Newport K-pop dance group set up in The Riverfront

WHILE few of us could ever forget the Gangnam Style craze which swept the world in 2012, many people in Gwent may be oblivious to the strong local interest in Korean pop music – or K-pop for short – which last month has led to the formation of a brand-new K-pop dance group in Newport.

Susannah Spring set up Newport K-Pop in early February after being nagged by students at her other venture, a musical theatre group based in Cwmbran.

"Back last year my son and I became interested in K-Pop, so did a couple of routines in our show, which went down a treat with both the performers and the audience," Ms Spring said.

Since setting up the Newport group, Ms Spring said she had been "blown away by the response."

She had no idea how many young people were into the genre of music which is synonymous with stylish musicians and razor-sharp choreography.

K-pop's following has risen astronomically since the genre was pioneered in the early ’90s.

The current giants of K-pop are undoubtedly boy band BTS, who have featured in the UK Top 40 charts and will play two concerts at Wembley Stadium in June.

Most bands are manufactured and follow a strict formula for success – each member takes on a carefully-manicured persona and their behaviour in public is usually exemplary.

Potential stars – called idols – are identified at a young age and enrolled in training regimens after signing long-term contracts.

But despite some criticisms over the pressures on K-pop's stars, which came to a head in late 2017 following the suicide of 27-year-old idol Jonghyun, the genre's popularity has exploded and found fans all around the world, including in Gwent.

"My son Morgan got into it about a year ago, and because it was always on in the house, I got into it too," Ms Spring said.

"I couldn't find a class for him anywhere, so I suggested putting on our own."

She said her Cwmbran-based theatre group, iShine, had incorporated a few K-pop routines into its shows, leaving participants clamouring for more.

So when it came to Newport K-Pop's first session, Ms Spring was delighted to find 35 young eager faces waiting to sign up.

"There were too many for the studio, so we had to put on a separate session afterwards for the others," she said.

In the space of a few weeks, Newport K-Pop – which hosts all its classes in the Riverfront Centre – now hosts two sessions each Friday and one on Saturdays.

And Ms Spring said the positive messages in the songs – once you read the translations – were a big part of the genre's appeal.

"From what I've seen it's messages are about being yourself, rather than conforming with anything.

"The bands say it's all about hard work and supporting each other."

She added: "Some kids come in lacking in confidence but it's amazing to see the way they respond in the classes."

And Ms Spring believes the venue has also helped with the group's popularity.

"It gorgeous in The Riverfront, the kids felt like superstars when they first went in. Some had never been in a theatre – their jaws hit the floor."

She said was proud to be working alongside her son, Morgan, who has been helping her lead the dance classes.

The group has a special K-pop party organised for April 25, and Ms Spring said she was very optimistic for the group's future.

If you are interested in finding out more about Newport K-Pop, follow the group on Instagram (@Newport_kpop) or email newportkpop@gmail.com