Kiwi choreographer receives thousands of death threats, homophobic insults from K-pop fans

A New Zealand choreographer has received thousands of death threats and homophobic abuse from K-pop fans, all because they didn’t like one of his dance routines.

Kiel Tutin, a high-profile choreographer based in Auckland, became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter after fans of South Korean group Blackpink lashed out at her latest single, Lovesick girls.

The 24-year-old was subjected to thousands of vile messages, some of which said they expected him to die.

In a heartbreaking video, Tutin said he opened Twitter to find “25,000 faceless accounts telling me to die.”

Some of the messages targeted his sexuality, while others abused him for being white.

The openly gay choreographer detailed some of the horrific abuse while calling out trolls for their disgusting messages.

“I opened Twitter to see thousands and thousands of messages that said [the choreography] sucks, obviously name calling, and making false pictures of me being a racist and saying I should die and death threats, “he said.

“And whatever else the kids are doing these days.

“It’s crazy to me that so many people think it’s okay and they post so much negativity online.”

Tutin defended the dance choreography, explaining that only 20 percent of their routine was used, while the group’s Korean record label took care of the rest.

“Which we have come to accept with these K-pop companies because they will get in touch with various choreographers and they have in-house choreographers that change it and make their own decisions about what the artist should do.

Tutin used his video response to criticize K-pop fans who put artists on a pedestal before hitting them when they messed up.

“I just don’t think it’s wise to put people on such a high pedestal and then push everyone around them. That’s not the way to be successful,” he said.

Tutin’s work previously caught the attention of Jennifer Lopez and she was asked to help choreograph Lopez’s dancers for their 2018 Calibash performance.

Just a few weeks later, he was producing more material for Lopez’s Super Bowl performance on Saturday.

The 24-year-old also previously choreographed for Jolin Tsai, “The Britney Spears of China.”

Where to get help:
• 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline
• YOUTH LINE: 0800 376 633
• I NEED TO TALK? Toll Free or Text 1737 (Available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 or TEXT 4202
• NATIONAL ANXIETY 24 HOUR HELP LINE: 0800 269 4389
If it is an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.