[Editor’s note: this story has been updated with details on how to upload your video.]
All the details for BTS‘ “Permission to Dance” Challenge, which launches this week on YouTube Shorts, are here.
The challenge — a friendly invitation to BTS fans to groove along to the group’s new single “Permission to Dance” — officially kicks off on Friday, July 23 at 9 a.m. EST, and runs through 9 a.m. EST on Aug. 14.
Fans around the world are encouraged to get creative and make their own 15-second short on the YouTube mobile app, inspired (of course) by BTS’ smooth “Permission to Dance” moves.
BTS, who already offered a fun YouTube Shorts look at their “Permission to Dance” choreography (watch it on desktop here or mobile here before you get started on your own), will even spotlight a selection of shorts from their ARMY in a compilation video. Submissions using #PermissiontoDance and #Shorts will be considered to be included in the compilation, so be sure to remember those hashtags.
“‘Permission to Dance’ is a song that will get everyone’s heart pumping and dancing again,” BTS said in a statement. “We also prepared the ‘Permission to Dance Challenge’ with YouTube Shorts so please stay tuned for more.”
“Just as ‘Permission to Dance’ sends the message that you don’t have to ask anyone for permission to dance, we hope that we can bring people all over the world together to dance along with us, free of any limits or constraint,” Big Hit general manager Shin Young Jae adds. “We are very excited to watch this challenge come to life on YouTube Shorts and can’t wait to see what you all create.”
The “PTD” video finds the septet doing three “International Sign” gestures that translate into “Joy,” “Dance” and “Peace,” which BTS encourage participants to recreate in their own style for the challenge. In a statement the group said the challenge is an effort to “bring people around the world together to dance along with BTS and inspire them to share their unique Shorts creations with one another.
Creating your video should only take 15 seconds using a smartphone and the Shorts camera built into the YouTube mobile app, allowing anyone to create their three “PTD” moves in their own style by following these instructions:
- Tap the “( + ) create icon” and select “Create a Short.”
- Tap the “Add Music” button and select BTS’ “Permission to Dance.” The music will be queued up perfectly to 15 seconds without having to do anything else.
- Hold the “Capture” button (red circle) to record your Sho video clip.
- Tap “Done” followed by “Next” to add video details. Be sure to include hashtags #PermissiontoDance and #Shorts
- Hit “Upload” and you are good to go!
Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s global head of music, says: “BTS are global icons. Breaking record after record on YouTube, BTS’ immense contribution to the world of music has made them an undeniable force. We are humbled to be partnering with them on the Permission to Dance challenge on YouTube Shorts, helping to spread happiness and build lasting connections amongst their fans on YouTube across the globe. We are stoked to see the ARMY dance!”