The Ultimate K-pop Camera Guide: Facecams, Fullcams and more
Confused by the different types of K-pop cams? We explain the difference between Facecams, Fullcams, Towercams, and why some are more important than others.
If you’ve ever searched for a K-pop performance on YouTube, you’ve likely been overwhelmed by the sheer number of video versions for a single stage. You have the main broadcast, the individual fancams, and then a list of confusing terms like facecam, fullcam, towercam, and skycam.
Are they all the same? Definitely not. Each camera type serves a specific purpose, catering to different types of fans, from those who want to learn the dance to those who just want to admire their bias’s visuals.
In this guide, we break down every major camera type in the K-pop industry, how they differ from the standard fancam, and why music shows produce so many of them.
The baseline: The standard fancam
Before we dive into the specialized cameras, let’s quickly recap the standard fancam.
This is the most common individual member camera. It typically tracks a single member from head to toe (or knees up), prioritizing their dance movements. It moves with the idol. If you want to see how well an idol executes the choreography, this is the version you watch.
Now, let’s look at the other cameras that have taken over the algorithms and music shows.
1. Facecam
What is it? A facecam or visual cam is a recording that ignores the body and focuses almost entirely on the idol’s head and shoulders. It is filmed horizontally, often in high-quality 4K.
The purpose, as the name implies, is for the visuals. It captures facial expressions, eye contact, winks, and lip-syncing details that are impossible to see in a wide shot. It is less about performance in a dance sense and more about acting and stage presence.
Where to find them? SBS Inkigayo and KBS Music Bank are the two major producers of facecams, and in some cases some award shows or special events like Gayo Daejeon may upload them. You can find them on their respective YouTube channels.
Note: If you are trying to learn a dance routine, do not watch a Facecam. You won’t see any footwork!
2. Fullcam
A fullcam (or full focused) is a wide-angle, stationary shot that captures the entire stage from the front center. Unlike the broadcast version, it barely zooms in or cuts away, and if it does, it does so in a way that the viewer doesn’t miss anything.
This is the holy grail for dance teams and choreography enthusiasts. It allows you to see the formations, the synchronization of the group, and what members are doing when they aren’t in the center. It provides the most honest look at a group’s performance ability because there are no camera tricks to hide mistakes.
Where to find them? You may find them on SBS Inkigayo and MBC Music Core, most of the time.
3. Tower cam
The tower cam or sky cam is filmed from a crane or a high vantage point, looking down at the stage from a steep angle. It is similar to the fullcam; both show the entire stage from the front center, but the towercam provides a steeper angle.
This unique perspective is all about floor formations. K-pop choreography often utilizes complex shapes (circles, diamonds, expanding lines) that look best from above. Seeing a group move as a single unit from a bird’s-eye view is incredibly satisfying (and “oddly satisfying” to watch).
Where to find them? KBS Music Bank uploads them to their main channel and often calls them K-Choreo Tower Cam, or just Tower Cam. You can also find them on SBS Inkigayo, but with the name of Sky Cam.
Note: The image of this post is a K-Choreo Tower Cam of ENHYPEN’s “Still Monster” on Music Bank, that’s what the thumbnails look like.
Other specialized cameras
The industry is always experimenting, so you might run into these rarer types:
- One Take Cam: A dynamic camera that follows the group around the stage in a single continuous take, often moving through the formation. It feels like a music video.
- Side Fancam: A stationary camera placed at the wing of the stage, showing the performance from the side profile.
- Encore Fancam: A fancam that is recorded at the end of music shows when they give away that day’s award. It is usually a more friendly version of the performance, not focusing on the choreography or vocals, but more on sharing the stage with the audience.
These are the most common of the specialized cameras, there are some more out there, but they are not as common, or are just a one-time thing.
The hierarchy of cameras
With so many types, which one matters most?
There is not a single answer to this; it totally depends on the context. Music shows like to focus on fancams and facecams, because they are what the audience is most interested in, but for the fans, the best camera depends entirely on what they’re looking for. Want to cry over visuals? facecam. Want to learn the dance? fullcam or fancam. Want to see satisfying formations? towercam. Hardcore fans may just watch all of them.
Interested in any of the previously mentioned cameras? We’ve organized all these different types so you don’t have to hunt for them on YouTube. Filter by your artist or idol and find the perfect view for you.
