SINGAPORE — A prank intended to entertain social media viewers has instead sparked backlash after a pair of Singapore content creators disrupted a group of dancers practising at *Scape, prompting criticism that they crossed the line by disturbing performers during an important rehearsal.
Content creator group Excuse Me Singapore posted a video on Sept. 8 showing its hosts playing a game of rock-paper-scissors, where the loser had to follow the winner’s instructions with “no backing out, no excuses, no dignity.”
But one challenge involving a group of dancers at *Scape did not go as planned.
The female host was instructed to approach the dancers once their music started and tell them to stop. Although she appeared hesitant and acknowledged that the group looked serious about their practice, she eventually carried out the challenge.
The prank then escalated.
She was instructed to challenge the dancers to a dance-off, plead on her knees to join their group and, finally, deliver a dismissive remark suggesting that the dancers were “too lame” for her.
While some dancers initially appeared amused, the mood reportedly changed as the prank continued. One dancer was seen walking away while shaking his head, while others appeared increasingly unhappy with the disruption.
‘One Member Was Very Angry Already’
The situation became more serious when the content creators later approached one of the dancers and revealed that the group had been undergoing a “very final trial.”
According to the video, one member of the dance group was already “very angry.”
The two hosts then apologised to the dancers and extended their well-wishes to the group.
However, the apology did little to stop criticism online.
One commenter described the prank as “inappropriate and rude”, arguing that disturbing people who were focused on their own activity should not simply be brushed off as entertainment.
Others warned that the video could encourage more people to disrupt dancers practising in public spaces.
Dance Community Defends *Scape as a Safe Space
The backlash also reignited a wider conversation about the challenges facing Singapore’s dance community.
One commenter noted that dancers already have limited places where they can gather and practise, describing *Scape as an important safe space for the community.
The commenter warned that videos encouraging pranks on dancers could potentially invite others to copy the behaviour and create further disruptions.
Another pointed out that coordinating a full dance crew is not as simple as showing up and filming a video.
Dancers often have to juggle work, school and other commitments while finding a time when every member can attend rehearsals. Losing practice time because of an unwanted interruption can therefore be frustrating — particularly when a group is preparing for a performance, audition or competition.
The issue is especially relevant in Singapore, where dancers have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of affordable and accessible rehearsal spaces.
Public spaces such as *Scape have long been important gathering points for dance groups, while initiatives such as SMRT’s MirrorMoves space at Marina South Pier have highlighted the growing demand for dedicated practice venues.
When Does Content Cross the Line?
The incident has fuelled a familiar debate in the age of viral videos:
When does a prank stop being harmless fun and become an intrusion into someone else’s time and space?
Prank content can generate strong engagement online because reactions are unpredictable. But the people being filmed may not have agreed to participate — and what appears funny to viewers may be disruptive or uncomfortable for those directly involved.
In this case, commenters argued that the dancers were not strangers simply passing through a public space. They were a group actively rehearsing together and appeared to be focused on an important practice session.
The criticism was blunt:
“Next time, read the room.”
Excuse Me Singapore and *Scape Contacted for Comment
AsiaOne said it had contacted both Excuse Me Singapore and *Scape for comment.
As of the article’s publication on Sept. 10, it remained unclear whether the creators had obtained consent from the dancers before filming the prank or whether further action would be taken regarding the video.
The Bottom Line
What started as a rock-paper-scissors challenge turned into an awkward confrontation between content creators and a dance group — and Singapore netizens are making it clear which side they believe crossed the line.
The prank may have been intended as entertainment, but critics say disrupting dancers who were focused on a final rehearsal was neither funny nor respectful.
With Singapore’s dance community already struggling to find affordable and accessible practice spaces, the backlash carries a bigger message:
Public spaces may be open to everyone — but that does not mean everyone practising there is automatically part of someone else’s content.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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