The Creative Genius of Snow Man’s Hikaru Iwamoto Is Winning Widespread Praise

Even Madonna’s former exclusive dancer was impressed

It has become a hot topic that Teru Iwamoto (33) of “Snow Man” choreographed “UNItVERSE,” the new song by the five-member vocal group The Gospellers. When the music video was released on the group’s official YouTube channel on June 24, both fandoms flooded the comments section with positive reactions to the sight of “The Gospellers dancing.”

This collaboration came about after three members of The Gospellers—Yoichi Kitayama (52), Yuji Sakai (53), and Tetsuya Murakami (55)—provided the song “Yakusoku wa Kimi to” (“The Promise Is With You”) for Snow Man’s album “Onkochishin,” released in 2025. “UNItVERSE,” which features choreography by Iwamoto, is included on The Gospellers’ EP “UNIVER5OUL,” released on June 24 this year, and is an upbeat dance number.

Many of Iwamoto’s fans left comments on the music video, including:

“I came to see Hikun’s (Iwamoto’s nickname) choreography.”

“The Gospellers are just too cool. I’m going to buy the CD as well.”

“I came because of Iwamoto’s choreography, but the song, vocals, and dancing are all incredible.”

An executive at a talent agency commented:

“Ever since his junior days, Iwamoto has choreographed numerous songs for his own group and has also been entrusted with choreographing songs for younger performers. Apparently, he comes up with choreography by drawing inspiration from the movements of people walking through the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo, and his unique artistic sense has been widely recognized. In the past, choreographer and dancer TAKAHIRO (44), who once served as Madonna’s exclusive dancer, highly praised choreography that Iwamoto created for a television program, saying that ‘the audience’s eyes are completely fixed on it.'”

Completing the choreography in just one week

Ahead of the music video’s release, the members of “The Gospellers” held a live YouTube broadcast to celebrate the release of their EP, UNIVER5OUL, during which they shared behind-the-scenes stories from the shoot.

According to the members, Iwamoto traveled for several hours to reach the filming location and carefully observed the five members’ dancing with his arms folded.

According to member Yu Yasuoka (51), Iwamoto even offered advice on filming techniques, saying things such as, “This camera angle would work better,” and “The next shot should be filmed from over here.” He also encouraged the members whenever they became discouraged, reassuring them by saying, “You’re doing fine,” and “You’ve got this.”

An entertainment industry insider explained:

“There was only one week between the initial dance rehearsal and the music video shoot. The members of The Gospellers, who are not accustomed to dancing, apparently had a very difficult time. Since they normally sing while holding microphones, they had danced using only one hand before, but Iwamoto reportedly suggested, ‘Since it’s a music video, why don’t we use both hands?’ Despite his busy schedule, Iwamoto seems to have approached the project with The Gospellers with complete sincerity.”

To promote the EP, Yasuoka and Tetsuya Murakami appeared as guests on the radio program “BEAT IT” (Kiss FM KOBE) on June 29.

Jokingly teasing Iwamoto, Murakami said:

“He was strict—an absolute demon! A total demon!”

Yasuoka immediately came to his defense, saying:

“No, no, I think he elevated us to a completely different level.”

“He was a really wonderful teacher.”

Murakami then corrected himself:

“When he’s kind, he’s incredibly kind.”

“He really put us through our paces.”

A behind-the-scenes video titled The Gospellers “UNItVERSE” Music Video Behind the Scenes, uploaded to the group’s YouTube channel on July 2, shows “Professor Iwamoto” carefully watching the performance with a serious expression while patiently explaining the finer points of the choreography to the members.

The collaboration appears to have been a rewarding experience for everyone involved.