Under the saturated neon-pink lights of Pan Athletic Center’s dance studio, Andover’s annual K-pop show blended passion and community last Wednesday evening. A packed audience pressed forward in their seats, each cheer after the next pulsing through the room. Lying behind the tightly executed choreography and magnetic stage presence was months of practice in empty dance studios, shared playlists across dorm rooms, and a collective love for K-pop.
The show featured dance covers of popular K-pop hits, live music renditions, and intermission games hosted by two MCs. Dancer Allegra Lee ’27 described the energy shared between the audience and the performers, celebrating both artistry and community.
“This K-pop show was even better than last year. The turnout was incredible, the audience was so energetic, and I loved the games and audience participation. We did a whisper challenge with noise-canceling headphones and a K-pop trivia game. Everyone prepared so well — it was crazy how talented the dancers in JVNE are. I was so proud to see everyone come together and dance because they love it. We also had way more musical numbers this year. People often forget K-pop is more than dance — it’s also very musically rich. That aspect was really showcased this year,” said Lee.
Behind the two-hour performance was months of logistical challenges and artistic decisions, led by the board members of K-pop Club who started planning back in Winter term. With students balancing packed academic schedules and extracurricular commitments, the preparation process became a test of dedication and teamwork.
“From around midterms of winter term, we had weekly hour-long practices, usually in Snyder, but sometimes in Borden or GW, depending on what was available. It got really busy, especially coordinating rehearsals when you’re in a lot of numbers. But it was a good experience — it helped me stay organized and figure out details like costumes and lighting, which I thought was really cool,” said Lee.
What set the K-Pop show apart was not necessarily how polished it was, but rather the driving message of camaraderie behind it. With no auditions required and no experience necessary, anyone with interest was welcomed to perform. Dancer Adelyne Liu ’28 highlighted how the easygoing nature of the show encouraged a learning environment.
“The K-pop show [is] a much more relaxed, fun atmosphere. There were no auditions, so it felt more accessible and created a high-energy environment where people could just enjoy themselves instead of worrying about perfect execution. We really tried to be understanding and supportive of each other. The K-pop show is welcoming to all skill levels, so some people were newer to dancing. In my group for “Like OOH-AHH,” one member had never danced before, so I spent time working with her one-on-one during conference periods or department meeting times to go over the choreography,” said Liu.
As the night wound towards its final act, the show took a shift towards an emotional sendoff. “Rock With You” by Seventeen, performed by a group of ten Seniors that live together in the stack Bertha Bailey, stood out with its synchronized movements, seamless transitions, complex lifts, and a level of cohesion that spoke to years of friendship and community. Performer Eric Wang ’25 spoke to the preparation and symbolism behind the act.
“A lot of us grew to really enjoy [the show] and treasure the memories we made from it. ‘Rock with You’ is kind of an expression of love. Since we’re all Seniors, it felt like a final send-off for our last year at PA. It was a really good experience to challenge myself and go outside my comfort zone. Also, it was a good challenge to try teaching the dance — since I was one of the more experienced members, I helped teach others, and that was a really valuable experience. We made some really good memories, especially in our final year here,” said Wang.
In the days after the performance, memories of K-pop Show lingered, not just in recordings or social media posts, but also in the reflections and take-aways from performers and audience members alike.
“I wanted to show people that you can do hard things. K-pop is honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I started as a ballet dancer, and for a long time I thought that was all I could do. But I learned that’s not true. Just starting small — maybe with a one-minute number — can be really impactful and help you grow as a dancer. I saw so many new people who had never danced before the show, and they improved so much over time. Dance is something really special and exciting. It’s a way to express yourself and be part of a community, and everyone should have the chance to experience that,” said Lee.
