Music Videos are perhaps the most appealing aspect of K-pop. Fans love the intricate story lines, expensive production and eccentric outfits. Aptly of the first K-pop songs to break out, Gangnam Style became famous for its wacky music video.
Although most music videos focus more on the visuals, some K-pop MV’s have taken on very ambitious themes and concepts. Some idols chose to focus on the glitz and glam of the K-pop world, while others try to spotlight its dark side. Many groups such as BTS and Loona have constructed an intricate storyline spanning multiple music videos.
The following are such videos that sent fans into a frenzy trying to decipher their hidden meanings in this list.
1. Blood, Sweat And Tears By BTS
BTS has always given us fascinating and path-breaking music videos. Blood, Sweat and Tears, however, takes it a step further. This music video takes on corruption and the loss of innocence. There are various symbols, including a painting called The Fall of the Rebel Angels. The art piece evidently illustrates a battle between good and evil angels. Another memorable moment is when Jin kisses the angel statue towards the end of the video.
While fans have put forth many different theories, the group has ultimately left the video open to interpretation.
2. Babe By Hyuna
Hyuna’s Babe attempts to shed light on the dark side of the industry. Although many artists have explored the ugly face of fame, Hyuna’s Babe perhaps does it the best. When someone listens to it for the first time, the song comes across as an ordinary love story. She sings about the guy she liked gazing at her. However, she describes his expression to be a ‘creepy smile’. This lyric can symbolize people’s perception of her and constant media scrutiny.
Her company pushed her into doing sexy concepts when she was very young. At the same time, she was also infantilized and forced to act cute and innocent to please the public. Through this video, she tries to unmask the exploitation of young girls by the music industry for their selfish gains.
3. Advice By Taemin
Taemin’s Advice is another music video that explores public image and persona. The song is about his rebellion against what the public expects of him. He talks about the gossip surrounding him and how it drives him crazy that nobody knows who he is.
In particular, one line in Advice that stands out is “I destroy the torso you were chasing”. Taemin is known for his incredible physique and crop tops. The singer’s fans have interpreted this to mean that he wants to be more than just his muscles and body. Towards the end, the song becomes about self-reflection, and Taemin tells himself to take his advice.
4. Peek-A-Boo By Red Velvet
Red Velvet is no stranger to eccentric concepts. Peek-A-Boo keeps up with this trend with its cute but creepy visuals. The girls sing about having a crush on a guy but being shy to express it. Hence, they resort to being seductresses and conducting black magic rituals. The MV unfolds in a vast mansion and an unsuspecting pizza delivery boy is brought along for the ride.
5. Please Don't By K. Will
K.Will’s ‘Please Don’t’ is a classic in the K-pop industry. The music video features two best friends, Ahn Jay Hyun and Seo In Guk. Dasom plays a friend’s fiance. She bickers quite a lot with his best friend, who is seemingly unhappy with their relationship. What happens next? Well, you will have to watch the music video to find out. We guarantee you that the climax will not leave you unsatisfied.
6. Eat By Zion. T
This video by K-RnB singer Zion.T showcases a critical message in a simple, heart-touching manner. The music video features a girl seemingly suffering from disordered eating. Zion.T plays a seemingly magical companion who reminds her to eat and not stress about it. The video is a reminder to viewers to take care of themselves and practice self-love.
7. Re- Bye By Akdong Musician
The sibling duo Akdong Musician went with a baroque jazz style for this track. Suhyun’s vocals add to the mystical, old-fashioned feel of the music video. The single features cinematic strings accompanied by a loose drum beat. The music video features the artists performing while something bewildering goes on backstage.
8. Goodbye By Wheein
Mamamoo’s Wheein showcases her soothing vocals with this mellow track. The Goodbye MV tells the story of a girl trying to get over her ex-boyfriend after a bad break-up. She tried to get rid of everything that reminds her of him. The music video follows non-linear storytelling, and the expose in the end lets us know that everything may not be as it seems.
9. Four Walls By f(x)
Four Walls is a metaphor that compares a relationship to a house. The comparison is evident in their chorus, where the girls sing ‘love is four walls’ in gorgeous harmony. The home provides a safe shelter to its inhabitants, just like two people in a relationship protect each other from external harm.
The girls each have individual scenes that are interconnected. They mirror each other’s options, and the story moves forward from there. First, Krystal puts on a robe similar to Amber.Then, Amber drops a cup while Luna spills the tea. Victoria steps into the puddle, and they’re all transported to the forest. In the forest scene, Luna cuts her feet as she steps on the broken cup pieces from earlier. Victoria catches the teapot from earlier. The symbolism in all these scenes brings out the complexity of a relationship and the role two individuals play in making it work.
10. I Need You By BTS
BTS’s ‘I Need You’ is considered to be their break out song. Who doesn’t remember the catchy melody and the alluring dance moves that accompanied the chorus.
The song may seem like your average teenage love story, but it cuts much deeper than that. The group even released a 19+ version of the video dealing with many severe themes of depression and suicide.The music video also ties into the BTS universe created through their discography and highlights reels.
