Imagine creating one of the most iconic dance routines in K-Pop history and receiving a mere fraction of the credit and payment you deserve. This is the shocking reality for Bae Yoon Jung, one of the top choreographers in the K-Pop world. Despite her incredible talent and immense contributions, she revealed that the industry often undervalues its unsung heroes.

Bae Yoon Jung is a name synonymous with some of the biggest hits from the second-generation K-Pop era. She has worked with renowned groups like KARA and Brown Eyed Girls, shaping the very essence of their performances. Bae has also made a name for herself as a choreography coach and judge on the popular show Produce 101, where she has shaped the careers of many aspiring idols.

In a candid appearance on the YouTube show B-Class Hearing, Bae opened up about the hardships she faced in her long-standing career. When discussing the groundbreaking success of the Brown Eyed Girls' hit “Abracadabra,” she confidently credited her choreography as the key factor that propelled the song to fame. Yet, she lamented how she never received the recognition or compensation fitting for her contributions.

During the discussion, Bae revealed a jaw-dropping twist: at one point, someone in China even claimed to have created the iconic dance moves, profiting billions of won while Bae was left in the shadows. She expressed her frustration about how K-Pop's former structure failed to compensate choreographers fairly despite the immense impact they have on a group's success.

“Now choreographers get paid a lot for their work,” Bae explained. “But back in my day, unless you were closely connected to a company’s CEO, you could create something great but wouldn’t see much of the financial rewards.” She shared that for her iconic choreography for “Abracadabra,” she was only compensated around ₩4 million KRW (approximately $2,890 USD). Meanwhile, the songwriter and the label raked in profits reportedly reaching ₩10 billion KRW (about $7.23 million USD).

Bae Yoon Jung's influence in K-Pop cannot be overstated. She is the creative force behind unforgettable routines like EXID‘s “Up & Down,” KARA’s “Mamma Mia,” and Girls’ Day‘s “Expectation.” Yet her struggles emphasize a startling truth about the K-Pop industry: despite their vital role, many choreographers continue to fight for fair recognition and compensation.