Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Blackpink dance cover queen Ky: meet the YouTuber who joins K-pop groups BTS, Itzy and Twice in viral music videos of hits like How You Like It and As If It’s Your Last

Blackpink … plus Ky? has earned hundreds of thousands of followers by inserting herself into some of K-pop’s best known dance routines. Photo: Ky27/YouTube

Despite the fact that every K-pop song is different, there are nevertheless a handful of key ingredients – synthesised music, punchy dance routines and fashionable outfits – and they’re probably the reason the genre has taken the world by storm in the first place.

So important are the dance routines to K-pop’s success, in fact, that anyone who says they don’t energetically dance along to most of the music videos, especially when nobody is watching, is probably lying.

Which brings us to YouTuber Ky, who is most definitely one of us; however, instead of keeping her fan-girl behaviour hidden from the world, she has decided to share it with everyone. Heck, if our dance techniques and video editing skills were as good as hers, we think we would too.

After starting her YouTube channel named Ky27 eight years ago, Ky now has more than 450,000 subscribers and over 500,000 of followers on Instagram. Two of her most popular videos on YouTube are dance covers of Blackpink hits As If It’s Your Last and How You Like It – attracting over three million viewers each!

School uniforms and old flats – the weird ways BTS’ Jimin spends his fortune

Despite referring to her works as a parody, her subscribers seem to love her work almost as much as that of Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé and Lisa. “If Blackpink is a five member group, the other one is her,” commented one netizen. “The fact that she is so in sync scares me”, joked another commentator.

STYLE caught up with Ky to find out more.

Where are you from? What’s your real name and what do you do for work?

I’m Chinese-Canadian and I’m currently based in Toronto, Canada. I had quite a diverse background growing up – I was born and raised in Singapore until grade three, then I went to school for a bit in Shanghai and moved to Toronto for high school onwards.

My real name is Michelle, but it’s quite a common name so I opted for “Ky” which is my nickname and the reason I use it online – it’s simple and unique. I just turned 23 this year and I’m currently a freelance video editor/content creator and an aspiring music video director!

From Pepsi to two-tone hair: 8 ways Blackpink remind us of the Spice Girls

Based in Toronto, Ky is currently a freelance video editor. Photo: Ky27/YouTube

Why did you decide to make K-pop dance cover videos?

I just really like K-pop. I’ve been an avid fan since 2008. In addition to being passionate about the K-pop artists and songs, I’m also very passionate about dancing and making videos, so making these covers has been my main hobby since I started in 2012. I just also want to support the artists and reciprocate the love for the songs and choreography that have got me through different times in my life.

Bae Suzy’s love life, revealed – who she dated, and who she didn’t

Ky’s dance cover of NCT 127’s song Kick It. Photo: Ky27/YouTube

Who do you think are the best dancers in K-pop?

Some of the best K-pop dancers I’d say would be Taemin from SHINee, Ten from NCT and Seulgi from Red Velvet. They’re very passionate about their work and art, and they really pour their hearts into their movements which is so beautiful and mesmerising. They also work very hard for their craft and inspire me to do so as well!

What were the BTS boys like before they found fame?

Where did you learn those dancing skills? Do you just train really hard in your free time? How long does it take to finish a video?

I learned just by watching dance videos on YouTube! I don’t train myself really hard; dancing in general is a hobby and a passion of mine and it’s also a way for me to de-stress and have fun. I just learn choreography for songs I really enjoy, and I look up dance videos or tutorials to work on choreography routines and techniques outside K-pop to improve myself as a dancer. It usually takes one to two weeks from start to finish, which includes learning and practising the choreography as well.

The DIY set-up in Ky’s bedroom. Photo: Ky27/YouTube

5 cute K-drama stars who started off as catwalk models

Some of your dance cover videos drew more than three million viewers. Do you have specific goals in mind when making these videos?

Yes they do! And they also get shared by fan pages around the world which gets them even more views, ha ha. It still blows my mind. I honestly don’t have any other goals for making those videos other than to have fun, enjoy the song and choreo I like and support the artist I like. But if they ever get seen by the artists themselves, I’d be very honoured and happy! I put out these videos without any expectations and I always get big responses when they’re released which I’m very grateful for, and I’m thankful for the love and support.

Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter .

K-pop idols

Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, Lisa and … Michelle? Find out who netizens are dubbing the (unofficial) fifth member of Blackpink, and why she already has nearly half a million subscribers on YouTube