Choi Jae-seung is a household name among skateboarders. The 22-year-old’s mind-boggling tricks and perseverance caught the attention of many skateboard aficionados on YouTube in 2009.

As the first Korean rider to be sponsored by Austrian drink company Red Bull, Choi wants to help popularize skateboarding in Korea.

“Compared to the United States, skateboarding is less common in Korea. The idea that one can be a professional boarder is still new here,” Choi said in an interview with The Korea Herald. In America, people appreciate Choi’s skill as a professional rider, while in Korea, Choi needs to first explain that this is his actual job. 

Perhaps this is due to Korea’s emphasis on academia, which allows little time for hobbies, Choi suggested. Conventional sports such as swimming and soccer are accepted as viable career paths, but extreme sports are not yet recognized as a legitimate field. This makes it difficult for aspiring youths to consider skateboarding as their career and become international pros, Choi said.

But general interest in the sport is growing, thanks to enthusiastic skateboard crews.

“Aori Park and MeaL1 are excellent crews. They make great boarding videos that encourage people to learn skateboarding,” Choi said. Korean crews tend to work independently, but maybe crews can cooperate to host larger skateboarding events, Choi suggested. If they filmed a project together or held a friendly competition, that would promote the sport even further throughout Korea, Choi said.

Seoul is the best location for street skateboarding, according to Choi. As a street skateboarder, Choi performs tricks on ledges, staircases and other building structures.

“The roads are very well paved in Korea, and there are many new buildings. They are perfect spots to practice boarding. Also, the public transportation is great, so young people can easily move from one practice spot to another.

“Some of my friends visit China and Japan for great skateboarding spots, but I always tell them to come to Korea,” Choi said.

To showcase such skateboarding spots, Red Bull recently hosted “Joy Tour 2013” May 17-30 in Korea. During the tour, international and domestic pro boarders explored skateboarding spots throughout the country. They made videos of their journey, which they posted on social networks to introduce boarding spots in Korea. They also invited amateur boarders to practice together, and held a boarding competition in Seoul and Busan for local boarders.

“It was amazing to meet international boarders. To be boarding with such talented people was a dream come true for me,” Choi said, adding that they exchanged tips.

Choi plans to be in the skateboard scene as long as possible. “For me it’s not a sport, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a part of me.” Professional skateboarders who take care of their physical health ride well into their 40s, Choi said, recollecting expat pros whom he met in international boarding competitions. Even after he retires as a professional boarder, he will continue to ride as a hobby.

“Also, I want to have my own clothing brand for skateboarders and hip-hop crews. I think fashion is a big part of the culture, and I want to contribute to the crew with fashion too,” the ambitious 22-year-old said.

Choi predicted Korea’s skateboarding scene would grow. “I hope skateboarding doesn’t become too industrialized, though. I think the best part of skateboarding is that it’s a subculture. It may not be perfect, but it has an untamed charm.”

To those who are just learning to skateboard, Choi advised that they enjoy it. Even a pro skateboarder gets tired of mastering one trick after another. But when you enjoy boarding and it becomes a passion in your life, you will find yourself improving rapidly, Choi said.

The same goes for any other goal, Choi emphasized: “Keep your head up and don’t stop. You never know how far you can go until you go there. Don’t give up and have fun on the way.”

By Lee Sang-ju (sjlee370@heraldcorp.com)