A 160-Meter Highline Turned Seoul’s Skyline Into Jaan Roose’s Stage

For a few minutes on Thursday, central Seoul had a pedestrian route about 120 meters above the usual one. Estonian slackliner Jaan Roose crossed a 160-meter line stretched between two buildings in the Gwanghwamun district, giving the city a high-altitude show with a very small sidewalk.

The line connected the Koreana Hotel and Dong-A Media Center. Roose, a three-time slackline world champion, walked across and back while crowds watched from below. On the return, he sat back along the line, balanced on his shoulders and performed other tricks, turning an already improbable commute into an aerial variety act.

The event was organized by Red Bull Korea with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Seoul’s official post-event report says the 160-meter line was about 120 meters above the street and describes Roose’s back-lay and shoulder-stand moves. Seoul’s event report · Korea JoongAng Daily’s Oct. 1 coverage.

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