Despite growing international recognition of pole dancing as a legitimate sport, Korean instructors and students continue to face daily harassment and outdated stereotypes that portray the athletic discipline as merely sexual entertainment. The contrast between pole dancing's evolving public image and persistent social prejudices has become particularly evident following Netflix's series "Aema," which featured professional pole dancers performing complex athletic routines rather than sensual displays.

The Netflix series "Aema," a reimagining of the 1982 film "Madame Aema," includes a notable scene in episode four where pole dancers perform at a banquet for powerful men. Unlike typical media portrayals that emphasize sexuality, the performers execute demanding athletic moves including climbing the pole, hanging upside down, and maintaining positions requiring tremendous strength and balance. According to the production team, they specifically hired professional pole dancers and asked them to perform large, powerful movements to showcase the sport's true nature.

At OhHaUn Pole Dance studio in Seoul's Yangcheon District, head instructor Kim Si-yeon said the Netflix scene resonated deeply with both teachers and students in the pole dancing community. "It was just a few seconds, but everyone was impressed because it showed pole dancing as a real sport, not as something sexualized," Kim explained. She emphasized the skill level required, noting that "even people who exercise two or three times a week need at least a year of steady practice to achieve that level of skill."

Pole dancing is fundamentally a demanding full-body workout that relies on skin contact for grip rather than display purposes. Similar to how climbing a bar becomes easier without gloves, pole dancing requires bare skin contact to maintain proper friction across the arms, legs, and shoulders. This practical necessity is often misunderstood by the public, who associate the minimal clothing with sexualization rather than athletic functionality.

Despite the sport's legitimate athletic demands, Korean pole dance instructors face persistent harassment that reflects outdated social attitudes. Kim Si-yeon reported that her studio receives inappropriate calls and messages almost daily. "Sometimes people call in the middle of the night asking if we'd dance nude for money," she said. "Others post class videos online and make lewd comments about the instructors' or students' bodies." This harassment has escalated to criminal behavior in some cases.

Two recent criminal cases highlight the severity of the harassment problem. In October 2023, a man in Busan received a four-month suspended prison sentence after being caught masturbating while watching women through a studio window. Additionally, a convicted sex offender in Seoul was sentenced to six months in prison for stalking a pole dance class over six sessions, demonstrating how misconceptions about the sport can attract predatory behavior.

Internationally, pole sports have gained significant recognition as legitimate athletic competitions. The International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF), established in 2009, actively works toward achieving Olympic recognition for the discipline. The organization's comprehensive rulebook, developed in consultation with the International Gymnastics Federation, emphasizes both athletic performance and artistic expression while maintaining strict standards for appropriate athletic wear.

The IPSF's competitive structure includes men's and adaptive categories, challenging stereotypes about who participates in pole sports. Competitors must wear sport-appropriate clothing that prevents excessive exposure while allowing necessary skin contact for grip. Both male and female athletes typically wear short tops and shorts designed specifically for optimal performance rather than visual appeal.

Inside Kim's studio, the atmosphere reflects the supportive, team-oriented culture typical of athletic training environments. Classes echo with encouraging cheers of "Yes!" and "You've got this!" when students succeed, and collective gasps when they fall short of their goals. Each training session begins with up to 100 push-ups specifically designed for injury prevention, emphasizing the sport's serious athletic demands.

"Pole dance isn't just repetitive motion," Kim explained. "It's about challenging yourself to master new skills. Students encourage one another like teammates at a game, and when someone finally succeeds after months of failure, everyone celebrates." This community aspect mirrors traditional team sports, where mutual support and shared goals create lasting bonds between participants.

Kim hopes that broader society will develop respect for all forms of physical art and athletic expression. "Before I started pole dancing, I saw ballet or figure skating as simply beautiful," she reflected. "Now I understand the immense discipline behind every graceful movement. Every sport demands patience, endurance, and courage." Her perspective highlights how participation in pole dancing can deepen appreciation for athletic achievement across all disciplines.

The personal transformation aspect of pole dancing extends beyond physical fitness to psychological empowerment. "Pole dancing taught me confidence – the feeling that I can control my body and achieve something through effort," Kim said. "I hope more people can experience that sense of accomplishment beyond appearances." This emphasis on personal growth and self-mastery reflects the sport's potential to challenge both participants and observers to reconsider preconceived notions about strength, athleticism, and artistic expression.