Cherry Chu’s favourite dancers in K-pop

There’s no denying that K-pop is home to some incredible dancers. But who are our top picks?

Who is your favourite dancer in the K-pop industry? Image: SHINee Official Twitter/X.

The dances are what draw many people to the K-pop genre with choreography being diversified constantly to match trends. While every member of a K-pop group needs to be able to dance, there are those standout members that take it to another level. The main dancer title is one that fans take pride in. From the second generation icon that is SHINee’s Taemin to newer idols like aespa’s Karina, the title of best dancer in K-pop is divisive to say the least. Many debates on social media have become heated, with fans throwing a variety of names out of who truly is number one.

But with dance being as subjective as it is, it all comes down to personal taste, and here are the Cherry Chu team’s favourite dancers in K-pop!

Chelsea, Founder & Editor-in-chief

"Are you even talking about K-pop dance if Jimin (BTS) isn't mentioned? With classical training under his belt it's no wonder that he moves in a way that can only be described as angelic.

His 2019 MMA solo performance of "I NEED U" will always bring me to tears; there's something so magical about the way he glides along the stage as though he's ice skating. I became ARMY in 2018 after watching the "DNA" music video, but it will always be thanks to Jimin's standout dancing (gorgeous visuals, and hilarious personality also) that I fully fell down the BTS rabbit hole.

And while Jimin takes the top spot for me, a special mention has to go to Jungkook in his latest MV "Standing Next to You"; what do they put in the water at HYBE?! Each BTS solo just proves how inexplicably talented each of the members are. I swear they get better at their craft each time they release something new, and I can't wait to see what 2025 brings to the table."

Abby, South Korea Correspondent & Assistant Editor

“When I think of the best dancers in K-pop a few names instantly spring to mind. I always love to watch Taemin perform; he has a musicality which is very satisfying to watch and seems to go into his own world when he's on the stage.

I also love watching Kazuha from Le Sserafim; I think that her ballet background is very unique to her dance style in the way she holds herself and her posture. There are so many talented dancers in K-pop that have skills in different dance styles too, but these two stand out to me most of all.”

Gabii, Assistant Editor

“K-pop dancers each bring their own unique flavour. One of the most well-loved is Taemin, and it’s easy to see why! Across both his work as a SHINee member and a soloist, Taemin has developed a distinct, fluid style of dance that is easily attributed to him and has established him as the “idol’s idol”.

From effortless isolations to iconic signature poses, he is constantly reinventing K-pop dance. “MOVE” arguably laid the foundations for more sensual, sultry movements in K-pop over sharp, masculine intensity, whilst Taemin described his “Guilty” comeback as blending gender boundaries: “What I wanted was something genderless that still feels natural… I wanted to show something sensational”.

His androgynous, subtle style amalgamates dance from various genres and experiences; from the popping, locking, jazz, ballroom blending dances of Michael Jackson to his work alongside world-famous choreographer Ian Eastwood, and at LA’s Millenium Dance Complex. Each has contributed to create the Taemin choreographies and dance style we all know and love, establishing him as one of the best — and my personal favourite!”

Amy, Contributor

“Hoshi from SEVENTEEN has to be one of the best dancers in K-pop. You could watch any SEVENTEEN video and Hoshi instantly stands out with his charisma and sharp moves. Since their debut in 2015, Hoshi has always put 100% effort into his dances and leads the performance team by example.

Any CARAT knows that Hoshi is a huge fan of SHINee’s Taemin and I think Taemin’s influence clearly comes through in Hoshi’s own style. His ability to choreograph dances that fit any genre or mood is incredibly impressive. His dance for “Spider” sees Hoshi suspending himself upside down at the start of the spectacle, which is an impressive feat for any dancer.

Compare this to “Fighting”, which shows off his more cheeky side. Whether he is tasked with cute concepts or more mature dances, his energy can match any situation with his equal levels of strength and subtlety. He was born to be a dancer!

Ana Truesdale, Contributor

“When I think of strong K-pop dancers I'm always drawn to the idols who have impressive musicality and bring real charisma to their performances.

I feel like the dancer who best shows off both of these aspects is BTS' j-hope. His groove is insane — it feels like the music flows through his body. You can really tell that, for him, dancing is a craft he's honed for years and years. Since we have videos of him rehearsing from early in BTS's career to now, you can see how he is still dedicated to improving his skills.

I remember seeing him live at Wembley Stadium and his upbeat energy is magnetic and infectious even on such a huge stage.”

Whilst these are our top choices, there are many more talented movers and shakers in the industry — so who is your favourite dancer in K-pop? Let us know in the comments below.

Introduction by Amy Britton. Edited by Gabii Rayner.