Choi Youngjun and AI: Revolutionizing K-pop Dance with MVNT

A New Era for K-pop Dance with AI

Choi Youngjun, an iconic figure in K-pop choreography, has worked with renowned groups such as BTS and Seventeen. Now, he is looking to the future with MVNT, a company he co-founded with Joon Jung. Together, they aim to integrate artificial intelligence into the choreographic creation process. Their ambition is to make dance accessible to everyone, even those without professional training, by using digital tools to design captivating routines. This initiative promises new revenue streams for dance artists by leveraging technology to democratize access to artistic creation.

The partnership between Choi and Jung began six years ago. At that time, Jung, a young dancer, was seeking ways to ensure sustainable careers for choreographers. With over 800 routines to his credit, Choi decided to partner with Jung, who has expertise in technology and cryptocurrencies. Together, they founded MVNT, a platform inspired by models like Suno in the field of generative music. Today, Jung serves as the CEO of MVNT, playing a crucial role in the strategic development of the company.

Promising Funding for MVNT

In 2024, MVNT successfully secured initial funding of $200,000 from Mashup Ventures, a Seoul-based venture capital firm. Currently, the startup is in its pre-Series A phase, with the ambition to raise an additional $1 million to accelerate the development of its tools and platform. This funding is essential to realize their vision of accessible and monetizable dance through AI.

Choi Youngjun's Journey in K-pop

Choi Youngjun has been a key figure in K-pop dance for two decades. He has helped shape the success of many artists, notably with complex choreographies like BTS's "I Need U," which marked a turning point in the group's career. Among his favorite creations is Seventeen's "Falling Flower," a demanding routine that requires weeks of rehearsal to master, even for seasoned artists. Choi has observed that despite their success, choreographers often struggle to derive sustainable income from their work, which motivated the creation of MVNT.

Protecting Choreographers' Rights

The creation of MVNT was not initially focused on AI but on addressing issues related to intellectual property in the dance field. Jung emphasized that while choreographers create thousands of routines, there is no effective system for monetizing them, which limits the potential income for the community. Initiatives have been taken to protect choreographers' rights, such as the case of Kyle Hanagami in the United States, who sued Epic Games for using his routines in "Fortnite." However, the U.S. Copyright Office generally does not recognize individual dance movements as copyrightable, complicating the situation for creators.

MVNT: A Platform for Dancers

MVNT offers dancers the opportunity to create portfolios and receive credits whenever their choreographies are used. The platform utilizes a database of routines to power AI tools, allowing users to generate new dances from music. The goal is to ensure that original creators financially benefit from their works. With already 1,100 users and over 2,000 registered routines, MVNT initially targets meme creators before expanding to professional choreographers. Companies can also use MVNT's API for applications in animation and interactive content creation. Ohchan Kwon from Epic Games Korea praised MVNT's potential to transform the entertainment industry through its innovations.

AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement

Choi and Jung insist that AI should not replace choreographers but rather assist them. MVNT is designed to be a tool that facilitates choreographic creation, similar to Canva for design or Suno for music. Choi asserts that dance must remain a human expression, and that AI can offer new creative possibilities without replacing the soul and heart of choreographers. When asked if AI could one day generate a routine as complex as "Spider" by Hoshi, a member of Seventeen, Choi responded that MVNT's goal is not to replace choreographers but to support them. "Dance is always something that comes from the heart and soul. Our intention is for the tool to be our assistant, like an employee," he concluded.

In conclusion, MVNT positions itself as a key player in the evolution of K-pop dance, integrating AI to broaden creative horizons while respecting the artistic integrity of choreographers.