{
  "id": 16817418,
  "title": "EXO's choreographer wins 1st title after fearing his time was over",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/exos-choreographer-wins-1st-title-after-fearing-his-time-was-over-16817418",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-27T23:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20261028/exos-choreographer-wins-1st-title-after-fearing-his-time-was-over"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Choreographer Back Koo-young, who had harbored doubts about his career nearing its end, emerged victorious in Mnet's Street World Fighter: Director's War this past week. The 24-year veteran's triumph in the competition served as a testament to his unwavering dedication, rather than a triumphant comeback. During an interview with The Korea Times at CJ ENM Center in western Seoul, Back expressed his gratitude for clinching the trophy, describing it as a \"perfect attendance award\" for his continuous efforts despite feeling overshadowed by younger directors. Back's career has been instrumental in shaping many of K-pop's most recognizable works, and his victory marks his first win in a competitive career that was closely tied to the show's predecessor, Street Man Fighter.",
  "summary": "For the past few years, choreographer Back Koo-young had quietly begun to wonder whether his time was passing, watching pitches from directors far younger than him getting picked over his own. When he was named the winner of Mnet's \"Street World Fighter: Director's War\" last week, his 24 years of work in the industry meant the trophy was not a sign of a triumphant comeback but as something closer…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}