K-Pop’s Biggest Dance-Off? Choreographers vs. Copycats

A big conversation is brewing in K-pop—and it’s about something you might not expect: dance moves. Recently, Min Hee-jin, producer of the mega-hit girl group NewJeans, accused another group, ILLIT, of copying their choreography. Fans joined in, sparking a national debate in Korea about who owns dance moves—and whether choreographers should get official credit and profits.

K-pop choreography isn’t just background anymore—it’s a huge part of what makes the music pop worldwide. Viral dance challenges on TikTok and Instagram often use these iconic moves to promote songs. Yet, choreographers typically only get paid once, handing over copyright rights to entertainment companies. Even when their dances go viral, the money usually ends up with music copyright holders, not the creators of the moves.

Now, major Korean dancers have teamed up through the Korean Choreography Copyright Association to push for change. The government is listening, too, working on laws and contracts that protect choreographers and reward them fairly. This is a big deal since Korea is the first country trying to make choreography copyrights a profitable and recognized part of the pop music business.

But there are challenges. K-pop choreography is often a group effort, with many choreographers contributing. Companies also typically require choreographers to give up their rights, making it tough to prove ownership or claim profits.

Still, change is coming. Korea’s rising K-pop influence is shining a spotlight on dance creators. With more recognition, choreographers hope to break free from being seen as just background “outsourced” artists and finally get the respect—and money—they deserve.

After all, without their moves, the music wouldn’t be nearly as unforgettable.

Read More: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-05-30/entertainment/kpop/NewJeans-ILLIT-and-the-law-The-future-of-dance-copyrights-in-Korea/2057922