bulletproof funk

Yo Sam, let me ask you something…

I met Sam when I was a sophomore undergrad at BU.  Every once in awhile he’d say something, but usually he’d just be quiet and mysterious.  I still find that largely to be true except that now, there’s an aura of celebrity that lines the mystery…in my mind at least..and I think for everybody else in Bulletproof Funk.  Whenever we’d do shows and performances, he would be nowhere to be seen and would usually skip tech times, ignore phone calls, and then show up seconds before we went on stage dressed in the incorrect stuff but would then kill the performance.  Right after we step off stage, he would put earbuds in his ears and would leave the building muttering something about having something else to do.  He is the rockstar.  He does what he wants.  Ladies love him and guys want to be him and if they don’t it’s because they hatin.  In my mind’s eye, Sam Shin is a twelve-thousand year old 10 foot tall completely-unamused rock god.  He’s also quite adorable when you talk to him.  Sam is fluent in four languages–Japanese, Korean, English, and bad South Park impressions.

Figure 1. Sam Shin master of the unlikely.

Anyways! Interview!

Dave:

sam, tell me about how you started with dancing?

Sam:

I started dancing when I was like 7 years old?? Back then (I guess now too), all the korean pop stars had some dancing in their performance. So dancing was something really close to me. I would imitate those stars on TV and stuff. But when I really got into dance was when I saw Michael Jackson (So TYPICAL haha). This was probably like towards the end of middle school. I downloaded all his videos and watched them many times. But I wasn’t really into dancing like I am now. I would party dance in high school balls and dances, but nothing so serious.

But towards the end of high school, I encountered poppin!!
My first inspiration was popping Hyun Joon (SOO TYPICAL)
And then after learning more about popping I bought this DVD in Japan called “Dance Style Poppin” which had Acky, Tetsu-G Yuki and Seen teaching. Basically all the craziest OGs in Japan. But back then, I didn’t know who they were, so I just thought they looked funny. They were basically some middle aged men dressed like Gangsters. But when I saw them dancing, I was like … OMG. I gotta learn this boogaloo thing man!! So bam, that’s how I started learning Boogalooing and popping. Ever since then, boogaloo has been my favorite style. But recently, I’m trying to learn more styles and genres because I started to learn to love dancing in general. Dancing has become so important in my life. It brings me up when I’m down and it just gives me so much energy! And dancing also helps me enjoy music more.

So this is basically my story of dancing. I think it’s really boring, nothing original… But yeah I love dancing and I’m really glad I met dancing! Thank you Taeji Boys and Michael Jackson RIP. Electric Boogaloos, K-OGS, Yori, Loco Yoko, Kite, Gucchon and Acky.

Dave:

how did you get involved with bulletproof funk?

Sam:

I feel very proud to tell you that I was one of the original members of Bulletproof funk. I think the original members were Dave, Greg, Alex (Kao), Jenn, and me?? Was it?? I can’t remember. but how I met these peolpe are pretty funny.

I think I had in my interests section on facebook “Popping” and greg was such a stalker that he found me on facebook even before the school started LOL. we would be like yo you pop, how long u been popping, oh like 6 months, yo we should meet up and dance together! And then the school started and Greg introduced me to Dave “the ghost of machine” Shi. we would meet up and practice in the GSU dance studio and sometimes at the studio that 3D taught. Basically, Greg and Dave got me into the boston dance scene, and I really thank them for it cuz its been a great part of my college life and I met a lot of Great dancers and friends through it.

But yeah, the biggest problem with us was that we couldn’t reserve on campus practice space so we decided to register ourselves as an official group. We collected signatures from us and some of my friends that didnt even dance just to be barely able to apply for the new group registration and we (or Dave) gave a speech in front of some student group leaders and we got approved! And ever since then, we would offer practice space for any street dancers, do some shows, and just try to enjoy what we do. And I really think we’ve come a long way, both in individual skills and group structure. Some younger members gotta realize how lucky we are to have our practice space with mirrors regularly every week. I’m not trying to get credits but we all have to have gratitude for what we have and the opportunities to enjoy what we love to do freely. I think that will also help us level up as a person and as a dancer.

But yeah our group still has a long way to go, and I trust the younger members will take good care of this group cuz I know they love the group. I trust them and I hope this group gets better and better. I cant really define what is better, but as long as the new eboard puts their heart into managing this group, I know it will get better in one way or another.

In conclusion, I’m really glad I got to be part of this wonderful group. Otherwise, I would’ve had to join something like FUSION… HAHA JK!

Dave:

how is a japanese dancer different from an american dancer?

Sam:

Japanese dancers predominantly have their foundations in boogaloo or electric boogaloo style as the electric boogaloos were the ones that spread popping in japan. But I think American dancers have all different styles and I think thats good!!

Dave:

has your perspective on dancing changed or matured at all over the past 4 years at BU?

Sam:

hmmm yes! before i think i was focusing too much on impressing people. But now I think im focusing more on having fun and enjoying myself!

Dave:

what’s your favorite style besides poppin?

Sam:

right now im really into hip hop as in new york style old style hip hop!

Dave:

any video clips that you can share?

Sam:

i would like to share some of acky’s videos. def one of my favs

Dave:

wowwwww—i have an interesting story (i’m sure many people have had the same experience). but when i used to watch video clips of popping a long time ago i didn’t understand the big deal. when acky came to boston for the battle unity and respect i learned what the big deal was lol. now if somebody ever shows me a video on youtube of somebody like acky my mind sort of automatically superimposes a mega-powerful hit on his body and i imagine all his little animation shit

so sam, you’re about to graduate from boston university! congratulations! what are your plans?

Sam:

Im still looking for a job!! I want to be a popper businessman!!

Dave:

u could be a CBO chief boogaloo officer

if you had unlimited resources what sort of dance space would you create and what would you use it for?

Sam:

hmmm I dont know I think I will just make a big ass practice space where we can blast music all we want. Also I wanna make a club that plays popping music!!

Dave:

any final thoughts? about yourself, about the group, or about dance?

Sam:

I just cant thank enough for everything that happened to me while im in the group. It gave me a lot of opportunities to grow as a person and a dancer. I wanna thank you and Greg for getting me involved in Boston’s dance scene. I just hope the next generations continue to keep this group a fun group!

ghost_of_the_machine

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