Meet the professional dancer from China bringing K-pop classes to Farnham

A professional dancer who came to the UK from China to pursue a career in musical theatre is hoping to bring the K-pop craze to Farnham.

Wei Yuan, 29, arrived from Shenzhen in southern China three years ago to study for a master’s degree at Guildford School of Acting.

Now living in the town, Wei is planning K-pop dance classes at the Maltings and is also considering jazz funk sessions.

“K-pop is a big thing at the moment and lots of people want to learn it,” she said.

“I think one of the main reasons is because KPop Demon Hunters became so famous and a lot of kids just love the style.”

K-pop, short for Korean pop, originated in South Korea and has grown into a global phenomenon, combining catchy tunes with distinctive, highly choreographed dance routines.

Groups such as BTS and BLACKPINK have attracted huge international followings, while KPop Demon Hunters, an animated musical about a girl group who fight monsters, became Netflix’s most-watched film of all time.

Wei said: “It’s also a cultural thing. The songs are great and they all come with their own individual dances and moves, and they are very catchy.

“It can look easy to do. Some of the choreography is beginner-friendly, but for boy groups like BTS it can be very difficult and very quick.”

Wei spent around a decade dancing and choreographing professionally and specialised in hip-hop and jazz funk in China before turning her attention increasingly towards musical theatre after coming to the UK.

She has already embraced one particularly British theatrical tradition, appearing in the ensemble of Aladdin in Sevenoaks during last year’s pantomime season.

“I really liked it because it’s really funny and I love comedy,” she said.

Wei is now auditioning for West End roles as she continues to develop her career.

She has also made Farnham her home and says she has quickly taken to the town.

“I like it a lot,” she said. “It’s a really cute town and very convenient. I like the town centre – it’s very cosy.”

Wei has already started sharing her experience locally, leading a dance workshop at Frensham Heights, where she has been invited back for a second session.

She hopes to offer group and individual classes for people of different ages and abilities and says teaching can be as rewarding for her as it is for her students.

“I enjoy communicating with people,” Wei said. “Even if your student is not quite as good as you, you still have something you can learn from them. You might find something you never noticed before.”

For Wei, dancing has been an important part of her life since childhood.

“I really like the expressiveness of it,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed it since I was a child.

“When I was growing up and having a bad time, dancing was a way for me to relax. It’s very creative and it gives you a way to express yourself.”