Young dancers seek freedom in Korea's growing street dance scene

As music blasted across the Han River on a recent breezy Saturday afternoon, a crowd formed a circle beneath the open sky.

Dancers took turns stepping into the center, testing their skills in battles in front of peers and spectators.

The atmosphere was unmistakably competitive.

Cheers erupted after particularly creative exchanges.

Participants hyped each other up from the sidelines.

Passersby stopped to watch.

Yet unlike many formal dance competitions, the boundary between dancer and audience fe ...