Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated Kim Hoyeun
Appreciating the slick group dance of K-pop groups is one of the best things about enjoying K-pop. The members are all in sync as they move their arms and legs at the same angle and speed, completing one flawless picture. Their perfect group dance is evidence of the enormous amount of practice that these idols put in. But sometimes, we want to dive into something that has more of free body movements. Today, we’ll look into ITZY and LOONA, who added uniqueness with street dance, J-Hope, Amber, and LEEGIKWANG, who showed a new side by adding street dance to their solo songs.
J-Hope – Chicken Noodle Soup (feat. Becky G) (2019)
Webstar and Young B’s “Chicken Noodle Soup,” released in 2006, is a song that inspired J-Hope when he first started dancing. More than 10 years later, the song was reinterpreted with J-Hope’s style. This particular MV begins with four dancers standing on the right side of the screen and ends with dozens of dancers’ gestures and names filling the screen. Under the hot summer heat of California, J-Hope wows us with his free dance that continues for 3 minutes. Of course, there’s a cute point choreography that seems like a chicken is flapping its wings.
AMBER – Countdown (feat. LDN Noise) (2018)
F (x)’s Amber was tabbed as the chief director. She is the one in the red jumper who walks towards the huge warehouse. At 1:41, when she stretches her hand to the sky and counts down “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” with her fingers, the camera is pulled down to show the graffiti-covered wall. Then from 1:56, the six dancers shake their bodies to their own styles for about 20 seconds. The post-credits scene, which shows someone very disappointed because the “super car’s door” didn’t open, is a must-see.
LEEGIKWANG X 1MILLION – Lonely (Feat. Jiselle) (2019)
It’s a non-title track from Highlight’s Lee Gi Kwang’s solo album I. “Lonely” MV was created in collaboration with 1MILLION DANCE STUDIO, which excelled in combining K-pop with street dance. The video starts when Lee Gi Kwang, who looks bored on a couch, meets dancer Lia Kim and starts their performance. Lee and Kim wear matching outfits, jean jackets, jean shirts, and jeans. And their choreography that utilizes the wall from 2:32 is particularly impressive. Like the title name, Lee Gi Kwang is left alone again as the video ends.
ITZY – ICY (2019)
In “ICY,” the “shoulder dance” in which ITZY members shake their shoulders is the key point. On top of that, the MV adds more freedom to the song with certain scenes. After Yeji strolls around the downtown market in LA, the camera focuses on Chaeryeong, who stands in the middle of the downtown as she performs a street dance to the lyric “ICY, but I’m on fire.” Even if you combine all Chaeryeong’s solo dance, it’s less than 15 seconds. But once you finish watching the entire MV, it will be Chaeryeong’s carefree expressions and dance moves that are stuck in your head.
LOONA – Butterfly (2019)
LOONA’s Butterfly is the best example that shows the appropriate harmony of group dance and solo freestyle dance. In the MV, LOONA members gather together to make a “butterfly” formation. And in the meantime, other women spotted somewhere on Earth move their bodies on a deserted road, a terrace, or a rooftop. From the teaser, “Butterfly” wanted to deliver one message, “For All LOOΠ�”s Around the World.” After the official MV was unveiled, Billboard praised it as “an artistically inspiring MV that includes the girls’ stories.”
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
Translator Kim Hoyeun: If you are a fan of K-drama, K-movie, and K-pop, I am your guy. I will continue to provide you with up-to-date K-entertainment news.
