There are so many things to know when it comes to K-Pop and being an editor for Kpopmap also means that I have to know a wide aspects of K-Pop too.

Considering my interest and love for K-Pop as well, I have chosen several categories which would be nice to share some of my opinions with fellow readers out there.

Do take note that this list is solely based on the my perspective and share with us your favourite through the comment below!

Top 5 choreography

There are just so many amazing, jaw dropping and adorable choreography by K-Pop idols this year and while all of them deserve love and support from fans all over the world, there are 5 choreography that really stood out.

The idea of a good choreography differ from person to person but for me, it is the development of the dance, new and interesting dance steps, overall picture and of course, how well it is executed.

1. ChungHa'PLAY'

ChungHa is all along known as the performance queen as she always impresses fans every time she makes a comeback. One time she will be vogueing and another she will be bringing a whole dance crew on stage!

If you have yet to seen 'PLAY', make sure to do so as she will delight many with her variety of dance styles in just one stage.

2. Stray Kids 'Back Door'

The 8 boys are known for their powerful songs and their most recent title track 'Back Door' has a very intricate and fun-to-watch choreography. It is not easy to come up with a 'knocking' dance step that matches so well with their title but they did!

Make sure to check it out if you have not done so.

3. DREAMCATCHER'BOCA'

DREAMCATCHER is a group that has music influenced by rock genre and their return with 'BOCA' had once again impressed their fans. Once again, together with dancers, they had created another piece of intricate choreography.

Time to time, they were also seen using props and appeared on stage in various groups. Needless to say, the overall picture of the choreography is commendable and also deserve more recognition.

4. TaeMin'IDEA'

There is just something about TaeMin that you cannot keep your eyes away from him. Not long ago, he had returned with his amazing 'IDEA' and the choreography is a piece of art.

He knows how to execute his feelings and it is also sick to see the way he moves his body.

5. Red Velvet's Irene and SeulGi 'Naughty'

The two members of Red Velvet had debuted as a sub-unit and the choreography for their follow up title track 'Naughty', had blown the mind of many. 'Tutting' is a style of dancing that involves moving your fingers and hands in an angular manner.

While it is not easy to execute them, many are also impressed by how synchronized they are.

Must-Have summer playlist

This year, many female K-Pop groups had made their comeback in the summer and we just love the sweet and refreshing summer concepts! They are light and addictive to listen to and here are 5 tracks that I think will definitely lift up your mood in the hottest season of the year.

1. OH MY GIRL 'Dolphin'

It was hard to choose between 'Nonstop' and 'Dolphin' as both songs from their latest album are so good. OH MY GIRL has stepped up their game and proved to many that they are a group filled with potential and limitless energy!

2. (G)I-DLE'DUMDi DUMDi'

(G)I-DLE has never disappoint their fans ever since their debut and it is undeniable that they have proved to be one of the rising K-Pop groups with just more than 2 years of debut!

This summer, they had returned with an addictive 'DUMDi DUMDi' that caused K-Pop fans to want to join in the fun.

3. TWICE'MORE & MORE'

TWICE had returned earlier this June with a fairy tale like concept with 'MORE & MORE' and there are just so many fans from all over the world who had covered the choreography online!

Perhaps one jaw dropping part was when member Momo was leading the impressive dance break.

4. WJSN CHOCOME'Hmph!'

Although 'Hmph!' was not released in the summer, the overall vibe and concept they were going for have allowed K-Pop fans to learn just how fun the girls of WJSN CHOCOME are.

Unique and full of energy, the girls have captured the hearts of fans once again!

5. BLACKPINK'Ice Cream'

Well, you can't get by summer without having those delicious ice cream and BLACKPINK had helped us do so with their perfect collaboration with Selena Gomez!

Compared to their powerful and charismatic songs, BLACKPINK had gone for a sweet and lovely concept. Many of their fans loved to see how they managed to pull off different styles and hope that they will be able to see them perform live with Selena Gomez one day.

Memorable K-Pop showcases/concerts

2020 is a bummer for K-Pop fans because of the worldwide pandemic going on. With that being said, Kpopmap was unable to attend many offline K-Pop showcases and events because of the situation.

However, here are 3 that I had attended on behalf of Kpopmap and had left a great impression on me.

1. VICTON1st Concert "New World"

VICTON Official Twitter

Some would know that 2019 had been a rather dramatic year for the boys of VICTON as they had received a tremendous amount of attention after members ByungChan and SeungWoo had appeared on Mnet "Produce X 101".

The gain in popularity had also allowed them to receive their first music show win and eventually, even able to hold their own solo concert!

Many were touched by their sincere efforts and passion, making the concert an emotional and bittersweet one.

2. WOODZ"Not Just A Concert - W Box"

YueHua Entertainment

Since the start of WOODZ's online concert, I was amused by just how hilarious he was and the amount of effort he had put into the concert. He had planned out the cast, guests, stage and more!

Time to time, he had definitely impressed with his cool charismatic when performing on stage. If you are still thinking if you want to become his fan, the online concert would probably be a huge game changer.

3. SECRET NUMBER'Got That Boom' Comeback showcase

Kpopmap

There was not many offline showcases that I managed to attend but the one from SECRET NUMBER had left me a good impression about them. The girls were bright and full with energy while they performed to their latest single 'Got That Boom'.

Aside from that, they were also sincere when answering questions asked by the journalists who were there.

Top 5 stage sets

Did you notice that entertainment agencies invest a lot in the music show stages? Sometimes they can be really fancy and as they made use of high technology lightings, fresh flowers or even complicated set ups.

With that being said, let's take a look at 5 of them this year which are really impressive and jaw dropping!

1. TXT'Fairy Of Shampoo'

'Fairy Of Shampoo' is not TXT's title track when they had made a comeback earlier but the set is just so beautiful!

It is hard to deny that the pastel colors seen from the set, floating balloons and sweet voices of them had caused you to fall harder for them.

2. BLACKPINK'How You Like That'

When BLACKPINK makes a comeback, they made sure that they do it big.

After a really long hiatus, BLACKPINK had released 'How You Like That' in June. Their comeback stage had also caused many to gasp thanks to the scale of the set.

3. ChungHa 'PLAY'

If you are into flowers and pink, you are also going to love the set of 'PLAY' from ChungHa. The set gave off a rather feminine and floral festival vibe and her fans love just how much effort they had put in to perfect the stage.

4. (G)I-DLE'DUMDi DUMDi'

Looks like the girls of (G)I-DLE are also no joke as their return with 'DUMBDi DUMBDi' in the summer had also caused many to become their fan.

After seeing the props for the stage, many talked about how they wished they could travel and spend an amazing holiday.

5. TWICE 'MORE & MORE'

This is not the first time TWICE had wowed us with their stage and when they had released 'MORE & MORE', many were actually looking forward to their actual stage.

It looks like they are not disappointed as the set looked gorgeous and stunning.

Top 5 solo artist with spectacular stage

There are so many K-Pop idols who had debuted as a solo artist this year but 5 of them had caught my attention.

The reason is probably because of how they were capable of showing audiences their stage presence and filled up the entire stage by themselves.

1. OH MY GIRL's YooA

With YooA making her solo debut, many have praised how she had managed to pull off a forest fairy concept perfectly. Her freshly dyed orange-red hair had also gave off a fantasy vibe, making her stage even more enchanting.

Aside from the concept, the light and happy tone of the track had also allowed to notice that YooA is definitely one of a kind idol out there.

2. MAMAMOO's HwaSa

While it is not HwaSa's debut as a solo artist, she already knows how to make the stage hers. Returning with 'Maria', the idol had mentioned that she had written the song for herself.

Those who had read the lyrics would know that it is a way of encouraging and comforting herself.

In addition, together with the dancers HwaSa had proved once again that she is a stable and powerful vocalist.

3. Girls Generation's HyoYeon aka HYO

When HyoYeon or also known as HYO had released 'Dessert', there were so many K-Pop idols filming themselves and doing the 'Dessert' challenge.

It seems like the 'HYO effect' is no joke as the song is also addictive and the dance is catchy too.

4. Jessi

Jessi is a veteran singer and when she makes her return, she makes sure that people really know that she is back. 'Nunu Nana' has been a hit ever since the release and with the easy to follow dance steps, many fans have also been doing the dance challenge!

In addition, many also pointed out that Jessi has a strong and powerful vocals that they originally did not know.

5. EXO's BaekHyun

Sweet like a 'candy', BaekHyun had returned with a heart fluttering song. Together with dancers, the idol had caused his fans to fall for his charms once again after seeing how he was able to sing and dance at the same time.

Compared to his debut as a solo artist with 'UN Village', 'Candy' had allowed many to see the bright and energetic side of BaekHyun.