Korean Cheerleaders

[Anchor Lead]

A group of Korean youths is aiming to become some of the world's best cheerleaders. Next, we will share their stories. Let's take a look.

[Pkg]

Advanced and perfectly synchronized movements are performed in response to cheerful commands. Tumbling... the peak acrobatic technique of cheerleading... is easily completed. This is the "Black Eagles," a cheerleading team consisting of 24 members. Lee Won-joon is a high school senior. Once he was aimless and he hated school. But now, as the oldest, reliable member of the team, he has discovered a new dream.

[Soundbite] Lee Won-joon(19/Black Eagles Member) : "It has helped me get along with friends better and listen to teachers better. I have thought of becoming a cheerleading instructor."

Ji-ye lives with her mother in a semi-underground room. Her smile has returned while working together with her friends.

[Soundbite] Seo Ji-ye(15/Black Eagles Member) : "I am living just in a bright and positive manner."

They met at a local youth center six years ago, sharing the same low-income, single-parent family background. Their new mission began after seeing a college cheerleading team's performance. And at their first contest, they won the top prize. Now, they have been sweeping up prizes at competitions, even across Asia. Their next goal is to win an award at an international cheerleading competition, which opens in the U.S. this weekend.

[Soundbite] Jeon Hee-woon(18/Black Eagles Member) : "We will finally participate in the competition. We are determined to win the top prize."

Having overcome hardships and harboring dreams through cheerleading, the Black Eagles team is briskly flying toward a wider world.