'Finding Genius' Legend Jeon Min-chul Returns: "My Goal Is to Dance Happily," Warms Hearts with Real-World Advice for Four New Billys

"Finding Genius" welcomed back a global star the show first discovered.

On the April 2 broadcast of SBS’s "Finding Genius: Infinity" (hereafter "Finding Genius"), legend alumnus Jeon Min-chul returned to the program for the first time in nine years.

During the episode, MIMI asked, “Did you know one of the kids who appeared on 'Finding Genius' nine years ago has become a world-class star?”

That “legend” was ballerino Jeon Min-chul, now a first soloist with the Mariinsky Ballet, one of the world’s top five ballet companies.

Back in 2017, Jeon Min-chul was chosen as one of the final Billy candidates in the "Billy Elliot x Finding Genius" collaboration project. At the time, he was taller than the role’s requirements and had entered voice change, so he ultimately couldn’t be cast as Billy and tearfully bowed out.

That boy went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a ballerino and is now earning praise from audiences around the world.

Looking back, the now-global star said, “When I got to be on 'Finding Genius', it felt amazing and I was so happy. Over these 10 years, working hard and reaching my dream happily, I felt proud that none of that time was wasted.”

He also recalled crying as he told his father―who had opposed his dream―that he was doing something that made him happy. “When I rewatched that clip, I wondered how I even said those words. That’s how desperate I was. When ballet gets tough, revisiting that moment becomes a source of strength that brings me back to happiness,” he shared.

He added that happiness is why he dances at all: “My goal and my dream is to dance happily.”

The episode also introduced the four boys finally cast as Billy in the musical "Billy Elliot", drawing attention.

Dubbed the “Billy Foursome,” these new prodigies have the full Billy package: Kim Woo-jin, who dreams of becoming a ballerino like Jeon Min-chul; acrobatics talent Cho Yoon-woo; acting prodigy Kim Seung-soo; and dance prodigy Park Ji-hoo.

The four Billys are sweating it out day by day for the stage. For them, the production team set up a video call with Jeon Min-chul.

The Billys were thrilled to see him. Jeon Min-chul warmly called each of them by name and offered sincere, practical advice to ease their nerves, creating a heartwarming moment.

Meanwhile, a teaser at the end of the broadcast hinted at the comeback of next-level genius boy Baek Kang-hyun, raising anticipation for the next episode. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)