The K-POP GROUP Cover dance competition will take place on the 8th and 9th of November, 2025, in Kultuurikatel, Tallinn, Estonia. Stay tuned for the schedule updates on our social media channels.

1. Competition Categories

1.1 Available Nomination Categories

Participants will be judged and awarded within the following categories:

• Kids Group Category
  Please note: Starting from Burning Pumpkin Fest 2025, the Duet & Trio category will no longer be available for the Kids age group.
• Junior Duet & Trio Category
• Junior Group Category
• Adult Duet & Trio Category
• Adult Group Category
• PRO Category
• Best Costume

 Special Categories:

• The NKC Qualifier takes place once a year only at J-TSOON.
• The Spooky Mood Prize is exclusive to Burning Pumpkin Fest.

These are separate from the main nomination categories and have their own unique judging criteria.

1.2 How to Choose the Correct Category

1.2a Performance Type:

Duet & Trio:

• Number of Performers: No more than 2–3 performers.
• Performance Duration: Up to 2 minutes and 30 seconds (150 seconds).

Backup Dancers: 

• Allowed for Duets and Trios but not for Groups.
• Time Limit: Backup dancers can only perform on stage for half the performance duration.
• Example: For a 2-minute performance, backup dancers must not exceed 1 minute on stage.
• Judges will evaluate only the main performers in Duets and Trios, with no additional points awarded for backup dancers.

Group:

• Number of Performers: 4 + performers.
• Performance Duration: Up to 3 minutes and 30 seconds (210 seconds). 
• Important Note: The recommended number of performers on stage is 9. While participants are welcome to participate in a team with more members, please note that the festival cannot guarantee comfortable accommodation on stage during the performance.

For the SOLO competition, please click here.

1.2b Age Categories

1. KIDS: Up to 14 years old.
2. JUNIOR: 15–17 years old.
3. ADULT: 18+ years old.

• Organizers can change the age category if mistakes are found in the application.
• The organizers have the full right during the selection process to choose an appropriate number of performers in all age categories to ensure fair competition in each category
• Please note that each age category has different performance levels, and it is important to respect the performances that were selected.
  
  
• Duet & Trio:

1. Duet: The age category is determined by the age of the oldest participant at the time of the festival in the group.
2. Trio: The age category is determined by the percentage ratio of participants’ ages. If more than half of the participants fall into the ADULT category (over 18 years old) at the time of the festival, the trio should choose the ADULT category. The same principle applies to the JUNIOR categories.

• Group:

1. The age category is determined by the age group that represents the majority of participants.
2. If over half of the participants fall into the ADULT category (over 18 years old) at the time of the festival, the group should choose the 18+ category. The same principle applies to the KIDS and JUNIOR categories.
3. In a 50-50 percentage ratio, the group must choose the higher age category.

1.2c PRO Category

The PRO category is intended exclusively for group dance performances in the JUNIOR and ADULT categories.

• Any team that placed 1st or 2nd in dance categories at the two most recent festivals, J-TSOON and Burning Pumpkin Fest, in the JUNIOR or ADULT age categories is required to register in the PRO category.
  Participant identification is based on first and last names; therefore, changing the group’s name does not exempt it from PRO classification.
  Example: if a team placed 1st or 2nd at Burning Pumpkin Fest 2024, they must register in the PRO category.
• Any team may choose to register in the PRO category voluntarily, even if they did not place in the top two at the previous festivals.
• If half or more of a team’s members previously competed as part of teams that placed 1st or 2nd in dance categories at the last two festivals, the team is also required to register in the PRO category.
• Please note: Only placements in dance categories are considered when determining eligibility for the PRO category,  awards for costumes or other categories are not taken into account.
• The festival organizers reserve the right to reassign any team to the PRO category or remove a team from the PRO category if deemed appropriate.
• Groups assigned to the PRO category are eligible to compete only within this category.

1.2d Best Costume

• To be considered for the best costume nomination, all participants must provide reference pictures of the costumes they intend to replicate or are inspired by. 
• If no reference pictures are provided, the organizers reserve the right to exclude the group from this nomination.
• Participants who do not intend to fully replicate original costumes may provide a description of their costume concept in the application form. This may include inspiration drawn from the idol, the style of the chosen song, or other relevant project details.
• Participants who are creating a direct replication of a costume may also include details of their project and any additional information they wish to be forwarded to the judges.

1.2e NKC Qualifiers

Please note that the NKC Qualifier takes place only at the J-TSOON Festival and not at the Burning Pumpkin Fest.

What is the NKC?

The NärCon Kpop Championship aims to showcase K-POP Cover Dancing at its best. It provides a stage for finalists to demonstrate their skills and passion for the Kpop music genre. In this championship, participants will compete against other dance troupes to perform the best K-POP dance routine, as closely as possible to the original song and choreography.

One exceptional group will be chosen to represent Estonia at the prestigious NärCon Kpop Championship!

To review the complete rules for the NKC qualifiers, please click here.

1.2f The Spooky Mood

The Spooky Mood prize is a special award created to celebrate the unique atmosphere of J-TSOON: Burning Pumpkin Fest.

• One performance that best captures the spookiest vibe will be awarded the Spooky Mood prize. 
• An example of songs suitable for this nomination: ATEEZ – THE BLACK CAT NERO

1.3 Awards & Recognition

• The number of prizes may vary from one festival to another, depending on the number of participants in each age category and performance type, as well as the level of competition within them.
• Awards are given within each main category.
  • Kids Group
  • Junior Duet & Trio
  • Junior Group
  • Adult Duet & Trio
  • Adult Group
  • PRO Category
  • Best Costume

• In addition to the main prizes, the organizers may also present additional awards at their discretion.

2. Judging Criteria

Judges are bound by confidentiality and are prohibited from disclosing details about the judging process or outcomes. A respectful environment is maintained and attempts at bribery will not be effective.

2.1 For Dance Competition

• Choreography Execution: Assesses how accurately the performers replicate the original K-pop routine and how well they synchronize their movements as a team.
• Technique: Evaluates the quality of the dancers’ movements, including precision, control, body isolation, and how well they match the music’s rhythm and tempo.
• Stage Presence and Energy: Focuses on how effectively the performers engage with the audience through expression, energy, and dynamic movement, maintaining impact throughout the performance.
• Overall Performance Impact: Looks at the overall emotional and artistic effect of the performance, evaluating how well it captivates the audience and conveys the essence of the original routine.

After the festival concludes, the K-POP team will send an email to all performers, providing them with the points they received for each evaluation criterion. Please note that the names of the judges will not be included in these files to maintain confidentiality.

2.2 For Best Costume

• Costume Accuracy and Replication: Assesses closely resemble, are inspired by, or replicate the chosen K-pop idol’s outfit from the references provided
• Coordination and Group Harmony: In group performances, costumes should complement each other to create a cohesive look, with consistent styling in color, silhouette, and theme.
• Appropriateness and Comfort: The costume should allow for easy movement and comfort while adhering to guidelines for appropriate undergarments.
• Overall Impact and Presentation: Judge will evaluate the visual appeal of the performance, focusing on how the choreography, costumes, and stage presence create a captivating experience.

2.3 NKC qualifiers

• For the NKC qualifiers, points for both the dance and the costume will be taken into consideration.
• After the festival concludes, the K-POP team will send an email to all performers, providing them with the points they received for each evaluation criterion. Please note that the names of the judges will not be included in these files to maintain confidentiality.

2.4 Spooky Mood Prize 

• The judges from both the Dance and Costume competitions will select the winning performance.
• Judges will evaluate how well the song choice, performance, and costume design work together to create a unified spooky atmosphere.

3. Performance and Participation Restrictions.

3.1 Performance Limitations

Each participant can perform on stage twice (1+1 rule) following these three options:

• One Duet & Trio + One Duet & Trio (1+1)
• Requirements: Different lineups for each performance. The Trio lineup must change by at least 2 performers.
• One Duet & Trio + One Group. (1+1)
• Group + Group (1+1)

Requirements: Participants not performing in the Duet & Trio category can perform in up to two (2) groups, provided they use different group lineups (1+1)

Important Note: We accept groups whose composition changes by up to half of the original lineup or slightly more. If a group retains the majority of its original members but adds a few new ones, this is also acceptable. If exactly half of the members are new, this also counts. In cases where the group’s composition doesn’t split evenly in half, we round the change up.

3.2 Backup Dancers

• Each backup dancer can only perform in one Group Category, even if they do not perform in the Duet & Trio category.

3.3 Participation Rules

• Please note that due to limited stage time, organizers reserve the right to limit the total number of entries. Therefore, the number of performances may vary at each festival.
• Original choreographies will not be accepted for the competition.
• All performances must be based on existing choreographies that match the chosen song.
• Participants can showcase a dance by a Korean choreographer, and the music is not restricted to Korean songs. Additionally, participants can perform any KPOP idol(artist) songs that are not Korean, such as ‘Titanic’ by Jackson Wang or ‘Honey’ by LAY, etc.
• The festival maintains a family-friendly environment. Song selections must be suitable for a general audience.
• Participants who applied for K-POP GROUP Cover Dance Competition are allowed to apply for the SOLO K-POP Cover Dance competition and K-POP in Public Online Competition. 
• Live vocals are prohibited, and all performances must adhere to the format specified in the application.
• Backup dancers are not counted as main performers and can participate in other dance categories. 
• Please note that you can choose only one of the two main competitions – either KPOP or Cosplay. If you choose KPOP, you are still allowed to participate in the “Short Video” and “Photo cosplay” competitions. Cosplay main competition participants are still allowed to participate in the “KPOP in Public” online competition. Kindly choose according to your priorities.
• If the number of participants in a category is insufficient to create a competitive field, the category may be canceled. Each category must have a minimum of 10 performances, if this requirement is not met, the organizers reserve the right to cancel the category.
• Performance Day Scheduling: Please note that while participants may indicate their preferred performance day, we cannot guarantee the selected day with 100% certainty, as the schedule is divided into three 1.5-hour blocks. We kindly ask all participants to be prepared to perform on either of the two event days. If a participant or group is unavailable on the day assigned by the organizers, their performance may be removed from the competition, as organizers can not guarantee that the reschedule will be available.
• Each team is allowed to have one assistant. The assistant must be registered during the registration process.
• Respectful behavior before the festival and during the festival toward the organizers, staff, judges, and other K-POP and Cosplay participants is mandatory!

3.4 Age-Appropriate Dances

• It is important that all dances are appropriate for the age of the participants.
• Teams with members under 18 years old must strictly adhere to this rule

3.5 Costume and Stage Appearance

• All participants in the dance competition are required to wear cycling shorts or similar appropriate undergarments beneath skirts, short shorts or dresses. This measure is to ensure that no inappropriate exposure occurs during performances. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification or other penalties as determined by the competition organizers.
• It is recommended to choose comfortable footwear suitable for dance performances to avoid possible injuries

4. Applications

4.1 Information in Applications

• Full name of participants should be provided exactly as it appears on the participant’s ID/Passport
• Participant and Backup Dancer Information: All participants and backup dancers must provide details about any other performances they are involved in. All backup dancers must be listed during registration. This includes providing their full names and information about other performances or backup dances they are part of.
• Incomplete Information: If the required information is not provided and the performance is selected for the competition, the organizers have the right to keep the original order of performances in the schedule and will not make changes to the blocks.
• The Leader contact: Each participant group must choose a Leader (main contact person) and provide their phone number as the primary contact. This is essential for ensuring timely communication with participants.

4.2 Performance Video

• Participants must submit a video of their own performance or practice, not a video of the artist’s performance. 
• The submitted video must show the entire dance practice and is a mandatory requirement for selection into the competition.
• The video of the performance or practice must be filmed in one take, no editing is allowed.
• The exact number of participants, as registered in the application, must be visible in the performance video. If you encounter issues such as illness or unexpected injury, please contact the K-POP team promptly. The absence of a participant in the video without proper communication and notification to the K-POP team may result in disqualification. 
• Participants are required to share a video using any file exchange platform.
• Participants must ensure that the link to their performance video is set to public access, allowing organizers to view it without any issues or the need to request permission. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the selection process.
• There are several popular file exchange platforms that participants can use to share their dance rehearsal videos. Here are some commonly used options:

1. YouTube: Participants can upload their rehearsal videos as unlisted or private and share the link with organizers.
2. Google Drive: Participants can upload their videos to Google Drive and share the link with viewing permissions.
3. Dropbox: Participants can upload videos to Dropbox and share the link with appropriate access permissions.
4. OneDrive: Microsoft’s OneDrive is another option for participants to upload and share rehearsal videos.

4.3 Music

• The performance audio track should be in MP3 format, with a minimum bitrate of 128kbps and a sample rate of 44kHz.
• Please make sure to follow this rule and do not send MP4, M4A, or similar files, as these types of files may cause issues and result in poor sound quality during the performance. 
• If a clean version of a song is available, participants are encouraged to use it.
• Organizers have the full right to not contact performers regarding their music files and use only the files submitted during the application.
• The organizers reserve the right to request a change in song or reject a performance if the content is deemed inappropriate.

4.4 Stage & Reference Pictures

• Stage Picture: Each participant must provide a horizontal picture in size 1920×1080 px  that will be displayed on the big screen during their performance.
• Reference Picture: To compete for the best costume prize, participants must provide 1-4 reference pictures of the costumes they intend to replicate or are inspired by.

4.5 File Naming Rules

• Video: [performer name]_[K-POP artist]_[song]_video
• Music: [performer name]_[K-POP artist]_[song]_music
• Stage Picture: [performer name]_[K-POP artist]_[song]_stage picture
• Reference Pictures: [performer name]_[K-POP artist]_[song]_reference picture

Example: PLEASE NOTE! This is only an example. You should not call your team the “JTsoon Team”. This is an example of what the file naming should look like.

• JTsoon team_EXO_love shot_video
• JTsoon team_EXO_love shot_music
• JTsoon team_EXO_love shot_stage picture
• JTsoon team_EXO_love shot_reference picture

NB! Incorrectly named files may lead to disqualification.

5. On Site Organizational Matters.

All participants are required to adhere to the festival rules and guidelines outlined below. Compliance is essential to ensure a fair, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

5.1 Tickets

• Selected participants are entitled to a special discount on a 2-day event ticket. Please only purchase tickets once performance registration is approved by our KPOP Team.
• Discount tickets can only be purchased online through the website provided in the emails sent before the event. On-site ticket purchases will be at full price. 
• If a participant buys an early bird or full-price ticket before the results are announced, the festival has full rights not to refund the ticket that was purchased without a discount. 
• Backup dancers must purchase tickets at full price if they are not participating in K-POP competitions offering discounts.
• Assistants for Groups, Duos & Trios must purchase a full-price ticket. 
• Wristband: Upon morning registration, each participant, backup dancers and assistants will be issued a special wristband, serving as a crucial ticket pass that must be kept from being removed for two days. If a participant obtains a wristband on the first day but fails to present it on the second day of the event, the participant will have to buy a new ticket at the full price. Preserve wristbands to prevent incurring additional expenses.
• Absence of the wristband removal from the event. Please note that complaints regarding wristband issues will only be accepted on the first day of the event. After the first day, organisers will not address complaints about lost or damaged wristbands.

5.2 Rehearsals

• Rehearsal schedules and organizational details will be provided after successfully passing the selection for the competition.
• Clarify any questions regarding music, lighting, and equipment during the rehearsal. No changes will be made during the competition, making attendance at rehearsals crucial.

5.3 On-site Morning registration:

• Before proceeding to the backstage area, all participants must complete their registration at the K-POP registration desk, where they will receive their badges.
• Badges: Upon morning registration, badges will be issued to each participant, backup dancer, and assistant. These badges serve as access to the dressing room and backstage areas.
• All participants are required to write their names on their badges to ensure they can be returned if lost. Permanent markers (Sharpies) will be available at the registration desk, the K-POP Info Daytime Table, and in the dressing rooms.
• Losing a badge will result in being denied entry to the backstage and dressing rooms, so it is essential to handle badges carefully.
• Badges may only be used by the person they are issued to. Giving a competition badge to someone who is not a registered participant, backup dancer, or assistant is strictly prohibited. The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant or team found violating this rule.
• Each participant must present a document (ID card or passport) confirming their age during on-site registration on the event day.
• All participants must arrive at the designated registration time, which will be provided in the email after application acceptance. Late arrivals may result in exclusion from the list of performers. Registration times will be communicated to selected participants one week before the event.
• Backup dancers not participating in the main competition must attend the registration process alongside Duets & Trios participants. This is required for competition registration and to obtain a badge for backstage access. Backup dancers arriving after the registration period has closed will not receive a badge and will be denied backstage access.
• Assistants must attend the registration process alongside the participants they are assisting. This is required for competition registration and to obtain a badge for backstage access. Assistants arriving after the registration period has closed will not receive a badge and will be denied backstage access.
• If, for any reason, participants are unable to participate or attend on-site morning registration, please inform the K-POP organization team promptly by contacting us at kpop@j-tsoon.ee.
• Respectful behavior toward the organizers, staff, judges, and other K-Pop and Cosplay participants is mandatory!

5.4 Dressing Room Behavior

• Participants must maintain order in the dressing rooms, keep personal items organized, and clean up after use. Leaving items behind is not permitted. Please be respectful toward the K-POP team preparing dressing rooms for participants on both days, and maintain cleanliness.
• Any items left scattered around the dressing rooms may be discarded after the first day of the festival concludes.
• Changing clothes and leaving personal belongings are only permitted in designated dressing rooms for K-Pop participants. Leaving items in Cosplay dressing rooms or other unauthorized areas is prohibited.
• Groups not performing on the second day must vacate the dressing room by the end of the first day to accommodate groups performing the next day. Dressing rooms are only available on the day of performance.
• Photography is prohibited in the dressing rooms to respect the personal space of others. Photos, selfies, or full-length pictures must be taken outside the main dressing room area.
• Hot food purchased at the festival is not allowed in the dressing rooms and must be consumed in designated food zone areas. Snacks, appetizers, bars, and sandwiches are permitted.
• Hair spray must not be used in the dressing rooms. It should only be applied outside or in restrooms.
• Access to the dressing rooms is strictly limited to participants competing in the festival, registered backup dancers, and registered assistants. No other individuals are permitted to enter the dressing rooms under any circumstances.
• Respectful behavior toward the organizers, staff, judges, and other K-Pop and Cosplay participants is mandatory!

5.5 Backstage and Stage:

• Participants must be backstage no later than five acts before their performance to inform organizers of their presence in advance. After this time, participants are not allowed to leave backstage for any reason other than performing on stage.
• These rules must be taken seriously. If a participant does not show up backstage at the appointed time, does not notify the organizers, or does not respond to calls, they will be disqualified, and no ticket refunds will be provided.
• Backup dancers who are not competing in the competition themselves can stay backstage while waiting for their turn to perform. 
• All participants and backup dancers must keep backstage organized. Please do not bring food or drinks (such as bubble tea) into the backstage area. The only exception is a bottle of water. Make sure to throw away any empty bottles and do not leave them on the ground.
• All participants and backup dancers must wear their badges backstage. A special box will be provided to place the badge in during the performance, but it must be retrieved afterward. Failing to wear a badge backstage may result in being banned from entering the dressing room or disqualified from the competition.
• All participants and backup dancers must maintain order while waiting for their performance. 
• Standing near the stage stairs, sitting in the passage area, or blocking the view of the stage for K-POP Stage Coordinators and interfering with the K-POP host is prohibited.
• Due to strict time constraints, all teams must enter the stage immediately when their name is announced by the host. Please do not wait for the host to leave the stage before entering. 
• Once on stage, participants must assume their starting pose and remain still. This signals the sound team that the performance is ready to begin, and the music will be played.
• After the performance, participants must exit the stage promptly. A brief bow is allowed. However, please note that the host will re-enter the stage immediately after the performance ends. Therefore, all team members must leave the stage and return to the backstage area without delay.
• Please avoid lingering in the backstage area after your performance. Kindly clear the passage promptly to allow the next performers to prepare and enter the stage smoothly.
• The K-POP organization team will provide clear instructions on where participants should stand while waiting for their performance.
• Respectful behavior toward the organizers, staff, judges, and other K-Pop and Cosplay participants is mandatory!

5.6 Responsibility for Personal Belongings

• The organizers are not responsible for any lost items. Participants are kindly asked to take good care of their valuables and not leave them unattended.
• Participants are not allowed to leave belongings in the dressing rooms overnight. All items must be taken after the first day of the festival concludes.
• All items and clothing found during the preparation and cleaning of the dressing rooms after the first day of the festival will be gathered and collected by the K-POP team.
• The festival is not responsible for any items or clothing that may be missing from the dressing rooms.

5.7 Procedure After the Completion of the First and Second Days of the Festival

• All belongings must be retrieved from the dressing rooms after the completion of the second day.
• The premises must be vacated promptly, no later than 40 minutes after the conclusion of the event on both the first and second days.

6. Disqualification and Non-Selection Criteria.

Please note that the criteria listed below are examples and do not encompass all possible reasons for disqualification or non-selection. There are many rules in place, and participants are required to comply with all regulations of the J-TSOON and Burning Pumpkin festivals. Failure to adhere to any rule may result in disqualification or non-selection.

• Failure to adhere to all specified rules and guidelines of the J-TSOON/BURNING PUMPKIN  festivals and competitions.
• Participants who do not meet the specified age requirements for Duet & Trio, Group, Pro category, or NKC qualifiers will be disqualified. Age categories must be chosen according to guidelines. Organizers reserve the right to adjust the age group based on the oldest or majority age in a performance.
• Duet & Trio performances exceeding 2 minutes 30 seconds (150 seconds) or Group performances exceeding 3 minutes 30 seconds (210 seconds) will be disqualified.
• Backup dancers performing beyond the allowed duration of half the performance time will be disqualified.
• Participants will be disqualified if they submit a video that is not of their own full dance practice or if the video is of the artist’s performance instead of their own
• Failure to submit music in the correct MP3 format (minimum 128 kbps, 44 kHz) will result in disqualification.
• Incorrect file names for performance videos, music, or reference images will lead to disqualification.
• Failure to provide required details about performers, backup dancers, or performance videos (including submission of unedited, one-take videos) may result in non-selection or disqualification.
• Failure to submit reference pictures for costumes will result in exclusion from the Best Costume nomination.
• Participants who fail to register on time or fail to check in backstage at least five acts before their performance may be disqualified.
• Failure to comply with backstage conduct rules, including maintaining order, avoiding blocking passages, and wearing badges properly, may result in disqualification.
• Bringing food or drinks (other than water bottles) into backstage, or leaving trash such as empty bottles on the ground, is prohibited and may result in disqualification.
• Participants must wear their badges backstage at all times. Badges are personal and non-transferable. Misuse or loss of badges may result in denied access or disqualification.
• Standing near stage stairs, sitting in passageways, blocking views for stage coordinators or hosts, or interfering with event staff is prohibited and may lead to disqualification.
• Failure to enter the stage immediately when called, to assume the starting pose and remain still until music begins, or to exit the stage promptly after performing may result in disqualification.
• Lingering in the backstage area after performances and obstructing passageways for following performers is prohibited and may result in penalties or disqualification.
• Access to dressing rooms is limited strictly to registered participants, backup dancers, and assistants. Unauthorized access may result in disqualification.
• Participants must use clean versions of songs if available. Organizers reserve the right to use only submitted music files without further communication.
• Performance day preferences are not guaranteed. Participants must be prepared to perform on either event day. Unavailability on assigned days may lead to removal from the competition without rescheduling.
• Song selections must be family-friendly and suitable for a general audience. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification.
• Participants who do not wear appropriate undergarments or fail to follow costume guidelines (e.g., cycling shorts under skirts or dresses) may be disqualified.
• Any participant engaging in disrespectful behavior toward organizers, staff, judges, or other participants before, during, or after the festival will be disqualified.
• Participants performing in more categories than allowed will be disqualified.
• Groups selected for NKC qualifiers who fail to submit necessary performance materials (e.g., videos, descriptions) after the festival will be disqualified from representing at NKC.
• Participants who fail to purchase tickets at the correct price online before the festival, after being selected, may face disqualification.
• Use of live vocals, non-approved remixes, or deviations from the required K-pop cover dance format will result in disqualification.

Participating in any form of cheating, rule-breaking, or disregard for the rules will result in disqualification from future J-TSOON events.

Note: The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the rules and regulations of the competition to ensure fair judging, maintain order, and ensure the safety of all participants.

By applying to the competition, the competitors agree to adhere to the rules.

For any additional questions, please reach out to our email kpop@j-tsoon.ee.