[K-Crew] Dance Street Performance Reflection

Imagine standing in the middle of a crowded public square, dressed in an unusually showy outfit and wearing extremely conspicuous make-up. Wherever you go, people stare at you and wonder what is going on. Loud music is turned on from two speakers at the center of the square and you must dance amidst all these turmoils. 

This summer, my dance team decided to join a street dance performance at the Wirye Central Square in Hanam-si, South Korea. It was a biannual performance that hundreds of locals awaited and attended, so my team was both pressured and motivated to perform the dance moves we’d been practicing for months. We decided to perform a choreography that renowned dance crew Jam Republic created for Beyonce’s song “Move.” However, while practicing, we struggled with tough floor moves and the inimitable “vibes” of the original dancers—we would sometimes spend a week only to get over a 10-second long move. Dancing to fast-paced music and practicing floor moves for hours completely drained us of stamina. Still, my team practiced diligently in expectation of the upcoming performance. 

Finally, the day had come; my teammates and I dressed in our denim-themed performing outfits and headed to Wirye’s central square. The dancers had to spend a solid 3 hours for makeup and hair, and my hair was hard as a rock with all the hair spray sprayed. When I arrived, I noticed hundreds of people at the square enjoying their Sunday afternoon in the crowded site. The coordinators gave instructions for the rehearsal, which began before the actual performance. During this time, many people stopped to watch our dances, making us extremely nervous. I even stumbled during a floor move, and my shoes fell off. 

At 5 P.M. the MC announced the commencement of the official performance. Immediately, the audience gathered at the center of the square in a circle surrounding the dancers. With a round of applause, my team and I walked up to the stage. The music started and we performed the moves we had practiced so tirelessly. Performing before an expectant audience made my moves much bolder and more expressive, and the nervousness was nowhere to be found. The crowd cheered and clapped for us as we danced to the powerful music. Afterward, my teammates and I lined up, bowed, and returned to the waiting space. Yet pounding hearts and adrenaline remained long after the performance. 

Performing in public was a great challenge for me as it required endless practice and courage to stand in front of many people. However, it also became a valuable opportunity to move out of my comfort zone and search for bigger stages. The strenuous process of the performance taught me perseverance and team spirit, and the delight and excitement I felt at the performance boosted my confidence and allowed me to be more expressive. Overall, performing in public was undeniably one of my biggest challenges and best experiences.