Why do netizens never call Karina (aespa) a “dance machine” like Lisa (BLACKPINK), Momo (TWICE)?

According to netizens, Karina’s main weakness in dancing is not in her technique, but in another much more important factor.

aespa is the hottest girl group at the moment in Kpop 2021 with a series of huge achievements from the digital music scores to album sales. aespa members are often praised for their talent and gorgeous visuals, worthy of being the main girl group of SM in the new generation. However, the SM‘s girlgroup is also entangled in many controversies over their skills, especially after a series of disappointing stages at recent awards ceremonies.

Recently, a topic about Karina received a lot of attention on SNS. The content of this topic was about the dancing skills of Karina, aespa’s leader.  A group of fans pointed out that Karina has improved a lot in terms of choreography, improving herself more and more. Karina‘s movements are highly appreciated for their decisiveness and neatness, and her expressions are also very attractive.

Meanwhile, other opposing views assert that fans should accept the fact that Karina’s dance is weak compared to basic dancer standards. Many fans explained that Karina can never be a “K-pop dance machine” is… because of her dancing aura. 

This opinion received much support from netizens. Accordingly, the main dancers of other groups have excellent musical sensibility, their ability to “feel to the music” are top notch. It is because of pouring their “soul” into each movement that good dancing idols have the ability to attract the attention of viewers. The musical sensibility is considered the most important factor for the main dancer, not just in terms of dance technique.

Looking at famous main dancers like Momo (TWICE), Lisa (BLACKPINK), Seulgi (Red Velvet), Soojin (former (G)I-DLE member), Ryujin (ITZY)…  we can get the reason. 

When performing choreography, these idols conquer the audience with their expressions that match their movements, dance with soul, and every move exudes passion.  Compared to Karina, the SM female idol often shows tension when dancing, like dancing to what she has learned by heart. Therefore, if she wants to improve her choreography, Karina needs to first find joy in dancing. 

Some comments:

• Karina dances well but can’t be on the bar with the main dancer of other groups
• I think Karina’s dancing isn’t that bad.
• Karina is not 100% perfect but I trust her because she is perfectionist and hardworking.
• Fans don’t consider Karina the best dancer in Gen 4, but she was definitely chosen as the main dancer because Karina is the best dancer in the group.  Just the footwork with the swinging arm movement in the dance break Savage is enough to prove that Karina deserves her position.