Cultural Opening and Global Communication: K-pop Dance Cover by Malaysian Bodies

Abstract

This article focuses on K(orean)-pop dance cover that Malaysian youthhood have replicated via social media and dance cover competitions hosted by K’Storm and Dancedeets since the 2010s. I arouse my curiosity about how K-pop dance is re-rendered in Malaysia where Islam is adopted the state religion but various religions and cultures co-exist, called the multicultural and multiconfessional nation. What is noticeable here is that the Malaysian government countenances cultural opening by policy, which allows the younger generation to open their mind to K-pop dance music and to be accustomed to producing dance covers in their own bodies. This article explores why the youth turn away their eyes to K-pop dance choreography as much as song tunes and lyrics. It also enables me to look over what their own meanings they dissolve into dance covers. This research makes clear that dance is seen as a global communication medium beyond religious and cultural barriers when being transmitted from one country to another.