2023 was a weird year for K-pop choreography. There didn’t seem to be too many iconic point moves, even as TikTok challenges continue to necessitate catchy, easy-to-replicate routines. As usual, this is not a ranking of the most technically impressive performances of the year. Instead, here are ten routines that caught my eye in 2023.
Hint: I tend to prefer choreography that’s more “fun” than “cool.”
10. AESPA – SPICY
This doesn’t feel like one of their most intricate routines, but the moves during the chorus are definitely memorable. I love when groups look like they’re moving as one.
9. NEWJEANS – SUPER SHY
This routine has always reminded me of aerobics, which really shouldn’t work for a song as smooth as Super Shy. However, the focus on upper body movement made this stand out.
8. THE NEW SIX – KICK IT 4 NOW
K-pop choreo doesn’t have to be overly complex to gain my attention. Most of the time, I just want to see artists having fun onstage. With all the jumps and shimmies (see my number three entry, too!), this fits the bill.
7. JUNGKOOK – STANDING NEXT TO YOU
Just pure showmanship. This may not be all that inventive, but it deftly encapsulates Jungkook’s inspirations into one super-smooth package. Add Usher to the mix and the choreo would rank even higher.
6. J.Y. PARK – CHANGED MAN
I love retro choreography, and J.Y. Park knows how to hit the sweet spot. Toeing the line between pastiche and tribute, this is incredibly fun to watch and occasionally quite goofy.
5. LE SSERAFIM – EVE, PSYCHE AND THE BLUEBEARD’S WIFE
This was definitely one of the catchiest routines all year, perfectly complimenting the song while delivering a ton of attitude.
4. TXT – BACK FOR MORE
I have a strong bias toward Jackson-style dance routines, and much of Back For More feels like an MJ tribute. The extended dance breakdown is thrilling.
3. ENHYPEN – SWEET VENOM
Some of this is a little silly (the head-and-finger hook in the chorus), but there’s this move they do when they jump and simultaneously shimmy their shoulders. For whatever reason, I find this absolutely magnetic and I wait for it every time.
2. IVE – I AM
IVE were in this same spot last year, and I Am is an equally strong entry in different ways. The bulk of the choreo is solid but unspectacular, but the strutting finale elevates the entire package. I just love those last thirty seconds.
1. RIIZE – GET A GUITAR
No matter how many times I watch this performed, I’m still captivated by it. The ‘strumming guitar’ move is among the year’s most iconic, but it’s the thrilling breakdowns that truly steal my attention. It’s one of those performances that elevates an already-great song into something very special. The group also looks like they’re having a blast dancing to it. This is a very easy number one for me, and it’s not particularly close.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
No love for Untie? Tough…
LikeLiked by 4 people
I really liked this one, also the styling for the performances. My favorite part is in the bridge where the three of them join hands (the opposite of “Untie”).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great list this year, I think I agree pretty much all of these were standouts. Kick It 4 Now is probably my top pick for the year – on top of it being my song of the summer, the choreo felt super bouncy and like the boys were having a good time doing it.
LikeLike
Here’s some of my favorite choreographies of the year (in no particular order):
Jungkook (BTS) – Standing Next to You
aespa – Spicy
RIIZE – Get a Guitar
Taemin (SHINee) – Guilty
EXO – Cream Soda
IVE – I AM
NMIXX – Roller Coaster
Jimin (BTS) – Like Crazy
LE SSERAFIM – Eve, Psyche, and the Bluebeard’s Wife
Kai (EXO) – Rover
TXT – Back for More (with Anitta)
NewJeans – ETA
ATEEZ – Bouncy
tbh I decided to choose one song for each artist otherwise the list would be so long lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My number one choreo this year was Roar by The Boyz. Really beautiful fallen angel/wing imagery and standout moments like the domino kick in the beginning, the move where they create a human bridge into the opposite of a trust fall, and that incredible dance break. It’s probably in my top five Kpop choreos.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It really is such a beautiful choreo, it deserves more hype and praise
LikeLike
My top 10 would look something like this:
1. THE BOYZ – ROAR
2. Jungkook – Standing Next To You
3. RIIZE – Siren
4. &TEAM – Fireworks
5. AESPA – Drama
6. ENHYPEN – Criminal Love
7. LE SSERAFIM – Eve, Psyche, and the Bluebeard’s wife
8. SEVENTEEN – Super
9. ONEUS – Baila Conmigo
10. TXT – Back For More
Although I like ‘fun’ choreographies as well, I definitely lean towards ‘cool’ choreographies, opposite of you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate most aespa choreographies for more discernible reason. Also not a fan of the Super Shy choreo—it’s unique but idk. I don’t feel like the arm movements end up meaning much. (Also my hypermobile ass would have super sore elbows afterward)
LikeLike
My personal favourite choreo this year is definitely Seventeen’s Super, it’s super (ha!) powerful and energetic and the way all 13 members and their 250 background dancers (!!) are in synch despite the difficult and exhausting choreography isr really impressive and admireable! 🙂
LikeLike
I liked:
Key – Killer, Good and Great
Taemin – Guilty
The Boyz – Roar, Lip Gloss
Purple Kiss – Autopilot (I liked the random adhoc choreo)
Blitzers- Macarena (zipper and couples yoga choreo!)
Wetboy and Jo Hyunah – Bad Girl, Stupid Boy
Ren – Ready to move (so underrated)
Kookie and Usher-nim – Standing next to You
LikeLike
Oh and Chimmy – Set Me Free and SM Island of Lost Toys – Get a Guitar
LikeLike
BTS TOTALLY RULES! THEY ARE THE BEST 7 GUYS IN THE WORLD. SO INTELLIGENT & GORGEOUS. I WATCH THEIR VIDEOS EVERYDAY. JUST SEEING THEM PUTS ME IN A GOOD MOOD. THEY WORK SO HARD AT EVERYTHING THEY DO AND IT SHOWS. LOVE BTS 💜 FOREVER USA ARMY
LikeLike
I quite liked the Rising choreography, especially the dance break with the spon before the rap, as well as the part where they have that formation of two groups of 5/8 members facing each other.
I also enjoyed the Untie choreography a lot, especially this NPOP stage:
The part where Eunha lies down and the camera follows her is just perfection, also thanks to that camera operator.
Lastly, the puppet master choreo of Intro + Sweet Juice from Purple Kiss is executed really well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFVBfKpMs7k
LikeLike
Have you seen the choreo for Super by Seventeen? Because of you have, it would have certainly been at the top of your list.
LikeLike
Do you not like stray kids? Because I haven’t seen them in any of these rankin
gs😕
LikeLike
Fr, S-class definitely deserved a spot here
LikeLike
One and Only by Boynextdoor would have been in my top 10, love them and they’re so underrated
LikeLiked by 1 person
I honestly agree so much with the Sweet Venom choreo; the shoulder shimmy move is so satisfying, especially when Jungwon does it for SOME REASON
LikeLiked by 2 people