Dance

The dance for "Gangsta", an electronic dance track by Noir, includes point choreography. [47]

Dance is an integral part of K-pop. When combining multiple singers, the singers often switch their
positions while singing and dancing by making prompt movements in synchrony, a strategy called
"formation changing" (자리바꿈; jaribakkum).[48] The K-pop choreography (안무; 按舞; anmu) often
includes the so-called "point dance" (포인트 안무; pointeu anmu), referring to a dance made up of
hooking and repetitive movements within the choreography that matches the characteristics of the
lyrics of the song.[49][50] Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry" and Brown Eyed Girls' "Abracadabra" are
examples of songs with notable "point" choreography. To choreograph a dance for a song requires
the writers to take the tempo into account.[51] According to Ellen Kim, a Los Angeles dancer and
choreographer, a fan's ability to do the same steps must also be considered. Consequently, K-pop
choreographers have to simplify movements.[51]

24K performing choreography in a practice studio

The training and preparation necessary for K-pop idols to succeed in the industry and dance
successfully are intense. Training centers like Seoul's Def Dance Skool develop the dance skills of
youth in order to give them a shot at becoming an idol.[52] Physical training is one of the largest
focuses at the school, as much of a student's schedule is based around dance and exercise. [52] The
entertainment labels are highly selective, so few make it to fame. Students at the school must
dedicate their lives to the mastery of dance in order to prepare for the vigorous routines performed
by K-pop groups. This, of course, means that the training must continue if they are signed.
Companies house much larger training centers for those who are chosen.[52]
An interview with K-pop choreographer Rino Nakasone lends insight into the process of creating
routines. According to Nakasone, her focus is to make dance routines that are flattering for the
dancers but also complementary to the music.[53] Her ideas are submitted to the entertainment
company as video recordings done by professional dancers.[53] Nakasone mentions that the company
and the K-pop artists themselves have input on a song's choreography.[53] Choreographer May J. Lee
gives another perspective, telling that her choreography often starts out as expressing the feeling or
the meaning of the lyrics.[54] What starts out as small movements turns into a full dance that is better
able to portray the message of the song.[54]
Fashion
See also: Fashion in South Korea

The emergence of Seo Taiji and Boys in 1992 paved the way for the development of contemporary
K-pop groups.[55] The group revolutionized the Korean music scene by incorporating rap and
American hip-hop conventions into their music.[56] This adoption of Western style extended to the
fashions worn by the boy band: the members adopted a hip-hop aesthetic.[57] Seo and bandmates'
outfits for the promotional cycle of "I Know" included vibrant streetwear such as oversized T-shirts
and sweatshirts, windbreakers, overalls worn with one strap, overalls worn with one pant leg rolled
up, and American sports team jerseys.[citation needed] Accessories included baseball caps worn
backwards, bucket hats, and do-rags.[citation needed]
As K-pop "was born of post-Seo trends,"[57] many acts that followed Seo Taiji and Boys adopted the
same fashion style. Deux and DJ DOC can also be seen wearing on-trend hip-hop fashions such
as sagging baggy pants, sportswear, and bandanas in their performances.[citation needed] With Korean
popular music transforming into youth-dominated media, manufactured teenage idol groups began
debuting in the mid and late 1990s,[55] wearing coordinated costumes[58] that reflected the popular
fashion trends among youth at the time. Hip-hop fashion, considered the most popular style in the
late '90s,[59] remained, with idol groups H.O.T. and Sechs Kies wearing the style for their debut
songs. The use of accessories elevated the idol's style from everyday fashion to performance
costume, like ski goggles (worn either around the head or neck), headphones worn around the neck,
and oversized gloves worn to accentuate choreography moves were widely used.[citation needed] H.O.T.'s
1996 hit "Candy" exemplifies the level of coordination taken into account for idol's costumes, as each
member wore a designated color and accessorized with face paint, fuzzy oversized mittens, visors,
bucket hats, and earmuffs, and used stuffed animals, backpacks, and messenger bags as props.

Members of Baby Vox performing in 2004

While male idol groups' costumes were constructed with similar color schemes, fabrics, and styles,
the outfits worn by each member still maintained individuality.[60] On the other hand, female idol
groups of the '90s wore homogeneous costumes, often styled identically.[60] The costumes for female
idols during their early promotions often focused on portraying an innocent, youthful image.
[61]
S.E.S.'s debut in 1997, "('Cause) I'm Your Girl", and Baby Vox's second album 1998 hit, "Ya Ya
Ya," featured the girls dressed in white outfits, "To My Boyfriend" by Fin.K.L shows idols in pink
schoolgirl costumes, and "One" and "End" of Chakra presented Hindu and African style costumes.
To portray a natural and somewhat saccharine image, the accessories were limited to large bows,
pompom hair ornaments and hair bands. With the maturation of female idol groups and the removal
of bubblegum pop in the late 1990s, the sets of female idol groups focused on following the fashion
trends of the time, many of which were revealing pieces. The latest promotions of the girl groups
Baby Vox and Jewelry exemplify these trends of hot pants, micro-miniskirts, crop tops, peasant
blouses, transparent garments and blouses on the upper part of the torso. [citation needed]
As K-pop became a modern hybrid of Western and Asian cultures starting from the late 2000s,
[62]
fashion trends within K-pop reflected diversity and distinction as well. Fashion trends from the late
2000s to early 2010s can largely be categorized under the following:[63]

 Street: focuses on individuality; features bright colors, mix-and-match styling, graphic

prints, and sports brands such as Adidas and Reebok.
 Retro: aims to bring back "nostalgia" from the 1960s to 1980s; features dot prints and
detailed patterns. Common clothing items include denim jackets, boot-cut pants, wide
pants, hair bands, scarves, and sunglasses.
 Sexy: highlights femininity and masculinity; features revealing outfits made of satin, lace,
fur, and leather. Common clothing items include mini skirts, corsets, net stockings, high
heels, sleeveless vests, and see-through shirts.
 Black & White: emphasizes modern and chic, symbolizes elegance and charisma,
mostly applied to formal wear.
 Futurism: commonly worn with electronic and hip-hop genres; features popping color
items, metallic details and prints; promotes a futuristic outlook.