When Passion Meets Performance: The Journey of Our School’s K-pop Dance Club

Sophia  Z.

With YouTube dance tutorials and a dream, BISV’s first K-pop dance club was founded in August 2024 by Evelyn W., Chloe S., and Lexi D.. These three are the current club leaders—overseeing performances, learning dances, and building confidence. Ever since their first performance at the school’s spirit week assembly in 2023, the club has garnered increasing interest in both their performances and club membership. There are no restrictions on who can join (unless you can’t pay the registration fee) as long as you share the same passion for the art of K-pop dance. Through the club, students can listen to new songs together and even learn the dances that go with those songs. Through this article, I hope that you will be enlightened about all the hard work that goes into the K-pop club. 

Before Club 

Evelyn W. and Jack Z.

A lot of effort is made even before club meetings take place. Many things happen behind the scenes to ensure both a fun and productive atmosphere during club meetings, such as additional practices and lots and lots of planning. Furthermore, Club leaders need to plan out activities, dances, and songs to provide structure in club meetings. 

Although there technically aren’t any prior requirements to join the club, dedication is needed to ensure that all members will be skilled enough to perform. Those with less dancing experience usually practice during mandatory office hours for additional training. This also applies to experienced members who wish to improve their dancing abilities. 

If the screams from the audience during assemblies indicate anything, the song lineup is definitely well-received by students. Song selections aren’t random either! Club leaders carefully consider difficulty, member preferences, and how likely the choreography and song lyrics will receive auxiliary approval when picking the final lineup. Once songs are decided, members can choose which song they would like to perform. 

During Club 

Elaine W. 

This year, 30 students from both middle and high school have signed up for the K-pop club. Although the official club room would be the second-floor music room, due to the club’s overwhelming size, many choose to practice outside on the lawn using the theater’s windows as a mirror to perfect their routines. 

K-pop dance club members work hard to learn, teach, and perform in preparation for their events. In fact, a large portion of the club activities centers around performances (and having fun, of course). During meetings, you can often find senior members guiding newcomers and building up their confidence. For example, Chloe S. frequently helps her fellow members gain confidence in their performance for pep rallies, competitions, and more. She does this by teaching members new skills and then reinforcing them until members can dance with certainty. 

Chloe  S.  teaching members a new choreography 

Despite the focus on performances, the club also holds many K-pop themed event days throughout the year to allow members to relax after practicing rigorously. Such events include random play dance, photocard decorating, filming dances, and scavenger hunts. Another popular event among the members would be eating and parties after performances. Such parties include feasts of junk food and random play dance activities to show off some skills members have learned throughout the year. These activities allow members to have fun and reflect on all of their achievements throughout the year. 

After Club

Club leaders Lexi D., Chloe S., and Evelyn W

Once both sweat and tears have fallen, it comes time for members to perform. During pep rallies, members get the chance to show off new dance skills they’ve learned.  The addition of the K-pop dance club to the pep rally roster has had a positive impact on both the club and the rallies. Assemblies have become even more lively with the screaming of students watching some of their favorite songs being performed, such as Sacrifice by Enhypen, Super by Stray Kids, and Magnetic by Illit. The buzz around these performances has helped to garner interest in the club, as is evident in increasing club membership each year. 

Unfortunately, the club temporarily comes to an end with the start of summer. To end on a high note, the club members receive a K-pop album that was agreed upon beforehand (covered by the club registration fee, of course). This final tradition serves as a celebration of the year’s hard work and a send-off as the club disperses for the summer. After goodbyes have been said, students eagerly wait for the fall when the club starts up again. 

Berry

This is Berry the cat, who is the mascot of the K-pop Dance Club. Berry was drawn by Chloe S. to represent the club and its uniqueness because, just like Berry, the members of the K-pop club are agile, smooth, and will look at you questioningly when you try to take their food. 

Quotes from K-pop Club Members:

Jack Z.

“Our club merch is FIRE, bro, our club is so well-rounded, ya’ll need to join. Also, teaching dances is low-key very hard, but I’m glad we teach well enough for so many people to come back. Thanks, guys.” -Evelyn W. 

“Live laugh love K-pop” – Elaine W. 

“GET DOWN!! GET IN A LINE!!” – Chloe S.

“You should join” – Lexi D.

“Very inclusive!!!” – Jack Z.

“It’s great, it’s fun” – Sophia Z.