K-Pop Fans Divided Over Viral Tweet About Idol Backup Dancers “Being Extra”

The tweet has since gotten over 11.9M views.
News
Jenny Kang
Jenny Kang

A tweet about K-Pop idols’ backup dancers is now mega-viral, with over 11.9M views.

DtZeysSVAAUTtLm
Unrelated photo of BLACKPINK’s Jennie for illustrative purposes. | @JennieDCGallery/X

It pleaded with “dancer unnies” who “overdo” the choreographies:

Can the dancer unnies please stop overdoing everything? Now that I’ve started noticing them, I cannot stop. Like, what is the reason for them to be biting their lips and sticking their tongues out?

— @411cart/X

The tweet, coming from an aespa fan, is assumed to have been triggered by a recent “challenge” featuring member Karina. One of the dancers—tagged in the video as szan—is, allegedly, overdoing the challenge and casting a shadow over the idol who “should be the center of the attention.”

The tweet has since sparked a deep divide among idol fans. Those from different fandoms circulated the tweet with videos from other backup dancers “stealing the spotlight” from idols—accusing the dancers of “taking their Street Woman Fighter era too far”…

This tweet immediately reminded me of this, LMAO. The dancer on the right… Sigh.

— @ssummercuba/X

I actually went to a Stray Kids concert, saw this, and cringed so hard.

— @__potato99/X

Sigh. This is a huge problem for SEVENTEEN, too. I’ve never, ever seen a dancer’s birthday be celebrated at an idol group’s concert.

— @yeeeeeeeeee_e_e/X

It’s Street Woman Fighter that f*cked it all up.

— @dlwngk_00/X

I know some people are saying it’s literally their job to dance. But they can go hard and be extra when it’s THEIR stage to take. When they’re on the job as backup dancers, they need to be highlighting the idols.

— @cort_nyang/X

It’s f*cking hilarious how she’s falling behind the beat because she was too busy overdoing it.

— @Ssssooo0_/X

…while others disregarded the hate and praised the dancers for doing their jobs and adding unique vibes to all the performances.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to understand why some people are mocking this dancer for dancing, which is her job.

— @ocxzaq/X

Backup dancers around the world laugh on stage, or make faces on stage depending on what the concept of the song is. It’s only in Korea that dancers are shamed for being in the moment. They do their jobs and they’re accused of being extra. Koreans really want everyone to dance like robots carrying out duties, huh? I’m sure those performances would be a blast to watch.

— @Romantdumpling/X

For real… What is wrong with this world? People are hating on a dancer for dancing?! LOL. Listen, if a dancer can outshine your bias… Maybe it’s your bias’s fault. For f*ck’s sake… Even in the challenge video, I think it looks fine with Karina in the center and the two dancers balancing her out. Why the fuss? Remember that these dancers are far closer to the idols than you all will ever be.

— @hihiphi00/X

It only makes sense, coming from a nation whose typical cause of bullying is for being different.

— @ikurataku/X

Let the dancers overdo it if they want. It’s not like the idols themselves have issues with it. This is all just hilarious.

— @chikpokk/X

Some international fans have also noticed szan—though their reactions were, as usual, far different from the Korean ones.

Screenshot 2024-08-20 at 5.25.24 PM
| @aespa_official/Instagram
Source: theqoo
Next Page
Scroll to top