Every captivating K-pop Music Video shines not only through the idols’ artistry, but also through the incredible dancers who infuse each performance with energy.
Laurie-Ann Courchesne is a French-Canadian performer and creative from Quebec City, Canada. Over the years she has built a career across dance, acting/action acting, modeling, acrobatics/aerial arts and creative direction. While her career has primarily been rooted in Toronto, Laurie-Ann has built strong connections within the Canadian, Los Angeles, and Seoul entertainment industries and has now chosen Korea as both her home and her professional base.
She has worked with K-pop idols such as BTS’s Jin, TWICE’s Misamo, SHINee’s Key, Crush, FIFTY FIFTY, MAMAMOO’s Moonbyul, as well as Netflix, among many others. She feels deeply grateful for all the opportunities that continue to come her way.
Thr following are excerpts from an email interview with her on Sept 8-23.
1. What drew you to dancing?
I started dancing at age three in competitive Canadian studios, training almost all styles. My parents signed me up after seeing me spend a few too many hours making the living room a performance venue. I spent about 13 years doing that and from the age of 16 started to expand in the professional realm. I now specialize in hip hop, contemporary, jazz funk, and heels. Alongside these, I’ve also explored adjacent disciplines like aerial arts, martial arts and acrobatics, which have greatly influenced my versatility as a performer.
2. How did you land your first K-pop gig?
After moving to Korea on a performance visa, I was submitted by a performance director who already knew of my work and got confirmed by casting just a few days later. My best advice is to always be prepared: keep an updated performance reel, videos in your strongest styles, a resume, and professional photos on hand. The more ready your portfolio is, the more doors open for successful submissions.
3. What’s the audition or selection process like for dancers who want to appear in K-pop MVs?
Unlike in some other markets, MV opportunities here don’t typically come from open auditions (though it does happen occasionally). More often, it’s about consistently building a strong network, showing up to classes, maintaining a presence on social media, and sharing your updated materials with entertainment agencies and performance directors.
You have to stay on top of casting calls circulating within these circles, sometimes public, sometimes private, and submit whenever your cast type aligns. Another great entry point is offering to do skeleton crew work with local performance directors, which can open doors to bigger opportunities.
4. How do you usually prepare for an MV shoot?
Besides the rehearsals organized by the company, I always make sure I’m physically ready: eating well, resting, and keeping my body in peak condition for shoot days. I also pack a dedicated “shoot bag” filled with essentials: different undergarments for costumes, black and white shoes, snacks, a portable charger, a mini fan for hot outdoor shoots, my makeup kit for touch-ups, extra socks, band-aids, massage tools, and even inflammation medication just in case.
Since I also train in martial arts and tricking, I avoid risky training a few days before filming to stay injury-free. Leading up to the shoot, I listen to the MV song on repeat and really try to embody its character so that I can bring the right energy and essence on set.
5. How does working with K-pop idols like Jin (BTS) compare to dancing for other artists you’ve collaborated with?
Working with Jin felt particularly surreal because I had admired BTS from afar for about seven years. Seeing him in person, with such radiant energy and love for his craft, was incredibly rewarding.
That said, every artist I work with brings something special. Even if I’m just a small part of their project, it’s an honor to step into their world and help bring their vision to life. A standout for me was Key from Shinee. Witnessing his artistry and complete dedication up close was truly mind-blowing. Collaborating with someone so gifted and passionate is unforgettable.
6. With so many talented dancers in Korea, how do you set yourself apart and get chosen for MV projects?
I believe every performer has something unique to offer. For me, versatility is my strongest asset, not only in dance, with my technical and multi style background, but also in acting, martial arts, creative direction and acrobatics.
Casting type also plays an important role in Korea, so as a foreign Caucasian performer, I’m often able to recognize when a project might benefit from that presence and use it to my advantage.
7. Besides performing, have you also created choreography for any K-idols?
I haven’t choreographed directly for idols, but I’ve been moving more into creative and movement direction for various commercial and artistic projects. It’s definitely a path I’m excited to explore further in the near future.
8. What’s the hardest choreography you’ve ever had to learn for an MV?
I think it would have to be "Hunter" by Key. Part of the choreography and the overall performance direction came from one of my favorite dancers, Babyzoo, which made it both an exciting challenge and an honor to perform.
9. What has surprised you most about working as a dancer in Korea?
The professional foreign dancer scene here is still quite small and not very regulated, so I’ve been surprised by the unique challenges that come with that. It often feels like working on a “half-paved road”. Sometimes lacking structure, but also full of opportunities to carve your own path. For those of us working in this space, it’s both a challenge and a privilege.
10. Are there specific styles or techniques that are especially popular in Korea right now?
K-pop has its own distinct and powerful commercial style, but over the last decade it has embraced influences from so many other genres like Afro styles, waacking, tutting, house, and more. It’s beautiful to see these cultural exchanges shaping the industry.
Right now, I think it’s less about one dance style dominating and more about elevating performance through deeper storytelling and theatricality. That evolution is really exciting to be part of.
Laurie-Ann's talent, precision, and passion help transform every stage and screen appearance into an unforgettable experience.
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