According to MyDaily’s report on November 4, Lee Ju-eun recently terminated her contract with Apex Communications. While it was previously reported that she would be taking time off due to injury in August, media revealed that her agency contract has since expired.
Lee Ju-eun was the top cheerleader in the KBO League this year. His “Long long” The cheer dance has sparked a viral challenge trend both nationally and internationally. The dance became so popular that even KIA Tigers players and manager Lee Beom-ho performed it in front of fans.
However, speculation grew when Lee Ju-eun’s name was noticeably absent from the Korean series’ roster of cheerleaders. While there were eight cheerleaders participating in KIA home games 1 and 2, six cheerleaders supporting the team during away games in Daegu, and ten cheerleaders lined up for Game 5, Lee Ju-eun was not among them.
After the KIA championship win, while many cheerleaders shared their joy on social media, Lee Ju-eun only briefly posted the KIA championship symbol on her social media account without further comment. This post, shared as a story, was also deleted after 24 hours. This led fans to speculate about his departure from the agency, which has now been confirmed.
As a result, it seems that Lee Ju-eun “Long long” the dance will no longer be seen on the KIA cheering platform. Currently on hiatus, he is reportedly evaluating various options for his future activities. There are rumors suggesting that he may minimize his domestic activities and focus on overseas opportunities. Fans speculate that she might move to Taiwan, where Korean cheerleaders are particularly popular.
Born in 2004, Lee Ju-eun began her cheerleading career last year, working with the Goyang Sono Skygunners (KBL) and Bucheon Hana Bank (formerly Hana 1Q, WKBL) before joining the KIA Tigers this year. His signature “Long long” cheerfulness, also known as “Song Deleted”, was introduced by the KIA cheerleaders in 2022. The dance features the cheerleaders giving thumbs up to drums and music when a KIA pitcher records a strikeout.
In August, the New York Times published an article titled “Who are these Korean cheerleaders taking over TikTok?” The article reported how Korean baseball cheerleaders “Long long” the dance had gone viral on social media platforms such as TikTok, garnering millions of views. The New York Times highlighted how a video of Lee Ju-eun casually adjusting her makeup before smoothly transitioning into “Long long” dancing after a pitcher’s strikeout has become a social media phenomenon. The article analyzed how this video became popular thanks to social media algorithms.
The New York Times also noted that Korean cheerleaders “contained movements” has captured global attention, offering a different appeal from the group performances of American football cheerleaders. They explained, “The simple gesture of raising two thumbs is easily replicable, making it more appealing,” describing how such a simple movement can create a worldwide phenomenon.
Consequently, the “Long long” the dance has become a symbol of the unique culture and passion of Korean baseball fandom, captivating international fans. As the KBO League had its highest attendance ever this year, interest in cheerleading also increased. In an interview with the New York Times, MyKBO’s Dan Kurtz noted, “Korean professional baseball attracts young audiences with affordable ticket prices and the freedom to bring food,” adding that “Compared to Major League Baseball, Korean baseball games are like rock concerts.” He also noted, “The score doesn’t matter in Korean baseball games. The fans sing, cheer and enjoy the experience itself.”
Source: Wikitree
