K-Pop Choreographers Reveal The Truth About “Dangerous” Idol Dance Moves
Every K-Pop group strives to make their performances more showstopping with each comeback, but sometimes their cool new moves veer into dangerous territory. Do choreographers really not care about the risks of some of these moves? Two industry veterans revealed their take.
Over the years, Code 88 dance team leaders Ko Kyung Joon and Lee Yu Jong have trained and created choreography for some of the most-loved groups in K-Pop, including MONSTA X, VICTON, STAYC, and ASTRO. In a new “Comment Defenders” interview with AYO on YouTube, when one commenter criticized choreographers for creating so-called dangerous dances, Ko and Lee explained the truth.
Idol choreography that looks dangerous. People who make choreography like that are so selfish. It’s like the choreographer made it saying ‘when I was your age’.
— AYO commenter
Some of the most popular songs from recent years have been called out for putting idols at risk. In NCT127‘s “Cherry Bomb,” for example, the members perform a backbend that could easily cause serious harm if anyone lost their balance.
Meanwhile, in the original choreography for Brave Girls‘ “Rollin’,” the members had to stand on tiny stools while performing the chorus. While the dance has since been amended, presumably for safety, Yuna actually once fell while dancing to the song on stage.
No one wants to see their idols get hurt, so it’s no surprise that fans have called out choreographers for these moves. But while the AYO commenter called them “selfish,” Lee Yu Jong says that’s not necessarily the case. “Of course some moves may look dangerous,” he explained, but added that good choreographers won’t create dances they couldn’t perform themselves.
Lee went on to say that while fans might be worried about their favorite stars, “We know how to dance without getting injured or feeling any pain, so we give those tips to members.” Ko Kyung Joon chimed in too, assuring viewers that he would never “force” any idol to perform a routine they couldn’t handle.
I would never force a member who has bad knees saying, ‘You need to do this no matter what!’ [or] ‘Hold it and kneel down even if it’s painful!’
— Ko Kyung Joon
Ko continued, “We change it if the artist ever says it’s painful and uncomfortable to dance,” and Lee Yu Jong agreed with his sentiments. Lee explained that choreographers and dance trainers really want to see idols perform well for a long time, so they won’t carelessly create moves that would put stars in danger.
