Bailey Drew Sok (/beɪlidruːsɒk/; Korean: 베일리 석; born February 24, 2004) is an American professional dancer and choreographer. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Sok began dancing at two-and-a-half years old, and became a dance teacher and choreographer by age fourteen.
Early life
Bailey Drew Sok was born on February 24, 2004,[1] in Placentia, Orange County, California,[2] to Korean parents, where her mother was formerly crowned Miss Korea,[2] and as the youngest of three daughters.[3] She was exposed to music and dance at a young age through her sisters who competed in the art,[4][3] influencing her to dance at two-and-a-half years old.[5] Her parents enrolled her for lessons following an advice given by the director of her sisters' studio,[3] training in classics including jazz, ballet, and tap;[4] as well as summer intensives in Los Angeles taught by Matt Steffanina by age five.[3]
Career
2010–present: career beginnings
By the age of six and ten, Sok participated in dance competitions, and transitioned to hip-hop, respectively.[4] She rose to fame by the former age when multiple of her videos on YouTube became viral,[2][4] namely her dance performance from the KAR Dance Competition, which received millions of views overnight,[2] and becoming a star on TikTok years later.[6] Sok then competed from the ninth installation of America's Got Talent as part of the all-girl dance group, Buns & Roses, to NBC's World of Dance Season 4, where she partnered with Kida the Great.[4]
Having opted to homeschooling from eighth grade onward to "get more done",[3] Sok taught dance classes in the United States, Australia, France, Japan, Korea, and Poland, since the age of fourteen;[4] danced alongside Janet Jackson, Jason Derulo, Meghan Trainor, and Marshmello;[6][4] and was the youngest dance teacher at the 2019 Fair Play Dance Camp in Kraków.[4] Furthermore, that same year, she became one of four dancers to work on the choreography for "Pop/Stars", the debut single of League of Legends' virtual K-pop girl group, K/DA.[4] One year later, 15-year-old Sok was approached for her first choreography work in K-pop with Red Velvet and the lead single, "Psycho", alongside dancer Mina Myong.[4] Commencing a career of choreographing for the genre, her credits include: Taemin's Idea, Shinee's Don't Call Me, Aespa's Savage, and Kai's Peaches amidst others.[4]
Artistry
Inspired by Sok's experience and emotions at the time of its occurrence, her dance movements follow suit, becoming upbeat ranging from '90s hip-hop to chill and slow music like jazz or lo-fi following an exciting event while feeling the need to let it out.[4]
Public image
Dancers who took inspiration from Sok include Pakistani dancer, Reham Rafiq.[7]
Other ventures
Endorsements
Sok has endorsed for brand campaigns belonging to Samsung and Nike,[8][9] and collaborated with Spotify and Roblox on its "Spotify Island's K-Park" project.[10]
