With the recent global recognition of K-pop, the Hayward community has been eager to build more activities for K-pop fans both longtime and new. Hayward dance studio MKC Project and local nonprofit 82ALLNIGHT have collaborated to host a six-week K-Pop Dance Camp, all leading up to the chance to perform at Oakland Coliseum for K-Pop Night.
K-Pop Dance Camp stemmed not only from a genuine communal interest in K-pop but from the desire to cultivate belonging and build friendships. MKC Project studio owner and K-Pop Dance Camp co-organizer, Marikar Castillo, says, “Everyone has a love and admiration for K-pop. This camp was made to bring more K-pop opportunities to Hayward, learn dances and showcase that at an event.”
The camp consists of six separate sessions, each covering the “killing point”—also known as the chorus—of a popular K-pop song. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Each class is treated as a stand-alone session; therefore those curious in registering can sign up for as many classes as they want. K-pop artists being covered include BTS, ATEEZ and KATSEYE, with BTS as the most frequently sold-out camp sessions.
For the performance at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland Roots Sports Club collaborated with MKC Project and 82ALLNIGHT to have a dance showcase before the Sacramento Republic FC game on July 25. Though not mandatory, students of K-Pop Dance Camp are invited to participate in the showcase. Overall, K-Pop Dance Camp is focused on establishing community and confidence.
Castillo says, “K-pop is a whole industry in itself with idol culture, artist development, and dance and performance at the forefront. With social media and TikTok, K-pop creates culture in a way where people can connect everywhere because they know the choreography and the artist.”
Those who have attended Dance Camp have found not only friendship with fellow lovers of K-pop, but a boost in growth and self-confidence. Castillo witnessed this amongst students in one of the camp’s sessions covering BTS’ song “Dynamite.”
“We had a student who was a mom trying to find ways to fill her cup again,” says Castillo. “She had to work up the nerve to get to the class, and her husband had to encourage her to get out of the car and go. Even though she was a beginner, she ended up having fun being around other people who also love BTS and are part of that general community.”
Additionally, Castillo witnessed a younger student in her 20s grow confident in her dance skills.
“We had a student who’d never taken a dance class in her life,” Castillo says. “She felt unconfident and stopped halfway through class to just observe. I reassured her that at least she had completed half a class and invited her back to take the BTS class. She ended up bringing a friend and finished that whole class with a smile on her face.”
K-pop may be best known for its large part in viral dance challenges and trends, but its impact runs much deeper for avid members of this community. The music and culture that comes along with it has connected people who may not have otherwise crossed paths were it not for the common ground of K-pop. Camp attendees have come from as far as Sunnyvale, San Francisco, Sacramento and even Davis.
“A lot of K-pop choreography stems from hip hop, jazz and contemporary,” says Castillo, “so it’s a great way for people to segue into taking more dance classes at a studio.”
As for the continued growth of K-Pop Dance Camp, MKC Project and 82ALLNIGHT are just getting started.
“The demand and interest is there,” says Castillo. “Our hope is that this collaboration and partnership continue, where we can do it once a month or even once a week eventually.”
With its rocketing attendance rate, K-Pop Dance Camp is likely to remain a valued space for locals across the Bay Area to appreciate and enjoy.
To learn more about K-Pop Dance Camp, visit mkcproject.com.
K-Pop Dance Camp
MKC Project
1044 C St. Ste B, Hayward
