Dave Disci Talks YouTube Career and the Future of K-Pop
Today we’re talking to an influential and very successful YouTuber. He’s none other than New York’s own Dave Disci, who has been on the platform since 2014, helping shape the landscape and the conversation around K-pop music and culture since about 2017 with his commentary videos.
Dave has built a diverse career as a dance photographer and videographer, also cultivating experience in cinematography for independent films. His talents extended into traditional media when he collaborated with renowned celebrity stylist Rox Brown and popular TV personality Amy Pham on the MTV show “One Style Fits All.” He also made an appearance on ABC's “Right This Minute,” further showcasing his skills to a wider audience. Additionally, he has partnered with several influential figures, including Sheik Akbar, Nick Polowy, It'sJustNick, and Karim Jovian, expanding his network and influence within the entertainment and social media landscapes.
When preparing for a K-pop video reaction, can you walk us through your creative process? How do you choose which videos to react to?
The process is interesting, and I would actually recommend people start this way if they’re looking to create content on YouTube. When you’re first starting a channel, it’s difficult for the algorithm to understand what your channel is all about, especially if you haven’t posted any content yet. One way to guide it is by creating content that a lot of people are searching for but that not many creators are making. This way, your content can appear in search results.
When people search for a specific term and click on your video, the algorithm will associate your video with that term. Then, anyone interested in that specific search term can start getting recommendations for your video in the future.
In my case, I was reacting to different big groups, so anyone whose feed was filled with content about those groups would start getting recommendations to watch my video reacting to them.
What has been your most memorable experience while working on MTV’s “One Style Fits All”?
I had a very memorable experience working with them, one I’ll never forget because it was the first time I got to work on a big set where I was in front of the camera rather than behind it. It was clear that many people there assumed I had never worked in the industry before or hadn’t been behind the scenes at some of the biggest media companies, or that I hadn’t worked regularly on set with my Oscar-nominated professor. This motivated me to work even harder, so people would realize I had been doing it for years—at that point, for over seven years.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your YouTube journey?
The start was very difficult, and I think it would be difficult for anyone starting out. If I were to start over now, knowing what I know, it probably wouldn’t be as hard. But figuring out what content I wanted to make, how I wanted to create it, what my style was, and even understanding what people actually wanted to watch—those were the toughest parts.
From around 2011 to about 2017, I was making videos weekly on YouTube, and almost no one was watching them. I’d get maybe 50 to 100 views on each video. Most people at that point would have probably quit, and I definitely considered it. But I’m glad I kept going.
You have a background in dance photography, what’s that like and has it influenced your appreciation for K-pop choreography and performances?
To answer this question, I need to go into a bit more detail about the specific type of dance photography I did. I was on tour with a dance competition and was expected to take action shots of every dancer—sometimes over 1,000 dancers in a single weekend. Yes, that meant I was literally standing there, camera in hand, watching the dance competition for 18 hours straight.
My job was to capture action shots—moments when a dancer was doing a long jump, twirling, or kicking their leg up by their head. Every time I explained this, people would say, "Well, during rehearsal, you'd better memorize their dance." The thing is, none of the photographers were allowed to watch the dancers rehearse. We had to capture their jumps and movements without knowing when they were going to happen.
This experience really changed how I saw dancing and performances in general. Now, when a song comes on or a routine is performed, I can almost anticipate what they're going to do. The basic rule I kept in mind was that every four-count, dancers were supposed to do something to keep things interesting. A lot of K-pop choreography is very similar to dance competitions in that respect—both are meant to showcase a dancer's skills, and that’s also true for American pop.
How has your experience in traditional media shaped your approach to content creation on platforms like YouTube?
A lot. It has shaped my content creation significantly. I actually studied traditional media—broadcasting—, and I was a communications minor. So, I understood how to operate a professional camera, how to set up lighting, and which microphones to buy. I knew how to set up the equipment to make everything look polished. I also understood color theory, what to wear on camera to look better, and which lenses to use to make even the cheapest camera look expensive.
I also learned about roles like what a publicist is supposed to do, what you're expected to do at events, and the purpose of journalism and attending red carpets. Understanding all of this has given everything I do a sense of direction and purpose, with a clear reason behind why I’m doing it. For example, if I know that, at an event, people are typically looking to photograph those who are dressed the most interestingly—and I want to be photographed—I’m going to dress up. But I would only know that after working and studying traditional media and understanding what people are looking for.
Are there any current K-pop trends or artists that excite you? Why?
Now, looking at a lot of the trends that have come to the US, there have been several K-pop artists who’ve released music here that have become huge hits. For example, collaborations like APT featuring Rosé and Bruno Mars have made a significant impact in the US. It's amazing to see this kind of success, especially when I attend American events and see content creators doing trends based on K-pop music. That really excites me because I’m starting to see more acceptance of K-pop artists and their integration into US culture. It gives me hope that the future will bring more Asian artists to America and that we’ll see a lot less discrimination in the industry.
How has your journey on YouTube changed you personally and professionally since you started in 2014?
I think it's safe to say that this journey has completely changed my life. My lifestyle is so different from what it was before I went full-time, and I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t gone down this path. YouTube has given me a lot more confidence in talking to people. I used to be very nervous about presenting or speaking in front of a crowd, but now that doesn’t bother me at all. I feel like I could roll out of bed with messy hair and still speak to a crowd without feeling nervous.
It’s also given me a sense of independence. I don’t feel like I have to answer to anyone anymore. I don’t mean this in a bossy way, but I’m no longer afraid to make decisions that might be seen as unprofessional. For example, at events, I like to dress boldly and differently. In a corporate environment, that might be seen as inappropriate, and I’d probably get written up for it. But as a creator attending a corporate event, no one says anything. Sure, I might not get invited back if someone is truly offended, but honestly, that wouldn’t bother me much.
How do you see K-pop evolving?
I see K-pop coming into the U.S. in a much bigger way than ever before. However, I believe it will enter the U.S. differently than many people might expect. Fans have probably anticipated that it would arrive here and be exactly the same as it is in Korea, but that’s unlikely to be the case. While it will probably still include the dancing and elements we love about K-pop, one major difference will likely be that the music will be in English. And truthfully, that’s the direction I see it heading.