This story is a part of Billboard‘s Okay-Pop Situation.
Los Angeles-born and -raised choreographer Kyle Hanagami has labored with pop stars like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez and Dove Cameron. However in more moderen years, his résumé has began studying like a who’s who of Okay-pop’s greatest names: TWICE, aespa, Pink Velvet, Women Era, NCT and NCT Dream, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and, most notably, BLACKPINK. All have enlisted Hanagami to assist craft the fierce strikes that energy their music movies and stage performances, outline their manufacturers and now are oft-imitated on TikTok. He has additionally labored with members of BLACKPINK on their solo efforts — together with with Jisoo on the video for her single “Flower,” which has over 118 million YouTube views. At present choreographing the forthcoming Imply Women musical film, Hanagami spoke from its East Coast set about what it took to develop into Okay-pop’s most in-demand dance-maker.
Have been you a Okay-pop fan earlier than changing into enmeshed on this world?
I truly used to hearken to Okay-pop in highschool — I had a buddy who was actually, actually into it. However I by no means in one million years imagined I’d be working in it, particularly as a result of I didn’t begin dancing or choreographing till after highschool. It’s a complete fluke.
How did you begin working with Okay-pop acts?
I’d been posting movies on YouTube again once I had possibly 500,000 subscribers [He now has over 4.5 million], and one of many leisure corporations reached out to me. Then extra artists and leisure corporations began reaching out. After I first began working in Okay-pop, there weren’t very many American choreographers. It has been a course of determining that type and what it appears like and sort of creating it. I feel that’s why so many artists I’ve labored with have gone on to develop into so profitable — they’ve superb groups who work with them, nevertheless it actually has been about me growing types for these folks from scratch.
In the US, it has been a minute since choreo-driven lady teams and boy bands have been common. Does that make working with Okay-pop acts particularly enjoyable?
I used to choreograph for a Latin boy band, CNCO, that was vastly into dance breaks. After which I did *NSYNC’s shock look at Ariana Grande’s Coachella efficiency, and that was once more [a lot of] dance breaks. I’ve all the time beloved that type. It has been cool to determine how one can adapt it to those superb artists who come out of Korea.
Why is dance so essential to the id of Okay-pop teams and their members?
It’s about actually figuring out what makes their music totally different and bringing it to life. I bear in mind the primary time I heard BLACKPINK, once I heard “Boombayah” [for which Hanagami choreographed the video]. I bear in mind pondering, “Oh, that is totally different. I’ve by no means heard a Okay-pop group come out like this, particularly as their first single. This group must look totally different than everybody else.” I had the chance to choreograph and provides visuals that hadn’t been achieved for Okay-pop earlier than, and I beloved making {that a} signature of BLACKPINK.
How would you describe that signature?
They’re so modern as a Okay-pop group, and I used to be ready with the choreography to essentially lean into their individuality. They need to dance the way in which they sing — and every of their voices are so distinctive. I actually need to deliver that out once I give them solo moments in choreography, however on the identical time, it has to work collectively as a complete. I feel what has helped make them profitable is all 4 women are relatable in their very own methods, however they really feel like a supergroup once they come collectively.
Are there sure belongings you would do with an American act that you just wouldn’t with a Okay-pop act?
Clearly, I ensure there’s that component of cultural sensitivity. There are undoubtedly American artists who’ll go approach overtly horny in a approach a Korean artist won’t be comfy with, and it’s one thing I take into account. I wish to ensure if a 9-year-old is watching [a video] at residence they usually wish to observe alongside, their dad and mom really feel comfy.
However on the whole, the artists that come out of Korea prepare so arduous to be the place they’re, [they’re] changing into these superstars earlier than they even hit the stage, whereas in America, it’s typically about discovering current expertise versus expertise improvement. Any time I get a brand new [K-pop] artist, it’s beginning with what they’ve — if somebody is a good vocalist, or an excellent rapper, or an excellent dancer or very charming — and understanding how and when to make them shine. Utilizing the choreography to indicate what they do greatest.
This story initially appeared within the April 22, 2023, difficulty of Billboard.