Hype Nation
Ahh…. So B2K (I really didn’t even know they were still together) has another dance movie coming out called Hype Nation featuring Korea’s amazing B-Boy Crew, Gambler.
These guys are so AWESOME.
I think it’s kind of interesting that in America, there a clumping together of Black-Americans and Asian-Americans in urban societies, as well as Black-Americans and Latin-Americans. I think it’s kind of like, the minorities bring culture to the country…. let’s make them dance!
Anyway, I don’t really like dance movies. I think dance movies are kinda crappy plot-wise and I don’t like paying to see them but I think the dancing in them is amazing. (But seriously, don’t make me spend twelve dollars on Step Up 2). I really respect dancers and the medium of dance, I think Hip-hop is an amazing dance form (though slightly under-appreciated).
This movie sounds pretty interesting. I have a feeling that it won’t be that great though, I can tell already because B2K is in it. (That is an unfair judgment…if you haven’t seen You Got Served or that J. Lo movie.) Anywho how, I hope it’s interesting because you don’t really see Korean culture clash with Black-American urban hiphop culture.
The films is supposed to be shooting in the states and in Korea and the movie is currently looking for a Korean female lead before they start shooting in July. [I can guess the plot of the movie. Omarion is a dancer in a bad neighborhood, the Korean girl is the sister of Omarion’ rival crew (her parents own a convenience store or are very well off), they fall in love despite family allegiance and exaggerated cultural differences. In the end it’s maziltov and Korean BBQ.
I can already see problems I’m going to have with this movie. Whenever they put two races together in a movie especially one involving hip-hop dancing, stereotyping will arise. I hope that this movie will lead people who aren’t familiar with hip-hop to realize that, no, not all Black people can dance, that, yes, a lot of Asian people do have rhythm and that, though things like Hiphop music, jazz, blues and hiphop dance may have originated in America’s Black communities, it isn’t exclusively a “Black” thing. You can bet that someone in the movie is going say both “Wow, Asians can dance!” and “Hiphop isn’t about color blah blah blah”.
Honestly, I don’t know what to think about this movie. Part of me is really hopeful that this movie will open hiphop even more out of just a “Black” thing but another part of me is dreading the stereotyping that might arise.
What do you think of this “Hype Nation”? (Gah, what a bad name).
May 1, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Hey! I just read about this news too….you’re quick!
In regards to dance movies, I take it as just that—dance. lol. I don’t expect much out of it (I don’t think you can…
); I see it almost as a glorified dance off with some plot thrown in. 
And you betcha this movie will be chalked full of exaggerations and stereotypes (it’s inevitable..) but I guess we can all hope some positive things emerge. I think the fact that a respected Korean dance group is being featured is already a positive thing. Hopefully they’ll build on that!
May 1, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Oh! and I don’t pay to watch dance movies either. ;D
May 1, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Yeah, the B2K involvement worries me though. They certainly don’t have a long line of successful films lol
May 3, 2008 at 9:17 am
i’ll only watch it for the dancing lol. It’ll be interesting …..Korean choreography… is the bomb lol.
May 6, 2008 at 6:00 pm
As somebody who also LOVES dance even if the movies suck, I think it’ll be super interesting to see the juxtaposition of styles. To me, Asian crews are typically unmatched on the acrobatic stuff whereas your typical black crew is into alot of “smooth” looking stuff. Or maybe a better distinction would be “technical” versus “fluid”.
One of the things I liked about Jabbawockeez on ABDC was their ability to bridge both styles.
June 15, 2008 at 1:48 pm
This is retarded. There is no way in the world some B2K crew can ever beat Gambler in a battle. Seriously, they are just way to good for them.
July 14, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Quite honestly, this movie sounds absolutely terrible. Yet, I will go see it anyhow–not because of the bad storyline or ridiculous one-liners that are bound to emerge, but solely because of Gambler Crew. I could care less about how overglorified B2K’s dance moves are, because the truth is, they are FAR from ever stepping toe-to-toe with an internationally renowned b-boy crew.
August 4, 2008 at 10:42 am
I’m so proud of Gamblers! I dance for Ubuntu and we just battled some guys form Gamblers and won!! We have much respect for them but its upsetting to see that they put b2k in the film its going to destroy bboying! Anyway hope it comes out they way should!!!
August 29, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I Read the story line it seems interesting lol it involves yakuza gangs and stuff. it might change steriotypes of korean underground danceing. even though bboying is really popular in korea. in 2007 the korean goverment said they will suport korean bboys so now korean bboys dont have to work but just dance for 24/7.
well im not sure if the #1 bboy crew gamblers is gonna be in it or the other gamblers. cause i saw bboy music or maybe a guy who looks like him in one of the hype nation photos
just to let you guys know they’re is 3 different gamblers in korea- gamblers crew, gamblers, bust gamblers.
gamblers crew- is #1 bboy crew in world won so many competitions
gambler- is a crew that just formed recently with an ex gambler crew member who left to make another
gambler with other big known bboys from korea (still though these guys are pretty good even if they are another gambler they will still own b2k)
bust gambler- its a 2nd generation of gamblers with teens still in high school.
September 7, 2008 at 4:21 pm
The real gamblers crew isnt gonna be in this movie.
just for all you begginers. gamblers crew the #1 crew/ only crew in korea who won alot of competitions might not be in the movie
cause in the picture that i saw it was “Gambler” Another Crew with one of the best korean bboys still who can beat b2k easily is in it. this crew was formed not too long ago it was formed by an ex gambler crew member who left to make another crew with the same name called “Gambler”
Although i heard other korean bboys are gonna be in it too
September 7, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Ahh i saw the Movie storyline
It saw that B2k had no chance. so im guessing Gamblers crew gonna get shot or sumthing in a drug crackdown haha
September 7, 2008 at 4:24 pm
ahh why is people talking about abdc. that show is just crap i dont care.
the only moves that jabba wockeez did was a headspin and basic power moves like falres and mills.
September 22, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I heard in a rumor that B2k loses but Gamblers crew the entire crew get shot in a crack deal ahah
October 1, 2008 at 3:29 pm
for the love of god why……first i hear about Backdown with b2k and now this man some one put me this movie and get some real story lives and stop using west side story as a choped and screwed plot
October 1, 2008 at 3:31 pm
this is the reason i dont watch tv and stick to xbox 360 gamer for life………..if you dont get fable 2 you are a sad person
October 7, 2008 at 4:25 am
I heard that Son Dam Bi might be one of the leads in the Korean Krew :S. whoa Gamblerz are goin to beh in it. sounds like an interesting movie to me though, hope it wont be a hole
November 21, 2008 at 5:52 pm
woah, you probably might find this is the first website i’ve been to with NICE comments about Hype Nation ROFL… the others were like sooo criticisin it… figures coz all the dance movies were … well they did suck but i enjoyed the dancing in it anyhows. I’m hyped! about Dambi being the lead girl~ she SO CAN dance and sing… i dont know why people don’t see that… She is living in a world where she cant really do much of her own things. I hear that Dennis ONieL would be the brother… who knowS? if he was i’m SOOO watching this movie… but with harsh criticism~ ^^
December 8, 2008 at 12:59 pm
WoW. This dancers are amazing.They dance soo good and soo in one (if you know what i mean).They have spirit.They have style.They have heart in it.I fall in love in their ability to dance!
I just can say GUYS YOU ARE BEST
January 5, 2009 at 1:09 am
I just read on allkpop that Dambi Son is going to be in the movie and it’s actually going to be made. I’m looking forward to the daning…because if this has the same writer from B2K’s first movie….I won’t even speak on that.
January 5, 2009 at 1:09 am
*dancing*
My bad.
January 17, 2009 at 8:56 pm
The sypnosis says that there’s some mafia run by Gambler Crew, and that in the end B2K beats Gambler crew. it’s that type of movie.
i worry that the mainstream audience will not know that gambler crew is much better than wat B2K does.
February 9, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Son Dam Bi will be the female lead from Korea. And yes there are two different “Gambler” crews. One called ‘Gamblerz’ and the other called ‘Gambler’ as someone said earlier a member of the original Gamblerz crew left the crew and created another one now known as Gambler crew. I think it’s pretty stupid how the second one just doesn’t have a ‘z’ at the end… lol. But both crews are just as good in their style and power moves, it’s only that Gamblerz have been around longer with more experience and competitions and they have more respect from other fellow bboy’s. But anyways this movie is really something for me to look forward to as a dancer and especially a Son Dam Bi fan :]
March 26, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I just don’t like the fact that b2k are gonna get a lot of credit for staring on this movie..while they’re popular in America, not a lot of people are gonna know who “Gambler” crew is. In my opinion “Gambler” crew should just be kept underground in the Bboy scene and not associated with a bunch of choreograph dancers or wanna be Bboys who are more likely to take credit for this movie..I mean this shit is so repetetive like how it happened in the past when bboying was commercialized for fucking money..bboying is not for show..it’s an expression of one’s self creativity and a lifestyle who follows it. Like how Do-knock said on that movie documentary “Planet BBOY”, he was one of the bboys of You’ve Got Serve, and he said himself that bboys’ aren’t really appreciated or even recognize by these actors that can hardly dance, i mean choreography wise, they’re probably good, have u guys seen omarion when he’s bboying?? that was a joke..
April 14, 2009 at 1:37 am
To clarify, Gambler (without the z) was the original crew formed by bboy music. Music came back from some hiatus recently and has called all the old members: darkness, laser, eagle, etc. They just do performances and dance. Now, Gamblerz (led by bboy sick) competes in battles, tournaments, etc. and is basically post Gambler crew. (Yeah, I suck at explaining ><). Bust Gamblerz is gone because it fused with Gamblerz. Sadly, B2K had to ruin the movie, but Gamblerz sill makes me want to see it because bboying is big… again. I feel that bboying will be overhyped again then collapse like the 80s. Btw, hip hop was NEVER a black thing because in the beginning there were many hispanics involved with this culture.