How to dance like a kpop idol
How To Learn K-Pop Dances
So, if you’re anything like me, you love a good K-Pop song and the fun, popular choreography that comes with it.
But I have to admit… if you asked me if I’ve ever actually tried learning any K-Pop choreography… I’d embarrassingly have to say “No”.
Even though the dances are meant to be simple to learn, it’s easy to feel intimidated when you’re watching the moves being executed by idols who’ve been training for most of their lives!
So, I decided to find out what it takes to master K-Pop routines AND perform like a legit K-Pop star.
Now, I’m gonna share everything I learned with you.
Keep reading to get all the tips you’ll need to become a K-Pop dancer yourself!
But first…
The term “K-Pop” is an abbreviation for “Korean popular music.”
While the name is pretty general, “K-Pop” is typically used to describe a mixture of East Asian and Western music genres that can be traced back to the 1880s.
Throughout the 1880s-1940s, Koreans were introduced to Western music through American missionaries and radio broadcasts, but it wasn’t until the 1940s when North and South Korea parted ways that K-Pop music really started to thrive.
Many American soldiers remained in South Korea after the Korean War, and started spreading the latest Pop, Gospel, Rock, Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, Folk, Country, Classical, and Reggae.
As a result, South Korean music artists started infusing their own music with Western rhythms, instruments, vocalization styles, and languages.
And sure enough, Korean singers started getting their big break within Western circles.
Ever heard of The Kim Sisters?
Around 1959, they were the first Korean artists to drop an album in the U.S!
Of course, this music doesn’t sound like K-Pop as we now know it…
The music we currently call “K-Pop” is most heavily influenced by Western music from the 1990s-2010s.
It was during that time period that the internet made it easier than ever for countries to share music with each other.
The Korean government was putting more focus on marketing their music to other countries, but it wasn’t just the K-Pop industry running the show anymore!
Take the boyband Seo Taiji & Boys for example.
Despite the fact that they scored really low during a televised Korean talent show with their song Nan Arayo, their fans went crazy over that same song AND their album.
They posted their music video online and the song made it to the states where new audiences fell in love with it!
Whether it was Seo Taiji & Boys’ unique fusion of Rap, Hip Hop, Rock, Jazz, and EDM, the sound of the Korean lyrics, or their standout fashion sense, thousands of teens and tweens around the world saw their video and looked at them as “idols” – a term that would become the #1 descriptor for K-Pop group members.
Many other K-Pop artists followed suit and in the 21st century, names like Super Junior, Big Bang, Wonder Girls, Psy, BTS, Blackpink and TWICE were household names.
Of course, one of the main things that sets K-Pop apart is the dancing!
The choreography is full of fun dance moves that are actually easy to learn.
And since the late 2000’s, K-Pop choreography (and the highly produced music videos that showcased it) has heavily contributed to the genre’s virality.
The choreography that went with the chorus of each song was meant to be catchy and attainable, so that anyone in the world could “cover” the choreography just like they would cover the song itself.
Soon, sites like Youtube and Facebook were filled with dance cover videos that gave free advertising to each new K-Pop song.
The moves and combos were heavily influenced by the Hip-Hop-heavy choreography used by 90s/2000s American groups, but K-Pop dances also tended to lean very cute/playful or very edgy – much like the music itself.
For example, compare how Britney Spears’ and Girls Generation’s choreography look.
They’re both filled with sharp and precise movements, hyper-feminine grooves, and playful gestures. And it's not just one person dancing. You get to see lots of bodies moving in unison!
Many of the early K-Pop groups who were popular in the states followed this formula, but the first modern K-Pop song to get serious radio play featured unisex moves that were appropriate for any age.
Enter “Gangnam Style” by Psy!
Due to that “galloping horse” move, this was the first video on YT to receive over a billion views.
If you want to learn how to dance K-Pop, start by choosing a few groups that you really resonate with!
Then, you can dissect what makes their choreography unique and master their style!
For example, if you really love BLACKPINK’s Lisa, you might notice that she’s all about intricate details and putting serious power into her stage performances.
So, as you’re learning a BLACKPINK or Lisa routine, really focus on those style elements as you practice each move.
Be thoughtful about flicking your wrist to finish a move or tilting your head at a particular moment.
Remember to stay powerfully grounded when you strut, rather than bouncing lightly on your feet.
Once you know which idol you want to look like, you can then focus on mastering the actual dance steps.
If you’re totally new to dance, start by looking for choreography that’s a little more smooth and groovy.
Basically, you want to look for the same types of moves that you’d do at a club or party.
A great example would be the routine from “Pretty Savage” by BLACKPINK.
Related article: Top 10 K-pop Girl Groups in 2022
The chorus section is all about hair whips, booty shaking, and bouncy moves that hit right on the beat. Even if you don’t look exactly like the idols when you do this routine, you’ll still look great!
P.S. If you wanna learn this choreography step-by-step, we have a tutorial on STEEZY Studio. ;)
Click here to learn it!
If you’re further along in your dance training, then you can choose a faster, more precise routine.
Typically, these types of choreographies will test your ability to use speed and control at the right time - all while dancing to more complex rhythms.
Take ATEEZ’ “Say My Name” choreography for example:
During the chorus section, you’ll notice that there's a lot of jumping, quick hand movements, and sudden transitions from fast moves to slow moves.
You’ll need to practice this routine a lot since many of the moves won’t come naturally to you!
P.P.S. You can learn “Say My Name” on STEEZY Studio too! Just click here.
After you know the style of choreography and routine you want to learn, you’re ready to really dive in!
There are a few ways to go about learning K-Pop choreography.
A lot of people learn the routines by studying the highly produced music videos that come with most K-Pop songs.
You can find the videos on YouTube, slow down the tempo, study the movements, and then practice in a mirror at home.
Many other K-Pop songs come with what’s called a “practice video” – basically, this is a video of the music group rehearsing the routine in a clean, simple environment.
These videos are much easier to learn from since they don’t include all of the fancy cuts/editing that can make it harder to see what the idols are doing.
Here’s an example of BTS practicing their routine for “Fire”:
Of course, when you’re learning a K-Pop routine, you’re not limited to just videos from the music groups themselves.
There are also tons of K-Pop covers artists on YouTube who break down the routines into step-by-step tutorials.
One of the most popular cover artist duos, Ellen & Brian, has nearly 3M followers!
Now, while all of these YouTube options are useful, they definitely come with some learning limitations.
You’ll likely spend a lot of time pausing and rewinding, stopping to check yourself in a mirror, and digging for videos where the content is flipped on screen so that you can copy the instructor directly (basically, if they lift their left arm on screen, you wanna be able to lift your left arm too.
You don’t wanna have to think in your head, “ok, her left arm is going up, but the camera is reversing the image, so I should lift my right arm, right???”).
Luckily, all of these annoying issues are solved for you on STEEZY Studio!
Unlike YouTube, STEEZY’s a platform made for learning dance routines.
You can flip the video’s orientation with the tap of a button, play tricky sections of the routine on loop while you practice, and use your webcam as a virtual, on-screen mirror so you can see yourself right behind the instructor.
We’re regularly dropping the latest and greatest K-Pop tutorials so definitely check it out here!
And if you’d like to try STEEZY out for free, start with these 10 FREE K-Pop moves classes.
One last tip before you dive into allll the K-Pop routines!
It’s important to keep in mind that K-Pop choreography doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Choreographers from all over the world put together the routines for your favorite groups, and those choreographers have unique styles and dance backgrounds that are worth learning about!
For example, if a certain choreographer regularly creates routines for your favorite group, and that choreographer is a big fan of Jazz dance steps and lots of hair movements, it might be worth it to take their classes directly so that you can perfect those skills.
Here are a few K-Pop choreographers who you can train with on STEEZY:
Choreographer Brian Puspos is known for working with BTS and being one of Jimin’s favorite dancers.
Teen dancer sensation Bailey Sok choreographed for Red Velvet.
Swag queen Rie Hata is the genius behind several NCT, BTS, and Red Velvet routines.
All of these K-Pop choreographers and many more (Ian Eastwood, Lyle Beniga, Ellen Kim…) have classes on STEEZY Studio that will teach you how to dance smooth, sharp, fast, slow – everything!
Planning to make your own K-Pop dance cover video?
Now that we know what K-Pop is and how to do K-Pop dances, the last step is learning how to look the part!
Make sure you:
1.
Wear a mix of fitted clothing pieces like skinny jeans and tight tops, combined with clothing that’s loose and baggy. The fitted clothes will show the lines of your body as they cut through the air while the baggy pieces will add more motion to each of your movements. Leggings or shorts with a loose buttoned-up shirt or a skirt with bike shorts underneath are great options. Use the music videos for inspiration.
2. Have fun with your hair – it’s often part of the choreography! You can search “k-pop hair ideas” on Pinterest to come up with fun ways to style ponytails, pigtails, and braids that will complement your outfit.
3. Set up the “set” you’re going to dance in front of! You don’t need to do something super fancy like the music videos themselves – mainly focus on creating a set that’s visually interesting without being distracting. If you want a city skyline in your background, you can dance on the high floor of a parking garage. You can use brightly colored walls in your town as a backdrop.
You can throw some string lights behind you in your bedroom or make use of a color changing bulb. Just make sure there isn’t any clutter in your space!
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Now, who’s ready to learn some K-Pop moves?
Head over to STEEZY Studio and immerse yourself in the K-Pop world y’all!
Related article: 4 of the All Time Greatest K-Pop Groups Everyone Should Know
10 K-pop Dance Tips & Tricks For Beginners
If you’re new to dancing and thinking of where to start, you’ve come to the right place. K-pop dance is beginner-friendly, free, and can be done at home by yourself.
K-pop dance is a form of cardio exercise that tones your entire body. It is also a perfect way for you to boost your self-confidence as you replicate concepts and personas just like your favourite idols.
As a K-pop cover dancer myself, I would like to share 10 tips and tricks that will help make your learning journey a fruitful and enjoyable one.
1. Choose a suitable K-pop dance choreography
The difficulty levels of K-pop dance choreographies range from super simple to challenging even for seasoned dancers.
If you are a total beginner with no prior dance experience, start with an easy choreography.
Image adapted from: Big Hit Labels
3 factors can help you determine the difficulty of a choreography: repetition, speed, and style of song.
Repetition refers to how often dance moves are repeated throughout the song. Speed refers to the tempo of the song and how many steps there are in 8 counts. Style refers to the overall concept of the dance, such as “sexy”, “swag”, and “cute”.
Beginner-friendly choreographies usually entail repetitive dance moves without half-counts. In terms of style, cute concepts are the easiest to emulate while powerful concepts tend to require more control and speed.
Here are some examples of beginner-friendly choreographies:
Very Very Very – I.O.I
아이오아이 (I.O.I) - 너무너무너무 (Very Very Very) MV
Mic Drop – BTS
BTS (방탄소년단) 'MIC Drop (Steve Aoki Remix)' Official MV
2.
Choose a member to copy from
Image adapted from: BLACKPINK
Most K-pop songs performed by idol groups have dance moves that differ among members, especially during solo parts. Choosing a member to copy from simplifies the learning process.
Image adapted from: SMTOWN
Generally, rappers give off more “swag” when they dance, main dancers deal with slightly trickier choreography for their solo parts, and the visual members of the group focus more on stage presence and facial expressions.
3. Source for good mirrored dance videos on YouTube
One way to learn K-pop dance is through mirrored videos of dance practices, fancams, and live performances. A good mirrored dance video shows a high-quality full-body view with no interruptions for the entire duration of the song.
Image adapted from: K-Pop Dance Mirror
Entertainment companies usually release dance practice videos of title tracks during their idols’ comebacks.
Such dance practice videos are perfect learning material because of the clarity in showing both the choreography and overall formations.
Image adapted from: M2
Fancam videos and live performances, on the other hand, are best when you are trying to pick up smaller details such as facial expressions and gestures. These zoomed-in videos are usually not mirrored, but they are good reference for details that you cannot find in dance practice videos.
4. Set small goals and divide the choreography
Dividing the choreography into segments – first verse, chorus, bridge, or even by seconds – allows you to set small goals for each practice session and to plan a rough timeline for yourself. Having small goals and achieving them also keeps you motivated throughout the learning process.
There’s no hard and fast rule that dictates the need to learn from the start of the song. You can start from any part of the song you like, and you don’t have to learn the full choreography if you prefer not to.
5. Find a learning style that works best for you
In K-pop dance, learning styles can differ greatly but no one style trumps another.
Most people would first slow down choreography videos, usually at 0.5x, 0.75x, and 0.9x, when learning. After this step, three variables determine your learning style.
How to break down dance steps
Image adapted from: 여자친구 GFRIEND OFFICIAL
It is natural for seasoned dancers to learn the dance steps by counting, but it might not be as intuitive for beginners. If you find yourself struggling to break steps down into counts, you can try matching the dance moves to the lyrics or beats in the song instead.
Level of detail to capture
Image adapted from: BLACKPINK
You should decide for yourself how detailed you want to be during the initial learning stage. Some choose to learn the overall choreography for an entire part first before moving on to small details such as gestures and gaze.
Learning order
Image adapted from: TREASURE (트레저)
Some choose to learn a short part at 0.5x speed, repeat, and only move on to a new dance move after they are able to do it at full speed. Others prefer to learn an entire verse at a slower speed before trying it at full speed. It all depends on what you are comfortable with.
6. Break down difficult steps
In any choreography, there are bound to be moves that seem unfamiliar and difficult to execute.
Break it down by observing which body parts are used to execute it. Key body parts to note are the chest, arms, hip, and knees.
Image adapted from: Stone Music Entertainment
Mimic the dance movement while focusing on the different body parts involved. Through trial and error, you will be able to identify which is the key body part that guides the rest of the body in executing the difficult dance move.
Certain dance moves such as chest isolations and body waves appear often in K-pop dances in nuanced variations. Therefore, having the habit of breaking down difficult steps will gradually increase your learning speed and improve your execution of such steps.
7. Refer to dance tutorials
Dance tutorials are helpful when you find yourself struggling with breaking down the steps by yourself.
However, dance tutorials might not always follow the exact way idols execute dance moves. They are usually also member-specific, so you might not be able to find a tutorial for solo parts of the member that you are covering.
Here are a few YouTube channels with easy-to-follow K-pop dance tutorials:
Lisa Rhee
Here is her tutorial for BLACKPINK’s How You Like That:
BLACKPINK - 'How You Like That' - Lisa Rhee Dance Tutorial
LEIA
Here is her tutorial of TWICE’s More & More:
[FULL TUTORIAL] TWICE - 'MORE & MORE' - Dance Tutorial - FULL EXPLANATION
Ellen and Brian
Here is Brian’s tutorial of TXT’s Can’t You See Me:
TXT - 'Can't You See Me' Dance Tutorial (Explanation + Mirrored) | Ellen and Brian
8.
Learn facial expressions and lip-sync partsImage adapted from: BLACKPINK
Facial expressions add flair to the dance. The best way to learn facial expressions is by watching videos of live music performances with close-up shots of the idols.
While lip-syncing is not a must for K-pop dance covers, it helps you emulate the idol persona better and makes your cover more well-rounded. For those who are unfamiliar with the Korean language, you can look for romanised song lyrics on websites such as Color Coded Lyrics and KPOPEASY.
9. Record and review your dance practices
Consolidate your learning and track your progress over time by recording your dance practices. Always ensure that you stay in frame and that the camera captures your full body. Try using a tripod or placing your camera on a chair.
If you don’t have a full-length mirror at home, a dance practice video is essential in showing how your entire body looks when you dance.
Recording yourself will also help you discover your dancing “bad habits”. For example, I only discovered my habit of staring at the ground after I reviewed my recorded dance practice recordings.
Image adapted from: Victoria Ow and MNH Entertainment
You can also create side-by-side comparison videos of your dance practice vs. the idols’ original choreography. This helps brush up your accuracy and timing when executing moves.
10. Explore different K-pop dance styles
Certain dance styles have go-to moves. After you pick up a few choreographies of the same genre, you’ll be familiar with it. But don’t limit yourself to just one genre – move out of your comfort zone instead.
Image adapted from (clockwise from top-left): APRIL, JAY PARK, ATEEZ and Stone Music Entertainment
K-pop dance offers a wide variety of concepts. It is an opportunity to branch out to other dance genres, such as street jazz, urban, and hip hop, all of which are increasingly being integrated into K-pop dance choreographies.
K-pop dance for beginners
With K-pop dance, there is no need to worry about techniques or basics because it will come to you naturally over time with practice. The plethora of concepts and choreography difficulties will allow beginners such as yourself to be motivated to grow as a dancer.
The ultimate beauty of K-pop dance lies in the fact that there will always be a space for anyone at any stage of their dance journey. My K-pop dance journey for the past 8 years has been deeply fulfilling and I am sure that it will be the same for you too.
Here are other Hallyu-related articles:
- K-pop comebacks in August 2020
- Korean Instagram photo tips
- Underrated K-dramas
- Romantic K-dramas
- Top K-drama OSTs
Cover image adapted from: BLACKPINK
K-pop dance: become a member of the popular girl band
Fandom
If you have long dreamed of learning how to dance like idols from your favorite tracks, then we will help! You know that the easiest way is to watch the instructional videos that the bands themselves release.
Now you can also learn a couple of moves to captivate your subscribers, or learn for yourself just to cheer you up. Almost every girl group has a video clip in which they step by step dismantle and practice the dance. Recently, BLACPINK released such a clip for the new How You Like That.
- Photo
- giphy
But before we move on to practice, here are a few rules for a successful dance lesson:
-
Find a free space where you feel comfortable waving your arms. This is very important, because while dancing you need to have fun without fear of crashing into a wall or breaking something;
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See that no one disturbs or distracts you;
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Try to find a bigger mirror. It will be perfect if you have one in full growth. So you can see your mistakes and correct them;
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Wear loose clothing and shoes that are comfortable to dance in;
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While dancing, look at your every move and enjoy the process.
Remember! The first time, it may not turn out the way you wanted it. But constant practice will help you achieve better results. So, let's start our dance lesson!
1. (G)-IDLE
Not so long ago, a new girl band song was released, which captivated everyone with graceful images and beautiful movements. If you're just getting started in K-Pop, then this is for you. At first glance, the movements may seem difficult, but training will show that they are quite doable. And practice training will help you learn them faster. If you find it difficult to learn from the videos of the idols themselves, then watch the tutorial that will help you understand each movement.
2. ITZY
ITZY is a young group that is considered the next generation of TWICE. Their debut was quite recently - in 2019, but they have already gained popularity and love around the world. Also, ITZY's songs are different from TWICE's concept: they are more energetic and have more choreographic movements.
If you are a beginner, then it is better to learn k-pop dances with TWICE. And then move on to more complex choreography by the talented ITZY. Again, we leave you a tutorial for a better understanding and analysis of movements:
3. TWICE
On June 1, MORE & MORE music video was released. It is from here that we suggest that you study the movements. Why? They are uncomplicated, groovy, and easy to use in a normal dance. Pay special attention to Momo - she has been dancing professionally since childhood, and in the group she takes the place of the lead dancer. So we advise you to repeat exactly her party.
Well, if it's hard to follow an idol in a dance, check out the tutorial here :)
4. IZ*ONE
IZ*ONE is also a young girl group that won the Produce 48 survival show. on the international fan accounts of Korean stars. In the summer, most often K-pop releases singles or videos with dance practices. IZ*ONE is no exception. They recently released a new track that we are happy to recommend you listen to - Secret Story of the Swan.
The dance is graceful and simple. Each movement takes place in time with the music, so learning it will not be so difficult. By the way, the lead dancer in the group is Jena.
And, as always, a tutorial to make it easier for you to understand the movements.
5. MOMOLAND
MOMOLAND debuted back in 2016, but it was the song Bboom Bboom, released in 2018, that brought them a real sensation. And at the beginning of 2020, they released a new track Thumbs Up. In almost every group MV, the idol movements are similar. Take note of this and peep the movements of the girls not only in the latest clip, but also in your favorite hits of the group.
The last tutorial to help you better understand the MOMOLAND dance can be found here:
and most importantly: do not be shy to publish your Dance Cavers and enjoy the Korean pop culture;)
Elizabeth Boboshko
Tags
- Korea
- Iidola
- K-Pop
- Dancings
- BlackKink TWICE
- Momoland
K-POP: culture and dance
Someone is in the subject, someone is at a loss.
And we have to be on the same wavelength.
A K-POP dance direction has been launched at the Baza – let's talk about it!
K-Pop - short for "Korean pop" - is a huge culture that is rapidly developing and gaining popularity. A huge number of fans of the genre, South Korean boy bands, girl bands and solo artists are growing day by day - including in Russia! There is one important term in K-Pop culture - "idol". That's what South Korean pop stars are called! This designation was not chosen in vain - idols must be impeccable, this is their path and mission. Appearance, vocals, the ability to behave in public and, of course, dancing. All skills must be perfect! Idols should always be in an image that is ideal in the eyes of the public.
Well, the dance direction of K-Pop is based on the stage choreography of those same idols and directly depends on the development of the industry. In the first ten years, during the early stages of K-Pop, dancing wasn't that important.
They performed an exclusively decorative function: the productions were not difficult - so that fans could easily memorize them and be able to repeat them on their own. Over time, the choreography became more complex - and by the beginning of the third generation, it became as important as the musical component of any show. Moreover, they began to add acrobatic elements to the performances! As a result, the trend has passed - today choreographers use the personal skills of the group members more as a guide - it is on their basis that they develop dance concepts.
So what kind of dance direction is K-Pop? Bright, scenic, deep in its cultural component! You will not just repeat the movements of idols - you will immerse yourself in a special environment: stage preparation, musicality, self-confidence. K-Pop dance is beautiful, technical, empowering, and exciting to a new world. They include elements of different directions and a wide variety of techniques: something from hip-hop, something reminiscent of jazz funk, something in the style of Vogue!