K-pop has conquered the world not only for its innovative sound but also for the strength of its dances. Choreographies are a vital part of each group's identity, drawing attention for their creativity, synchronization, and high technical level. Below, get to know the main types of choreographies in K-pop and why they have become a global reference in performance.
Table of Contents
Formation Dance
The formation choreography is one of the trademarks of K-pop. In it, the constantly change positions on stage, forming lines, circles, diagonals, and other impressive visual shapes. Each formation change is planned to create visual impact, maintain the dynamics of the performance, and highlight different at key moments.
This type of choreography demands discipline and a lot of practice, as success depends on all the moving with millimeter precision. Groups like SHINee, with "Sherlock," and BTS, in "DNA," are classic examples: the dance comes to life with flawless transitions that fit with the beat of the music, making the performance unforgettable. Well-crafted formations also help the audience identify who is in the spotlight in each part of the song, facilitating the connection between the artist and fans.
Mirror Dance
In the mirrored style, all participants perform identical and synchronized movements, as if they were the reflection of one another. This uniformity impresses not only for its visual beauty but also for the demonstration of technique and dedication in training. The more synchronized they are, the greater the impact on the audience.
It's common for this type of choreography to appear in the chorus or the main parts of the song, creating a hypnotizing effect. BIGBANG in “Bang Bang Bang” and ITZY with “Dalla Dalla” are references for the use of this technique. Many groups also release “mirror dance” videos to challenge fans and even encourage viral challenges on social media, showing how crucial synchronization is for the success of a K-pop performance.
Partnership Choreography (Pairing/Unit Dance)
The partnership choreography divides the group into pairs or small subgroups, known as units, to perform movements together or interactively. This adds variety to the performance, allows for individual skills to be highlighted, and creates moments of greater closeness among the on stage. The duos can alternate between synchronized and complementary movements, forming shapes or telling a small story within the music.
A great example is “Don’t Wanna Cry” by SEVENTEEN, where units swap positions and create new dynamics in each part of the song. This format is also used in songs with distinct rap or vocal sections to highlight the talents of each member more. Additionally, the units allow the audience to get to know different combinations and interactions within the group, keeping the performance interesting and unpredictable.
Urban Dance Style Choreography
The influence of urban dance is increasingly strong in K-pop. Styles such as hip-hop, popping, locking, krump, and breakdance are incorporated to make the performance more energetic and modern. Urban choreography often features fast steps, sharp movements, and a lot of bodily expressiveness, creating a striking contrast with the softer parts of the music.
Stray Kids in “God’s Menu” and BTS In "Fire," they bring intense movements, blending strength and precision with elements of street dance. The use of urban dance allows groups to experiment with different styles, convey more personality, and even create their own identity for each comeback. Many idols, in fact, train with internationally renowned choreographers to ensure authentic and innovative performances.
Choreography with Props (Props Dance)
The use of props in choreographies adds an extra layer of difficulty and creativity. Items like chairs, scarves, hats, canes, fans, or umbrellas are incorporated into the movements, transforming the stage into a true visual spectacle. The manipulation of objects requires a lot of coordination, as any slip can compromise the entire performance.
Groups like f(x), in “Rum Pum Pum Pum” (with drums), and TWICE, in “Likey” (with fake cameras), are examples of this style. In addition to enhancing the performance, the use of props often goes viral quickly, as fans enjoy replicating the movements with the same objects. Well-used props help embed the song in the audience's memory and differentiate one comeback from other releases.
Contemporary Dance Choreography
Contemporary dance in K-pop mainly emerges in more emotional or conceptual songs. With fluid, artistic, and expressive movements, this style seeks to convey deep feelings and emotionally connect with the audience. Generally, there is greater freedom of movement, use of the floor, and an emphasis on body interpretation.
Taemin (SHINee), in "Move", is one of the greatest representatives of this style, mixing sensuality, smoothness, and technique. LOONAIn "Butterfly", it also explores contemporary dance to convey lightness and poetry. This type of choreography showcases the versatility of the idols and highlights the artistic side of dance in K-pop, going beyond traditional synchronized steps.
Choreography "Point Dance" (Striking Movement)
The "point dance" is the main step or gesture of the choreography, the one that everyone recognizes and can imitate, even those who are not fans. Simple or elaborate, it is designed to go viral on social media and help promote the song. Many times, this movement becomes a trademark of the group or the comeback.
Classic examples include the "TT" gesture with hands on the face from TWICE, the finger heart in "Gee" (Girls’ Generation), or the shooting move from "Bang Bang Bang" (BIGBANG). The success of "point dance" lies in its visual appeal and ease of replication, serving as a gateway for new fans and helping the group reach an even larger audience.
Large Group Dance
When a group has many , like SEVENTEEN (13 ) or NCT (with several units), the choreography of a large group impresses with its scale and synchronization. Mass movements, quick formation changes, wave-like visual effects, and line divisions make the performance seem even more spectacular.
The difficulty increases, as each member needs to know exactly where to be at every moment, without collisions or failures in synchronization. This type of choreography explores the visual potential of large groups, maximizing the use of the stage and delivering memorable shows that capture the audience's attention from start to finish.
Choreography of Storytelling (Narrative Dance)
The narrative dance, or storytelling dance, is an approach in which choreography serves to tell a story or illustrate the lyrics of the song. Instead of focusing only on synchronized movements or visual figures, the steps translate feelings, situations, and even fictional dialogues. This brings the audience closer to the message and allows the performance to be understood even without understanding the language.
A good example of this type of choreography is "Spring Day" by BTS, where gestures, glances, and positions of the help convey themes of longing and reunion. "Love Scenario" by iKON also adopts narrative elements, with steps that refer to farewells and memories. Storytelling dance demands from the idols not only technique but also expressiveness and acting ability.
Floor Work Choreography (Dance on the Floor)
Some K-pop choreographies make intensive use of the floor work, with lying movements, rolls, hand and leg s, and smooth transitions between levels. This type of dance adds visual variety, requires physical strength and flexibility, and provides a dramatic and intense atmosphere in certain songs.
Notable examples include “Fake Love” by BTS and “Say My Name” by ATEEZ, where the alternate between standing and being on the floor, creating dynamic and unexpected transitions. The use of the floor is more common in emotional songs or in choreography inspired by contemporary dance, giving a more performative air to the presentation.
Isolation Dance
Isolation is a technique inherited from popping and urban styles, where the dancer moves one part of the body at a time, creating robotic or segmented effects. This type of choreography highlights the body control of idols and adds an element of surprise and impact, often synchronized with sound effects or beats of the music.
We can see this feature in “Cherry Bomb” by NCT 127 and “Monster” by EXO. The isolated movements create a striking contrast with more fluid steps, making the performance more interesting and showcasing the versatility of the groups on stage.
Choreography of "Canon" or Dance in Canon
In the choreography of "canon," each member repeats the same movement in sequence, like a progressive wave across the group. This style creates fascinating visual effects and highlights the precision of timing, as any mistake can break the visual rhythm. The canon effect is widely used to intensify choruses, bridges, or endings of songs.
An example of this appears in “Not Today” by BTS, especially in the chorus, and in “Move” by Taemin, during transition moments between the verses. The canon is an intelligent stage trick that highlights synchronization and enhances the impact of the performance.
Free Style (Improvisation) Choreography
Although K-pop is famous for highly choreographed routines, some songs or live performances include segments of free style, where the improvise movements, interact with fans, or showcase individual dancing styles. This space of freedom creates a more spontaneous connection with the audience and reveals the particular talents of each idol.
Groups like SEVENTEEN and MONSTA X often incorporate these moments into their shows, allowing lead dancers to shine or for everyone to showcase their personality. Free style also appears in covers or special videos, encouraging creativity and refreshing the repertoire of movements.
Choreography of Hand Dance (Dance with the Hands)
Some K-pop choreographies focus on detailed and synchronized movements of the hands and arms, creating designs in the air or symbolizing words and emotions. This type of choreography often goes viral on social media because it is more accessible to the audience, making it easier for covers and challenges.
A classic example is “TT” by TWICE, whose gesture became a worldwide craze, and “Love Shot” by EXO, famous for its sensual hand movement. Hand dance highlights delicacy, coordination, and also the creativity of choreographers, adding charm and uniqueness to the music.
Double Center Dance
In large groups, it is common to divide the choreographic leadership between two main during certain parts of the music. In this approach, two stay in the center, leading mirrored or complementary steps, enhancing the dynamism of the performance. This technique also allows for variations in focus and showcases different talents within the group.
Songs like "How You Like That" by BLACKPINK and "Feel Special" by TWICE alternate between double centers and solos, diversifying the energy on stage. The double center dance makes performances less predictable and encourages fans to connect with more than one idol.
