Beyond TV shows, how Korea's grassroots dance events are elevating the scene
On March 8, an annual showcase brought together around 400 dancers, including professionals and trainees, who gave 17 performances over a period of four hours at the New Millennium Grand Theater at Konkuk University in Seoul. Each performance at Feedback Stage 2025, incorporating styles ranging from hip-hop and house to jazz and contemporary, was the product of three months of intense training and dedication, highlighting South Korea's dynamic dance scene.
The night celebrated four winners: Hash and House Taek claimed first and second place in the Judges' Choice category, while Evan and Minseo secured first and second place in the Audience Choice category, respectively.
The event was organized by Feedback, a brand founded in 2014 by dancer Park Dae-hwan. Park, 42, foresaw that choreography would grow in Korea in line with the global trend at that time.
In 2012, Park visited Los Angeles and realized that Korea lacked opportunities focused specifically on choreography.
"Choreography was growing in popularity worldwide, and Korea was no exception," Park told The Korea Herald on March 11. 'I was confident that Korea's dance scene would continue to grow.'
Recognizing this opportunity, he organized workshops with two prominent dancers from the US, Jun Quemado and Brian Puspos, in 2013. The success of the workshops led Park to establish the Feedback Competition in 2014, a competitive event specifically aimed at encouraging dancers in Korea to create and showcase original choreography.
The very first winner was Just Jerk, now an internationally acclaimed crew that later triumphed at Body Rock, a prominent US hip-hop dance competition.
The competition quickly gained recognition among dancers. In 2017, professional dancer Chae Seon-jik participated to gain visibility for his team. "Feedback was the most respected platform for choreographers. Winning there indicated a high-quality performance and strong teamwork," Chae explained.
"With so few opportunities to showcase our work beyond online videos, competitions like Feedback were crucial for dancers like us to prove ourselves on stage," he added.
Encouraged by the competition's popularity, Park launched Feedback Stage in 2022. It involves academy instructors closely collaborating with students over several months to choreograph, mentor and perform alongside them.
Events like these, organized by dance academies, teams and communities, have become essential dates on Korea's dance calendar, providing platforms for both emerging and established dancers to share their artistry and push creative boundaries.
Lee Jeong-hun, a dancer, choreographer, instructor and member of dance crew Team Magnolia — who performs under the stage name Evan — emphasized the significance of events like Feedback Stage. Known for emotive storytelling and captivating performances, Evan has twice earned Audience Choice First Place at the showcase.
"When I announced that I would be part of this event, even people who had never taken my class before took a leap of faith and signed up. Seeing their determination motivated me to prepare even more diligently," Evan said, adding that he considers events like Feedback Stage to be vital opportunities to foster connections and support the growth of Korea's dance communities.
Over the years, other locally organized events such as Urban Summer Life, launched in 2013 by dance studios Urban Play and Play the Urban, and Haru Dance Competition, launched in 2019, have contributed to the enrichment of South Korea's dance landscape. Dance crews are also expanding their presence through concerts. 1Million, a globally recognized Korean dance company, is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a concert on March 22.
The dance scene has gained momentum in recent years, fueled by the popularity of reality dance shows like Mnet's Street Woman Fighter, launched in 2021, and Street Man Fighter, which was launched following the huge success of the female version. The fever for dance continued last year with the fourth season of the franchise, Stage Fighter — a reality dance competition focused on ballet, contemporary and traditional dance.
However, organizing dance events in Korea presents significant challenges — financial sustainability, in particular. Park admits, "Most funding still comes out of my own pocket. Although we've received some sponsorships over the last two years, they're not enough for an event as big as Feedback." Despite these hurdles, Park remains committed. "Each event makes me question how long I can continue. But seeing dancers perform passionately and witnessing their growth keeps me motivated."
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