In May, for the first time, I attended a Random Play Dance (RPD) event in Osaka as a Kpopper.
Kpop fans abound in Japan, but regular RPD events are hard to come by, and there aren’t many Kpop dancers. As a Kpopper and organizer, I was ecstatic to discover this event.
If you’re familiar with Japanese societal norms, you’ll know that many people, especially adults, are extremely self-conscious about dancing in public. It’s not just about moving to the music; the rules governing the use of public spaces are stringent, making it difficult to rent a large square and organize an event. So, finding this event was a significant victory.
We arrived at the event venue an hour early, and many dancers, already in their costumes, were waiting. Initially, I had the opportunity to meet the organizer and discuss the event.
The organizer, Junk Park, is a Kpop fan who also works as a dancer and DJ. Junk Park loves music and dance and felt a sense of regret about the lack of events for Kpop enthusiasts, leading him to plan this event.
The event we attended was called Dance It Up, featuring a Kpop cover dance showcase stage, akin to a halftime show, and a Random Play Dance. Dance It Up was split into two parts, with RPD taking place twice.
The Dance It Up cover dance was more spectacular and better prepared than I had anticipated. The dance teams meticulously planned their costumes and makeup, and the organizers appeared to have paid considerable attention to the backdrop and lighting. This allowed the performers to thoroughly enjoy their stage and enthralled the audience. Both the dance teams and the audience enjoyed a stage created with heartfelt love for the artist, song, and choreography.
Following the conclusion of the showcase stage, we took a brief rest, and RPD was held off-stage. The RPD wasn’t dramatically different from German events, but the inclusion of a female MC was a pleasant surprise. She added amusing commentary to the thrilling atmosphere of music and dance, resulting in a joyous event for the audience.
The dancers were surprisingly powerful and quick, with high dance skills, managing to perform even the most complex choreography with passion. The precision and accuracy of some dancers’ moves were so impressive, it led me to wonder, ‘Could they have been idol trainees?’
Although we had to leave before the end of the event due to other commitments, we left with an uplifting sense of energy from our first Kpop RPD event in Japan. We certainly hope to attend again. I believe that if my Kpopper friends in Germany have a chance to attend a Kpop RPD event in Japan, it would be an incredible opportunity to showcase their fandom and affection.
Japan K-POP Randomdance Association
WoW. The attitude, outfits and performances. WoW
Thank you for this interesting report! So nice the read about and see what’s going on in other communities!
How long did the whole event last and how often is it held?