kpop dance CONTEST

REGISTRATIONS FOR 2026 are full! thank you!

DATE

September 18, 2026 (Friday)

LOCATION

Rikon, Exportdrvo Rijeka

APPLICATION DEADLINE

August 8, 2026 (23:59)

(or until the maximum schedule capacity is reached)

REGISTRATION FEE

15 EUR per person, per application

CATEGORIES AND TIME LIMITS

• SOLO: 1 dancer | performance duration 1:00 to 2:00 min.
• DUO/TRIO: 2 or 3 dancers | performance duration 1:00 to 3:00 min.
• GROUP: 4–7 dancers | performance duration 2:00 to 4:00 min.

In 2026, we are introducing a new category due to exceptional interest:

• KIDS (under 14 years old): for everyone under 14 (solo, duo, or group) | fixed performance duration up to a maximum of 1:30 min. (All application members must be under 14 on the day of the competition).

GOAL of this contest

The goal of this competition, alongside promoting Asian and South Korean culture, is to promote dance as a universal language and art form that connects us regardless of cultural differences. Additionally, we look forward to exchanging experiences among dancers and opening the door to a new form of socializing at Rikon.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Registrations are made exclusively via the online form on the website. They are processed in the order received until capacity is reached.

• Originality: Choreographies can be original creations or covers of existing choreographies. The music track is optional and must be attached to the application.
• The music file must be of a duration consistent with the category. A deviation of 15 seconds from the time limit is permitted. Entering and exiting the stage (up to 30 seconds total) does not count toward the performance time.
• Minors: For contestants under 18, the registration  must be confirmed by a parent or legal guardian (the consent form is at the bottom of this rulebook).

MULTIPLE registrations

• A contestant may participate in multiple categories with a separate fee for each.
• The same contestant may participate in ONLY ONE APPLICATION for the DUO/TRIO category.
• Due to limited schedule availability, priority in accepting solo applications is given to contestants who are not participating in other performances. Solo performances for those already registered in DUO or GROUP categories are accepted exclusively if enough open slots remain after processing all applications.
• RIKON reserves the right to determine the final schedule to allow as many different contestants as possible to participate.

RULES FOR LAST YEAR'S WINNERS

• Contestant(s) who won 1st place in a specific category at the previous edition cannot win 1st place in the same category this year.
• Exception: If that contestant is the only one registered in the category, they may be declared the winner if they meet the minimum quality criteria of the judging panel.
• Last year's winners are entitled to a winning performance in the exhibition part of the program (participation is optional and is not considered a competitive performance).

PARTICIPATION

• All contestants must be physically present in Rijeka on Friday, September 18, 2026, to attend the general rehearsal on stage.
• All contestants will be informed in a timely manner via email and/or message, so please enter valid contact information and regularly check your spam folder. The organizer is not responsible if a contestant misses a notice due to not checking their mail.
• The competition is held as part of the RIKON event. All contestants with a paid competition fee receive an unlimited weekend entry to the event. Everyone else wishing to support the competition or watch must purchase visitor tickets as desired.
• Competition organizers are not responsible for injuries, lost, or stolen items. Contestants participate at their own risk.

REHEARSAL

• Participation in the general rehearsal on Friday, September 18, 2026, in the early afternoon is mandatory for all participants (details will be sent to participants via email).
• This is an opportunity to test the performance on stage and arrange technical details like smoke effects, lighting colors, etc. (if possible).

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The contestant is evaluated by a judging panel (100 points total):

• Performance Technique (30 points) – precision, body control, clean movements.
• Choreography and Creativity (25 points) – originality, arrangement, use of space.
• Stage Presence (20 points) – expressiveness, energy, presence on stage.
• Synchronization (15 points) – coordination (for solo, this is replaced by musical interpretation and musicality).
• Overall Impression (10 points) – artistic impression.

In case of a tie, the contestant with more points in the "Performance Technique" category takes priority. If still tied, the president of the judging panel makes the final decision. Decisions of the judging panel are final, and no appeals are possible.

AWARDS AND WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

• The announcement of winners and the awarding of trophies and prize packages take place immediately after the end of dance performances on Friday evening. All contestants are requested to be present at Rikon during the awards ceremony. Exact times will be announced in the official RIKON program.
• The judging panel awards one prize per category for the best performer.
• Organizers reserve the right to award multiple prizes, not to award a prize in any category without explanation, or to award a prize for something different than stated, depending on circumstances, quantity/quality of contestants, and available budget.

DISQUALIFICATIONS AND ORGANIZER RIGHTS

The organizer reserves the right to reject an application or disqualify a contestant/revoke a prize in the following cases:

• Inappropriate, unprofessional, or unsportsmanlike behavior, vulgar language, or insulting other contestants, visitors, organizers, or judges.
• Existence of a hidden personal or business relationship with a member of the judging panel that could affect impartiality.
• Abuse of social media or voting systems to fake results.
• Falsification of data (e.g., date of birth for the KIDS category).
• Note: Organizers are not obligated to publicly explain individual decisions regarding application acceptance, disqualifications, or prize revocation.

Organizers have the right to retroactively withdraw an award (publicly and with the obligation of return of the gift package and trophy) if it turns out the contestant violated these conditions, i.e., intentionally undermined the values of the competition and the right of all contestants to a fair and equal competition. In that case, the contestant with the next highest number of points/votes wins the award, if possible.

For any potential questions or ambiguities, you can contact the competition coordinator via email: kpop@rikonrijeka.com

Teodora Lazović