Even though many of them had no plans to become dancers, BTS performs some of the most complex choreographies on some of the biggest stages in the music industry. This accomplishment is the result of a lot of hard work and practice from the members, as well as the effort of many other dancers and choreographers. Today we want to highlight and celebrate several different people and groups that have contributed to making BTS the dancers and performers that they are today.
Creating the Choreography
Many impressive BTS performances begin with a routine created by longtime Big Hit choreographer Son Sungdeuk. He is credited with providing choreography for the group for songs as early as “We are Bulletproof pt. 2.” His work for BTS has earned him a number of awards including the iHeartRadio Music Awards Favorite Music Video Choreography for “Dynamite” in 2021. His role in the group’s performance extends beyond simply creating routines, however. He has been seen traveling to many of the cities that BTS perform in, likely so that he can help them organize their formations which change based on the size of the stage. Furthermore, in videos such as Skool Luv Affair Special Addition and BTS Memories of 2019, he can be seen running dance practices and explaining steps. And in 2019, he even offered this service to ARMY as he taught several dance classes to those who attended BTS 5th Muster: Magic Shop.
Not all BTS choreographies come from Sungdeuk, though. Occasionally the members have developed the routines as well. Most popularly, the members created the choreography for “Spine Breaker.” Jungkook also participated in the creation of the choreography for his solo song “My Time” for the Map of the Soul ON:E Concert. Additionally, BTS has also worked with different international guest choreographers. Most recently, j-hope, Jimin, and Jungkook collaborated with Nick Joseph for their dance cover of “Butter” feat. Megan thee Stallion.
Outside the Spotlight
In addition to great choreographies, BTS often has incredible dancers supporting them during their performance. Prior to their debut, several BTS members served as dancers for other idols. j-hope and Jungkook performed as dancers in label mate Jo Kwon’s “I’m Da One” music video and in live performances. The two were joined by Suga and Jimin as dancers for a few performances with BigHit girl group Glam. You can watch a compilation of these performances here.
Since their debut, BTS has now been the group to feature future idols as their dancers. Similarly, as to how the members danced with their Big Hit seniors, Tomorrow x Together member Yeonjun also did his due diligence in supporting his seniors prior to his debut. In 2019, shortly after he was announced as the first member of TXT, fans discovered that he had also performed with V for “Singularity.” Lee Know of Stray Kids also danced with BTS. He performed with the group for several years including BTS’ iconic performance of “Rainism” and participated in their “Not Today” comeback. Lee Know even traveled with BTS as a dancer on their Wings Tour. It’s not just boys, though, Itzy’s Ryujin also got to dance with BTS as she was featured in the “Love Yourself Highlight Reel” dancing with j-hope.
Naturally, it’s very exciting for trainees to have the opportunity to dance and perform with their seniors. It gives them a chance to practice being on stage, while also learning from idols that have substantial experience. Many BTS members were able to benefit from getting to dance with their seniors, and it is exciting that BTS has been able to provide that opportunity for their junior trainees, as well.
BTS and The Lab
For their most recent concerts in the United States, BTS has partnered with the LA-based dance crew The Lab. According to their website, the group provides casting, choreography, and creative direction for artists. They have worked with Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, and Usher in addition to other K-pop acts such as Blackpink and Stray Kids. The history between the Lab and BTS dates back all the way back to 2019, when Sienna Lalau, dancer and choreographer for The Lab, worked on the routine for “Dionysus” at only 19 years old. Following the immense success of “Dionysus,” she was brought back for the group’s next comeback and choreographed “ON.” The “On Kinetic Manifesto Film: Come Prima” went on to receive the 2020 MTV VMA for Best Choreography.
With “On” it wasn’t just Lalau’s choreography on display; she and her fellow dancers at The Lab also participated. Furthermore, the group even traveled with BTS to New York City to perform on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. Behind-the-scenes videos from their time rehearsing and performing together shows that the two groups have great chemistry, and fortunately that was not the last time they would work together. At the end of 2021, BTS and The Lab reunited to perform four concerts for Permission to Dance on Stage Los Angeles. Then, when BTS performed four more Permission to Dance on Stage shows this time in Las Vegas, The Lab once again joined the production. BTS even brought The Lab to the Grammy’s for their memorable performance. Their repeated collaboration shows that BTS thinks very highly of them as dancers, but fans additionally repeatedly see that BTS appears to enjoy them as people too. V is often seen goofing around with Sienna during the concerts, and the members almost always hug the dancers at the end of the show. The Lab’s Instagram page is full of photos and videos of the crew and the members having fun together. Jimin even posted a photo to his Instagram while wearing The Lab merch after their final concert in Las Vegas. It is exciting to see BTS find collaborators that are both talented and compatible with the members.
Through the teamwork of the members, choreographers, and dancers, BTS has been able to create some incredibly impressive stages throughout the past 9 years. And as they strengthen their relationship with The Lab, provide opportunities for young trainees to perform, and work with Sungdeuk as well as guest choreographers, there’s no telling what the future holds. BTS is constantly raising the bar when it comes to dancing and performing, so we can only imagine what their next stage may have in store.
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Written By: Rachel
Edited By: Aury
Checked By: Mheer