Tuesday, 19 June 2012

My passion

I was recently notified of a KPOP event happening in Toronto next month. You all probably don't know this, but I have been learning KPOP choreography on my own for the last 3-4 years. I have been into KPOP for the last 6 years, and learning the dance for last 3-4 years. It always happens like this: concept photos come out, teaser videos come out, then the MV comes out. I normally watch enough performances or watched the MV enough times to learn the dance. When I feel I have a grasp of the choreography, I try it out. Some choreography is obviously easier than others (Gee vs. The Boys) or (Balloons vs. Keep Your Head Down or even Rising Sun). I also try to learn choreography from all artists (that I like). I guess the first choreography I tried was Gee. I saw it, addicting and simple enough to learn. I managed to get it pat down within, a month or so? Mostly I learn Girls Generation dances, because they are just so gorgeous and the choreography is simpler. For me, some of the guy groups have almost impossible choreography to learn. As a person with no dance background at all, it is already pretty good that I am getting all this dance down.  (ANYWAY.)
 So I was told that there was going to be a KPOP thing happening next month or so. And it is going to take form in a flash mob. (You can check it out here KPOP Flash Mob Toronto) I got excited, as barely anything KPOP related happens in Toronto. I went to check out the compilation song, and I knew I think a good 11 of the 17 songs that were there. The other songs that I didn't know were either because a) I don't normally listen to that group and b) didn't know there was choreography that accompanied the song. (And yes, all those I didn't know were the newer boy groups that would categorize me as a 누나 fan *shudders*) Although I have not decided whether I will go, I have downloaded the video and started 'practising'. What I call dancing is imitate the motions enough to look like I can pass for dancing. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ So after going through the video around three or four times, I was able to raise my number to around 14 of the songs down pat. 
The deciding factors of whether I'm going or not is a) (most importantly) the date it falls on. If it falls on the day of my friend's wedding, then I definitely won't be going. and b) whether I actually learn all of the choreography. One issue I have with the flash mob is that there are parts in the choreography where the group of that particular song has different actions for the different members, and that might look really confusing as a group. And also, we're really going to have to roll on concrete for one of the songs? Overall, I'm just going to make this a challenge at home, and see how it is when it comes to the day of.
I have always to film myself dancing, to actually see how good/bad I am. Maybe I shall invest in a nicer camera in the future to do so, and you all can see me embarrass myself on Youtube someday.

(Following part is more fit for those who know more about KPOP)
I will star the songs I don't listen to. And you will see what I mean.
The set list in the compilation is as follows:
1. Wonder Girls - Like This
2. Girls Generation - The Boys
3. B2ST - Soom (Breath)*
4. G.Na - 2Hot
5. Super Junior - Mr. Simple
6. Teen Top - Supa Luv*
7. Miss A - Breathe
8. T-ara - Roly Poly
9. Big Bang - Fantastic Baby
10. JYJ - Get Out
11. DBSK - Maximum
12. Brown Eyed Girls - Abracadabra
13. f(x) - Electric Shock
14. SHINee - Sherlock
15. Infinite - Nothing's Over*
16. 2NE1- I am the Best
17. DBSK - Balloons

All those groups that I don't listen to are post 2010 debute, and I rarely listen to anybody new past that year.  Wonder Girls' Like This looks really easy to learn, but to get those actions to look casual, is a bit challenging.  And for those not as in shape as the girls, it is recommended that you don't wear shorts doing this dance. Flab will show. 
As for The Boys, you can say that they picked the most complicated part of the choreography. Especially having to drop down at the bridge, but it will look mighty cool with a whole bunch of people doing it. It took me a good week before I could become flexible enough to drop and roll like them in the choreography, and it pains me to think about doing it in heels. Thumbs up to them. 
B2ST's song is not as bad, as the choreography is quite simple. Again it's going to be on the emphasis on making it look natural and flow-y (?). 
G.Na's 2HOT is quite... erm, challenging for the boys I must say. They must bring their inner girls out. 
Mr. Simple is an awesome song to dance to, but because of Eunhyukie's part it is a bit more challenging. Teen Top has their choreography so fluid and together, it'll be hard to get that with the flash mob. But once again, it is very simple to learn.
Miss A's song Breathe is a very upbeat song, and the choreography would require a person to extra bouncy to make it look good.
T-ara's Roly Poly was a song I didn't really care much for until it came up on Running Man. It's catchy, and the retro look was very cute on the girls. The dance itself is quite simple, as the dancing in the past was very simple, mostly arms not much leg movement. 
Fantastic Baby is not really a dance song per say, but more a club song. Some parts of the dance are very similar to WG's Like this, and again, those with flab be warned: no shorts!
JYJ's Get Out is VERY challenging to me. Lots of legs and arms movement. I didn't even know they had a dance for this song because they aren't allowed to promote :( 
Then comes DB2K, HoMin's Maximum. This song isn't really for flash mobs, Keep Your Head down would have been a better choice. Since they became two, I don't know whether to follow them or the dancers. Then there is the classic flash mob song, 
BEG's Abracadabra. Love the hip swaying, and it's super easy to learn! 
After the slower tempo song there is f(x)'s new song, Electric Shock. Love the part picked for the flash mob, as it exudes so much energy. Note: If dancing this section, put on the most bubbly face you can, and smile like no tomorrow. 
Next came the brothers of the same company, Shinee with Sherlock. Again, Shinee is known for their togetherness, and this choreography is quite hard. Hard meaning, hard to dance to without making yourself look like a dork. (My bias is coming in 3, 2, 1). I learned the choreography from watching 신화방송. A portion of it at least. Even 신화 who has been in the industry longer can barely grasp the dance (of course and the fact that they are much older...) They taught very well on the show.
Then came Infinite's Nothing's Over. I'm sorry to all Infinite fans, but this song bores the check out of me. From the choreography to the dancing. No special comment here.
Second last on the list is 2NE1's I am the Best. As the song says, you have to believe you are the best in order to portray the fierceness they showed on stage. Any weakness or faltering, and you don't look so good dancing.
Last song is Balloons by the one and only DB5K, DBSK. When they were five. This song is a remake, and they made the song more bubbly and poppy. And I lied before about learning Gee as the first song, this was the first song I learned. Dancing is very simple, not alot of complicated leg movements. 

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