Jeonju B-boy Grand Prix: Heritage city transforms into global breaking hub

Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, known for its traditional hanok village, is pivoting from its traditional identity to become Korea's premier hub for street dance. The 19th Jeonju B-boy Grand Prix kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Samsung Culture Center of Jeonbuk National University. The major cultural event will feature more than 20 crews, including international breakdancers from Japan, China and Taiwan, competing for a total prize pool of 18 million won ($11,970). The winning crew will receive 10 million won. Jeonju cemented its position in the domestic breaking scene after local crew Last For One won the Battle of the Year competition in Germany in 2005, becoming the first Korean team to claim the international title. This unprecedented global victory broke Seoul's cultural dominance in the breaking scene, sparking regional confidence that led to the creation of the Grand Prix in 2007. The festival has rapidly evolved into an international stage, as seen when renowned Japanese crew Body Carnival won the 17th competition in Jeonju, drawing inquiries from overseas participants. The fi