By Honorary Reporter Chidinma Tobins from Nigeria
Photos = Chidinma Tobins

The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Nigeria on Sept. 1 promoted Korean culture in a new way by teaching K-pop dance to the hearing impaired.

Choreographer Isaac Jiga (far right) and Samuel James (second from right), an interpreter for the hearing impaired, welcome a K-pop dance class for the hearing impaired at the Korean Cultural Center in Abuja, Nigeria.

The 10 classes were held at the KCC's taekwondo hall each from 9 a.m. to noon for up to 12 students. The class commenced with a warm-up session and a mini audition to select the final 12 out of 20 participants. The students were taught the choreography of two K-pop songs, BTS' "Permission to Dance" and B.I's "BTBT." 

In a brief interview, choreographer Isaac Jiga told why he taught the class, saying he believes it is Nigeria's first on teaching K-pop dance to the hearing impaired.

The class gathers to watch the music video for B.I's "BTBT."

Assisting the choreographer was sign language interpreter Esther Komolafe, who expressed her excitement at being part of history and calling the class an "exciting and novel experience with Korean culture for me and the students." 

Jiga said teaching rhythm is a major challenge in the class, adding, "Rhythm comes naturally to me because I can hear it, but it's not the same for the group I taught this time. K-pop involves a lot of lip syncing so I used this." 

He said he wants to explore more challenges like this to spread K-pop to areas where access is limited. "I want to know what K-pop means to the disabled and how they receive it. I want to explore many ways to ensure a fun, communicative and efficient class," he added.

Choreographer Isaac Jiga and his students dance to B.I's "BTBT" at the taekwondo gym of the KCC in Nigeria.

A KCC staff member called the class "groundbreaking" for the center's approach to raising awareness of Korean culture as well as a minority group.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.