![[Seoul, I did it] Working out in a bar in Itaewon: ‘Barre & Beats’ with a live DJ](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretseoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/28161953/IMG_7647-1-e1766907537636-1024x577.jpg)
Why I Rolled Out of Bed on a Sunday Morning
Sunday morning.
Normally, I’d still be cuddled up in bed, but I had a workout scheduled in Itaewon, so I left the comfort of my bed and headed out.
Normally, I’d have put it off for another day, but this was a barre workout with a live DJ that only happens a couple times a month, so I decided to overcome my chronic annoyance for one day.
What is barre, anyway?
Barre is a dynamic and effective workout that combines ballet, yoga, Pilates, and weight training.
It’s a boredom-busting workout that combines what might seem like static movements with music, and it’s a popular way to get in shape and stay in shape.
I hadn’t heard of it before, but my instructor invited me to try it out today, and the idea of dancing to house music mixed live by a DJ sounded like a tempting proposition for someone whose only cardio is dancing in clubs.
Itaewon Alley Bar Becomes a Workout Center
Today’s event was held at a bar called ‘Kamar’ located in Itaewon Alley, which is not a typical studio, but rather a bar, cafe, and cultural space. The instructor’s intention is to expand the space of everyday life into a place of exercise.
When I arrived, I was greeted by a group of ‘pretty sisters’ in yoga clothes. Originally, my pursuit is ‘conventional’, but when I enter this atmosphere, I tend to lose my energy easily. I stood a beat too late and walked in hesitantly with a slightly awkward face.
Luckily, the instructor approached me and greeted me casually and connected me with the other participants. I was impressed with the atmosphere in this space, where everyone is encouraged to mingle at least once, so that the “newcomer” doesn’t feel out of place.
The class started promptly at noon.
Using a yoga band, I held a chair like a barre and repeated low-impact weighted movements using my own body weight and the pressure of the band. Many of the moves incorporated ballet moves like curtsy and plié, with yoga stretches to warm up in between.
I foolishly underestimated today’s workout, imagining it would be a bunch of jumping around to live DJ music, but the actual class was much more sophisticated and choreographed to target my muscles. As the difficulty of the movements increased, my expression became more and more distorted, and my limbs began to visibly shake.
I stopped midway through the exercises and carried my camera around with me, using it as an excuse to film, but it was a thinly-veiled smokescreen to hide the moments when my limbs couldn’t hold on any longer.
“I can do this!” Holding it together
The benefits of exercise seemed obvious. I realized how sedentary I’d been living my life.
I realized how little muscle I had, how little core strength I had, and how sedentary I had been. It was a time of reflection and self-reflection in many ways.
In the meantime, the instructor didn’t stop chanting and continued to energize us. I forced myself to smile at the cheers of “You can do it!” in the middle of the course, and pushed myself again. If I was alone, I would have given up already. Luckily, the constant pounding beat drowned out my near-screams.
The workout lasted about an hour. The instructor said, “We’re almost there!” several times, but the end didn’t come easily. Just as I was feeling a little resentful, the class was over.
Barre & Beats Vol. 7: Building Community Through Exercise and Music
The instructor had been practicing barre in Singapore for four years and in Seoul for about three years, and her toned muscles peeking out from her yoga clothes were a testament to her years of experience.
The reason she started the class wasn’t just to teach exercise. She had always felt that Seoul lacked a culture where people could naturally gather and make connections through music and exercise, which she had experienced abroad.
That’s why he created Barre & Beats. A community where people can meet, support each other, and energize their daily lives through exercise. She explained that it’s a class in itself, with people chatting after class and not easily dispersing. They held their first event this summer, and today is their seventh.
Currently, it’s held about once a month at bars and cafes around Seoul, with venue sponsorship. Sometimes they make it a party with wine and finger food, and sometimes they leave time for casual socializing after the workout.
On this day, Pibu Pibu’s deodorant was given out as a free gift to those who participated. While they were opening the freebies, the conversation flowed naturally, and I took advantage of the opportunity to talk to the participants.
After the class, everyone was sweating and catching their breath, so the awkwardness I felt when I first walked in was noticeably lessened, and there was a strange sense of solidarity among everyone.
There were about 10 people in attendance. One particularly frequent participant, a barre instructor who teaches elsewhere, said that she loves the openness of the class, which feels like working out abroad, and the way it quickly bridges the distance between people.
On this day, the class was all women, but men and foreigners are welcome to join.
The instructor said that she hopes to grow the community into something that more people can feel comfortable joining in the future, and plans to hold classes in outdoor spaces such as Hangang Park as the weather warms up, creating a scene where exercise, music, and the cityscape blend together.
<The artist’s honest opinion
My weekends were much more energizing when I spent them exercising with other people and playing Lilith with my dog while forgetting to eat tangerines.
My New Year’s resolution for 2026 is to live a more dynamic life and improve my body and fitness, and this class gave me a pretty clear starting point. It showed me exactly where I needed to improve, and at the same time gave me the encouragement that I didn’t have to do it alone.
Of course, my conclusion was ‘everything needs improvement’, but it was also a valuable experience to build my momentum. The live music made the workout much more enjoyable and energizing.
I felt the effects after just one class, and honestly, I can’t wait to come back. I’m sure my arms and legs will be numb tomorrow, but I’ll feel proud of myself. My sister has been looking for a workout that works, and I’m going to try to convince her to come with me next time.
<Recommended for these people
- Looking for a new workout for the new year
- Enjoy live music and energetic atmosphere
- Those who want to discover hidden pearls of bars and cafes around Seoul through exercise
- Those who want to feel the results of their workout in a short amount of time
- Want to meet new people while exercising
- Want to connect with a new community
If you’re interested, follow us on Instagram for regular class updates.
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