A new K-Pop club has launched in the building where students can come together and dance.
“In K-Pop Club, we learn and rehearse dances choreographed for/and performed in the music videos of Korean Pop artists,” advisor Heather Loperena said, “There was student interest in having a casual K-Pop dance team at Plainfield Central and the club has quickly grown into a fun, energetic space that typically utilizes both dance rooms for practices! The students LOVE to learn K-Pop dances and perform them for and with each other.
All members have a similar interest, their love for K-pop music.
“Being able to be around people that have the same taste in music as me and love the same things makes it really easy to make friends. I’ve gotten really close to a lot of people in a short amount of time,” junior Masha Moiseytseva said.
K-Pop or Korean Pop has gotten more popular in recent years with bands like BTS and Blackpink exploding on the music scene.
“It’s a whole different type of genre of music and choreography that [people] are exposed to,” senior Luiza Abustan said.
“I think for a lot of people it was something new and something fresh and that drew a lot in. Language aside, I personally think the variety and production value of K-pop is so diverse, I could never get bored because there’s always something new. A lot of artists also focus on sending important messages like self-love and acceptance and I love that,” Moiseytseva said.

The club focuses on dancing the different choreographies K-pop has to offer.

“In K-Pop club instead of the classic American dances, you get to experience a similar but different style of choreography.” junior Emily Wong said.

“Some dance styles include freestyle and b-boying. We also do a “free dance” where we play clips of K-Pop songs.  Everyone who knows the dance goes to the middle of the circle and performs, while everyone else watches and cheers them on,” advisor Monique Armistead said.

The club has already started meeting and rehearsing.

“The days we practice vary each week but it’s usually from 2:20 to 4 p.m.,” Wong said.

“You do not have to be a great dancer to participate in this club. You just need a good attitude and be willing to put in the hard work to learn the formations and choreography. Everyone is very helpful and encouraging,” Loperena said.

K-Pop club has already begun bringing joy to everyone involved.

“My favorite thing about the club is the music and energy that each member brings to the club. I also really appreciate the dedication. We practice twice a week, and everyone is dedicated to attending and practicing the entire time,” Armistead said.

“We are a lot like a family because we all came for the same reason that we like the music and dances,” Moiseytseva said, “Being able to be around people that have the same taste in music as me and love the same things makes it really easy to make friends. I’ve gotten really close to a lot of people in a short amount of time.”

Although the club has just begun, members and advisors have big aspirations for the dance group.

“We are hoping to attend and perform at an Asian Culture Fair at NIU this April and eat together at a Korean restaurant this May. Next year, we would love to put on a performance at PHS for our fellow wildcats,” Loperena said.