NEXT LEVEL

KPOP DANCE COMPETITION

2025 Event Coordinator: Tien

Event Day: Friday PM

Applications Due By: SUNDAY MAY 18th

NEXT LEVEL is a widely known aespa single and the name of ConnectiCon’s KPOP DANCE COMPETITION! As the name states, it is to give stage presence to the NEXT LEVEL. Are you ready to bring the drama and give them whiplash? Set the tone and make your dreams come true by dancing on a big stage in front of hundreds of kpop lovers. While the theme of the previous sentences is aespa, all groups are highly encouraged. I WANT TO SEE THE P1 STANS AND FIMMIES TEAR UP THAT STAGE.

Winners receive free badges to the following year’s convention!

Note: in previous years, this event was notably named Pop-Off! where it was a split between KPOP and JPOP/Idol divisions. Pop-Off! is now its own event for JPOP/Idol related performances while NEXT LEVEL will be a KPOP only event.

NEXT LEVEL KPOP DANCE COMPETITION RULES & GUIDELINES

• Applicants may apply as a group or solo performer.
• All members of your performance group must be registered convention attendees to perform.
• Contestants must be at least 13 years old.
• First place winners of the previous year’s convention may not compete in the current event. Winners from events before the previous convention are allowed to compete again.
  • Previous winners may request to come back as a judge for the next events.
• No professional dancers* may enter NEXT LEVEL. If an individual is found to be a professional, their entire group will be disqualified. *A “professional dancer” is an individual who performs dance for monetary compensation as the majority of their income.
• All applicants will need to identify the source material for their performance and what song they intend to perform as part of the competition application. Should you choose a medley, the medley must consist of the same artist/band.
• Performances are limited to 5 minutes maximum at length.
• All applicants will be expected to provide a link to video dance submission which should be at least 30 seconds long. This should be in the form of a google drive file or an unlisted YouTube link (easier option).
• All dancers will perform one dance within their division and a panel of professional judges will rate the performance on five criteria within three categories:
  • Technical Skill: Movement, Flow/Musicality, Rhythm/Step Work, Transitions/Precision, Synchronicity.
  • Style: Presence/Charisma, Aesthetics, Facial Expressions, Energy, Showmanship.
  • Execution: Crowd Appeal, Use of Stage, Creativeness/Group Dynamics, Degree of Difficulty, Overall Impact.
• There will be a Best Of award for each category and division, and a Fan Favorite award voted on live by the attendees.
• Please arrive at the requested set-up time to receive event-specific rules and instructions. Please follow directions given by the staff during this time, as well as during the event. If you do not follow the rules set up by the Event Coordinator and event staff, you will be disqualified from the competition and may be unable to participate in future events.
• If you made it this far remember the word kats for question 1

CHECK-IN & AUDIO REQUIREMENTS

We recommend submitting a Google Drive or Dropbox folder in your application to collect all your photos, videos, and audio in one place.

• Once participants arrive at the convention, all applicants must check in at Cosplay HQ to be able to perform. Anyone who is unable to check in before the event must contact the Event Coordinator as soon as possible.
• All performers will be asked to provide a professional photo of their dance group at latest upon check in for use in promotions and voting. If you submitted a photo previously to Cosplay@connecticon.org, please let Cosplay HQ know.
• All performers must email audio files ahead of time to Cosplay@connecticon.org. Please use the .mp3 file format only and bring a backup copy of your file to the convention on a flash drive or CD. Audio will NOT be accepted at the event start, it must be submitted through Cosplay HQ upon check in.
• There will be a block of rehearsal time set aside for performers to walk the stage and run your number. If you cannot make the allocated practice time, you will not be able to rehearse your event before the performance.
• Please pick up any dropped off flash drives/CDs at the tech desk after the event or on Sunday.

MEETINGS & OTHER NOTES

• There will be a Discord group chat to do routine check-ins and asking general questions. While not required to be in it, it is highly recommended. This option is here due to an overload of emails that may come during that time. It also allows faster response times and better organization.
• While it is a competition - this event is also supposed to be fun. Please do not lose sleep over this.
• Cosplay is optional. There are bathrooms located close by to change in.
• Second part to question 1: eye