Competitors and coaches must act with grace, good sportsmanship, and respect towards other competitors both in and outside the competition venue. Everyone must be given an equal opportunity for a concentrated competition performance. All kinds of disturbance towards another competitor’s performance is prohibited. Cheering for and encouraging other competitors during their performance is allowed.

The competitors are required to be both good losers and good winners. Any physical or mental violence towards the organizers, the judges or the competitors is strictly prohibited.  Demeaning and rebuking other competitors is strictly prohibited – both in and outside the venue. Breaking the etiquette leads straight to a competition ban from the current and next possible competition.

1.1 Dancer

·   Be on time and ready for your performance.

·   Cheer for and respect your fellow competitors, and give them space to concentrate on their performance.

·   Keep the dressing rooms clean.

·   Give the judges space to work by keeping a good distance to the judges’ tables. Follow the organizer’s/staff’s directions on what is a good distance.

·   Don’t move in the audience during the performances – this way you will not distract the performers or disturb other members of the audience.

·   Be on time for the awards ceremony.

Participating in K-pop Rookie Battle is allowed for dancers who view themselves as beginners and who have never participated in the K-pop Dance Cover Competition (KDC) finals as competitors during the past five years. That means it is prohibited for any members in the solo, duo or group performance to have made it to the final round of KDC in 2018-2022.

In the solo/duo category, participation is open for one (1) person or two (2) people. In the group category, participation is open for groups of three (3) or more people. The number of participating dancers must be informed when registering for the competition, and the members can not be changed after registration or between the preliminaries and the finals. If the number of members must be changed due to an exception, for example a serious injury or illness, we ask that you contact the organizer of the competition. It is allowed to replace the injured/ill member with a dancer who was not part of the original group when they registered for the competition. If such an instance occurs, we ask you to send us information of the new member.

The aim of the competition is to mimic the original choreography as closely as possible, and it is prohibited to make changes to the moves in comparison to the reference performance. However, the competitors do not necessarily need to have the same number of members as in the original choreography. This means that the competitors are allowed to modify the original formations and formation changes to be more fitting for their member count.

2.1 Backup Dancers (Groups)

Using backup dancers in group performances is allowed if the original choreography also has them. The number of backup dancers in the performance does not have to match the amount in the original. If there are less or more backup dancers than in the original choreography, modifying formations and formation changes to be more reasonable for the amount of backup dancers is allowed. Changing the moves of the original choreography is prohibited.

·   If you are performing a song by a solo artist, only one of the members in your group will dance the part of the solo performer during the entire performance.

·   If there is a part in the original choreography where only some of the main members are dancing with backup dancers and the rest of the main members are standing at the sides, the rest of the main members are allowed to dance the part of the backup dancers.

Registering for the competition will be done through a digital form that will be published online. When registering, the obligatory information of dancer(s) must be reported, and this information will be regarded as permanent.

The registration form or other registration instructions will be published on the organizer’s (K-pop Suomi ry) website and social media channels. Information of the length of the preliminary round will be published at the same time. We will not accept registrations that are submitted after the deadline.

3.1  Preliminary Round

The competition includes a video preliminary round that competitors must pass to make it to the live finals. The song(s) performed in the preliminaries can not be changed for the final round. The minimum length of the preliminary video is one (1) minute and the maximum length is two (2) minutes.

The preliminary video must be filmed with one take and a stationary camera, straight from the front. Music must be added to the video in post-production; all other kinds of editing is prohibited. Using a stage performance as a preliminary video is prohibited. The length of the video can go a few seconds over the maximum time limit.

The dance snippet chosen for the preliminary video must be from the main song, and it can be from any part of the song. This means that the preliminary video is a shortened version of the main song. However, possible additions to the finals’ performance (intro/outro) must be informed in the registration form. It is prohibited to add an intro/outro song that the competitor has not reported during registration.

It is recommended to have outfits that suit the entire group’s look in the preliminaries because it helps with the evaluation. However, the outfits do not have to be the same in the finals.

3.2  The Course of the Competition

The registration form and other registration instructions will be published on the website and social media channels of the organizer (K-pop Suomi ry) along with the information of the length of the preliminary round. Applications after the registration deadline will be ignored.

In the preliminary round, a total of 20 competitors will be chosen for the finals. The choice will be made by the judges according to the evaluation criteria (see section 7). The finalists will be published in the social media channels of K-pop Suomi ry.

The finalists (10 performances from solo/duo category + 10 performances from group category) will receive information about preparing for the finals before the competition day. The performance order will be selected randomly by drawing lots, and the finalists will be informed of the order before the competition day.

The maximum length of your competition performance is five (5) minutes, including possible additional parts (intro/outro). Because this is a cover competition, the performance must be based on the original choreography as closely as possible.

The reference material, which must be submitted when registering for the competition, can be any video by the original performer where the whole choreography and the places of every dancer are visible throughout the entire video. Other dancers’/groups’ covers or multiple videos from the original performer can not be submitted as reference material. Acceptable sources are, for example, dance practice videos, fancams and music show performances (without closeups).

As mentioned in section 2 of these rules, the exact number of dancers as in the original choreography is not required. Modifying the original formations and formation changes to be more suitable for the amount of competing members is allowed. Other choreography changes, however, are prohibited (not including intro/outro).

These actions count as changing the original choreography:

• Changing the way the moves are executed

• Changing the way the acrobatic moves are performed (for example, making them easier) or leaving them out

• Leaving out move sequences

• Adding own move sequences (for example, a remix)

The competition song can be any k-pop song with Korean lyrics. It is prohibited to compete with a song that the competing dancer(s)/group has/have competed with before in K-Pop Dance Cover Competition  (KDC) by XpressEvents or other possible k-pop dance competitions in Finland.

K-pop includes a wide variety of different songs and choreographies with their own highlights to which the judges will be paying attention. This means that not all k-pop songs share the same baseline when it comes to how a cover of that specific song is performed successfully. We recommend competitors to take into account the differences in choreographies when choosing their competition song. A difficult choreography does not automatically mean that it is a better choice than an easier choreography.

4.1 Intro / Outro

If wished, the competitors can add showmanship to their performance or deepen the theme of the performance with an intro and/or an outro. Adding both an intro and an outro is allowed if the performance (along with the main song) takes no more than five (5) minutes. An intro/outro is at maximum a minute-long clip that either begins or ends the main performance. The intro/outro must be from the same artist as the main song. The additional section is not required, and the evaluation will emphasize the main song.

As music for the intro/outro, using mixed versions of original songs is allowed, as long as the version can be named and informed precisely (due to copyright).

Own choreography or, for example, a choreography made by another dance group or a dance school (such as 1MILLION) may be performed in the intro/outro. Stage choreographies of survival shows are also allowed.

4.2 Music

The competition music must be by a k-pop artist. The song must have mainly Korean lyrics. If the performance includes an intro/outro, all songs must be by the same artist. The following kinds of variations are also allowed:

• ‘Pop’ by Nayeon as the intro + a song by TWICE as the main song

• a song by NCT 127 as the intro + a song by NCT U as the main song

The competition music must be delivered to the organizer as a ready-made MP3-file. We do not accept other file forms. We also recommend that the competitors keep the competition music with them during the finals day either on their phones (with an AUX interface) or on a USB flash drive just in case.

4.2.1 Song Doubles

It is prohibited for two competitors to compete with the same song. The competitor who registers for the competition first will have the right to perform the song they have chosen. The songs that are taken will be published on a separate list that will be updated at least once every 24 hours. The time of the previous update will be shown on the list. Every competitor that registers is responsible for checking the list before submitting their registration. The list does not include names of the competitors, only a list of the songs that are taken in alphabetical order of the artists. If two competitors register with the same song, the one who registered later will be informed of this during the next 24 hours. If we receive many registrations at the same time, the list can unfortunately not be kept completely up to date.

Every competitor who registers for the competition must be prepared for the possibility that their first song choice is already taken. This can happen to anyone and the organizer will not take responsibility. We understand that it is troublesome and disappointing to change the song after possibly already practicing it, but since we have to ensure that the competition is fair, we can not allow two competitors to perform the same song. Performing the same song places the competitors in an unfair position compared to the other competitors. We recommend that all competitors think of a backup song while choosing the main song. This rule also applies to intros/outros.

4.3 Lip sync

If wished, the competitors can mimic singing by moving their lips along with the song, also known as lip syncing. Either all of the competitors in the composition (excluding backup dancers) lip sync the entire performance, or no one does. Lip syncing is not mandatory and it will not be evaluated separately - it is seen as a part of expressions.

The outfits of the competitors must fit the theme of their competition song. The clothing does not have to be based on an original source and we do not need reference material of the clothes. It must be taken into account that the event is open for all ages. The outfits must thereby be in good taste. The clothing will not be evaluated separately - it is seen as a part of expressions.

5.1 Props

The competition performance is allowed to include props if they are also included in the original choreography. The competitors must make sure themselves that the props are ready on stage when the performance begins and that they will be removed off the stage after the performance ends. It is prohibited to throw glitter, confetti, petals or other props that cause danger of slipping on stage.

Stage practices are a part of the finals and they will be organized on the morning of the finals day at the competition venue. During the stage practice, competitors are allowed to test their performance on the stage/competition platform. The functioning of music and other technical aspects are tested during the stage practice. Every solo/duo/group has five (5) minutes each for stage practice.

Performances will be evaluated in three categories, possible intro/outro will be evaluated separately. If both intro and outro are performed, they will be evaluated as one unit. The maximum points from each judge is 32 points. Points from the categories as well as total score and the subsequent placement will be sent to the performers by email after the competition. In addition, the judges will try to give verbal feedback. The evaluation categories are the following:

7.1 Technique – 0-10 p.

This category focuses on technique, the execution of dance moves, and the performers’ skill level on

• the execution of dance moves compared to the reference performance

• the big picture of the performance

• balance (including off-balance)

• body control, agility

• the fluidity of movement

• endurance, power, energy

7.2 Expression - 0-10 p.

This category focuses on the competitors’ ability to express themselves through dance, facial expressions, and gestures in the following areas:

• bringing forth the style and mood of the reference performance

• presence and charisma

• the compatibility of outfits, props, and other physical elements with each other and in relation to the theme, music, and choreography of the performance

• the consistency of lip syncing

7.3 Synchronization, formations, and coherence – 0-10 p.

This category focuses on the execution of the performance as a performative stage and the group coherence in the following areas:

• synchronization

• similarity between group members

• similarity with the reference performance’s moves

• exactness with music

• the constitution and clarity of formations

• the interaction and connection between dancers

7.4 Intro/outro - 0-2 p.

Intro/outro can achieve a maximum of two (2) points. Possible additional sections will not be evaluated by comparing the section to the reference choreography because the additional section may include choreography made by the competitors. The judges evaluate if the intro/outro addsadditional value to the main performance.

The organizer has the right to film and photograph the competition performances and use the materials for marketing purposes. The organizer may use the materials on their website as well as for other posts, publications, and materials related to the organizer’s activities. Competitors give the recording and sharing permission with a digital registration form. Videos and photos taken at the event will be available to the competitors after the competition. When using the materials, the original photographer and editor must be mentioned. If a competitor wishes to cancel the recording and sharing permission, they must provide the organizer with a written notice.