I’m analyzing and discussing kpop dance through the lens of my knowledge/experience in commercial, open/fusion style choreography and various “street styles”. Because of my background in multiple styles I also want to acknowledge that there are different, often contradicting opinions among dancers on even the most fundamental aspects of dance. Different dance scenes, cultures and styles have different approaches, care about different things and have different technical demands.

About my rankings: There is no objective, agreed upon scale or list of criteria that one can follow, at least not for ever changing styles like the ones seen in kpop. Dance is an art form and many dancers don’t believe in rankings and ratings at all (and you don’t have to, either). I am trying to assess to what extent an idol has “mastered” the different technical elements that are needed for commercial or open style choreography and how functional their overall technique is.