Seniors raise the roof to 'APT.' at Han River dance party

MC Lee Jung-yong kicks off a dance festival dubbed “Let’s Play Together, Seniors.” [SINOR] With couples out on excursions, a fireworks festival and various busking performances, Seoul’s Han River, known for its vast waterway, is usually filled with youthful energy. Yet, on this particular day, it wasn’t youthful energy but a more refined vigor that filled the air with unmatched liveliness and energy even in the increasingly chilly weather. Dressed in hip-hop attire and tango outfits, older dancers all over 50 filled the floor, their steps bursting with rhythm and joy. Drawing on years of experience, each move felt purposeful and expressive, in sync with the latest trends in music, including the global sensation “APT.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars. Related ArticleMajority of Korean seniors remain economically activeKorean food festival spotlights oft-forgotten delicacy: SauceYeungnam University celebrates diversity at YU Global Culture Festival “Our members over 50 have gathered from all over the country with a shared passion for dance. Today, we’re here to show that the enthusiasm and energy of ‘seniors’ can rival that of the youth,” said senior dance team Shuffle Oships leader Park Chun-ok after performing on the stage at a dance festival whose name roughly translates to “Let’s Play Together, Seniors.” Visitors give the participants a round of applause. [SINOR] This passion from over 1,000 “seniors” in their 50s and older turned the Yeouido Han River Park into a frenzy of excitement. The active participants showed off stunning, sophisticated dance moves, exuding energy that surpassed that of younger dancers. The social gathering and dating platform Sinor organized this event, where people aged 50 to 70, referred to as “seniors” by the platform, gathered together on Oct. 30. The event featured a dance competition, a talk concert and group blind dates held on the Han River. “We believe today’s active seniors are different from the older generation we imagined in the past,” the platform’s CEO, Kim Min-ji, said at the event. “We wanted to show that seniors can live as energetically as the youth through this event. I’m happy and proud that we were able to provide a joyful gathering space for seniors to enjoy." Seven Star perfroms on the stage. [YOON SEUNG-JIN] Kicking off the event was a dance performance by "senior" dance group Seven Stars, followed by a fashion show from senior model team Pera Collection. The models wore vibrant outfits in shades of mint, pink, yellow and purple, transforming the park into a fashion runway. They received applause from the audience as they walked to the hit song “APT.” by Rosé that has been driving the K-pop craze worldwide since its release in October. “Young people in their 20s and 30s might think we wouldn’t know the latest trends like ‘APT.,’ but our senior dancers keep up with the latest trends and perform to all genres,” said event M.C. Lee Jung-yong. Participants dance along to ′′APT.′′ [AGE FRIENDLY] Ten senior dance teams — Shuffle Oships, Gugak Tango, Kukaracha, Tango Artista, Yeongjongdo Youngsamo, Hipshirk, Reldand(iet), Nadri, Shinbaram Well-being and Holo Arirang — took to the stage for this lively festival. From shuffle dances to traditional Korean performances, the senior dance teams showcased a range of styles. Each team brought something unique, from Gugak Tango's modern take on the tango to Kukaracha’s spirited Latin flair. The event highlighted the dancers' dedication, getting comments from the audience like, “They’re as good as K-pop idols” and “Who would guess they’re in their 50s and 60s?” Dance group Tango Artista perform on the stage. [YOON SEUNG-JIIN] For many attendees, the festival was a chance to reconnect with youthful memories. One spectator, a 60-year-old man named Nam Sang-goo, shared, “I used to go to nightclubs when I was younger. I was a popular dancer in the neighborhood back then, but I am too old now. I feel like I am on cloud nine today because this festival brings me back to my heyday.” “I felt a lot of youthful energy today, and I feel younger myself. Spending a joyful time here at the Han River with fellow senior citizens feels like a picnic,” said a Hipshirk dance team member surnamed Paik. “I happened to come by out of curiosity after retiring and exploring senior events, and I’m glad I did,” shared a retired man in his mid-60s. “Meeting all these energetic participants and visitors, regardless of age, gave me a burst of energy that I used to have as a young man back in my 20s.” Participants and visitors dance together. [YOON SEUNG-JIN] The festival also provided a much-needed stage for individuals who often struggle to find performance opportunities. "Typically, we practice independently or perform at local festivals with limited audiences. These experiences are enjoyable, but the chance to dance before a crowd of over 1,000 people was truly special," shared members of Shuffle Oships. "It was a joy to connect with fellow enthusiasts and share this moment together." From afar, the festival might have seemed like an ordinary dance party. However, up close, it was a vibrant gathering of generations, where older dancers sought the youthful energy of the dance floor and reignited their passion. BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [[email protected]]