Find your K-Pop crew on udansa
On udansa you meet other K-Pop enthusiasts, with whom you can start crews, exchange choreo tricks, and conquer the next video location legally.
Video production4 minutes
Filming K-Pop dance videos in public spaces: The legal side
By Mary De LucaUpdated
- Setting up tripods and filming with a dance group in public spaces almost always requires an official K-Pop video filming permit from the city.
- Passersby must not be shown recognizably in the finished video on social media platforms without their explicit, written consent.
- The property rights of train stations, shopping centers, and private locations always require a separate, private filming permit from the owner.
If you want to film a viral K-Pop cover video outdoors, you need more than just a good camera. Without the proper legal foundation, you can quickly face expensive fines and deleted social media channels on set with udansa.
How we evaluated the legal aspects
Legal relevance
The legal aspects are weighted according to their relevance for avoiding fines and legal action.
Current status 2026
All tips and approval steps refer to the current legal situation in Germany in 2026.
Independent verification
Only official regulatory requirements and legal provisions were used, without any paid influence, to ensure udansa remains objective.
The 5 most important legal pillars for your dance video
- 01
The public special use permit
Responsible public order office, 2 to 3 weeks lead time, subject to a fee
- Authorities
- special use
- city square
As soon as your dance video could affect normal pedestrian traffic or you use equipment such as tripods and lighting, this constitutes a special use. You apply for this permit at the local public order or road construction office.
- 02
The right to one's own image for performers
Written form, to be completed before filming, is mandatory
- Personality rights
- data protection
- GDPR
The Art Copyright Act protects individuals from being published in media without their consent. Every person who is in focus or clearly recognizable in the video must sign a written declaration of consent (model release).
- 03
Private filming permits under house rules
Owner or operating company, informal request, often free of charge
- House rules
- private property
- shopping mall
Many supposedly public places like shopping centers, arcades, train stations, or parks belong to private owners or companies. House rules apply here, and you need written permission from the owner or operator.
- 04
Consent of legal guardians
Signature of all legal guardians, to be obtained in advance, essential
- Youth protection
- consent
- minors
If minors are dancing in your K-Pop crew or are visible in the video, their own signature is not enough. Here, all parents with legal custody must provide written consent before the day of the shoot.
- 05
Keeping emergency routes and fire safety zones clear
Must be kept clear at all times, immediate inspection by authorities possible
- Safety
- fire protection
- accessibility
Even if you are dancing in a public space, you must not block emergency routes, fire department access roads, or tactile paving systems at any time. These areas must remain completely clear, even if a permit has been granted.
Why the camera requires clear rules in public spaces
If you want to film a K-Pop dance cover, you cannot avoid German media law. The most important rule for public spaces is: as soon as you set up a tripod, obstruct the flow of traffic, or coordinate a larger crew, you leave the scope of so-called common use. At this moment, you absolutely need a written K-Pop video filming permit from the responsible city or municipal administration. Anyone filming in public places without permission risks not only being expelled by the public order office, but also significant fines in the three-digit range. Therefore, always plan at least two to three weeks of lead time for the official registration so that your shooting day runs smoothly.
The right to one's own image and uninvolved passersby
A K-Pop video thrives on dynamics and often on lively backgrounds. However, you cannot simply show passersby who happen to walk through your frame in the finished video on YouTube or TikTok without asking. The Art Copyright Act protects the right to one's own image very strictly. The often-cited exception that people are merely incidental to a landscape or location usually does not apply to focused dance videos, as the camera movement actively pans along. Make sure to use clear areas in the background, or ask friends to kindly request passersby to take a short detour around the dance floor during the shoot. Alternatively, faces must be laboriously pixelated in post-production.
Legal guidelines for video shoots in Germany
- weeks of lead time for permits
- 3
- Minimum age for personal image rights release
- 18
- Fine for serious illegal special use
- 500 €
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, filming with a tripod in public spaces is almost always legally considered a special use rather than private photography. You need an official permit from the city administration for this.
No, train stations and subway stations are private property of the transport companies. Without written filming permission from the operating company, filming there is strictly prohibited and will lead to an immediate expulsion from the premises.
If people only appear briefly and out of focus in the background, this can be considered incidental. As soon as faces are clearly recognizable, you must blur them before uploading or obtain their consent.
K-Pop dance classes near you
Refine your moves in a professional class before you plan your next big video.
Hip HopOranienburg OT Lehnitz · Germany
Hip Hop 6-8 J.Monday · 18:00 · Oct 19
Kulturhaus Friedrich-Wolf
€41.80Total priceHip HopLimbach-Oberfrohna · Germany
HipHop 11 - 13 JahreFriday · 15:45 · Oct 30
Limbach-Oberfrohna
€30.25MonthlyHip HopOranienburg OT Lehnitz · Germany
Hip Hop ab 9 J.Monday · 19:45 · Oct 19
Kulturhaus Friedrich-Wolf
€41.80Total price
Read more
K-Pop Styling and Video Production: The Guide for Cover DancesLearn how to bring your cover video to a YouTube level with the right K-Pop dance outfit, professional makeup, and dynamic camera work.
Styling K-Pop dance hairstyles for your cover: The hold guideLearn how to style K-Pop dance hairstyles that survive even the most intense choreography. With these pro tips, your hair will look perfect in your cover video.
K-Pop Group Outfit Styling: Coordinating HarmoniouslyLearn how to perfectly coordinate the colors and styles of your K-Pop cover group outfits without losing the individuality of the dancers.
Filming K-Pop dance covers: Step by step to a professional videoLearn how to professionally showcase your K-Pop dance video using a smartphone or camera. Master dynamic camera work step by step.
K-Pop Dance Make-up: Camera-ready looksLearn how to apply flawless K-Pop dance make-up that withstands stage lights and sweat. Perfect your look for your next cover video.
K-Pop Styling Accessories: The 7 Best Outfit UpgradesWith the right accessories, you can upgrade your K-Pop dance outfit in no time. Discover the seven best styling tools for your perfect idol look on stage.
kpop dance video trends: The perfect visual aestheticDiscover the latest kpop dance video trends and learn how to create a stunning aesthetic with cohesive color schemes and the right location choice.