pay a lot of attention to the safety aspect.”
Adds Jeong: “We don’t want to make others uncomfortable. We prefer the audiences to watch and enjoy with their eyes.”
Book It/The Wild Wild Show
Where: The Theatre at Mediacorp, 1 Stars Avenue
When: July 13 and 14, 8pm
Admission: Tickets from $108 to $198 via sg.bookmyshow.com and str.sg/xT3E
