IN CONVERSATION WITH KIEL TUTIN
interview by JANA LETONJA
Globally renowned choreographer, creative director and dancer Kiel Tutin will be working with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo on her upcoming projects, set to debut on February 14th. Over the past decade, Kiel's impressive portfolio includes choreography for over 100 music videos, directing movement for feature films, and designing stages for prestigious award shows. His collaborations span global superstars like Jennifer Lopez, Lorde, XG, Katy Perry and K-pop phenomenon BLACKPINK, for whom he served as creative director and choreographer for their record-breaking Coachella performance and their 2023 World Tour, ‘Born Pink’.
bodysuit STYLIST OWN
blazer and pants ROMEO HUNTE
jacket FRANKIE SHOP
shoes RICK OWENS
belt MICHAEL KORS
You’ve had an incredible journey in the dance and choreography world over the past decade. How did you first get started, and what inspired you to pursue this path?
It’s been a wild ride. Honestly, I quite literally fell into dance. When I was 10, we’d rent a community hall, and I’d teach my 18 year-old sister and her friends routines I’d made up. My parents always had music playing, and I instantly gravitated toward it, especially the Spice Girls. I originally dreamt of being a singer or an actor, but my love of performing and music ultimately came together through dance. I’ve always known I wasn’t meant to work behind a desk. I knew I was born for the stage.
bodysuit STYLIST OWN
blazer and pants ROMEO HUNTE
jacket FRANKIE SHOP
shoes RICK OWENS
belt MICHAEL KORS
From choreographing music videos to directing performances, how has your role as a creative evolved over the years?
I’ve learned to stand confidently in my power and knowledge. For a long time, I took a backseat as a choreographer when it came to the larger creative discussions. I’ve since realised that it’s my range of skills that make my voice and opinions so valuable, my ear for music and flow, my ability to see a performance as a whole rather than just the choreography. Now, I lean into those creative talents to present fully realised ideas, with my lens as a choreographer enhancing and amplifying the overall vision.
What do you consider the defining moment that propelled your career to the global stage?
The charm of the past decade of my career has been the gradual, steady progression rather than a sudden breakthrough. I’ve truly felt like I’ve been going one country at a time, making my mark. From my work with Jolin Tsai in Taiwan to J.Lo in the USA, and of course, BLACKPINK and TWICE in Korea, each experience has been a step forward in building something meaningful.
You’ve worked with BLACKPINK for years, including for their iconic Coachella performance. Can you share your favorite moment or memory from your time choreographing for their ‘Born Pink’ World Tour?
Having the BLACKPINK girls call me out during the encore to share their appreciation for my work was unreal. I tend to be humble to a fault, so having a stadium full of people clapping for me was absolutely wild. As a choreographer, it can sometimes feel like a thankless job, so when I watch videos of that moment, I’m always in awe. https://x.com/pinksblade/status/1771561686585032873?s=46
full look PIPENCO
K-pop choreography is known for its precision and storytelling. How do you approach creating routines that resonate globally while staying true to the artist’s identity?
I consider myself something of a chameleon when working with artists. I love when a song has a distinct sound that inspires unique movement. To me, choreography is at its best when it feels universally accessible, and in K-pop, a key part of that is leveraging select English lyrics. I aim to create moments where the movements resonate with words and phrases that everyone can connect with. My job is to bring the music to life visually, and when something clicks and feels right, I trust that instinct completely.
What’s the most challenging part of crafting choreography that needs to be both visually stunning and emotionally impactful?
There are so many overlapping ideas in my head, it’s like a constant series of Venn diagrams. Finding the perfect balance of choreography that’s unique, commercially marketable, and achievable for the artist’s skill set can be a challenge. I like to think those elements are naturally built into the choreography I create. It has to be more than just shapes and pictures. It needs to feel good and tell a story. The dancers I work with always bring my vision to life and reignite my excitement. That’s always step one for me.
Are there any specific inspirations or influences that consistently inform your work?
As creative as this profession may seem, I still consider myself more of an intellectual learner and perpetual student. I love reading and absorbing all kinds of information, articles, random facts, you name it. Interestingly, I try not to turn to art as inspiration for creating my own work. I prefer my unique, angular perspective. It keeps my approach fresh and authentic.
top and belt PIPENCO
skirt VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
shoes PRADA
What has been your proudest achievement so far, and why?
If I’m being honest, winning a VMA for BLACKPINK’s ‘Pink Venom’ choreography is a moment I’m incredibly proud of. More than that, I’ve always taken pride in providing opportunities for dancers from New Zealand. We’re a very small country, and breaking into this industry can feel almost impossible. As the Director of Dance at 3WJ+boy, an agency in New Zealand, I’ve had the chance to guide dancers and creatives into the larger industry, especially through our partnership with Jam Republic in Asia. Being part of both organizations has allowed me to give back, invest in the next generation, and even bring some of them along for the ride.
Next up, you’ll be working on a collaboration with Jisoo. What excites you most about this project, and how is it different from your previous work with BLACKPINK?
I’m incredibly excited for this next chapter of Jisoo’s career, and mine. Stepping into the role of Performance Director and contributing choreographer for Jisoo offers me a more intimate perspective on the stages we’re creating together. It’s about shaping this era of Jisoo, exploring how she wants to move, and defining how she wants to be seen as a performer. It’s a privilege to help bring her vision to life.
top MAISON MARGIELA
skirt MIO GUBERINIC
shoes RICK OWENS
As co-choreographer, performance director, and part of the project itself, how do you balance these multiple creative roles?
Working with so many powerful women throughout my career has taught me how to create without letting my ego take the lead and approach projects with objectivity. There are times when I need to step in with a director’s perspective, and other times when I need to listen and adapt as a choreographer to someone else’s vision. Balancing these roles comes naturally to me. I’ve always been a natural leader. So much of my training involved not only learning for myself, but guiding fellow dancers as well. I thrive on having my hand in different aspects of a project and offering thoughtful input to bring ideas to life.
Besides this project with Jisoo, what other projects do you have coming up, and what are you most excited about for the future of your career?
I’m always here for my K-pop girls, so we’ll see what the new year brings. I’m also eager to connect more with the UK music scene and discover homegrown talent that can grow and evolve alongside me. This year, I’m taking a step back to be more intentional about my future. My first love has always been the stage, so I’m exploring how dance can transition into broader performance opportunities. While I’ve often been seen primarily as a choreographer, I’m challenging myself to dream bigger and think beyond that label. I never imagined I’d come this far as a dancer, and now I’m excited to show the world the full scope of what I can do.
full look YVES SAINT LAURENT
full look MIO GUBERIINIC
CREDITS:
photography DOMINIK ZKY
styling JOEY THAO
styling assistance JAXONA LEE
