A fangirl’s life is a journey of star-studded breakthroughs, and this Filipina dancer is embracing each one with a fire in her heart that nothing can extinguish. Her passion for performing grows bigger and brighter every day, becoming an unstoppable force that even her favorite global idols can vouch for.
Photo: Sophie Kip, NCT 127
Sophie Kip seized the opportunity of a lifetime last August when she shared the stage with Korean pop (K-pop) stars NCT 127 at KCON in Los Angeles, California—one of the most in-demand annual gatherings for fandoms and pop culture enthusiasts worldwide. The 18-year-old performer has earned an arsenal of achievements that still feel like a dream, but dancing with the internationally adored boy group for a crowd of thousands is a definite standout. A blessing of this calibre doesn’t come to go-getting fangirls like her every day, and she thanks her lucky stars for being chosen to make it happen alongside her fellow young dreamers.
“[The performance] was a message to my younger self that dreams really do come true! I’ve loved to dance to K-pop since I was around nine years old. Doing so at KCON next to NCT 127 was another peaceful and joyful confirmation of God’s blessings in my life,” Sophie vividly recalls.
Sophie has spent over a decade enamored by the dynamic communities she has met through dancing, songwriting, and even producing. She and music go way back, and she reckons this leap of faith is only the beginning of her fruitful journey in the industry.
Looking Back at How It All Happened
Sophie at the end of NCT 127’s KCON LA performance. Photo: KCON Official
Performers are no strangers to the pressure and adrenaline that course through them moments before stepping onstage. Even Sophie, who’s been dancing since forever, still remembers the nerves that took over her while auditioning for NCT 127’s KCON number.
She explains, “There were around 80 participants, and about half of us passed to dance with NCT. I was nervous, but more excited and grateful to be there. I stayed at the far right and back, which made me worry, as I’m a smaller person and they might not have seen me well. My pants also started slipping off towards the end of the audition, so I had to dance while holding them up.”
Thankfully, though, those nerves were short-lived. Sophie powered through every minor mishap, and before she knew it, she was among the many lucky fans who joined NCT 127 on the KCON stage for their hit song, “Kick It.”
“My heart was pounding. But when they called my number, I immediately praised God and ran up to the stage with joy. It was as if God told me that when I don’t feel seen, He sees, and that’s enough,” Sophie says, grateful to look back on the risk she took with utmost pride. Dancing with her idols had been her lifelong dream, and one audition was all it took to make it come true. “I take on any opportunity to perform onstage and grow as a dancer, but for it to be alongside NCT 127 at KCON was even better! Meeting the group for the first time was amazing. They were so cool, respectful, and kind, and Johnny was hilarious, as expected.”
Sophie’s Remarkable Rise to Prominence
Dancing has helped Sophie build an unparalleled presence online. From original choreography to covers of her favorite K-pop hits, her brilliant performing prowess has brought her closer to her idols than she could ever imagine.
Sharing the stage with NCT 127 was just one of the many monumental wins Sophie has bagged so far as a K-pop fan. Her sharp moves and star power have also gotten shout-outs from some of the industry’s most versatile dancers like Niana Guerrero, as well as her BTS and KATSEYE biases, J-Hope and Daniela Avanzini. She even bonded with CORTIS’s James at an on-site fansign!
These priceless interactions, though brief, will always motivate Sophie to aim high: “I’m a fangirl who’s also passionate about performance arts. When global icons like J-Hope, whom I’ve looked up to for years, notice me, it brings me more joy in what I do and a little push to keep going. Fangirling helped me become my own artist, which means I love what I do because I’ve been a huge fan of it from the start.”
Flaunting Her Filipina Roots
Filipinos are unstoppable on the dance floor, and Sophie is no exception. She attributes her onstage identity, also known as KIPHOP, to the various cultures and endeavors that’ve taken her Pinay pride to the next level.
“‘Kip’ is my middle name, ‘hop’ comes from hip-hop, and together, KIPHOP also sounds like K-pop! So [my name] represents my own spin on the two genres,” Sophie states. As KIPHOP, she constantly looks forward to meeting her kababayans in music. She even eyes a collaboration with Pinoy pop (P-pop) hitmakers SB19 and BINI. Needless to say, we’re speaking it into existence, too.
“Seeing my [Filipino] friends excel while keeping their feet on the ground makes me proud to be Filipina,” Sophie beams. “It’s an honor to represent the many amazing Filipino dancers, songwriters, singers, creators, and dreamers who keep going, working hard, and having faith through their hardships.”
Music Is in Her DNA
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Sophie may be a part-time barista by day, but she spends every minute after that pushing the envelope of her artistry through music. From her humble beginnings as a self-taught dancer, she now excels in various competitions and stages that intersect with her fangirl life. Her most notable milestone? “Go in Blind,” a single she co-wrote for Japanese boy group &TEAM that also marked her first songwriting feat.
Sophie’s name in the credits of &TEAM’s “Go in Blind.” Photo: Sophie Kip
“I’ve always aspired to create for artists I’ve loved since their pre-debut days. I want to continue writing for my idols and choreograph for them someday, too,” Sophie shares. She strives to become a well-rounded artist alongside her elder sister and fellow creative, Xysza Love, with whom she also collaborates.
Sophie adds, “My approach towards music is honestly not that different from dance. Both are languages that speak to everyone. It’s all about storytelling, and the pieces come together whichever way I feel for them.” Lucky for us, we don’t have to wait long to see or hear more from Sophie, as her and Xyzsa’s first single together, “Absolute Cinema,” is underway.
No matter where the dance floor and recording studio take Sophie next, it fills us with immense pride to watch her dreams come true before our eyes. Beyond honing her craft, she hopes her pursuits in dancing, fangirling, and storytelling can inspire future generations of Filipinos to go against the current and thrive on their own terms.
ALSO READ: NCT 127 Live in Manila 2026: Ticket Prices and Seat Plan Announced
We’re so proud of you, Sophie! Who are your favorite Filipino dancers? Show them some love in the comments below!
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