Meet The Crew: SHREDD BIKES - SEOUL - SOUTH KOREA
"the most enjoyable riding makes our community very special"
Meet The Owner: Taeho Kim
Can you give a brief history of your store?
I have been riding BMX for more than 20 years so far. Before opening SHREDD bikes, I used to be a BMX mechanic in one shop for about 12 years. I started to feel proud of myself as a BMX mechanic in 2018. To support the Korean BMX scene and our community in earnest, I decided to open a bike shop only for BMX in the most trendy place in Seoul, which is the capital of South Korea. Now SHREDD bikes has become the most hipster BMX shop in Korea.
The motto of my shop is “Makes your day! Keep SHREDDIN”.
What type of riders are part of your community and what makes your community so special?
There aren’t that many skate parks in Korea. Instead, there are so many fun and diverse city structures in Seoul, which is highly urbanized as the capital of Korea. It affected Korean BMX based in Real Street Riding. And the SHREDDbikes team leads and influenced the Korean BMX scene nowadays. Especially Jihoon and Cruickshank, part of the SHREDDbikes team, show very fun and witty riding skills through the varied city structures. Not dangerous, not highly tricky but the most enjoyable riding makes our community very special.
Meet The Team: Lee Cruickshank
Age: 30
Years riding: 17ish?
What’s your favourite BMX video?
Cult - “Talk Is Cheap” because all of my fav riders are in it and Dak’s epic triple part. These days, I’m really into all of Felix’s parts - they’re just mind-melting.
Who is your favourite BMX filmer?
Big fan of the way Walter Pierenger films. Ben Norris certainly has the vibes and also Joey Piazza because he’s so cool in real life and his videos have character.
Tell us what’s good about your local scene:
It’s good that there’s finally a solid scene of teenagers riding regularly because outside of that there’s basically no one in their 20’s and 30’s out on the weekends!
I think it’s good that the city has so many spots where you have to think a bit harder to put something together. It’s making the next generation more creative and resourceful!
What’s your favourite BMX page on Instagram?
DIGBMX (@digbmx) of course! Big fan of early2000sbmx (@early2000sbmx) and yourewlcome (@yourewlcome) also!
What’s your Instagram? @lee_cruickshank
Big thanks to DIGBMX, Vans BMX, and Shredd for running an awesome worldwide comp and the opportunity to be involved for a second time!
Meet The Team: Hanwool Jung
Age: 27
Years riding: 13
What’s your favourite BMX video?
Federal BMX ‘San Diego’ is the best vibe.
Who is your favourite BMX filmer?
Jihoon my favourite of all time.
Tell us what’s good about your local scene:
Young guns are on fire!!
What’s your favourite BMX page on Instagram? @motobunka
What’s your Instagram? @youfeelthirstee
Meet The Team: Jungyeol Yoon
Age: 34
Years riding: 4 and a half years
What’s your favourite BMX video?
6ballclub - Digital Succulent
I will be elaborating on the detail later in the other question, my favorite filmer worked on this video to show how to utilize and interpret street spots in South Korea with his unique vision.
Who is your favourite BMX filmer?
Jihoon Lee. His black comedy attitude against the mainstream culture and questioning both sub and mainstream culture as well. He continues to try new things which is his source of creativity as well. His roughness fits BMX attitude and street riding.
Tell us what’s good about your local scene:
I’ve only ridden BMX in Seoul, Korea. I don’t have any references about other local scenes or why our scene is good, but I would say there are many uncapped ledge spots and jib-style spots. It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time.
What’s your favourite BMX page on Instagram? @lee_cruickshank
He thinks and plans ahead for his content thoroughly. This really shows hows serious he is about BMX with his splendid riding style.
What’s your Instagram? @sextinction_sapo
Meet The Team: Kyumin Shim
Age: 18
Years riding: Two Years and 8 months
What’s your favourite BMX video?
Julian Arteaga - Sniper. It was my first BMX video when I started riding and left a big impression on me.
Who is your favourite BMX filmer?
Ji Hoon Lee. I think he is the most influential and notable filmer in the Korean BMX scene.
Tell us what’s good about your local scene:
The South Korean BMX Scene is quite small compared to others but I think that we have a distinct riding style of our own.
What’s your favourite BMX page on Instagram? @digbmx
What’s your Instagram? @hot9min
Meet The Team: Sein Lee
Age: 18
Years riding: 6 years
What’s your favourite BMX video?
It’s OK (Yumi tsukuda and Stephan August)
I feel like their riding in this video isn’t necessarily top-notch riding but they are riding full of joy.
Who is your favourite BMX filmer?
Ji Hoon Lee. I give him respect for filming this video.
Tell us what’s good about your local scene:
I’m not sure about our local scene. It's quite small. But I’d like to show Korea’s riding to the world.
What’s your favourite BMX page on Instagram? @sundaybikes @digbmx
What’s your Instagram? @fw_ollo
Meet The Filmer: Jihoon Lee
Name: Jihoon Lee
Age: 30
Years riding: 13 years
What’s your favourite BMX video?
My Favorite BMX video right now is Chocolate Truck 2. My man Matt Miller has done a splendid job filming and editing consistently over years. Everyone killed it in their part which really shows the community’s strength and unique styles individually. You can feel that everyone in Philly knows who the Chocolate Truck dudes are.
Who is your favourite BMX filmer?
Joey Piazza. Mad respect for his knowledge of spots, food, and the whole city of New York. His approach to riding is unmatchable to any others. The mastermind of AMPM with filming, editing, and making music are things that I look up to the most.
Tell us what’s good about your local scene:
From a drought to a blooming of new riders, it’s always exciting to see.
What’s your favourite BMX page on Instagram?
@yourwlcome showcases new and upcoming riders from all around the world despite their level of skills and styles.
What’s your Instagram? @transcended_ahjussi
Meet The Photographer: Boony Laohajaroenyot
Age: 33
Years riding: 20
What’s your favourite BMX video?
Autoportrait by Alex Valtentino - The videos feel like an art film with a great story.
Who is your favourite BMX filmer?
Peter Adams - He’s filmed a lot of my favorite riders over the years.
Tell us what’s good about your local scene:
The spots and unique set-ups.
What’s your favourite BMX page on Instagram? Ourbmx - @bmx
What’s your Instagram? @boony33
