For those driven by the thrill of dance and the desire to perform on stage, BURAS is an ideal place for those who have a passion for dance and are looking for a welcoming atmosphere. BURAS is the only dance sports club on Korea University (KU) campus primarily practicing Latin American ballroom dances, such as the samba or the cha-cha-cha. By learning different routines and choreographies, members from various majors and ages gather to celebrate and enjoy dance. Lively practices and professional assistance make participation in this club a great opportunity to learn to dance. BURAS, with a focus on partner dances, thus invites both women and men to join. Offering abundant opportunities to perform, BURAS is a great place to learn, improve, and enjoy dance moves.

Focusing on a rather unconventional kind of dance, BURAS takes pride in its professionalism and openness. Regular sessions led by professional ballroom dancers, who teach routines and the fundamentals of dances like jive, rumba, and samba, allow the members to quickly enhance their skills. Additionally, the club openly welcomes any and all international and exchange students as well, though currently members of BURAS are mainly Korean KU students. To gain deeper insight into BURAS, The Granite Tower (GT) interviewed the club’s President, Lee Ju-Seok (’20, Japanese Language and Literature) and senior club member, Hans Cho (’15, Economics and East Asian Regional Studies) who were in the midst of preparing for an upcoming March show.

GT: When was the club founded, and what are BURAS’s main activities?

Lee: Our club, BURAS, is the only dance sports focused club in KU. Our club was founded in 2001, making me and BURAS the same age. The name Bur-ah-su [Korean pronunciation] is the acronym of the Korean phrase that translates to “Dance sport is as beautiful as the flame.” As you can guess from the name, we learn and enjoy dance sports, especially the Latin genre, such as the cha-cha, the samba, the rumba, the jive. We learn several routines from professional Latin dancers, and then dedicate time to independently review and practice those steps.

GT: What distinguishes BURAS from other dance clubs on KU campus?

Lee: As I mentioned before, BURAS is the only dance sports club in KU, while most of the other dance clubs commit to learning idol dance and street genres. Moreover, we don’t hold any auditions, welcoming [beginners] who have never danced before. We also offer free trial classes during the recruitment period so that new people can experience dance sports first-hand.

Cho: I would add that a significant aspect of BURAS is high-quality classes, which one can enjoy without paying a large sum. We are also inclusive, as we welcome any student from all around the world. BURAS also has one of the best club rooms at KU – cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and even a microwave is there to serve you.

GT: How professional would you call Buras? Does the club participate in competitions?

Lee: Well, I think I could say that our club is quite professional. During the semester, we learn various dance routines from expert Latin dancers once a week, and that is not all. We even participate in some regional competitions, in which we have won several prizes. That is why I can confidently say that our club is professional. For competitions, we usually participate in the formation parts using the routines that we have learned throughout the semester. Furthermore, we hold our own show every semester at the school auditorium, or the theater nearby campus. Usually, there are about ten acts in one show. Sometimes members also prepare some special acts such as K-pop cover dance routines. We are preparing for a show on March 23, so come watch our performance if you’re interested in dance sports.

Cho: Ballroom dancing itself is designed for competition, so we do participate in competitions. Joining competitions is not mandatory, yet many members choose to participate. Usually, senior members lead the whole project with some assistance from our professional teachers. On performances, it is a bit more of a free and creative process. The members pick their dresses, design the overall concept, and choreograph routines. And yes – one can jump, hop, spin, turn, and perform any bold moves to showcase their talent.

GT: What are the club’s goals for the upcoming semester?

Lee: Of course, recruiting a lot of new members. I think most of our club leaders will agree with me, but it’s a kind of lifelong task for BURAS. So as for the goals of the next semester, we would like to explore several other genres like modern dance. There are various kinds of dance sports, but our focus has been primarily on Latin dance sports. If we get the chance, perhaps with new members, it would be a great opportunity to learn other dance sports genres.

GT: Who would you invite to join the club? Must applicants be of a certain dance level?

Cho: There are absolutely zero requirements for the dance level for new applicants. Few people ever have any background in ballroom dancing. The less background you have, the easier it is to obtain the right skills because your body is not biased towards other dance movements. If there is any quality that I might be happy to see in BURAS’s new members, it would be confidence. Latin ballroom dancing embodies charismatic, sexy, powerful, and mature ambiances and movements. Though newcomers might find it challenging to embrace and convey these qualities initially, having confidence and self-love will prepare one perfectly for the dance floor.

Members say competing and performing offers an unforgettable and enriching experience. They encourage KU students, especially fine gentlemen, to also join this exciting club. Latin ballroom dancing is a unique skill, which brings joy and boosts confidence. Potential members, even those without prior knowledge, should not hesitate to join BURAS – BURAS is open to everyone. Fostering passion for dance is the club’s main objective for the members of this club.