Kpop Review

TWICE Nayeon's Choreography For 'ABCD' Draws Comparisons To BLACKPINK Jennie

A portion of TWICE Nayeon’s dance break for “ABCD” is being compared to BLACKPINK Jennie.

On June 14, 2024, Nayeon officially released her mini-album “NA” and the music video for its title track, “ABCD.” This release marks her first comeback since debuting as a soloist in the summer of 2022 with the hit song “POP!,” which became a popular summer anthem.

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Given the success of “POP!,” fans eagerly anticipated Nayeon’s comeback, looking forward to seeing her unique style.

“ABCD” is a vibrant pop dance song that blends modern and hip-hop elements with a Y2K pop spirit. The track was composed and arranged by BTS’s producer Pdogg, with lyrics written by JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin Young.

TWICE Nayeon’s Choreography For ‘ABCD’ Draws Comparisons To BLACKPINK Jennie (Photo : Nayeon Instagram)

The collaboration between these two hit-makers generated excitement when it was announced, and “ABCD” received praise for its catchy, fresh melody, with expectations high that it would follow in the successful footsteps of “POP!.”

Despite the quality of the music, Nayeon’s solo comeback didn’t make a significant impact on the Korean digital music charts, debuting at number 23 on Bugs and number 110 on Genie, and failing to enter the MelOn Top 100.

TWICE Nayeon’s Choreography For ‘ABCD’ Draws Comparisons To BLACKPINK Jennie (Photo : Nayeon Instagram)

This was seen as a letdown for Nayeon. However, fans are hopeful that the song’s popularity will grow as promotions continue.

A major point of controversy regarding Nayeon’s comeback has been the choreography for “ABCD.” In the music video, she dons a seductive, mature, and confident image, featuring a dance break with daring moves. Some scenes, especially those involving close interactions with male dancers, have sparked debate among fans.

While TWICE has matured its image over the years, this new direction for Nayeon has been jarring for some. Some netizens argue that the choreography is overly sexy and inappropriate.

This controversy has drawn comparisons to Jennie from BLACKPINK, who faced backlash in 2023 for a provocative dance scene in the HBO show “The Idol.” Some netizens claim a double standard exists against female idols, with people criticizing Jennie and now slamming Nayeon for similar reasons.

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TWICE fans have rallied to defend Nayeon, emphasizing that the controversial dance move lasts only 1-2 seconds and is not representative of the entire performance. They argue that using a zoomed-in photo to critique the whole dance is unfair and misleading.

Fans also point out that Nayeon and Jennie’s choreography styles are extremely different, therefore the comparisons have no bearings.

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