Pole dancing has become a popular sport in South Korea, especially among women in their 20s and 30s. From Seoul to other cities, pole studios have been popping up everywhere, offering a blend of strength, flexibility, and artistry.
The Elegant Style: Pole as Art
Pole dancing in Korea tends to embrace a more elegant and graceful style, often influenced by ballet. This approach focuses on graceful movements, slow spins, and details (such as graceful arm movements). The combos aren’t just about physical strength—they’re about expressing beauty and emotion through movement, making it as much an art form as a workout.
Pole Dance Levels: From Beginner to Advanced
Pole classes in Korea are typically divided into different levels, catering to various skill sets and helping students progress in their practice. Here’s a breakdown of the levels:
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왕초보 (Intro): At this level, beginners learn the basics—simple spins, grips, and how to climb the pole. This is all about building foundational strength and control.
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초급 (Beginner): Students at this level start learning simple combinations with one main pole shape. There’s no flexibility required, focusing primarily on strength and coordination.
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초중급 (Pre-Intermediate): This level introduces upright shapes and requires both splits and strength. Students refine their techniques and start adding more complexity to their routines.
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중급베이직 (Intermediate Basic): At this stage, students learn more advanced skills such as inversions and shoulder mounts. The focus shifts to mastering these challenging moves.
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중급 (Intermediate): In this level, students progress to inverted combos that combine multiple moves, further building strength and skill.
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중고급 (Pre-Advanced): This level introduces longer combos and requires both strength and flexibility. Students work on mastering more demanding sequences and refining their technique.
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고급 (Advanced): Advanced pole dancing in Korea is extremely challenging, often requiring advanced flexibility, including skills like oversplits and needle scale. These routines can be very demanding and require significant control and strength.
Spinning Pole vs. Static Pole
In Korea, spinning pole is the most popular style of pole dance, and it’s used about 99% of the time in classes. On the other hand, static pole is still considered more raw and challenging but is slowly gaining popularity. While static pole requires a lot of strength and control due to the lack of spin, it offers a more grounded and powerful experience.
A Typical Pole Class: Warm-Up, Combo and Video Time
Classes usually start with an intense 20-minute warm-up to get the body ready. After that, students learn a unique comb, often including a climb entry and two or more main shapes. Instructors demonstrate the routine beautifully, encouraging students to perform with grace and fluidity.
At the end of each class, students have the chance to record their performance in a designated video zone. This gives them the opportunity to track their progress and refine their routines. Studios often emphasize aesthetics, with beautiful lighting and backgrounds to enhance the experience.
Polewear: Elegant, Full Coverage, and Functional
Polewear in Korea is often designed to be both elegant and full-coverage, allowing dancers to feel confident and graceful while performing. Nabi Polewear is a great example of this, offering stylish, functional, and sustainable pieces that fit the graceful and artistic nature of pole dancing in Korea.
Why Pole Dancing is So Popular in Korea
Pole dancing in Korea has gained popularity because it combines strength, flexibility, and creativity. Women are drawn to the challenge, artistic expression, and empowerment that comes with mastering the pole. Most academies in Korea cater exclusively to women, creating a comfortable and empowering environment for female dancers to express themselves.
