K-pop ‘killing choreography’ and TikTok
K-pop groups are known for their killer choreography and their dances are often what attract so many people to the genre.
(G)I-DLE’s comeback, Queencard, has received a lot of attention with its accompanying TikTok challenge. Image: (G)I-DLE Official Twitter.
In more recent years, there has been an increase in K-pop fans complaining about how dance routines have become too simple to be interesting. With the popularity of TikTok and the surge in TikTok dance trends taking over the western world, it’s no surprise that K-pop companies and groups have taken the opportunity to promote their new releases through dance trends. The more people that engage with the song on TikTok, the more exposure the group gets and therefore the incentive to create simple and fun dances that anyone could try is apparent.
A shift in the genre?
The second and third generations within K-pop have showcased some insane dance talent, and a multitude of groups have highlighted the importance of dance within K-pop. SHINee’s high energy tutting dance for “LUCIFER”, SEVENTEEN blowing the minds of fans with their synchronisation, and BLACKPINK’s head spinning choreography for “BOOMBAYAH” are just a few examples.
Longtime K-pop fans may be more aware of this apparent shift from inimitable dances to simple TikTok challenges, and may be disappointed by the focus on TikTok challenges due to the high standards and often ‘wild’ dances that they have been used to.
However, this isn’t to say that dance trends didn’t exist in these eras. TWICE have been known for their ‘easy to copy’ point moves since their debut. From the hand movements in “TT” to the cheerleading moves in “CHEER UP”, TWICE fans had been covering these cute choreographies for years before the popularity of TikTok really took off. A lot of the most viral K-pop dance moves have been the most straightforward and give the choreography a clean look.
Easy promotion
There is no doubt that TikTok is the place to be if a K-pop group wants to promote their latest comebacks. Funny skits that are easy to film and trending sounds can allow a group to increase their reach to both fans of K-pop and those outside of the genre. ENHYPEN’s track “Polaroid Love” took the world by storm thanks to the fanmade TikTok dance.
In spite of the track being a b-side, its popularity outgrew the group’s title track “Blessed-Cursed” owing to fans promoting the track on TikTok with the simple but cute choreography that even non-K-pop fans were trying out. Soon the track was inescapable with other platforms such as Spotify adding it to their daily playlists. This led to other groups creating simple choreographies for their tracks in hopes that they would trend on TikTok and garner more attention.
For other groups, rather than diluting their choreography for the sake of it being easier for fans to learn, they’ve taken the original dance and made an easier version of it for their TikTok challenge. Lee Chaeyeon has recently done this with her track “KNOCK”. By taking some of the original hand movements and removing a lot of the complex footwork, Chaeyeon was able to maintain her high level of skill whilst also creating a separate version of the choreography for fans to try out.
Is it really that serious?
Whilst it’s impressive for groups to have incredibly difficult choreographies, is it really that serious for a group to have some fun for once? Every once in a while it can be good for groups to have a comeback that has a less demanding choreography. Idols are working constantly to provide fans with perfect vocals and immaculate performances and all with very few breaks. A simple choreography can give idols a well deserved break and a chance to just enjoy themselves on stage for once. TikTok challenges also provide fans with interactions between their favourite idol groups. For an industry that seems so set on limiting interactions between artists, TikTok challenges have given groups the opportunity to collaborate and share their dances with each other. From Momo and Kai to global popstar Sabrina Carpenter with ENHYPEN, TikTok dance challenges have given us some unexpected but extremely iconic crossovers.
Overall, it seems there’s been a shift towards creating easier choreographies in order to suit TikTok challenges. Whether this is a bad thing or not is still left to be debated. However, it’s clear that simple TikTok challenges give fans something fun to get involved with. They’re inclusive and are open to fans of all skill levels. If both the groups and fans enjoy dancing to these challenges, there should be no problem with K-pop groups pandering towards what their fans want.
Have you ever taken part in a TikTok challenge or do you prefer to watch the professionals take to the stage? Let us know in the comments below.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
