What is k-pop dance?
K-pop dance means learning the precise group choreography from Korean pop music videos — sharp formations, point choreography (signature moves) and synchronization. Dance covers, "random play dance" meetups and K-pop classes are huge in American studios and colleges.
History
Korean idol groups have released choreography-driven singles since the 1990s. YouTube dance covers and global stars such as BTS, BLACKPINK and TWICE turned K-pop choreography into an international hobby.
Basic technique
- Learning choreography from mirrored videos
- Point choreography and formation changes
- Hip-hop, jazz and girl-style foundations
Music & tempo
K-pop songs, roughly 95–140 BPM.
Songs for k-pop dance
| Song | Artist | BPM | Key | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Will Wait for You | Cher | 104 | A minor | 1967 |
| All Night | f(x) | 113 | F major | 2014 |
| Library | Girls’ Generation-TTS | 130 | D# major | 2012 |
| FANTASTIC BABY | BIGBANG | 130 | A# major | 2012 |
| OMG (Oh My God) | Girls’ Generation-TTS | 138 | A minor | 2012 |
BPM as measured by audio analysis; some tracks read at half or double the danced tempo.
All 5 k-pop dance songs by BPM →
What to wear
Sneakers and comfortable streetwear.
How to get started
Many studios run K-pop classes; college clubs film dance covers.
We list 5 studios that teach k-pop dance, or browse all dance studios by state.
Recent research
- Prevalence of eating disorders amongst dancers: a systemic review and meta-analysis. — European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 2014
- Joint action aesthetics. — PloS one, 2017
- Physiological Demands of Competitive Collegiate Dance. — Journal of strength and conditioning research, 2024
- Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness Levels of Pre-Professional Contemporary Dancers: An Exploration of 2 Dance-Specific Field Tests. — Journal of dance medicine & science : official publication of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, 2024
- Benefits of an online group dance program for adolescents' social bonding and wellbeing. — Journal of adolescence, 2024
Books about k-pop dance
- K Pop - the International Rise of the Korean Music Industry by Jung-Bong Choi, Roald Maliangkay (2014)
- Globalization and Popular Music in South Korea by Michael Fuhr, Hildesheimer Heimat- und Geschichtsverein Staff (2015)
- Soul in Seoul by Crystal S. Anderson (2020)
- Idols on the Stage, Interviews with K-POP Stars (2019)
- Pik hit'ŭ sigŭnŏl by Yun, Sŏn-mi (Entertainment manager) (2020)
- Ŏttŏn, sora by Ye-ji Yu (2021)
Frequently asked questions
What is random play dance?
A game where songs play in random order and anyone who knows the choreography jumps in.
What BPM is K-Pop Dance?
K-Pop Dance is usually danced to music between 95 and 140 beats per minute. Browse 5 songs that fit on our K-Pop Dance music page.
How many calories does k-pop dance burn?
About 316 calories per hour for a 155-lb (70 kg) person, based on a MET value of 4.3 from the Compendium of Physical Activities. See calories burned k-pop dance for every body weight.
Related styles
Hip-Hop Dance
The Bronx, New York, and California funk styles
Ballet & Theatrical DanceJazz Dance
African American vernacular dance; theatrical jazz on Broadway and in film
Street & Club DanceBreaking (Breakdance)
The Bronx, New York
Street & Club DancePopping
Fresno and the San Francisco Bay Area, California
Street & Club DanceLocking
Los Angeles
Street & Club DanceHouse Dance
Chicago and New York City clubs
Street & Club DanceKrump
South Central Los Angeles
Street & Club DanceWaacking
Los Angeles LGBTQ+ disco clubs
Last reviewed October 2026 · Editorial policy