Stray Kids (SKZ) Hyunjin Dance Analysis

 

The man has recently been on the rise with his striking visual and his dancing abilities

Hyunjin was cast by JYP Entertainment with no skills. During his training, Hyunjin focuses on dance and tried many dance styles throughout his dancing journey. After training for 2 years, he finally debuted as the main dancer of Stray Kids who are known for their unique choreography. So today we’re gonna break down why.

EXPRESSIVE

As a dancer, the secret to aesthetic perfection is technique and style. Simply, “technique” is how to best move. Whereas Style is how well you look. Though technique can be developed through practice, style is unique to each individual.

What draws the audience to Hyunjin is his style. He does not separate technique from style or expression, which is a rare occurrence. He has the ability to make a choreography look like something only he can do. Making it difficult for others to follow or even imitate. 

Hyunjin has always had this certain style that he follows, but recently, it has become more prominent. Hyunjin’s on-stage style, or rather a personality, is a sassy, smug, or conceited alter ego of his.  This style is always evident, subtly or directly, no matter what genre of dance or character he’s playing. 

Expressiveness is not just about one thing or another. It is a combination of two essential elements.

EMOTION

Emotion is the essence of movement. Fundamentally, dance is about expressing the deep, guttural emotionality that gets right to the very core of us.

Dancers focus almost exclusively on physical elements such as strength, flexibility, shape, line, and form, which we regard as technique. As it is the first thing that is taught in class. Consequently, dancers forget that emotions are embodied in our physical bodies and are a major part of how we move.

Rather than just putting on a performance, Hyunjin expresses emotions, communicating physically with his style. Allowing those feelings to move through the body, out of the body, and in doing so, to move others. 

This is most evident in the choreographies that he created himself. Hyunjin’s movement seems different because he has paired honest emotions with structured movement. He pours his experience into the choreography. That experience is an actuality, it is authentic and vulnerable. You aren’t watching an event, but rather are invited to experience the moment.

What’s more incredible is that he has also integrated honest emotions and experience WITHIN the choreographed movement. Hence, the appearance of his ‘alter-ego” in the performance.

Emotions are not just an idea in your head, they are physically embodied. So, the way you feel affects the way you hold your body. After all, expressiveness involves not just your face but your whole body carriage. 

BODY FORM

So other than timing in facial expressions with the rhythm of the music, Hyunjin would tailor some movements in order to suit the bratty persona he created. This modification allows him to differentiate himself in group settings due to his unique lines and angle. For example,

It is important to mention that his physique also plays a huge role. Hyunjin has a taller physique compared to the members. His tall and slender frame allows him to move in certain ways that his other members aren’t able to achieve. Most of his movement looks more dramatic because he can cover more distance in order to reach the level. For example,

His bent legs look more dramatic because he covers more distance to reach that level. And his legs would be placed further apart, creating more negative space for a more interesting picture.

Another example, he’s able to showcase intricate movements much more clearly. When he’s doing an isolated arm movement or a gentle head look. He doesn’t look like he's over-doing a move that's supposed to be subtle. Rather, it fits his body and the audience can read the move more easily.

Although his legs and torso have the same proportion, his upper body looks visually longer. This is caused by his long, slender neck. In hip-hop, sometimes a longer neck can cause the dancer’s body to look disconnected from the head. However, to administer the flow from the body to the head, the dancer must be in proper connection with the head.

This isn't an issue for Hyunjin though. Hyunjin does not forget that the head plays a huge role in creating pictures. Hyunjin keeps in mind the direction of his head and gazes when he dances. 

Hyunjin is also aware of his body form in regards to space and blocking. He would alter the movement so that it would show better in-camera or for a live audience. Which you can see in these two clips,

However, it is important to understand that quantity and complexity of body movements are no compensation for the,

QUALITY OF MOVEMENTS

Dancers mainly focus on technique and technique alone without any thought for the dimension of expression. But what separates a good dancer from a great one is the ability to interpret a piece of music in movement. 

Asides from understanding what emotions to evoke, Hyunjin tries to understand the music and how it makes him feel, and how it can be interpreted through dance. He’s able to do this well, because he has a good understanding of dynamics, what they are and how to use them in his work and performance. For instance.

Hyunjin also has unique ways of moving to music that brings out sounds you might not have heard when you’re just listening to the song. He accentuates the music and matches the changes and flow of the song, as well as adds performance technique to a piece. He utilizes different ways of execution, timing, and textures to portray how he hears the song. 

Dancers are physical interpretations of music and textures allow people to see the music more clearly. The textures all depend on his interpretation of how he hears the music and wishes to portray that to the viewer. 

To help you visualize better, imagine their movements as typographical symbols. Whilst other members’ movements look like brackets. Hyunjin’s look like tide dash.

Or while other members’ movements look like periods, Hyunjin ends his movements as exclamation points. But it is important to note, that Hyunjin knows when to end as a period as well. 

His understanding of dynamics and texture allows him to use them in combination to complement as well as contrast each other. And ultimately, creates interesting and compelling dance.

People often forgot that Hyunjin is not just an excellent performer, he is also an amazing dancer. His hard work and diligence allow him to grow from zero to a thousand. Proving once again that he is not just a pretty face.