K-Pop dance is fun to learn, whether it's for dancers who want to take on a new challenge or fans who want to take their love for the genre to a higher level. With perseverance and lots of practice, you can master the moves of your favorite songs like a real K-Pop idol!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Choosing a Song
Step 1. Choose a girl group song if you want to try a cheerful dance
Each girl K-Pop group has a unique style with songs that vary, from sweet music to vibrant and great. Girl group dances tend to be energetic, seductive, coquettish, and exciting. Choose a group that you like and want to emulate, but remember to consider their skill level. Gradually, you can try more challenging dances from groups like Girls' Generation and Blackpink, but for beginners, try to pay attention to groups like:
- EXID
- Sistar
- Apink
- AOA
- Twice
Step 2. Pick a song from the boy band if you want to try a more prominent style
Male group dance styles tend to be more "rough" and powerful than female group dances. Their songs also incorporate elements of rap into an energetic K-Pop style. If you want to try a more “aggressive” dance, choose music from boy groups and get ready to do some big bold moves and high jumps! You can gradually try more challenging dances from groups like BTS and EXO. For moves that are easy for beginners to learn, consider the following groups:
- BIGBANG
- iKON
- Pentagon
Step 3. Choose a song that you like to get excited while dancing
It's important that you choose a song that excites you and makes you want to dance! You can have fun while learning the dance. This joy and energy will make you more determined to master the dance, even when the dance moves are difficult.
Remember that you don't have to choose a girl group song if you are a girl, or a boy group song if you are a boy. Choose whatever song and style you like the most
Step 4. Watch the music video or dance practice video of your chosen song (if available)
This way, you can consider whether the dance can be mastered. Before making a final decision, watch the music video or live choreography video of the desired dance to get an idea of the style and difficulty of the dance. Make sure you are physically able to do the dance. If you are a novice dancer and the dance choreography has a lot of complicated floor moves or transitions, look for another song with a simpler dance.
Do not worry! You will not learn the dance from the video. Switching cameras and editing videos will make it difficult for you to learn. You just have to watch it to get an idea of the dance moves and styles
Step 5. Make a list of the dances you want to learn
If you feel that the much-desired dance is still too difficult to master right now, don't be discouraged! Write down the songs you want to learn and use the list as motivation to start learning simpler dances. As you develop your skills and accumulate more experience, you can master the more difficult dances.
Part 2 of 4: Looking for Video Tutorials
Step 1. Look for “mirrored” video tutorials from the internet
Video tutorials are the easiest learning materials to use. On the internet, there are many tutorial videos uploaded. Use the song title as your search keyword, followed by the phrase “mirrored version” or “dance tutorial”. Whatever video you choose, make sure the camera is pointed at the dancer's back (like when studying with a dance teacher), or the video view is flipped horizontally (mirrored).
- When using a regular video (not a mirror video), you have to learn the dance "upside down". If a dancer raises her right arm, for example, you might think she's raising her left arm. Actually, all you need to do is follow the movement in the opposite direction!
- By choosing a mirror video or a video featuring the dancer from behind, you can follow each move exactly as shown on the screen.
Step 2. Follow the lead dancer's movements
Some K-Pop groups have many members and you can feel overwhelmed if you try to watch all the members at once. Therefore, choose and follow one of the main dancers.
The lead dancers are usually in the center position because the camera can capture them better. In addition, they usually do most of the main choreography, and not free dance or freestyle
Step 3. Watch the video (at least) five times
Focus on the lead dancer. Sit back, relax, and watch the full video a few times to get an idea of the choreography and timing. As much as possible focus on the dancers you follow. If you can, watch the video on a computer or television screen instead of a phone screen so you can see all the movements and small details.
K-Pop dance requires precision so the clearer the movement you can see, the better your knowledge or picture of the movement will be
Step 4. Choose and prepare a large room in your home to practice
The best place to learn dance is a large, quiet room at home. You can also practice in your own room! If you don't have a big room at home, you can work out in an empty room at the gym, in the school hallway, or even in a dance studio. What you need is a large enough space to move around, as well as internet access.
Step 5. Record yourself dancing if you don't have a big mirror
Usually, people like to dance in front of the mirror so they can see the progress and know the overall dance performance. However, the mirror itself is not something you must have. If you don't have a large mirror to use while practicing, have a camera ready to record yourself so you know what moves or areas you need to correct.
You can also practice dance without mirrors and cameras. Focus on the "feel" of the dancers' movements and appearance in the video, and try to imitate them as best you can
Part 3 of 4: Dance Following Tutorial
Step 1. Divide the dance into small segments
The best way to learn complex choreography is to master it little by little. It will be easier for you to divide the dance by song movement so that you have a musical clue that separates each segment. Generally, these segments include:
- Opening section (intro)
- stanza
- Pre-reference
- chorus
Step 2. Practice every move on the intro segment while watching the video at half normal speed
If you are watching a video via YouTube, click the “Settings” button in the right corner of the video, select “Speed”, and select “0.5”. Play the video from the beginning and stop every time you see a dancer doing a new move. Stop and replay the new movement section while slowly following the dancer's movements.
If you watch video tutorials from sites other than YouTube, find out how to play videos at a slower speed than the internet
Step 3. Study and complete the intro, focusing on the arms, then the legs
Stop and replay each move until you get the hang of it. If you find it helpful, you can focus first on arm movements in certain parts, then combine them with leg movements. Once you've mastered it, replay the video from the beginning and do all the moves, then move on to the next segment of the song.
- Maybe you feel annoyed that you have to replay a video from the beginning when you want to learn a new move right away. However, this step helps you align your movements with the times and makes your transitions neater and smoother.
- You may want to learn each move as quickly as possible, but that will only irritate you. Be patient and remember that the only way to reach the level of a K-Pop star is to practice a lot!
Step 4. Increase the rotation speed of the intro once you've mastered all the moves at half their normal speed
When you reach the last move of the intro, do all the moves again at half normal speed. After that, increase the rotating speed to “0.75” (three quarters of the original speed). Don't be afraid if you make a mistake. Focus on doing the movements roughly while recognizing the flow and emotion of each movement.
Step 5. Repeat the process for the next part of the video
Once you've mastered the intro, move on to the first stanza. Use the same process to learn each new move. Stop and replay the video at half its original speed until you know all the dance moves.
Step 6. Practice the dance from scratch each time you learn a new section
After completing the first verse, repeat the video to the beginning and play it at three-quarters of its original speed. Do all the moves you know and for now, focus on general flow and placement (not total accuracy).
Step 7. Try to learn one or two dance sections per day
Do not push yourself! K-Pop dances are quite complex so take your practice slowly and try to learn a few parts per day. Dance to the order of the parts of the song and try not to miss your daily practice sessions because once you practice less, it's easy to forget all the moves or steps you've learned.
Before starting a new section the next day, rehearse all the sections you've learned so you can always remember them
Part 4 of 4: Practicing the Dance
Step 1. Play the video at full speed once you learn all the parts
If you can do the full dance while playing the video at three-quarters of its normal speed, start playing the video at full speed. Feel the difference when you start dancing faster and make the necessary adjustments.
Step 2. Practice without the video once you learn all the dance moves
Move the computer or go to another room, then play some music and dance as much as you can without watching a guide video. It doesn't matter if you can't remember all the moves. Re-watch the video afterward to determine what needs to be improved, then try the dance again until you've mastered all the parts.
Have fun! Get into the atmosphere or character of the dance and show it through your facial expressions and movements, whether for a dance that is passionate, cheerful, coquettish, or sexy. If you try to enjoy the atmosphere, your dance will be more fun to watch and perform
Step 3. Pay attention and focus on the things that need improvement
You may need to repeat some parts of the dance or improve your overall skills, such as dancing properly or increasing your movement speed. It may take a week or more to complete the dance so be patient! Focus on improving your performance little by little every day.
Step 4. Complete the dance at least every few days so that the learned moves are not forgotten
Safe! You have successfully learned one K-Pop dance! If you want to keep it in mind, make sure you practice every few days. Plus, don't hesitate to show your friends your moves every time the dance song plays!
- If you can't physically practice the dance moves all the time, try revisiting the moves in your mind every few days. Listen to the song and imagine yourself performing each step or dance move.
- If you want to perform the dance at a show or record your performance, wear clothes that are cool and allow you to move freely, but stay in tune with the character of the song (eg sneakers and shorts or tight jeans and a shiny t-shirt).
Step 5. Be patient with yourself and don't give up
It's natural to feel annoyed because K-Pop dances are hard and fast. If you are patient and committed to practicing as much as you can, you can master it. Remember that in the end the time and effort you put in will count.
