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EXO’s KAI and popular dancer and choreographer Bada Lee have received backlash over a seemingly lackluster performance of KAI's newly released song Adult Swim. Adult Swim hit the airwaves on April 3, 2025, as KAI's first music project following his discharge from the military on February 10, 2025.
On the same day, the EXO member performed the track during the MCountdown concert. KAI performed the Adult Swim track before being joined by Bada Lee on the stage. The two Korean stars performed on stage before it ended.
After their performance, videos of the performance began circulating on X, and Netizens complained about the duo being “too stiff.” Others expressed that the duo were overhyped as they had no dancing skills.
@octobersoo shared clips of the duo’s performance with the caption:
“Usually a Bada defender? But is it possible that Kai has outgrown her as a choreographer?”
@jungkooklawyer tweeted in response:
“Finally people getting over Kai Bada duo. I said something about it earlier. They remind me of each other dancing. There’s no chemistry. It NEVER was. Thanks.”
Other X users shared their dissatisfaction with the duo’s performance:
“The way the moves don’t match the vibe of the song,” @ashlem1chelle tweeted.
“So this is what I was feeling. Like I don’t know what to feel exactly. The one from the MV felt better for me,” @kaisahamniduh added.
“Honestly, it looks like she’s competing against him and not dancing with him,” @oohdianalt reacted.
Some Netizens tried to explain the scenario in support of the duo:
“Both are twins, lol. Both have similar style; Bada is just more cohesive than Kai, that’s why the dance looks more awkward, not because he’s better,” @Adeley1290 stated.
“I don’t think it’s her. The choreography is not just good for this song, imo. Kai did dance better than her, but it doesn’t look that great when he does it either,” @DaKeuBee tweeted.
“I think their dance styles are just a little too dissimilar. He's so firmly rooted in ballet/ contemporary, and hers is very street/ hip hop. When they dance together, his moves connect in a way that hers don't,” @cubsgirl101 added.
More details about Adult Swim by EXO's KAI explored as the artist and backup dancer face backlash over choreography
The upbeat pop song was released on April 3, 2025, as the first digital single of the EXO band member’s upcoming album. Adult Swim is the pre-release to Kai’s fourth mini album, Wait On Me.
The song was written by Jeong Si-eon and composed by Imad-Roy El-Amine, Brandon Colbein and MAX. It features a simple and energetic drum loop combined with a cheerful melody. The lyrics compare the feelings of love to two individuals swimming underwater.
The second verse reads:
“Sway (Sway), it's okay even if the waves shake you/ Front and back, side to side, make it thrilling, yeah, yeah, yeah/ Same (Same), my heart is no different/ In this moment, awake, I'm falling deeper, yeah, yeah, yeah,”
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EXO's KAI is scheduled to launch a 10-city solo tour starting in Seoul in May 2025. For the first time in five years, he’s set to make a return to the UK with a performance at SMTOWN Live in London, taking place at Allianz Twickenham Stadium on June 28, 2025, as part of SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary celebration.
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