Top 10 Hardest P-Pop Choreographies to Pull Off
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the times P-Pop choreographers popped off, creating some of the most iconic dance routines ever.
#10: “The Beast” (2022)
VXON[a]
All the keywords that come to mind when you hear the title of this song are conveyed through the choreography. The raw power, steps that match the intensity of the punchy beat, and the members’ tireless energy make this a fantastic debut single. If you recognize hints of K-Pop, it is probably because the dance was created by Korean choreographer Kim Tae-hoon. Kim has worked with some of the best new dancers in K-Pop, like ENHYPEN’s Ni-Ki and RIIZE’s Shotaro. His fresh perspective, combined with Matt Padilla’s style, and input from VXON’s leader C13, bring us an extraordinary piece that’s both addictive and memorable.
#9: “Wildest Dreams (The Sun Is Falling Remix)” (2021)
Nadine Lustre, CARELESS [b]
Versatility is her middle name. The original version of this song is an ethereal, calm and ambient track, whereas the remix is a club banger. This allows Lustre to adopt a whole new persona for the latter’s choreography. It’s more girlboss than goddess and is a fabulous look on her. Choreographer MJ Arda, known for his iconic dance group A-Team, paints a fierce and feminine picture, staying true to Nadine’s brand. Such a routine requires stamina like no other and qualifies as a solid work out. Thanks to NL’s talent, she makes it look effortless.
#8: “BANG!” (2022)
G22 [c]
They’re not called P-Pop’s Female Alphas for nothing. “BANG!”, as you can tell from the name, is a rightfully braggadocious declaration of greatness. That means the vocals, rap and dance have to be equally impactful to get the message across, which is what makes this routine so challenging. The choreo is thoroughly demanding, with elements of breakdancing, voguing, burlesque, hip-hop and dance hall. Add to that the emphatic singing and the rappers’ killer flow – you have the recipe for a work of art. Choreographer AC Lalata knew exactly what she was doing when she brought this song to life with her moves.
#7: “My Mind” (2023)
Sarah Geronimo[d] feat. Billy Crawford
The Philippines’ Popstar Royalty doesn’t play about her choreography. Sarah G, who is best known for being an ace in the entertainment industry, sets the dance floor on fire with this one. The influences of artists like Janet Jackson, EXO’s Kai and Lay Zhang are evident but what impresses the most is Sarah’s signature smoothness and swagger. She’s a performer of the highest order and it shows with how easily she takes on this routine by star choreographer Jay Joseph Roncesvalles. Her lines are ultra-clean, expressions – en pointe, and each step is charged with intention. The sheer degree of perfection is classic Sarah Geronimo. Meanwhile Billy brings a dash of charm with his street-style segment, making us swoon. What a pair!
#6: “5678” (2023)
Kaia [e]
Despite being widely known as SB19’s sister group, this P-Pop girl band is finding their own color. The strength of this dance routine comes from the synergy of the group. Each Kaia member executes their part flawlessly but at the same time, they’re all in tune with each other. Despite having no scope for rest, they look like they barely broke a sweat. That’s part of why the dance break is even more impressive. Just when you think the girls couldn’t get any more fired up, the choreo hits harder. Renowned artists Airon Jazz Rancez and Kenshin Tabion did a great job of matching their choreo to the band’s praised skills. As for us, we might be better suited to admiring than attempting.
#5: “Karera” (2023)
Bini [f]
For the girl group that captivated global fans, having class-A choreography comes as no surprise. The Bini members have made a name for their dancing skills but their performance in “Karera” is a cut above the rest. The dynamic formations offer a satisfying visual experience, amplified by the seamless synchronization. There are sweeping movements to give the routine a grand feeling but more delicate gestures are also peppered in for flavor. There’s even sign language integrated to connect with fans in the deaf community. Don’t underestimate the difficulty level from how bright and airy this routine looks. The footwork is intricate and it must require immense core strength to keep up the fast pace. Clearly, they put in the hours and it paid off.
#4: “No Way Man” (2022)
MNL48[g]
Any choreography could get a hundred times harder if you have to do it with a group. When the group is as large as MNL48, that task understandably becomes herculean. For this track, sixteen members come together and they allow zero room for error. The breathless dance routine of “No Way Man”, filled with kicks, lifts, jumps and twirls, belongs in an aerobics class. The emphasis on upper body movements is sure to leave your arms sore, if you’re even able to make it till the end of the song, that is. So, unless you’re going to give this dance a try while coordinating fifteen others and singing, we wouldn’t recommend calling it easy.
#3: “WHAT?” (2021)
SB19
Arguably the biggest P-Pop boy group’s most difficult choreography is made by their very own member, Stell[h], alongside Tank Bautista. Now, that’s a flex if we’ve ever seen one. “WHAT?” boasts a complex and original routine that keeps up with all the tempo changes while maintaining coherence. Stell and Tank’s composition shows clear understanding of each member’s strengths and helps them shine in ways only they can. The steps are explosive but there are moments of levity that bring the piece together. Most importantly, you can tell they’re having fun! “Gento” might have gone viral but “WHAT?” deserves its flowers too. In fact, a “WHAT?” dance challenge might be harder!
#2: “Maharani” (2022)
Alamat[i]
If there’s any P-Pop group that has made it their mission to showcase the richness of Filipino culture on the world’s stage, it is this one. Alamat has a special fondness for incorporating traditional Pinoy[j] art forms in their work. According to NYLON Manila, folk dances like pangalay, takik, and beneracion inspired choreographer Jim Amen for “Maharani”. Without a keen eye to spot such influences, which are blended with Western styles, you might think this routine is just another one of their visual masterpieces. However, if you know, you know. Try covering the dance and you’ll quickly find out just how detailed the traditional steps are and the utter grace needed to pull them off.
#1: “Magnet” (2022)
BGYO[k]
This multi-talented boy group is second to none when it comes to dance. Brian Puspos, who was once dubbed Male Choreographer of the Year by World of Dance and has created pieces for BTS, delivers an electric routine that’s impossible to forget. It certainly helps that the BGYO members are outstanding dancers who bring an undeniable elan to every move. They alternate between a dashing allure and a rugged manliness and so does the dance. We get popping and locking, romantic body rolls and even a hint of tutting. Don’t be surprised to find some Fred Astaire-inspired bits either! This is P-Pop dance at its finest and we love to see it.
Who do you think is the best dancer in P-Pop? Sound off in the comments down below!
[a]vision https://youtu.be/-l6JzFE7Q2c?si=4RWn-E6z6kWUeXdm&t=27
keem TAY-oong https://youtu.be/3NYSyRfjdi8?si=NbTv9XxG9cJ4biFo&t=14 OR https://translate.google.ca/?sl=ko&tl=en&text=%EA%B9%80%ED%83%9C%EC%9B%85&op=translate
en-HYE-pen https://youtu.be/k3lEsOq4R78?si=WcEUnkOO2L4hnI8C
nicky https://youtu.be/IuaEJ64k5fw?si=ULfECAk9UbV3OnyD&t=20 or https://youtu.be/uYE6BSBOzRk?si=MQ0XY_MF5y1_jJ6y&t=23
rise https://youtu.be/W9mcpFtlhhY?si=Sy2K74o6sJo0-Wpj
SHOTA-roh / SHOW-TAH-roh https://youtu.be/W9mcpFtlhhY?si=PBGkYELqVn56A5eR&t=3
pad-DEE-yah https://youtu.be/9tBFA4swmqY?si=jm4opu9vc7TFYfo3&t=2
see one three https://youtu.be/mf80aP_Qlkg?si=sFKIpUhCWzojORGB&t=10
[b]nuh-DEEN LOOSE-treh https://youtu.be/ZygGXxp5W3Y?si=m81FMFDuaDBY4oHa&t=19
careless https://youtu.be/FI7m0AhdGQc?si=0PyfybuMDVfqGdtq&t=289
https://youtu.be/XCE9GGPMlD0?si=hlPcmSg7xeq4nveT&t=2034
[c]jee twenty two https://youtu.be/mLJDiXSCyD0?si=C13dMSF3xkk-4ToF&t=124
ay see lah-LAH-tah https://youtu.be/b7GxXdxAagk?si=feCTf5jtnKlBYN5u&t=111
[d]hair-ONNIMMO https://youtu.be/qLaf3mgQx-Y?si=IIMUEjpUiVg6AFKm
billy crawford https://youtu.be/8_XX_LEaKv4?si=tsNTFY1ykFu91g_6&t=13
eck-SO https://youtu.be/fNzrG2SZWqU?si=f3r-iRn-9A_jfMtG
kye https://youtu.be/OzKcavu3OaU?si=s0APg8vDWKQ2RN2M&t=23
lay jahng https://youtu.be/jujiQQU_9Rs?si=ynh0rEQk4GIgRcob&t=3
jay joseph rawn-sess-VAL-less
https://youtu.be/C9jkWKNEGX8?si=toW_eBgNFxrqqftc&t=134
[e]five six seven eight https://youtu.be/2SJsmf_N6_I?si=3VUhcGYQb5ajhCsn&t=97
KYE-yuh https://youtu.be/O1YMQEe8mEQ?si=0RkELk13868kF_GB&t=3
erin/aaron jazz ran-sayze (basically aaron) https://translate.google.ca/?sl=tl&tl=en&text=Airon%20Jazz%20Rances&op=translate https://youtu.be/PNkVf7j5YYs?si=AcjutDT1jHBwr8VQ&t=208
KEN-shin tah-bye-yoan https://youtu.be/PNkVf7j5YYs?si=gfrwrSigZdtOrW1k&t=208 https://translate.google.ca/?sl=tl&tl=en&text=Kenshin%20Catarining%20Tabion&op=translate
[f]kuh-RARE-uh https://forvo.com/search/karera/
beanie https://youtu.be/ePCjTcBmG-4?si=zTsCtvB9jUufAb8t&t=27
[g]em en ell forty eight https://www.youtube.com/live/8g-Clyxh2TA?si=FLYdM6deGj9msHK1&t=171
[h]https://youtu.be/3-FnrKqoPJ8?si=5Htmm8dzkTBzONTg&t=8
boh-TEECE-tah https://youtu.be/XmqOXVbAxQ8?si=jbRjF_TjA8kvmwZ6&t=1
GHEN-toh https://youtu.be/JHaBxsUs12o?si=WVAANbgp3oUwNOKt&t=141
[i]ulla-MAWT https://youtu.be/gubyzEAcSRs?t=1
maw-haw-RAW_nee / mah-hah-RAH-nee https://youtu.be/9zmzNpc1ho0?si=_R7tl-f4LEjqBZrD&t=19
[j]PIN/PEEN-oy https://youtu.be/XkZ8PZ29DXg?si=KTyNL9_P30l1Dcdo&t=11
pawnga-lay / ponga-lay (don't hit the g hard) https://youtu.be/AmQ0oR_M_-U?si=-_5mzSM6BE9bJ62l&t=37
tuh-KEEK 00:08 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1556647801844153
BENNAY-RAH-shoan / shawn https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1523289815094682
jim AHH-men https://youtu.be/k2-PL21hiM8?si=E4BWB-n55W97ZQKs&t=9
[k]bee jee why oh https://youtu.be/C-31iX-iZC0?si=wtG2DBON6fyej6Nn&t=3
POOSE-poce https://youtu.be/rNJdkg8w3E4?si=lx2iUElNy-nJtzlQ&t=19