Seoul (CNN) Its northern neighbor is engaged in nuclear brinkmanship with the US. Its elected President was just impeached and indicted on corruption charges, leaving behind a gaping power vacuum. And the economy is slowing down, leaving the country's highly-educated youth struggling with unemployment.

And yet, amid all these challenges, South Korea's presidential election can often feel like a festival.

Ahead of a recent televised presidential debate, the scene outside the TV station looked more like a rock concert. Or rather, like five rock concerts taking place side-by-side, simultaneously, at full volume.

Supporters of South Korean presidential candidate Moon Jae-In of the Democratic Party dance during an election campaign in Goyang city, northwest of Seoul.

"If we dance more and more, Hong Jun-pyo will be more powerful," said Choi Wan-hee, 21, who left the stage panting, with strands of red tinsel from bushy pom-poms still clinging to his hair.

Other supporters of Hong -- a 62-year-old, bespectacled former prosecutor running on the conservative Liberty Korea Party ticket -- wore little glowing cat ears on their heads and performed moves reminiscent of a hyperactive Hawaiian hula.

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