Make Your World Shine

Zing and members of his dance team “The Bling” practice in a studio in Phnom Penh for an upcoming social media video. Since many of Zing’s performances were canceled due to COVID-19, he has had more time to practice with his team.

During practice, Zing comforts a member of his dance team experiencing heartbreak. “I told him to make himself worthy,” Zing said. He held the young man in a tight embrace until they felt ready to dance again.

Zing dances with his friends for two hours every evening in Phnom Penh’s Wat Botum Park. “I like to have a lot of people watch me dance, but I’m also shy,” Zing said. “I can’t look the audience in the eye.”

Zing drives his motorbike to get around in Phnom Penh. With only an hour between dancing at the park and starting his night shift at the coffee shop, he hurries along empty roads at night to keep up with his busy schedule.

Zing cleans up at the 24-hour coffee shop in the early hours of the morning.

Zing shares a video of one of his dance performances with co-workers at the coffee shop. A co-worker described him as someone who is hard-working and likes to help others.

Zing straightens his hair before performing with a singer at the Cambodian Television Network. He said his event and performance bookings have started to pick up again in the past few weeks.

Zing poses for a photo with another Cambodian dancer, Ponlork, before a performance at the Cambodian Television Network. “I’ve been a fan of his since I was young,” Zing said.

Zing and some members of “The Bling” perform with a singer at the Cambodian Television Network. “When people see me dance I want them to be happy,” he said. “I want to show them my talent.”

Zing rests in the make-up room after his performance at the Cambodian Television Network. Following the loss of performances during the pandemic, Zing hopes that he can return to dance full time.

PHNOM PENH — Lee Zing, 24, has loved dance since he was a child but never expected to become a professional dancer.

Three years ago, after moving to Phnom Penh from nearby Kandal province, Zing started practicing with a large group of dance enthusiasts who gathered every evening in the city’s Wat Botum Park. Eventually, Zing and some friends formed the dance team “The Bling,” and today Zing lives out their slogan “Make Your World Shine.”

As the leader and oldest member of the group, Zing provides support and helps the younger members find opportunities to develop their dancing. “They are like my siblings,” he said.

The group competes in local K-pop competitions, performs at various charity and commercial events and has developed a sizable following on social media. Their nightly impromptu performances often draw large crowds.

Up until a few months ago, Zing danced professionally for various Cambodian singers including Sok Pisey, one of his biggest idols as a kid. After the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of almost all events and performances, Zing started working at a 24-hour coffee shop to support himself. He chose to work the night shift so he could continue to build the community he has found through dance.

Produced for the Missouri Photo Workshop