As the world of Korean hip-hop continues to evolve, one name is making waves both on and off the dance floor: Cho Jin Soo, or as fans know him, J-Black or J-Pink.
Recently going viral with Filipino audiences for his uncanny resemblance to comedienne Vice Ganda, the Korean dancer is a powerhouse performer himself, known for seamlessly blending his masculine and feminine personas.
Curious to learn more about the man redefining boundaries in the Korean dance scene? Ahead, we break down what you need to know about J-Black.
Who Is J-Black? Facts About the Korean Hip-Hop Dancer
1. J-Black has a masculine and a feminine persona.
While many might know him as J-Black, the dancer actually goes by three different monikers. First by Cho Jin Soo, his real name, which he goes by as an actor. The rest are his dancer personas: J-Black, his masculine side, and J-Pink, his feminine dancer alter ego.
According to the media company the University of Horang (UoH), Jin Soo stumbled upon the “J-Pink” name by accident. His friend had jotted down the name at a competition as a joke, but unknowingly, history was made when his moniker was met with a warm reception from the audience.
As J-Pink, Jin Soo performs with a hyperfeminine persona with more glammed-up looks, which reporters have noted as “reducing the gender binary” by rewriting standards set by society.
2. He only became a dancer in his mid-20s.
Compared to his street dancer contemporaries, J-Black had a later start in his career as he had only taken up the craft when he was 25. By 2009, he had won first place at the international dance battle, “‘4 DA NEXT LEVEL Vol.2.” His successes would lead to him choreographing for K-pop groups like T-ara and Wonder Girls, the latter known best for their hit “Nobody.”
3. He’s the leader of a gender-fluid dance group called Pinky Cheeks.
Much like his gender-defying persona as a dancer, J-Black extends this to his work as the leader of the gender-fluid group Pinky Cheeks. The street-style dance group comprises seven members, including Me j n tie j, Bangkey, Genero.k, A.me, Jinsol, and Neon Kim.
4. He’s married to a fellow dancer.
J-Black found love with his wife Mmary, who, like him, is also a skilled dancer and choreographer. The couple acts as a duo dubbed J-Black and Mmary, and the two are often spotted dancing showing off their dancing acumen in their videos online.
5. He appeared in K-dramas.
Devout K-drama viewers may have already bumped into J-Black in his occasional appearances on the small screen. In 2022, the dancer portrayed Montana in the drama Never Give Up, alongside the likes of Yoon Doo Joon and Han Go Eun. Most recently, J-Black appeared as a dance trainer in The Heavenly Idol, led by Business Proposal’s Kim Min Kyu.
Other than dramas, J-Black also has his share of cameos and guest appearances in variety shows such as Running Man and King of Mask Singer.
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