Photo by Sava Bobov on Unsplash
Korean pop music has been trending in Germany for years, with albums from popular K-Pop groups like BTS and EXO found in local stores, theme parties being thrown, and hits playing on the charts. The genre is known not just for its music but for its music videos, which showcase elaborate choreographies. Today, we're looking at 10 of the best K-Pop music videos of all time!
We're sure fans of Korean pop culture will rediscover some of their favorite tunes here. Enjoy the review!
1.PSY - Gangnam Style (2012)
Starting with a true classic known globally, "Gangnam Style" by PSY was the most viewed video on YouTube from 2012 to 2017 and holds a Guinness World Record as the most liked video of 2012. The song was a massive success internationally, not just in South Korea. The rapper's legendary dance is hard to resist. The lyrics primarily critique the lavish lifestyles associated with Seoul's Gangnam district, which PSY parodies in the video.
2. BLACKPINK - DDU-DU DDU-DU (2018)
A Google search for K-Pop quickly leads to this music video. “DDU-DU DDU-DU” by BLACKPINK, with over 2 billion views, is among the most viewed videos in the genre. The choreography and visual staging play significant roles, ensuring the viewer never gets bored with constant set, accessory, and outfit changes. The song's lyrics about living unapologetically and celebrating personal success are clearly highlighted.
3. BTS - Black Swan (2020)
No surprise that BTS appears on this list. This music video focuses on the choreography and dance performance of the seven-member boy group. Visual contrasts of light and dark, black and white are emphasized. Filmed at the Los Angeles Theatre, the video creates a stylish atmosphere. The group's subdued song elicits a truly emotional response from fans.
4. Agust D - Daechwita (2020)
This track is from Suga, lead rapper of BTS, who also releases solo albums under the name "Agust D." Other BTS members make cameo appearances in the video. “Daechwita” features a historical theme, named after a traditional Korean genre of military music used to announce royal figures. In the video, Suga plays both a king and a commoner, performing a sword dance he learned in just two days. The video and song are filled with metaphors about Suga’s life and career, as well as his connection with BTS and their fans, the Army. It contains many more historical references, making it a must-watch!
5. Stray Kids - God’s Menu (2020)
Directed by Bang Jaeyeob, known for using motion control robots to execute precise camera movements, “God’s Menu” by Stray Kids features spectacular transitions and choreographic moments. These camera maneuvers are especially beneficial in K-Pop, where lines shift frequently between group members.
6. BLACKPINK - Kill This Love (2019)
For this music video, BLACKPINK also released a behind-the-scenes video that lets you peek at the production process. As the title suggests, the song is about love, but more so about the desire to end it. Accordingly, the video is rich with symbols related to this theme, including two swans forming a heart with their necks, arrows and bows, and a vast array of breakfast cereals.
“To express instant love, we stocked up on cereals. I'm here to steal some love. They belong to me, I'm here to steal them all.” - Lisa, rapper of BLACKPINK in the making-of.
The video currently has 1.8 billion views and is among the most popular by the girl group.
7. BTS - ON (2020)
For the track "ON" by BTS, there was both a regular music video and the "Kinetic Manifesto Film: Come Prima." In this version, the choreography is the focus, highlighting the dances of the individual musicians, while the music video version follows a storyline. The filming location is particularly striking. The video was shot at the Sepulveda Dam, a dam in the USA designed to hold back the floodwaters of the Los Angeles River. The number of dancers is also remarkable; in addition to the seven members of BTS, many other people are involved in the choreography, some equipped with musical instruments. To do justice to the musicians, the camera movements were essentially choreographed to interact with the dancers. See for yourself:
8. (G)I-DLE - Oh My God (2020)
In this music video, a dark atmosphere prevails from the start. This is conveyed to the viewer through a variety of stylistic tricks. Jump-cuts are used to assemble clips in a way that causes a sense of disorientation for the viewer. Certain scenes also appear to have been shot in slow motion and then inserted into the edit at a fast pace, making the movements seem more unnatural. Color plays a big role too, with rainbow lights, black-and-white clips, and a colorless apple. The lyrics discuss the strong temptation of love, which is also vividly portrayed through the performance of the dancers.
9. BTS - Blood Sweat & Tears (2016)
We conclude with another party classic that should not be missed at any K-Pop party. Whether with "Fantastic Baby" or "Bang Bang Bang," BIGBANG has consistently released some of the craziest music videos. From glittering outfits to pyrotechnic shows, you can really expect anything. In this case, it's probably best to just experience it for yourself:
Shop K-Pop Merch at Impericon
And with that, we've reached the end of our top ten videos. But if you feel like you could keep listening for hours, why not use that enthusiasm to browse our K-Pop merch? Here at Impericon, you'll find not only music from many South Korean idol groups but also cute Funko Pop! figures and even products from BT21!
