“I was terrified of falling. It was heart-stopping every time the wind gusted.”
On Thursday afternoon, spectators in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Cheonggye Plaza craned their necks skyward as a daredevil appeared on a thin line suspended about 120 meters (394 ft) above ground between the Koreana Hotel and the Dong-A Media Center.
World-renowned slackliner Jaan Roose, 33, thrilled onlookers with a high-altitude feat, traversing a 160-meter span between the two buildings.
Slacklining, an extreme sport that challenges athletes to balance on a narrow, flexible line while performing jumps, spins, and other acrobatics, made its urban debut in South Korea with this event.
As Roose inched forward with outstretched arms, the crowd below raised their smartphones in unison to capture the breathtaking moment. Gasps and cheers erupted when gusts of wind caused the line to sway precariously.
Park Joo-hee, 39, who attended with her son, commented that it came to witness this groundbreaking extreme sport in the heart of the city. It was an exhilarating and nail-biting experience for both of them.
Twelve-year-old Jeong Tae-seong exclaimed that tightrope walker was absolutely incredible!
Even 83-year-old Lee Jong-cheol was amazed, stating that in all his years, he’s never seen anything like this. He’s watched small-time circus acts, but nothing at this height. It’s astounding what humans can achieve.
The main event was preceded by a breakdancing showcase at Cheonggye Plaza, and attendees had the opportunity to try their hand at slacklining in a supervised experience program.
Roose, an Estonian native, is a three-time world champion in slacklining. In 2024, he attempted an even more ambitious feat: crossing a 3.6-kilometer (about 2.2 miles) slackline stretched across the Strait of Messina, connecting mainland Italy to Sicily.
For a closer look at this gravity-defying performance, check out the video coverage of the event.
