Meet the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Athletes: Seoul’s Pioneer B-Girl Minji Charts Her Own Course

Inside the Dobong-gu training facility in Seoul, 15-year-old Song Minji (B-Girl Minji) works on her sets alongside icons like Hong10, Fe, Millie, and Starry. Reaching this high-performance environment, however, meant making a choice rarely seen at her age: leaving her family home in Sejong to live independently in South Korea’s capital. As she targets the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Minji’s journey is defined by early independence, surgical recovery, and a drive to pave the way for young B-Girls across the country.

Living Alone in Seoul: The Sacrifice Behind the Dream

Minji’s passion for movement started early, encouraged by parents who noticed her natural flexibility and upper-body strength. What began as a childhood activity soon transformed her entire household. During her years in Sejong, weekday evenings were spent sessioning late with her younger brother, while weekends meant family road trips across South Korea to attend Battles and workshops.

Everything shifted when Minji earned a spot on the Dobong-gu Office Breaking Team. To take her training to the highest level, she relocated to Seoul on her own, separating from her family and training partner.

“Being able to train alongside these legendary senior athletes and witness their relentless dedication and extraordinary skills up close is an invaluable source of learning and inspiration for me every day. Watching the path they have paved has inspired me to dream of performing on even bigger stages.”

Though miles apart, the sibling dynamic built in Sejong remains central to her drive:

“When we lived in Sejong, my brother and I would practice together and work up a sweat late into the evenings on weekdays... Although we are temporarily apart, our bond has grown even stronger. We still meet on weekends whenever possible, support each other’s dancing, and continue training quietly and consistently in our respective places. Although we may be physically apart, Breaking remains the strong thread that connects our entire family.”

Rebuilding Body and Mind: Surviving Double Surgery Threats

Reaching Olympic contention required Minji to overcome severe physical setbacks. During a key developmental phase, recurring shoulder dislocations culminated in surgery, forcing her completely off the cypher. The rehabilitation was grueling, but her return was almost immediately cut short by a severe ankle injury that brought threats of a second operation.

Rehab alongside her physical therapy team taught the young athlete that elite performance is as much about bodily longevity as technical execution:

“One of the toughest moments in my career was dealing with multiple shoulder dislocations and the resulting damage. I eventually had to undergo surgery, and it was devastating not being able to do Breaking for a while... Right after my shoulder recovered, I suffered a severe ankle injury that could have required another surgery.”

“These experiences taught me patience, perseverance, and how crucial it is to listen to and take care of my body. I realized that being an elite athlete isn't just about pushing your limits, it’s about knowing how to recover and staying mentally strong to push through the hardest moments.”

teCHNICAL FUSION: DRUMS, FLEXIBILITY AND INFLUENCES

On the floor, Minji’s style is built on dynamic control and rapid musical response. She breaks down the drum patterns of heavy Breaking tracks, training her body to react without hesitation the moment a DJ drops a beat.

Her technical evolution draws heavily from studying flexible B-Boys and B-Girls, combining elements of B-Boy Snake’s extreme physical manipulation with B-Boy Leon’s rhythm, power, and movement density.

“I love catching that exact moment when the DJ drops a beat and instantly translating it into fluid, natural movement. I spend a lot of time listening to Breaking beats, absorbing the drum patterns and melodies so my body can react instinctively when the music hits. I focus on riding the groove and playing with speed and dynamics to interpret it in my own style.”

Taking South Korea’s Most Common Name to the Global Stage

When Minji began competing, "kid B-Girls" were virtually nonexistent in South Korea's Breaking ecosystem. By putting herself on national and international stages, including last January’s WDSF World Breaking DanceSport Festival in Brisbane, held in Australian soil with eyes set on returning Breaking to the Olympic programme for Brisbane 2032, she set out to break down stereotypes for young girls entering the culture.

Her Battle name reflects a quiet confidence in her identity:

“My B-Girl name is Minji, which is also my real name. Minji is one of the most common female names in Korea. Just like my deeply Korean name, I want to become a B-Girl who is widely recognized and remembered by many people. The moment I step into a cipher or a Battle, I want to showcase my unique personality and style and ultimately introduce the name Minji to the global stage.”

As the road to Dakar 2026 continues, Minji remains rooted in gratitude for the network that supported her move to the capital and her recovery:

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to my parents for allowing me to start Breaking and supporting me unconditionally. I'm also so thankful to my family for always cheering me on, as well as the Dobong Borough Council Breaking Team and Sejong All Stars for being such a huge source of strength throughout my journey... I will keep working hard to become an athlete you can all be proud of.”

Follow B-Girl Minji’s journey to Dakar 2026 on Instagram: @bgirl_minji

Meet the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Athletes: Seoul’s Pioneer B-Girl Minji Charts Her Own Course