Born in Estonia, Jaan Roose first stepped onto a slackline at 18 and has since won three world champion titles. Slacklining is an extreme sport where athletes walk or perform tricks on a flat, tensioned line stretched between two anchor points. In highlining—slacklining at extreme heights—a safety harness becomes a literal lifeline in case of a fall. On this day, Roose successfully completed his walk through Seoul's autumn sky and fierce building winds.
As a Red Bull athlete, Roose has taken on highline challenges around the globe. In 2023, he set a world record by crossing 3.6 kilometers over the Strait of Messina in Italy and performed atop Dubai's Burj Khalifa. This Gwanghwamun crossing marked his first highline performance in Korea. For Seoul office workers who often walk with eyes fixed downward, it offered a rare chance to straighten up and gaze at the blue sky above.
Turning the impossible into reality is always exhilarating. What impossible would you dare to challenge in your own daily life?
FAQ
Who is Jaan Roose?
Jaan Roose is a world-renowned slackliner from Estonia who started at eighteen and has won three world championship titles. As a Red Bull athlete, he's tackled highline challenges worldwide, including a 3.6km crossing of Italy's Strait of Messina and a performance on Dubai's Burj Khalifa.
When did the Gwanghwamun highline performance take place?
It took place on October 1st above Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Jaan Roose walked a 160-meter line at 120 meters above ground, connecting the Donga Media Center and Koreana Hotel—Korea's first-ever highline performance.
What is slacklining?
Slacklining is an extreme sport where athletes balance and perform tricks on a flat webbing stretched between two points. Highlining, performed at great heights, requires a safety harness to prevent falls and demands intense concentration and balance.
