Street dance sheds 'bad boy' image to rise in popularity

Dance me to the end

Hao Xin, 25, also finds joy in dancing, a hobby she started in college.

"After a long day of work, the freedom of dance provides me with a necessary outlet for stress relief. I enjoy the dance studio which is filled with the sounds of laughter and music. It fosters a sense of community as these dancers bond over shared experiences, supporting each other's growth and celebrating personal milestones," said Hao, who works for an advertising company in Beijing.

Wang Jiatong fell in love with street dance when he was 13 while passing by a street dance studio in Hanzhong, Shaanxi province. He believes it was one of the first dance studios of its kind in the small city, and he was deeply intrigued by the energetic music and an environment where he could express himself in a creative and unique way.

Wang came to Beijing to attend university, secured the advertising company job, worked hard, and tried to live the life he had dreamed of, but reality intervened.

"The office was dull and only the dancing made me feel alive," said Wang, 34.

Last year, he returned to Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province. Four months ago, he launched J-Dance studio, which offers street dance courses for enthusiasts.

"So far, we have more than 300 registered users, which is beyond my expectation," Wang said.

"Unlike first-tier cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, street dance studios like ours are still a growing trend in Xi'an. But the first month after the studio opened we received warm feedback from the users," he said.

Compared with dance studios from about 10 years ago, which attracted professional and aspiring professional dancers, dance studios are nowadays popular with amateurs, he said.

The dance studio has become a sanctuary where young people can reclaim their identities beyond their job titles, he said.

"Ninety percent of our clients are young women who are white-collar workers, full-time mothers, and young students," said Wang. "They enjoy the atmosphere in the dance studio. From the outfits to the makeup, they show great interest and passion when they appear in the dance studio, showcasing themselves in front of the mirrors."

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn