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