Jasmyn Kim is doing a PhD at Yonsei University in the Department of Sport Industry Studies, she is a pole dance instructor at Tara Pole Dance in Jong-ro, and she also teaches a Yoga course at Yonsei University. Her academic research focuses on body image and the gendered nature of pole dance as a modern Korean fitness phenomenon, and the physical and psychological effects it can have on women. In this conversation, we explore how and why pole dance has become so popular in South Korea and, in the process, transcended the reputation it had in the 1990s. If I spoke a bit too much during this one, please blame it on the coffee. I'm always working hard to become a better listener, host, and conversationalist, so please be patient with me. I'm trying.

Jasmyn Online

- Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jazzyxbelle

- Tara Pole Dance: https://www.instagram.com/tarapoledance

- Academic Research:

https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2022.2138511 https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2022.2132252

Discussion Outline

0:00 Pole dancing

10:00 Why did it get popular?

17:00 Who is pole dancing?

32:50 Cultural aspects of pole

37:00 Academia and the pole

43:05 Gender and Pole Dancing

55:40 Identity and Korea

1:17:25 Yoga

1:38:30 Social media and life

1:50:20 Dealing with body image

Korea Deconstructed by David Tizzard

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