Official Rules
These rules apply to the NärCon Kpop Championship final held at NärCon Sommar. Each qualifier competition is governed by the NKC qualifier representative of their country. They may choose to impose rules specific to the country or qualifier competition.
Last update: 2025-02-27
Judging
Judges
The panel will consist of judges who specializes in Kpop and/or dancing.
Performance
The performances will be judged live during the show. Judges will score all contestants after their performance, their points are hidden from other judges. After the last contestants, judges will have ~10 minutes to talk to each other about performances and change their scores (the points awarded by each judge is still secret).
Points
The judging of the performance is divided into five categories
The categories
- Technique 0-7 points
- Clothing and overall appearance 0-7 points
- Synchronization, formations and uniformity 0-7 points
- Stage charisma 0-7 points
- Intro 0-2 points
During the performance, the song the group has selected will be played. They will also have the possibility to have the music video, or their own animation played in the background on our LED-screens. Details regarding sound, music, graphics etc. will be provided to you if you are accepted into the competition.
Performance
Rules about the performance
- Performance length: Max. 5 minutes. (including intro and performance)
- Number of members: 3–8 in dance troupe
- Type of song: The song selection must be from a Korean artist. Remixes are ONLY allowed if it already has an existing choreography. The remix must be an official remix and follow the other rules of the competition.
- Dance: The dance routine MUST be the same as the original artist choreography. If the group chooses to do a cover of a remix, the remix HAS to have an existing choreography.
- Cost: Free to enter, every member of the qualified troupes receives festival tickets to NärCon Sommar 2025.
- Application Contact: kpop@narcon.se
All performances are subject to changes asked by the production if there is a concern for safety of the audience, crew or contestant. The production will review all performances after receiving all related files and plans, and will be contact each contestant regarding their performance.
Detailed Rules
The representatives
There is no age limit for competing in the NärCon Kpop Championship final. However, in order to represent their countries, the contestant must be either a citizen of the country or otherwise considered a resident there.
Group size and number of members
- The group shall consist of between 3–8 members.
- Group members in the online qualifier for 2025 can be from any place in the world.
- All group members must go through the preliminary audition round, either our online video qualifier or the qualifier organized by one of our international partner events.
- If the group proceeds, the group members cannot be switched, added or deducted. In case of emergencies like sickness or accidents, contact the championship organizers.
Song selection / performance
- The song selection must be from a Korean artist.
- Allowed languages are Korean, Japanese, Chinese and English.
- Dance: The dance routine must be the same choreography as used by the original artist. If the group chooses to do a cover of a remix, the remix must have an existing choreography.
- Remixes are only allowed if it already has an existing choreography. The remix must be an official remix and follow the other rules of the competition.
- The group is not allowed to change songs without the host's permission after submitting your material for the finals.
- The overall performance can include an introductory part. This is recommended for extra points. Quality of the editing will not be judged since this is about its content and not about technical knowledge.
- The maximum length of the intro part is 60 seconds / 1 minute.
- The overall maximum length of a performance (intro + main song) is 5 minutes.
- The group can choose to include original choreography to the intro part of the performance, but this is in no way a requirement as it will not be judged. Walking up on stage directly after the intro is enough.
Evaluation criteria
- The judging of the performance is divided into five categories:
- Technique 0-7 points
- Clothing and overall appearance 0-7 points
- Synchronization, formations and uniformity 0-7 points
- Stage charisma 0-7 points
- Intro 0-2 points
- During the performance, the song the group has selected will be played. They will also have the possibility to have the music video, or their own animation played in the background on our LED-screens.