Young men's dance moves earn praise from netizens

A video featuring six young men rehearsing a dance program for their company's annual year-end gala has gone viral online, drawing widespread praise for their smooth moves and impressive teamwork.

The video was first posted by Xiaoduo, a dance teacher from Zhengzhou city, Henan province, who coached the rehearsal, on her social media account. It quickly gained traction and was shared across various platforms, including by prominent media outlets such as People's Daily Online, China Daily Website and Henan Daily.

Xiaoduo did not expect the video to go viral, as she regularly posts clips of daily rehearsals. She told China Daily Website, "The boys are highly motivated. Despite their busy work schedules, they give their best effort each time. For me, it's not just about teaching them dance—it's about helping them enjoy the experience and providing a break from their hectic work lives."

According to Xiaoduo, the performance is adapted from the traditional Chinese dance Climbing Spring Mountain (Shang Chun Shan), which celebrates the beauty of spring and expresses a deep, joyful love for the season.

"They had no prior dance experience, so I taught them using methods typically applied to children, step by step," Xiaoduo explained. "Although it was difficult at first, they trained hard and tried to complete each move in real earnest."

One of the dancers in the viral video, surnamed Guo, clarified that there are six other female colleagues in their dance troupe who will also perform Climbing Spring Mountain alongside the men. "The girls are working just as hard as we are, but the video happened to capture the six of us men."

Guo added that they had been rehearsing for over 20 days, with daily coaching sessions lasting one to two hours. In addition, the dancers practiced on their own and together whenever they had free time.

The team members, aged between 20 and 40, had no prior dance experience, so the early rehearsals were challenging. However, with continued effort, their confidence grew. "Our company places great importance on recreational activities and supports our rehearsals, so we’re really enjoying this opportunity. We're determined to showcase the charm of classical dance."

The video has sparked numerous comments from netizens. User "Black and White 5856" praised the performance, saying, "My favorite Shang Chun Shan embodies the qualities of a true man — straightforward, simple, positive and pure-hearted. It's down-to-earth and full of charm." Another user, "Bing Qing Yu Jie 1511" commented, "The young guys danced really well, down-to-earth, with synchronized movements. This is how modern young men should be." A third user, "Ge Zi Niao" remarked, "They must be a group of young men who love life."

Now, anticipation is building across the internet for their formal performance. "Wutong dywt" wrote, "The entire internet is waiting to see them perform in traditional Chinese outfits." "Zitou Xiyue" commented, "If they keep practicing, they’ll become professionals."

The performance is scheduled for the company's annual year-end gala on Jan 22. Xiaoduo mentioned that the rehearsal is now 80 percent complete, with only a few details left to refine. She said, "With so many people interested in this, I hope my students won't feel too much pressure. I just want them to enjoy the dance and give their best performance."