Bailey faces high-stakes heel removal risk in 'Street World Fighter: Directors' War'

The process of choreographers striving to embody a K-pop solo artist's identity on stage, and the artist's subsequent choices, has been revealed. In the highlight video for episode 6 of 'Street World Fighter: Directors' War', which airs simultaneously on Mnet and tvN, the directing mission processes of two competing teams were showcased ahead of Bailey's final decision.

"Removing the heels is the key" — Stage risks and solutions for Bailey

During this mission, Bailey expressed concern regarding the requirement to remove her Heel during the performance, stating, "If I can't take off the heels, there is no answer." She noted that the movement of removing the heels was a greater concern than the choreography itself, as it was an issue directly linked to stage safety.

The team led by Shimizu and In-gyu sought specific ways to mitigate this risk. Considering the difficulty of using zippers, they proposed attaching Velcro so the heels could be removed instantly with a single Touch. The cast reported that they focused on providing mental support to ensure the artist did not feel anxious. In particular, Shimizu emphasized that if the safety risk feels too high, the performance must absolutely not proceed.

Contrasting strategies: A battle of 'identity' vs. 'visual contrast'

The two teams awaiting Bailey's choice showcased distinct directing directions. Shimizu and In-gyu's team focused on emphasizing Bailey's identity through a structure transitioning from the intro to the chorus and bridge. They prioritized creating "killing parts," noting, "The worst thing is if the chorus doesn't work." Shimizu explained that after seeing the pre-chorus, they realized Bailey wanted to focus more on dancing rather than just NaRLi-ing through the concept and direction; consequently, they maintained the concept but modified the routine so Bailey could exit the fabric quickly, filling the subsequent pre-chorus with more dance.

Conversely, Min Jun-Jung and KASPER's team opted for a strategy to maximize visual contrast and lighting. They employed a focusing technique to draw attention to the artist by having Bailey wear a white outfit while the dancers were dressed in all-black. Min Jun-Jung noted the high level of lighting production, focusing on using and cutting the lights to match the song's mood rather than relying on flashy effects.

Bailey's final choice and reflections on performance quality

Shimizu and In-gyu's team expressed high satisfaction with Bailey's rapid learning ability, remarking, "The level is different" and "Just watching her gives us confidence." Shimizu added that because Bailey memorizes moves so quickly, every moment of practice was a joy.

Min Jun-Jung and KASPER's team focused on the importance of synchronization, emphasizing that the process was a meticulous collection of vital details.

After experiencing the performances from both teams, Bailey made her final judgment based on which team best brought out her strengths and identity. At the end of the video, Bailey shared her thoughts on the high caliber of both performances, saying, "Both teams really created such high level, such incredible performance."