Artist, international superstar, dancer, entertainer, teacher, student, traveller, philosopher, Sol Da Corea is many things to many different people. We know him as a wicked, good humoured and incredibly passionate person who is knowledgeable, humble, inspirational and who keeps on giving and giving.
Read on to see what our good friend Sol Da Corea had to say when we chatted After Hours.......
Who is Sol Da Corea?
Dance guru who has an attitude as a teenager for life.
How did you discover Salsa and when was this?
It was in 1999 - one of my friends told me there was a club that played Latin music and I saw the people dancing merengue. After that I found an internet salsa community in Busan called "Caribe".
Tell us about your Salsa story from the early days…
Because there were no teachers back then, everyone had to try to learn moves and patterns from each other.
Everything about salsa was new, fresh and mysterious. After the salsa parties we would always go for dinner together and drink the famous Korean drink, Soju. Then Salsa quickly became an addiction.
What style did you do besides Salsa? Did it change/ influence you?
Before salsa, I danced contemporary ballet and jazz. These became a strong element of mine for dancing salsa. I also dance Afro Cuban, Afro Rhumba, Tango, Belly Dance, Hip Hop etc.
Tell us something about yourself that not many people might know.
I am very spontaneous and easy going guy who normally goes with the flow. I'm also very impulsive but still responsible of course ;-)
I love chatting with good people about dance, travel and life........... oh, and I can drink a lot, ha ha :-)
What does dance mean to you?
Dance is something which connects me and life. It is my language to communicate - it is my entertainment to play and it is my soul food to fill me up as myself. Without dance, there would be no Sol.
I spend a lot of time for travel. I've visited Cuba a few times. I feel a great connection there even though I look so different to them. It's simply that I love music and dance and it connects us deeply.
I love Afro Cuban because there is meaning in the movement and a completely different approach to other forms of dance. It's a union of body and soul, humanity and divinity.
How do you feel being an instructor? What do you enjoy most in teaching?
As an instructor I never feel that I am actually "teaching". I can only help people with my knowledge and experience. Because I feel it, I want you to feel it too. When it happens that is the greatest joy for me.
What do you do if you need inspiration in life?
I need inspiration every second of every day. Even from a street chef who can make something really tasty with often very little sources of food. Or a street vendor who has a great voice to promote his product. Sometimes from weird paintings or lots of great performances from YouTube. Taking some random class (sometimes you can find great teachers) so I keep myself new and always learning.
Do you wear dance shoes and if so what type?
OzDance of course!! :) Seriously though, for me, it's about comfort and style and depending on what kind of pants I'm wearing :) I normally wear dance shoes with Cuban heels. If the floor is too slippery I also don't mind wearing sneakers.
What do you enjoy most about Latin dance?
For me it's mostly music and dancing/connecting with my partner. It feels so good to appreciate your partner and feel it together. You will never feel lonely with salsa in your life.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I had my 39th birthday party, I couldn't make a wish because I am living the life I want to live. I feel every day is God's gift to me. So for me, life is amazing every day. I just want to be better than yesterday. Maybe I am a modern gypsy :)