Five years ago, a stroke of fate brought me together with a remarkable friend who has since become a source of inspiration to me and to many others. Prydence, the girl who shared with me a love for K-pop and the Korean group ATEEZ, always carried a dream too big to remain just a wish. I vividly remember her passion for K-pop and dance, and how she confidently took her very first steps toward that dream. From ballet routines in her childhood to simple K-pop covers, and finally to international competition stages, Prydence carved her path with determination and a smile that never faded.
Today, I write about her with immense pride, to tell the story of a passionate girl who believed in her passion until she became a symbol of dreams and hard work.
I had the pleasure of conducting this heartfelt interview with her on August 19, where Prydence generously shared inspiring and delightful details about her journey and her achievement of winning second place in the K-pop dance competition at the “K-Beat Showdown” in Malaysia.
This vibrant festival, celebrating the spirit and rhythms of K-pop, was held in Kuala Lumpur from August 9 to 10.
Hello, Prydence. Could you please introduce yourself to our Koreanet readers?
Hi, Koreanet readers! I’m Prydence, also known as Zi Xin. I’m a 2000-liner and a proud member of a dance group called X-SIS.
When and how did your passion for K-pop and dance begin?
I was introduced to dance at a very young age, starting ballet at age 4 and continuing until I was around 9 years old. As I grew older, I developed an interest in other dance styles, actively participating in school dance classes and performing often.
My passion for K-pop dance started when I discovered K-pop at 9. It began with me and my friends learning random K-pop choreographies for fun using a laptop at school. Later, I joined my university’s dance club, which gave me more opportunities to explore different dance styles. To put it simply: I just love dancing.
How was your group formed, and how did you all come together to become the amazing group you are today?
X-SIS was formed by my secondary school friend, Lili, whom I’ve known for over a decade. We’ve been dancing together since our school days and later attended the same university, joining countless classes and performances together.
The journey of X-SIS is quite a story. Back in late 2020, Lili joined another dance group and recommended me to join as well. This group gave me my first exposure to K-pop dance competitions, though I couldn’t compete at the time because I moved to the UK for my studies in 2021. The original group eventually disbanded a year later.
Still passionate about dancing and competing, Lili decided to create a new group, X-SIS, in early 2023. She brought together members we had worked with before and recruited new talent along the way. I officially joined after returning from the UK and began training with them for competitions in early 2024—and the rest is history.
What are your training sessions like before competitions, and what has been your biggest challenge during preparation?
We usually train twice a week for about two hours per session, but as competitions get closer, we sometimes train for three hours and add an extra session over the weekend. Typically, we learn choreography individually at home and then refine movements together during group practice.
One of the biggest challenges for me is balancing dance with work. When work gets busy, it can be tiring, but dancing is also my way to de-stress, so it doubles as a form of relaxation. Still, preparing for competitions can get stressful.
Another challenge is synchronization. As a team, we adjust even the tiniest details to achieve perfect harmony. I often take a little longer to adapt my movements, but I’m grateful to my team for their patience and support.
Characterization is another judging criterion, so we also study facial expressions and performance styles. At first, this was difficult for me, but after participating in multiple competitions, I’ve grown more confident in performing while staying in character. Experience truly is the best teacher.
What does winning second place at the K-Beat Showdown cover dance competition mean to you, and how did it feel performing on stage?
It still feels surreal. There are no words to describe winning alongside teammates who trained tirelessly for months. The commitment and hard work we shared finally paid off, and though it was unexpected, it has become a huge motivation for us to keep improving.
I still remember my first competition—I was so nervous that I made mistakes on stage. Now, the pressure comes less from the audience and more from perfecting every movement and staying in character. With only one chance to impress the judges, executing a flawless performance is always nerve-wracking.
Overall, I’m deeply grateful for this experience. Winning second place has given me confidence, motivation, and a renewed determination to grow as a dancer.
What are your dreams for the future as a K-pop dancer? Do you hope to take your talent to an international stage?
Honestly, I started all this out of pure love and passion for dance. My goal is to live without regrets when I look back on my 20s. I want to spend these years entering as many competitions as I can and dancing while I’m able.
Right now, my focus is on improving my foundation as a dancer by taking professional classes in various styles beyond ballet, which is the only dance I studied professionally as a child. I want to explore different genres, refine my style, and push my limits.
Of course, I’d love to gain international exposure one day, but for now, I’m committed to building a strong foundation, training hard, and competing more with X-SIS. Every stage is an opportunity to grow, and I look forward to many more challenges and wins in the future.
Prydence’s journey is a reminder that passion creates miracles and determination paves the true path to success. With confident steps and an unwavering smile, she continues chasing bigger dreams, proving that no dream is too far for those brave enough to pursue it.
X-SIS group’s cover of “DRIP” by BABYMONSTER group. (Video from X-SIS group’s official YouTube channel)
Keywords:
K-Beat Showdown Festival in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Prydence, K-pop, dance, passion, X-SIS group, ATEEZ, ballet, hanbok, Republic of Korea, Koreanet.
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