{"id":46894,"date":"2025-09-06T07:46:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T07:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/46894\/"},"modified":"2025-09-06T07:46:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T07:46:07","slug":"kpop-demon-hunters-choreographer-talks-film-bts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/46894\/","title":{"rendered":"KPop Demon Hunters Choreographer Talks Film, BTS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tKPop Demon Hunters has shattered records once again. After becoming the most-watched film in Netflix history, standout track \u201cGolden\u201d went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 <\/a>chart (for three weeks so far). As a film centered around K-pop, this is more than just a box-office milestone; it\u2019s a landmark in the history of the genre itself.<\/p>\n

\n\tSo why has this film resonated so strongly? This can be understood in the same context as K-pop\u2019s global popularity. Throughout its evolution, K-pop has consistently maintained a balance between music, performance and choreography. Performance videos have become almost mandatory alongside K-pop music videos, and every comeback promotion is accompanied by a dance challenge. K-pop is never just the music \u2014 it is the music with performance. In the same way, K-Pop Demon Hunters immersed audiences in the visual thrill of choreography fused with music, proving once again the unique power of K-pop performance.<\/p>\n

\n\tEarly in the film, the entrance of HUNTR\/X with their track \u201cHow It\u2019s Done\u201d shows them skydiving from a plane \u2014 an unreal premise matched with daring choreography that instantly pulls viewers into these new characters. Meanwhile, Saja Boys\u2019 \u201cSoda Pop\u201d became a hidden driving force behind the film\u2019s popularity, with its choreography gaining momentum as K-pop idols successively joined the challenge.<\/p>\n

\n\tBillboard Korea sat down with Lee Jung \u2014 choreographer and dancer from THE BLACK LABEL \u2014 who created the moves for both \u201cHow It\u2019s Done\u201d and \u201cSoda Pop.\u201d Radiating conviction with every word, she said: \u201cThe more I dance, the more certain I feel. I really love the phrase \u2018Choreography by me\u2019 \u2014 it makes me feel alive.\u201d Through conversation with Lee, we gained insight into her global view as a choreographer born in Korea and witnessed the remarkable dedication of creators that sheds light on why K-pop is cherished worldwide.<\/p>\n

\n\tYou mentioned that you were deeply impressed from the very first meeting with the production team.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tSo much so that the feeling lingered with me for days. At that first meeting, everyone passionately explained why they wanted to make this film, why they needed me, and what they hoped to convey. The energy in their eyes was undeniable. Maybe it\u2019s an optimistic way to think, but I believe when creators speak about their work with that kind of spark, the result can\u2019t help but be great. The moment I heard them, I thought, \u201cI have to do this, and it\u2019s definitely going to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tDid that conviction grow as the project went on?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tAbsolutely. After several meetings, I received the music \u2014 and it was incredible. That only made my certainty stronger. To work with visionaries was already a blessing, but to have such quality music as the foundation for my choreography\u2026 every moment felt like happiness, and it reaffirmed my belief: When someone has that kind of conviction in their dreams, they can\u2019t help but succeed.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe animation format seems to have unlocked even greater imagination in \u201cHow It\u2019s Done.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tI remember the meeting vividly. The team told me, with bright eyes, \u201cImagine the members skydiving from a plane and landing in the concert venue.\u201d In that moment, I felt like I wanted to become someone without limits. The most important part of any stage is how you appear, and with HUNTR\/X literally leaping from the sky, the entire scene was already complete in my mind. That\u2019s why the choreography came out more explosive and daring than usual. It wasn\u2019t just adding intensity \u2014 it was channeling my full energy and imagination into movements that felt like flying. Even now, recalling it gives me goosebumps.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhat was the biggest lesson you took away from a project with so many creators involved?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tThe countless hours of motion capture across the U.S., the repeatedly refined choreography and music, the character design and storyline \u2014 every piece contained someone\u2019s hard work. So many people truly staked everything on this project. I was just one small part, and it was only possible because everyone\u2019s energy came together. Watching that process made me want to someday be the kind of person who can pass along that same energy to others.<\/p>\n

\n\tYou once said: \u201cStreet Woman Fighter was the 20-year-old Lee Jung, LISA\u2019s \u2018Money\u2019 was the 25-year-old Lee Jung.\u201d By that measure, what does KPop Demon Hunters represent for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s the three-year accumulation of who I am now. Even though the clip is less than a minute long, it contains all my training, experiences and growth compressed into it. For me, it\u2019s more than just choreography \u2014 it\u2019s a record of pride and time itself. And one more thing: Animation is a medium that becomes a lasting memory for someone\u2019s childhood. The fact that K-pop was chosen as its subject shows just how far its influence has grown.<\/p>\n

\n\tOn Mnet\u2019s World of Street Woman Fighter, your choreography for <\/strong>Saweetie\u2019<\/strong><\/a>s mission especially stood out when you emphasized the \u201cK-pop sensibility.\u201d In your view, what defines K-pop\u2019s distinctive style?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tWhen the global teams watching our choreography during the mission said, \u201cThis really feels like K-pop,\u201d that\u2019s when it hit me: K-pop has truly become a genre of its own. Of course, it\u2019s not easy to logically define the characteristics of a genre \u2014 but that\u2019s the nature of art. If someone can recognize it at a glance and say, \u201cThat feels like K-pop,\u201d I believe that\u2019s enough. If I may carefully add one more thought, I think what creates that unique sensibility is our \u201cethnicity.\u201d The linguistic and cultural traits unique to Koreans, along with our rapid pace of development, have all come together to shape K-pop into a genre that resonates globally. In that sense, I feel an immense sense of pride as a Korean.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn K-pop, where visual performance is crucial, what makes for good choreography?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tFor me, the standard is simple: Good choreography is just really good choreography. It might sound vague, but it\u2019s also the hardest standard to meet. Each year, we must satisfy countless viewers \u2014 and if the result elevates the song itself, that\u2019s enough. A good routine must connect seamlessly to the song\u2019s message, communicate intuitively, and still bring something fresh. Striking that balance is difficult, but it\u2019s the choreographer\u2019s task every season.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhat do you think makes your choreography distinctive?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tI honestly think my work is\u2026 tasty. [Laughs] It\u2019s not a lofty phrase, but it captures what I strive for. I always push myself to the point where I feel, \u201cI couldn\u2019t possibly make this better.\u201d When an artist performs my routine and it reaches that undeniable peak, that\u2019s my goal.<\/p>\n

\n\tAmong your past works, which project remains most memorable?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tLISA \u2019s \u201cMoney.\u201d It kept the essence of K-pop choreography while breaking molds and trying something new. When I have conviction, choreography comes quickly \u2014 and this one I finished in a single day. For me, it reached that level of \u201cno one could do it better.\u201d Thankfully, many agreed, and it earned me the best choreographer award at the 2021 MAMA. Since it was my first win, it remains especially meaningful. And of course, LISA performed it brilliantly.<\/p>\n

\n\tYou\u2019ve said collaborating with various K-pop artists inspires you as a dancer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tYes. These are people whose jobs involve dance, yet they approach it with such sincerity and passion \u2014 sometimes even more than I do. I\u2019ve always seen myself as someone who never slacks, but their energy sometimes astonishes me. In those moments, I realize, \u201cCompromise will never be part of my life.\u201d That drives me to keep pushing forward.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhen working with artists with such strong identities, how do you communicate?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tI always start by asking what message the song wants to convey. Then I ask the artist how they want to express it. If direct conversation isn\u2019t possible, I check through their company. \u201cHow do you want to present this track?\u201d That\u2019s the starting point. I build my interpretation on top of that. Ultimately, the key is finding the shared common ground between the artist, the songwriter, and myself. Once we find it, the choreography comes alive on its own.<\/p>\n

\n\tYour scope of activity keeps expanding. How would you define yourself now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tI don\u2019t want to be confined by definitions. I\u2019d rather not limit myself to a single word. My biggest question now is: How far can I go with dance? That keeps me excited about my future. I believe I can go beyond even what I imagine.<\/p>\n

\n\tFrom your position within K-pop, why do you think the world loves it so much?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tOne word: conviction. Every artist I\u2019ve worked with had immense self-belief. They have clear visions, never settle, and keep reaching for more. When such people gather, fans can feel that conviction and energy too. That\u2019s why K-pop keeps growing \u2014 and why Korean culture has no reason to stop evolving.<\/p>\n

\n\tYou lived in the U.S. during middle school. How has K-pop\u2019s presence changed since then?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s incomparable. Back then, it was the time of \u201cGangnam Style<\/a>\u201d \u2014 a massive global craze. Yet I still had to explain to people who the artist was, where they were from and what K-pop meant. Now? Not at all. When you say \u201cK-pop\u201d or \u201cKorea,\u201d\u00a0 no explanation is needed. \u201cK\u201d itself has become a brand.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhich global pop artist would you most like to collaborate with on choreography?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tBTS<\/a>. I believe BTS have transcended being just a K-pop group to become something even greater. Collaborating with international artists would of course be meaningful, but when we talk about global music, there\u2019s really no reason to exclude K-pop from the conversation. BTS are the ones who have preserved the identity of K-pop while simultaneously expanding its presence on the global stage. Since I also want to be a creator who proves that K-pop is global, I especially hope to create a stage with them one day.<\/p>\n

\n\tAnd what\u2019s next for you?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

\n\tI\u2019ll always go beyond what anyone imagines of me. [Laughs]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"KPop Demon Hunters has shattered records once again. After becoming the most-watched film in Netflix history, standout track…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":46895,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[264],"tags":[18,117,4813,19,17,337,2624,22637],"class_list":{"0":"post-46894","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-music","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-genre-kpop","11":"tag-ie","12":"tag-ireland","13":"tag-music","14":"tag-music-news","15":"tag-tv-film"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46894"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46894\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}