Top 10 K-Pop Choreographies That Didn't Have to Go THAT Hard

NCT 127
Time and time again, NCT has proven that strength truly is in numbers. This is one of those choreographies where you just have to replay it until you’ve focused on each member at least once. Thank God for fancams, right? Equal parts smooth and intense, NCT 127 clearly knows a thing or two about groove. Blink and you’ll miss the neatest details peppered throughout. Like how Mark never skips even a micro-beat or Yuta’s piercing facial expressions. What makes the performance so impactful, though, is how it brings out the track’s “neo” core. We stan kings with an artistic signature.

Monsta X
Do you hear that? That’s the sound of an entire fandom falling to their knees with the opening move alone. That’s how obsessed we are with this choreography. MONSTA X is known for their rugged yet dashing concept, but this dance treads into untamed territory. The grit of it all is so inherently MX that it is instantly recognizable. To add to that, the juxtaposition of sharp movements with moments of sensuality is a brilliant visual representation of the conflicted lyrics. Special props for making a zombie walk look so cool.

Itzy
We just know every choreographer wishes they came up with this dance first. The fourth gen viral move, the shoulder dance, was created by YGX's Leejung and pioneered by Ryujin. The trend swept through the K-Pop world and went gloriously global. However, this is no one and done choreo with nothing but a killing point, as it is called in the industry. The entire piece is so cohesive and true to the empowered theme that it’s able to capture the elusive It Girl essence to a tee. Only something this distinct could have solidified the growth of a new generation of K-Pop, and Itzy delivered.

Tomorrow X Together
Formation is the name of the game and TXT knows how to play. They may have started out with the pressure of living up to BTS’ legacy but made their own identity clear right off the bat. Characterized by the smoothest transitions, lyrical elements, isolations and even tutting, this choreo is impressive, to say the least. At the same time, the moves highlight the members’ boyish charms, allowing them to disarm the audience with their freshness. One moment, you’re going aww at their bright-eyed smiles, the next, your jaw is on the floor at their precise teamwork. Let’s just say, TXT is built different.

Nmixx
These talented young women switch dance styles like they’re switching costumes. Actually, they do both. Staying true to the group’s reputation as the experimental baddies of K-Pop, “O.O” is an eclectic mix of genres, both in music and dance. With choreography that could give anyone a run for their money, Nmixx ace the duality between popping for rock and getting cutesy for pop. We get effortless formations like the swing and clever references to the title in their moves, making the viewing experience all the more entertaining. Oh, did we mention this was their debut?

Seventeen
Calling the masterpiece that is this dance routine mere choreography would be an understatement. Each step is a brush stroke of genius on the canvas of the stage. Mind you, this is one of the largest boy groups in size, yet the choreo makes it so every member – and unit – stands out. In fact, if you look closely, they each infuse their own flavor into the moves, giving us a visual feast of the highest order. That’s not all! If you’ve heard of the anti-drop in K-Pop music, Seventeen gives us the most delectable one in dance, followed closely by a godly footwork sequence. We’d say this was peak Seventeen, but you already know they’ll outdo themselves again.

Aespa
The queens have arrived! With the cleanest dance lines and the fiercest expressions, Aespa commands the stage like nobody’s business. The hardest hitting parts of the choreography here come not from the biggest movements. Rather, it’s the minutest details that make the difference. Forget about body waves, these icons are serving finger waves and we’re eating it up. The fluid, feminine steps add a touch of allure to the more angular, staccato bits, rounding out the edges while also honoring the group’s futuristic vibe. Clearly, this is no ordinary routine. It’s one with a personality, and it’s showing us who’s boss.

Stray Kids
This choreography is why we know all the Stray Kids members would make fantastic actors. They tell a story with it, and make you listen with the beat. This track popularized the mala genre like never before, and we’d argue the dance is just as spicy. With incredible floor work and full-bodied, striking motions, they present a unique oneness that screams dream team. The high-octane composition of the music allows for little time to breathe, but you wouldn’t know that just from looking at these guys. Even at the end of a majestic performance, they look as flawless as at the start.

Ateez
If you’re new to this act, get ready for a masterclass in synchronization. The stars who rocked the Coachella stage, making history as the first K-Pop boy group to perform at the festival, made waves years prior with this song. The choreo employs heavy, percussive krumping in coalescence with sweeping contemporary gestures. Through it all, each member has incomparable control over their slightest movements. For instance, Hongjoong may appear unrestrained compared to Seonghwa’s calculated exactness or San’s explosive bursts of energy. But best believe they’re exactly where they want to be at each moment. If that’s not prodigious, we don’t know what is!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

It’s Hotter Than We Can Handle

The Sass Is Unmatched

Your Favorite K-Pop Idol’s Favorite Choreography

For Making Us Realize Tutting Can Be This Sexy

It’s So Catchy, No Wonder It Went Viral

BTS
You don’t have to be an ARMY to admit that no other choreography goes as hard as this. Best described as a cinematic experience, “On” is a production of epic proportions that stands unrivaled both in and out of K-Pop. Years of experience, months of relentless practice, and days of fine tuning went into achieving the degree of perfection this choreo boasts. It is neither the marching band nor the many dancers accompanying the unshakeable seven that make this performance grand. Instead, it’s the members’ unbeatable dynamic, their magnificent stage presence, and sheer aura that render it larger than life. Of course, that stellar dance break helps too. One thing is certain. “On” goes hard, but BTS goes harder.

Which K-Pop idol do you think is the best dancer? Let us know in the comments down below!