Fall Artist in Residence: Hexxy
The Vanderbilt Center for Languages and the Department of Asian Studies collaborated with six student groups to provide Vandy students an extraordinary opportunity to dance with a celebrated K-Pop choreographer.
Vanderbilt University recently welcomed South Korean professional dancer, choreographer and YouTuber Song Hyemin, known by her stage name, Hexxy, as the Vanderbilt Center for Language’s first Artist-in-residence. Hexxy has collaborated with popular artists like NewJeans and Chungha and continues to work with many rising stars in the Korean music industry. The event aimed to share Korean culture with a diverse audience, using the universal appeal of K-pop to connect students with dance, music, and language. Her weeklong residency was a resounding success, bringing the Vanderbilt community together to celebrate a shared love for dance and music through the lens of Korean culture.
Planning Hexxy’s Visit
Students learning Hexxy’s original K-pop choreography.
Planning for Hexxy’s visit began in Spring 2024, led by Dr. Seok Bae Jang, a professor in the Asian Studies Department. Dr. Jang first connected with Hexxy during the 2023 ‘Discover Korea’ Maymester, where students participated in cultural activities and attended her dance classes in Korea. Inspired by her efforts to spread Korean culture through dance, Dr. Jang began working to bring her to Vanderbilt, collaborating with Dr. Chalene Helmuth, the Director of the Center for Languages, and Alyssa Johnson, the Center’s Activities Specialist. With the support of student dance organizations (VIVID K-pop, Confidance, Nilaja Amari) and cultural groups (AASA, KUSA, K-Singers), the event came together smoothly.
“The Vanderbilt Center for Languages is excited to establish a weeklong residency for Hexxy, a Korean choreographer well known for her work with K-Pop groups. Her visit, the first of its kind for us, provided rich opportunities for our students to connect with someone who might be considered a cultural ambassador for Korean, our fastest-growing language at Vanderbilt.” — Dr. Chalene Helmuth—
Student Engagement
Hexxy leading her first workshop of the weeklong event, teaching choreography to NewJeans’ “Hype Boy.”
During her stay from September 23 to 26, Hexxy engaged with students in various ways, teaching a total of five K-pop dance classes. She visited intermediate and advanced Korean language classes, where she joined in speaking activities and observed student presentations. In the afternoons, Hexxy taught popular K-pop choreography from artists like NewJeans, Aespa, and Jungkook, attracting over 200 sign-ups plus additional walk-ins. She also hosted a talk, sharing her career journey with students while they enjoyed traditional Korean snacks, offering an inspiring look into her path and experiences in the dance industry.
Outcomes
A group photo marking the conclusion of Hexxy’s dance workshops, celebrating the final choreography.
Overall, students expressed how much they enjoyed Hexxy’s workshops and found her story motivating. Hexxy shared that it had always been her dream to teach and spread Korean culture in America and was touched by the audience’s attentiveness and interest. She hopes to return to Vanderbilt in the future, reaching an even wider audience and continuing to inspire students through her passion for dance and cultural exchange.
Article Written By: Esme Adotey
Photos & Footage By: Daniel Ahn and Jeff Zheng
Video Editing By: Esme Adotey
Video Song Credit Here