Thread by @JiminUncut

[I Need U Solo Dance Analysis Thread]

Jimin pulled off an exquisite solo contemporary performance at the 2019 MMAs, stunning the audience and anyone watching at home. Let’s dive into what made this piece extraordinary. HINT: It’s Jimin.
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

Even before the lights are fully up, Jimin is in character, and he doesn’t miss a beat. Notice how he drags his toes behind him on the floor and takes a drawn out step forward to each new beat of music. Full on dancer walk. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

cr. @/FlyingAngel_JM

Now to get to the main event: THE SCARF. 😍 Scarves are a well-used prop for dancers on stage and I think you can see why. Performance scarves and veils are usually thinner and lighter weight than regular scarves and they float beautifully in the air. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

To get the maximum effect, you need to know how to hold the scarf, especially as you whip it around your head. You don’t want to get it twisted or tangled. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

cr. @/parkjamjam_kr

Think of how you might swing a jacket around your shoulders - swing up the opposite arm to the direction you want the scarf to go and have the other arm follow. Reverse this motion to bring it back down, or let the scarf continue to come down the other side.

cr. Videojug

The idea of scarves is that they should be an extension of your body. You are not dancing just to make the scarf move - rather, the scarf should excentuate your movements and add an extra dimension to your dance. In Jimin’s case, angel wings. 😭
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

Back to the choreo, here comes an effortless fan kick out of NOWHERE. Minimal prep, with just a little bit of a jump to get it going. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

cr. @/lookatmin1013

But look how relaxed his upper body is here. He’s not hunching over or straining - that indicates that this level of flexibility is perfectly comfortable for him and he’s not using extra strain or any tricks to appear more flexible than he is.
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

Watch here as Jimin starts this turn only holding the scarf in one hand. He uses the momentum of the turn to tease out the scarf and find the edge he’s already holding on to with the other hand. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

cr. @/parkjamjam_kr

As he takes an extra breath of music, he draws his hand along the edge of the scarf to find a comfortable hand hold. The line he creates while he does this simple move is stunning though. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

This is a gorgeous jump. It’s so simple, and yet the execution brings it alive. He draws his chin down to meet his knee at the same time that he extends his arms up and stretches his other leg.
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

cr. @/FlyingAngel_JM

The way he crunches his core yet extends his extremities - it creates a floating effect, as if Jimin has just spread his wings and is suspended in the air. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Jimin launches into 3 consecutive barrel jumps here, keeping his knees bent in the air and whipping his arms around in a straight line. He spots to the floor to keep his sense of direction and each jump builds off the last to give him more and more momentum.
cr. @/mayday3737_jmjm

These jumps should be pretty familiar, as the group performed single ones in Idol and they are a commonly used move in Pungmul dancing. Now imagine if Jimin had had a Sangmo ribbon on his head during these turns...😮
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

I mean, look at his position and how he arcs his body in the air. Pure art.
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

Where would we be without some patented Jimin turns? Now these aren’t classic ballet pirouettes - since the lifted leg is turned in, they are closer to jazz or modern turns.
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

cr. @/FlyingAngel_JM

How is he pulling off those turns barefoot? Contemporary dancers often use these slip on foot pads, called many different names such as foot thongs, foot undies or dancer paws. They help provide a smooth surface on the ball of your foot on which to turn.
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

You might have noticed that Jimin was only wearing a dancer paw on one foot - his left. Therefore most of his turns are only on the left leg.
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

This quick-fire sequence transitions through a lot of moves reminiscent of past choreographies. But it starts with Jimin tracing a movement from his right leg up to his outstretched left hand, which then stays suspended as he continues the dance.

cr. @/lookatmin1013

Once Jimin gathers his scarf once more, he does a turn on his knees before getting up again. Floorwork is a huge component of modern/contemporary dance and most dancers come away with all sorts of mysterious bruises on their knees and legs. 😂
#JIMIN @BTS_twt

cr. @/lovefairy_jm

And where would we be without Jimin’s classic Cheat Gainer, otherwise known as Kick the Moon? Just to drive home the idea that he really can fly. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

cr. @/parkjamjam_kr

The powerful steps he takes here, the way the hits travel through his whole body that even his hair becomes part of the performance... Notice how each step is on each chime of the music, as if the sound is reverberating through his entire body. 👏🏻👏🏻 #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Here’s an instance showing how in control Jimin is. There’s a split second where the scarf starts to wrap around his head. But just as quickly, his free hand intervenes and snatches the scarf as he comes out of the turn. Then he bundles it up and tosses it in the air. #JIMIN

If we were in ANY doubt of the power of the performance we just witnessed, Jimin’s final look as the scarf drops away is enough to send shivers down our spines. #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Yet another mind-blowing performance for the history books. 😳 #JIMIN @BTS_twt

Edit: It turns out Jimin wasn’t wearing a dancer’s paw on his left foot - it was just a regular bandage on the top of his foot. Therefore all his turns were barefoot. Oftentimes modern dancers build up calluses on the balls of their feet that provide a smooth surface for turning!