On June 9, 2010, INFINITE entered the K-pop scene with their debut single and music video for “Come Back Again.” Less than three weeks later, the boy band followed-up with a professionally shot dance version of its vid — marking the start of something big.
While releasing choreopgrahy-only editions of music videos is pretty standard in the K-pop world, the septet have essentially redefined the trend, setting an incredibly high standard for dance visuals that are just as entertaining as the original release.
Whether it’s in their rehearsal studio or on an expensive Hollywood set, INFINITE’s performance videos are one of the main reasons the act remains one of K-pop’s top boy bands after five years in the game. Though the guys’ music, relationship and talents are also praiseworthy, they have most notably staked their claim with their super-slick, immaculately in-sync moves.
To celebrate the anniversary, Billboard counts down the videos that showcase Sung Kyu, Woohyun, Dongwoo, Hoya, Sungyeol, L and Sungjong doing their dance thing the best.
5. “BTD” (2011)
From the opening move, the guys show off loads of powerful, aggressive dance moves here. Overall, the choreography isn’t as technically impressive as a lot of other INFINITE routines, but what stands out here is the group’s now-famous “scorpion” move (see it at 2:15). The mind-blowing trick acts as a trump card and solidified the band was on a different level dance-wise than the others. Even their fingers look in-sync here.
4. “Be Mine” (2011)
The “Be Mine” choreography best emphasizes INFINITE’s knack for moving in synchronized sections, with groups of two to five members offering something visually stimulating while the soloist sings. Look out for the group’s cascading body roll (2:30), followed by Hoya busting out the splits and bouncing right back up from it.
3. “Come Back Again” (2010)
Even from their very start, INFINITE brought it hard with their dance moves. Dressed in snappy suits — a nice touch — the guys showed promise with on-point shuffling and lots of fancy footwork that proved how easily this band could move as one. The standout move is the group leg sways during the chorus (look out for the first at 0:30).
2. “Paradise” (2011)
2. Like “BTD,” “Paradise” also boasts loads of aggressive moves that feel masculine, but also highly stylized, which make it an upgrade from that other single. There isn’t a ton of movement on the verses, but the chorus is what makes this one a true winner with the slightest hint of sensuality in those powerful hip thrusts. Again, Hoya kills it with some Michael Jackson-like sliding moves during his part on the second verse. In case you couldn’t tell hard the routine is, just look at how hard the guys are breathing at the end of the clip.
1. “Back” (2014)
“Back” opens quietly with the members mirroring each other during the soft intro, acting like shadows to one another. It sets the mood of keeping the choreography perfectly in tune with the music, seen once turbo-powered synths kick in and the guys crank up the energy with sweeping kicks and arm movements, but also add subtle moves to represent the underlying classical strings in the song’s production.
From the panorama-style formations on the hook to the waterfall of high kicks on the second dance break, there are many memorable moves here that highlight the band’s versatility. Enough so that when the tempo slows down again on the bridge, the break feels more than earned. More than past releases, “Back” and its accompanying choreography signify how important dance is to the group and its music, proving that it’s hardly an after thought for any of its members. “Back” is the boys’ most recent single and likely signifies even better and more intricate dance moves (and videos!) for the band’s next five years together.