K-pop has become a cultural phenomenon not only about music but also with dancing, fashion and importantly, a committed fan community. It began as a musical genre in South Korea in the 1990s, and now groups of amateur K-pop performers can be found in public spaces in Auckland Central. Among them, you’ll find three K-polys – Polynesian K-pop fans: Boba, Ethan and Ashley. 

Boba, from Henderson, has loved K-pop since they were eight. At 21, they say “K-pop is really my life”. As a non-binary, queer and disabled person, they’ve struggled to find belonging elsewhere. 

Ethan, who grew up in Fiji, Tuvalu, and Sāmoa, dances to K-pop to express his emotions. He says not enough young brown men dance because there’s a stigma to dancing as it doesn’t showcase the strength typically associated with Pacific masculinity.

Ashley, who is Cook Island Niuean, has been into K-pop since 2009, when it rekindled her love of dance. Now, she’s teaching K-pop dance techniques to a growing number of people who want to learn.

K-POLYS, an intimate video portrait of three young Polynesians enchanted by K-pop, is coming to The Spinoff on Tuesday, 19 March. 

K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, produced by Hex Work Productions and made with the support of NZ On Air.