[Photo &] Kani Interview: Choreographer Shares the Honor of Creating the Choreography for the 2026 World Cup Theme—“Special to Meet BTS at the Halftime Show”

The French-born choreographer and TV personality ‘Kani’ proved once again that she has a one-of-a-kind presence on the global stage, taking part in producing the choreography for the official theme song of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup. She also revealed her special connections with pop star ‘Shakira’ and the group ‘BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan)’, and laid out the philosophy of dance that cuts across the world.

Movements that break borders… the making of choreography that connects billions worldwide

In an interview held on the 5th, Kani shared what it meant to her to lead the choreography for the World Cup’s official theme song. “I reaffirmed the timeless truth that dance has no borders,” she said, adding, “Beyond collaborating with global artists, contributing to this massive melting pot we call the World Cup—where sports and culture intersect—is a momentous achievement for a choreographer.”

The song she poured her heart into is the official theme song of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, ‘Dai Dai’. Featuring pop star ‘Shakira’ and ‘Burna Boy’, the Nigerian-born artist, the track is set to add a dazzling touch to the World Cup’s opening and closing ceremony performances. Kani created a highly addictive choreography that makes dynamic use of hand movements and the pelvis. She maximized the festival’s liveliness so people around the world can enjoy it intuitively, beyond any specific fandom, and focused on boosting the clarity of arm movements in consideration of the scale of huge stadiums.

Behind the scenes of a historic stage where the queen of pop and the king of K-pop overlap

For Kani, who moved through music video shoot locations and World Cup-related scenes, collaborating with ‘Shakira’ was a source of intense inspiration. “It wasn’t just about carrying out the choreography. I kept offering ideas nonstop and raised the completeness of the performances,” she said, expressing deep respect for the dedication and humility the queen of pop demonstrated.

She also shared a story from the past when she encountered ‘BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan)’ at the halftime show at a World Cup final. Kani said, “The moment I met ‘BTS’ again on a historic stage was beyond words in its amazement,” and recalled the synergy unleashed by top global artists.

A bridge between K-pop and global pop, blending perfectionism and autonomy

‘Beyonce’ and ‘BLACKPINK Jisoo’, among other top-tier artists, Kani has directed performances for a range of stars, and she is evaluated as a key bridge that connects the K-pop and global pop industries. She sharply analyzed the differences between the two industries, saying, “K-pop choreography boasts a ‘perfectly synchronized group dance’ so precise that even rehearsals are astonishing, and it shows off detail. Meanwhile, global pop places more emphasis on leaving room for an artist’s unique interpretation and individuality to come through.”

Building a family life with her Korean husband, Kani is recently expanding her points of contact with the public through her YouTube channel ‘Kani입니다’. Because her global schedule has surged rapidly, she postponed a wedding originally planned for September. Kani said, “Grateful is all I can feel, as this past year has been flooded with unexpected, overwhelming opportunities,” adding, “I adjusted the ceremony timing so we could fully celebrate with the people I love, without being rushed by time.” She plans to keep moving forward as a creator breaking down boundaries between Korean and global entertainment industries.