It’s time once again for someone who knows next to nothing about dance to rank his favorite dances of the year. As usual, I tend to prefer quirky, iconic moves to technically difficult material. The thing is, the vast majority of idol choreo has become so polished that it’s hard to choose which routines are most difficult or demanding. So instead, here are ten dances that stuck out to me this year.
Honorable Mentions:
BOYNEXTDOOR – If I Say, I Love You
Jennie – Like Jennie
NEXZ – Beat-Boxer
izna – Mamma Mia
10. TXT – LOVE LANGUAGE
The only part most viewers probably remember is the iconic shirt lift, but the entire routine is light on its feet and well-suited to the song’s summery vibe.
9. IDID – PUSH BACK
Boy band bluster is a dime a dozen in K-pop, but it really only works for me with a quirky sense of humor. Push Back‘s movements are fast and colorful, adding playful character to the song’s swagger.
8. HEARTS2HEARTS – FOCUS
Focus‘s choreo utilizes the group’s large configuration well, splitting into smaller units multiple times before bringing everyone back together. The rapid-fire arm movements are hypnotic.
7. NOUERA – N.I.N (NEW IS NOW)
I mean, just look at that iconic intro pose! Like the song itself, N.I.N‘s choreo feels like classic K-pop, pulling out the tricks and triumphs we know and love.
6. TWS – LUCKY TO BE LOVED
The dance for this subdued track surprised me. It has more energy than it has any right to! I particularly love the pre-chorus, where the moves feel like they’re locking into place. It’s such a nice compliment to the music.
5. ILLIT – DO THE DANCE
ILLIT have become masters of catchy choreo, spawning trend after trend. Do The Dance is particularly whimsical, finding a nice balance of frenetic and fluid.
4. XLOV – 1&ONLY
XLOV have become known for their striking visuals, and the flip that opens this routine certainly catches attention. The rest of the choreo blends and upends gender norms in just the way you’d hope. They are arresting to watch.
3. AHOF – RENDEZVOUS
Rendezvous is all about configuration. The choreo provides multiple highlights that focus on one or two members, then brings everyone in sync for a super-rousing finale that matches the intensity of the song’s climax.
2. TWS – OVERDRIVE
The choreo’s point move has spawned the popular “angtal challenge,” automatically making this one of the group’s most iconic routines. But outside of that obvious highlight, the moves are big and bold. The guys are pointing, flipping… exclaiming. It’s so much fun to watch.
1. LE SSERAFIM – SPAGHETTI
My top choreo each year tends to be quirky rather than technically difficult. These are the dances that stick in memory and become synonymous with a song. Spaghetti is full of iconography. The crouched pose that opens the track is fierce, but I absolutely love the vomiting motion during the chorus. Who even thinks to do that in a K-pop dance? The sheer audacity totally wins me over.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
yes to Spaghetti, LE SSERAFIM consistently has the best choreographers & performance directors
LikeLike
I am also putting my list here as a total noob in dancing (in no particular order):-
1.Talk to you & Let me tell you by Yeonjun
2. Killin’ it girl by J-Hope
3.Overdrive by TWS
4. Do the dance & Jellyous by ILLIT
5. No Doubt & Outside by Enhypen
6. GO by Cortis
7. Gnarly by Katseye (if they count)
8. In your fantasy by Ateez
LikeLike
i think my favorites from this year are ifeye r u ok? and nexz beat boxer! spaghetti is a great pick for number 1, if dances can be catchy then that dance is catchy
LikeLike
damn, those are great examples, but even though they technically don’t count, XG’s Gala choreo was tops for me. Come Over by Le Sserafim was cute,too.
LikeLike
I haven’t noticed much choreography this year but Hearts2Hearts definitely stood out, with both The Chase and Focus being particularly strong.
LikeLike
My criteria is also not technical difficulty or synchronization (in which case &TEAM would still be at the top) but more so what’s memorable to me or whether people seem to be having fun doing covers.
5. DSTM, One or Eight (Okay, this seems to be technically difficult and not Kpop but everyone here is such a good dancer; am looking forward to their album next year and hoping the music isn’t so generic.)
4. Talk to You, Yeonjun (This feels to be in a similar vein as his Studio Choom cover of Blow from a few years back; I also like the dance challenges with James from Cortis and Nicholas from &TEAM.)
3. Body, Dayoung (A breezy, not-terribly-unique song but the choreo makes it so much better; plus everyone seems to have lot of a fun covering it.)
2. Focus, Hearts2Hearts (Also to a lesser extent, The Chase; both use the group number well, especially when the styling is black-and-white.)
1. Killin’ It Girl, j-hope (This is not really typical Kpop choreo to me but more urban/street-influenced? I love the diversity of the dancers, it just feels very global to me.)
LikeLike