Full disclosure: I’m not a dancer nor choreographer, and dance isn’t necessarily what I flock to K-pop for. Because of that, my choices tend to veer toward more iconic routines that are fun to watch rather than technically challenging or impressive formations. I like to believe the two can co-exist, but I do prefer fun choreography over a more “badass” routine. I also prefer big, dynamic performances over smaller, intricate moves.
Honorable Mentions:
EPEX – Youth2Youth
NMIXX – Dash
STAYC – Cheeky Icy Thang
TWS – BFF
TWS – Last Festival
ZEROBASEONE – Feel The Pop
Young Posse – Ate That
10. KISS OF LIFE – STICKY
Sticky finds a spot on this list thanks to its sense of fluidity and contrast from most K-pop choreo. The routine even includes some (very tame) twerking.
9. ILLIT – MAGNETIC
The song itself is quite cute and the choreography reinforces that with fun counting hand movements and a general sense of lightness.
8. BOYNEXTDOOR – EARTH, WIND & FIRE
Such a busy, overstuffed song demands equally chaotic choreography. Earth, Wind & Fire‘s routine lives up to the song’s energy, delivering a freewheeling spirit that’s so fun to watch.
7. LE SSERAFIM – CRAZY
LE SSERAFIM always have tons of personality in their performance and Crazy is certainly a showcase for that. Props for Sakura’s duck walk alone!
6. TWS – IF I’M S, CAN YOU BE MY N?
TWS’s choreography is just so creative and fun to watch. Their team really put everything into the group’s debut year and this follow-up cements their unity with so many cool, intertwining and mirror-image moves.
5. NAYEON – ABCD
I love a big, splashy routine where a bunch of back dancers surround one magnetic star. Nayeon lifts and grooves and fully owns ABCD‘s killer breakdown.
4. TWS – OH MYMY: 7S
I’m afraid it’s going to be a bit repetitive at the top of my list this year because two groups stood way above the pack for me. Oh Mymy: 7s introduced TWS with flair, stuffed with colorful, creative formations. There’s a sense of eye-catching boldness in this choreo.
3. RIIZE – BOOM BOOM BASS
My favorite choreography centers around iconic moves, and Boom Boom Bass‘s chorus is certainly memorable. I love a funk style even at its most basic. Add RIIZE’s incredible talent and inventive routines and you’ve got a total 2024 standout.
2. RIIZE – IMPOSSIBLE
RIIZE are one of K-pop’s most thrilling groups to watch on stage. I’m placing Impossible ever-so-slightly ahead of Boom Boom Bass because I like its boldness in embracing house steps and the undulating finale is a real showpiece. It’s so striking when coupled with the synth line driving the song’s final moments.
1. TWS – PLOT TWIST
This was 2024’s most iconic choreography, and for me it’s not even close. The year was short on memorable point moves, but everyone knows the choreo to Plot Twist‘s hook. Whether you can pull it off or not is another question, but the routine perfectly captures the song’s quirky charm. It’s fun and fresh and almost cartoon-like in its simplicity. But supporting that simplicity is a keen sense of storytelling and a few technically intense breakdowns. In a year where most routines tended to blend into one another, Plot Twist stuck out in a big way.