Welcome to the K-pop+ Dance Contest at WinterCon IX!
In this competition pre-registered dancers and dance teams will compete with performances they have prepared at home.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 08.12.2024, 23:59.
We accept performances that are based on Music Industry of Asia. That means your performance must be K-pop (e.g. BTS), C-pop (e.g. WayV), J-pop (e.g. AKB48) or any other Asian based dance. You may create original choreographies or pick Asian based choreographies for Western songs (e.g. The boy is mine by Ariana Grande choreographed by Jonggyu Lee at 1MILLION Dance Studio).
To apply for the K-pop+ Dance contest, please fill out this online application form. By submitting the application, you agree to the K-pop+ Contest rules and event general rules.
Contest participants are eligible for a discounted ticket (can be purchased only at the event entrance for 15 EUR).
You don't need to buy a ticket online; all registered dancers are subject to a discounted ticket which is available only at event entrance. Regular tickets are not applicable for stage performance.
Stage size 14 x 6 m.
Don’t forget to have fun!
Participants will compete in the following categories:
SOLO – 1 performer. MAX performance length = 1:00.
DUO/TRIO – 2 performers. MAX performance length = 2:00.
GROUP – 4-18 performers. MAX performance length = 3:00.
If the submitted audio file is over the MAX performance length, you will be asked to shorten it to the said limit. Unfortunately, we cannot make any exceptions to this rule.
NON-CONTEST – We will approach non-contest entry requests individually, please contact via email kpop@unicon.lv with your ideas.
- We accept performances that are based on Music Industry of Asia. That means your performance must be K-pop (e.g. BTS), C-pop (e.g. WayV), J-pop (e.g. AKB48) or any other Asian based dance.
- You may create original choreographies or pick Asian based choreographies for Western songs (e.g. The boy is mine by Ariana Grande choreographed by Jonggyu Lee at 1MILLION Dance Studio).
- The number of accepted performances is not predetermined and may differ between events.
- It is prohibited to perform with the same performance in both Cosplay and K-pop+ contests.
- There are no age restrictions.
- The maximum allowed number of people on stage at any given moment is 18.
- Contest participants are eligible for a discounted ticket (can be purchased on the door).
Performances are judged in 5 different criteria:
Showmanship – musicality, audibility and clarity, stage presence and etiquette.
Technique – execution, synchronization and precision, energy, and projection.
Choreography – movement patterns, formation and transition, appropriateness of movement.
Emotion – emphasis, facial expression, artistic quality.
Presentation – costume, props and uses, concept and its thematic interpretation.
One participant is only eligible to perform a maximum of 2 times (example: 1 Solo performance and 1 Group performance). Please do not apply with different stage names to bypass this rule in any of the categories.
- Step 1: Create ONE folder for your files, as you will have to add them ALL to this folder! Please use ONLY Google Drive for your application.
- Step 2: Add your music file – ONLY in the .mp3 format. (No wav, m4a, wma, ogg or other format!).
You can use this (or any other similar software) simple online .mp3 converter if you don’t know how to convert your music: http://audio.online-convert.com/convert-to-mp3
- Step 3: Your performance reference image. Please do not send in photos of yourself! This should be a photo of your chosen artist to display on the screen during your performance.
Picture has to be is good quality and size no less than FULL HD 1920x1080 for the screen. If pictures won't succeed with our rules and expectations, we will ask you to send us another. In case your sent image doesn't have the sufficient resolution we reserve the right to replace it.
- Step 4: Video of your performance. Please note, that this is a very important step, as it plays a huge role in helping us decide who gets to go on stage. You do not have to be in your stage costume for this video. If you have any special props (e.g. flags, hand fans), please include them in the video as well. The quality of the video is not important (it’s fine to film it on your phone), but the content is. The video has to be of your full performance and videos of incomplete dances are not eligible for the application.
- Step 5: Adjust your sharing settings, to “anyone with the link can view”, so we can access your files.
To successfully apply for the K-pop+ Dance Contest you must do the following:
- Fill in the online form here.
Please provide us with your ACTIVE email address in the application form and make sure there are NO TYPOS in it. We might need to ask you some questions or request a change of files, so you must check your email regularly to make sure everything stays in order! Remember that communication is the key to success! :)
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! Our email address is kpop@unicon.lv and you are welcome to use it for any clarifications or file changes. If we do not receive everything by Sunday 08.12.2024, your application will be rejected.
Remember, due to a large number of applicants the time slots will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis! If you urgently need a specific place in the program due to costume change/special effects/health/travel reasons, please tell us as soon as possible, so we can secure the place for you.
The coordinators will not allow a participant to take part in the competition, if:
- They break the event rules;
- They break the laws of The Republic of Latvia;
- They are under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- Any alcohol or narcotic substances are found in their possession;
- They behave in a disrespectful and/or provocative manner towards other participants or administration;
- They deliberately damage other participants’ costumes or props;
- They damage furniture, equipment or decorations of the venue;
- Their performance is unfinished;
- Their performance contains excessive aggression, calls to violence, pornography or profanity.
Due to a large number of applicants the rehearsal time slots will also be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis! If you need a specific place due to costume change/special effects/health/travel reasons, please tell us as soon as possible, so we can secure the place for you. Participants can rehearse ONLY ONCE to make sure that everyone will have time to rehearse because of limited time for the rehearsals, unless stated otherwise by the Coordinator at the venue.
Usage of on-stage confetti, party poppers and glitter cannons is UNAVAILABLE. If participants use these without prior communication or warning via e-mail, it will result in disqualification.
Asian Music Videos have a lot of interesting props and concepts, and you are encouraged to use it to your advantage. All props and special requests must be communicated to the K-pop Coordinator as soon as possible. If you need to bring a prop to the stage before the performance, the K-pop Staff Team will help you.
If you need to bring a helper, you may take 1 person per dance group (4 or more performers). After you receive a confirmation letter of your participation, find the Google Form for helpers and fill out the helper’s Name, Surname and Date of Birth.
All helpers will be registered and under no circumstances any unauthorized persons will be allowed into the changing rooms unless specifically stated by a member of staff. If the helper is found to disturb the rehearsal process or cause inconveniences in the dressing room, they will be asked to leave the backstage area.
Solo or Duo/Trio performances are CANNOT register helpers.
Helpers have to purchase full price event tickets.
Please note that microphones WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE for use during your performances.
If your performance has Backdancers or Helpers in it, you are obligated to LIST ALL BACKDANCERS/HELPERS AS PERFORMERS (Example: (Backdancer) Parvasaurus Rex, (Helper) Triceratops Rico). Helping or Backdancing does not count to the performing limit, but use this sparingly.
Backdancers are only allowed in the performance for no more than 15 seconds, and you may be asked to shorten their participation if it goes over this limit. You are free to spice up your performance by adding them, however, this is to make sure all contestants are equal in the eyes of the judges.
The awards for K-pop+ Contest will be held at the K-pop stage during the Awards Ceremony.
K-pop Dance Fight Fest - 1 place; Nomination Details.
Best Solo - 3 places
Best Duo - 3 places
Best Group - 3 places
Best Stage Show - 1 place
Best Original Choreography - 1 place
Judges’ Favourites - 3 places
Remember, one performance may only receive one award.
When will be the lists for the upcoming event made available?
- The lists of accepted performances is usually sent to participants in the span of a week after the application deadline closes, however, according to the number of applications, this estimate may vary. The lists that are sent to the participants are considered a draft before performers inquiry about changing their performance placements due to various reasons (travel, health, etc.). The final lists are posted on our Instagram page a few days before the event. Check both the draft and the final list!
Why is my performance not in the block I picked?
- Unfortunately it is not physically possible for everyone to perform in their preferred blocks due to the time restriction of 1 hour per block. If you need to perform in a specific block due to travel or other obligations, please inform us by stating it in any of the free-form categories such as Lights, Performed Song, etc.
What to write in the Lights section?
- The light technicians are unable to see the chronometrage of the song during the performance, so please refrain from writing down light changes by seconds. We advise to write down your preferred colours and instructions regarding the mood of the song, for example: cheery (very lively, flashy, energetic), serene (flowing, emotional, calm), fierce (rock-style, savage), and so on.
What to do if I want to change my files? - If you want to change your music file (due to low quality after Friday rehearsals), feel free to do so by e-mailing us your Block and Number, Stage Name and Song before the event. You cannot change your performed song or reference photo.
I received an e-mail about my files, does this mean I was accepted?
- We send two e-mails to each participant: first e-mail about their files being in order or needing changes, second e-mail about the result of their application. This is because we need to make sure all files are working before we sort through the applications, and receiving an e-mail about your files does not mean your application was accepted in the contest.
Can I get an extension of the deadline?
- We will not accept any applications after the deadline and cannot extend it. Please make sure you have your performance and files ready to go before it closes.
Why was my performance not accepted?
- Due to a large number of applications and participants, we are unable to disclose reasoning behind the sorting process and we do not keep notes on any of the applications. The number of accepted performances along with the number of performers varies event to event, and we are only able to include a limited amount of performances.
There’s a mistake in the Lists/I received the wrong e-mail/I did not receive any e-mails!
- Please e-mail us as soon as possible, thoroughly explain the situation and we will do our best to help you!
This section is subject for updates.
If you are a new dancer or have any issues with the application process, please don’t be shy to ask questions if they were not answered here! Our coordinator will be happy to help you at kpop@unicon.lv. Please use this e-mail for ANY specific inquiries about K-pop+, NOT our Instagram.
A participant may also be banned from further Cosplay and K-pop competitions at UniCon and WinterCon events for a duration, at the administration’s discretion.The administration reserves the right to exclude a participant from the Cosplay and K-pop competition without prior notice or explanation.
