Thread by @JiminUncut

[Analysis Thread]

Popping is such an iconic part of Jimin’s dance repertoire, and something he learned even before contemporary. This thread will examine the dedication, strength and precision that goes into perfecting this technique.
#JIMIN #지민
#MTVHottest BTS @BTS_twt

Popping is a technique that involves tensing and releasing your muscles so quickly that the shock reverberates through your body. In this example, he is flexing his forearm and wrist, causing his whole arm to “pop.”

In addition to your forearm and wrist, it is also possible to pop your tricep.

At certain angles, it is easier to pop one part of your arm more than another. If Jimin popped his forearm and wrist here, he would likely hit himself in the face with his right hand. So instead, he pops his triceps. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Outward chest pops are a very common type of pop, but tricky to master. They are done by pushing your chest out and releasing. You can see how powerful they are when done quickly by Jimin in Lie. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Inward chest pops, also known as back pops, are a bit rarer to see but easier to learn. Jimin does them in Fake Love by pulling his chest in, almost curling up, and releasing quickly. Inward chest pops usually also engage your core. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Core pops are very common and often one of the only types of pops you can do at all angles. They require quickly tensing and releasing your stomach/ab muscles, which you can see Jimin do here in combination with other pops. #JIMIN @BTS_twt
cr. MINToYou

Leg pops involve snapping your knee back so your leg is in a fully stretched position before releasing it. At the same time as you bring your knee back, you must engage your seat muscles so you don’t hyperextend and cause damage. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

There are many other variations of pops, such as shoulder pops and forward leg pops, that are done by engaging different muscle groups. Jimin often combines several types of pops to create the biggest effect possible. #JIMIN @BTS_twt
cr. @/Rotiful_bts

Popping can be difficult to learn because it is not intuitive. You must condition your muscles to flex and release at incredible speeds. Typically you start by tensing a muscle for several counts, then releasing for several counts, repeating this over and over before speeding up.

When trying to pop for the first time, it’s difficult to isolate the exact muscle needed. Oftentimes a dancer will exaggerate the movement and engage more than just the target muscle.

As you condition your muscles more, as Jimin has over the years, you can isolate each muscle with more precision and refine the movement, making it more powerful. The muscles become strong enough to pop without the exaggerated movement. #JIMIN @BTS_twt
cr. haruarubigfi

Jimin has honed his pops so much in fact that he can pop twice in the span of one beat. The first pop in this clip is a double pop, followed by a single on the next beat. It’s almost faster than the human eye! #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Think of the muscle control involved in a double pop: tense>release>tense>release all in one count of music. Jimin here is double popping with each step he takes. The pops are mainly coming from his core, chest and left arm. #JIMIN @BTS_twt
cr. @/gcfjmjk

Another angle because we all deserve it. #JIMIN @BTS_twt
cr. @/jikvth

Popping as a dance style often combines pops with other illusionary techniques, such as animation or roboting, to add to their sharp puppet-like effect. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

In fact, anywhere you can dimestop, you can add a pop, just as Jimin does here on the first stop coming down. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Though popping is used as an umbrella term for many other techniques, usually only pops themselves are incorporated into BTS’s choreo. Therefore Jimin’s way of using pops has evolved over the years as he has made them his own. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Standard poppers generally stay within certain angles to pop - usually face on or on the diagonal in order to best showcase their movements. You can see by this basic popping combo (called the fresno) that this was how Jimin learned as well. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

However, Jimin loves to experiment and add his own flavour. As his skill with popping improved, he started finding different and more unique angles to pop at. #JIMIN @BTS_twt
cr. shimmeringjimin and theultimatedodo

Jimin can often be seen popping at mid-level, knees outward, making it impossible to pop his legs. Instead of relying on powerful leg pops, he pops other muscles like his core, chest and arms to create the effect. #JIMIN @BTS_twt
cr. jungkoookkyy

And of course, Jimin is a master of combining styles. He brought the sharp and powerful techniques he learned from popping into the fluidity and grace of his contemporary dance. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Though sharp hits and melts are common in contemporary, the added power of Jimin’s pops give the movement an entirely different feeling. Contemporary is a choreographical style that draws from many different styles for inspiration, including ballet and hip hop. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

As such, it’s not unusual to see sharper elements mixed into contemporary. But since contemporary dancers typically learn studio hip hop, it is rare that they have the full training and conditioning of a street dancer. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

The combination of these styles, in a dancer who has trained rigourously in both, is a beautiful and captivating thing to behold. Such is the talent of Park Jimin. #JIMIN @BTS_twt