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Posted by GhostWriter Friday, December 29, 2023

Staff Picks: Our Favorite MVs of 2023

AKP STAFF

2023 was another year filled with amazing K-Pop releases. Out of the countless music videos that came our way this year, here are the favorites that the allkpop staff loved the most!

MaiaD's pick: Seventeen - God of Music

Back with the signature Fresh-teen concept, SEVENTEEN will never fail to put a smile on our faces with their newest title track's music video, "God of Music". Most scenes of the music video were filmed in Budapest, Hungary, showcasing various landscapes and scenery of the country, with amazing visuals that perfectly fit the song's vibe and the varying vocal colors of the group members. The music video is really of high quality that even members themselves mention how they like it and is one of their best MVs to date. It is also my favorite music video, and to cite several of my favorite scenes such as Hoshi's dance showdown with a donkey, the transition of Scoups holding the mic to Wonwoo, and the unbelievable scene of a disco ball microphone floating in the skies to the outer space- which was actually sent into space. No doubt, the music video perfectly expressed the lyric "SEVENTEEN to the world", and probably even to the universe. And if there is indeed a god of music, I would also like to thank them for giving a gift in the form of SEVENTEEN.

Lorraine's Pick: Taeyong - Shalala

Despite a number of iconic NCT releases in 2023, TAEYONG's debut solo MV for "SHALALA" reigns the most supreme in visual aesthetics and freshness. In an industry where music and concepts can feel repetitive and formulaic, TAEYONG's "SHALALA" breaks the mold with a counter-culture approach of emotional lyricism, engaging and colorful storytelling, and vibrant imagery. The MV transports us to a world that is entirely and wholly TAEYONG.


A-Nish's Pick: Agust D - Amygdala

The rawness and openness in the music video for this is as real as it can get. Yes, it was a little hard and a lot to take in but it showed how strong Yoongi is. He bared all this and reached where he is now. The struggle between his past and present self was hard-hitting. He wanted to save himself from the hardships but could not. It was an emotional MV with hard-to-take-in scenes.

ean1994's Pick: Jimin - Set Me Free Pt.2 | Seventeen - Super (Tie)

Sorry, I couldn't pick just one. As someone who prefers more choreography-focused music videos, these MV's by BTS Jimin and Seventeen really stood out among the rest. The MV's were both so simple, yet attracted my attention due to the wonderful dance movements. Comes to show you, that sometimes simple is the best way to go.

Janie-Reign's Pick: ATEEZ - Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)

Usually, MVs tend to capture the attention of viewers when they are either grand-scale productions or minimalist in style. But what kind of scenes with a narrative really leave a lasting impression on people's minds? For me, that scene was when San was punching out his opponent in the boxing ring, followed by a freeze frame on Wooyoung, and then his countdown from three to one (which is part of the song!) to secure his mate's success. That one scene alone was enough for this MV to deserve the title of the best MV of the year, not to mention its clever use of color grading and the 4:3 ratio to give this Western-inspired story and genre a grittier feel. Other runners-up on my list were aespa's "Drama" MV, Jungkook's "Seven (feat. Latto)'' MV, and NewJeans' "ETA'' MV, which, like ATEEZ's MV, brilliantly combined a narrative-like continuity with abstract, hair-raising cinematic visuals and editing. These MVs make a strong case for idol MV productions as a genuine opportunity to showcase the artist's potential and broader conceptual possibilities in the long run.

Jia-Lin's Pick: TNX - I Need U

TNX's "I Need U" music video stands as an amazing manifestation of the profound emptiness echoed in the song. It portrays the desperation one feels when yearning for something visually while accompanying the equally emotional melancholic melody and poignant lyrics, making it a compelling narrative. While it might seem bland to some, it resonates like a warm cup of tea, transporting me into the depths of cherished memories yearning to be relieved.

optimusnins Pick: Stray Kids - Class

When JYP Entertainment decided to do the music video in the middle of Han River, they knew that it was going to be on everyone’s on-repeat! The music video wasn’t unnecessarily grand - it fits perfectly well with the song. As Stray Kids described pre-release, the song is annoying but what makes it more annoying is that it’s good – perfectly describes both the song and music video. The grandeur of it fits the main message of them being in a different class and shining bright, along with those annoying bits to complement that part of the song.

Sophie-Ha's Pick: NewJeans - Cool With You

NewJeans stood out as one of the most remarkable 4th generation idol groups in the K-pop scene in 2023. The girls have captivated K-pop fans and listeners with their remarkable talent and innovative approach to storytelling. The music video for "Cool With You," featuring 'Squid Game' star Jung Ho Yeon and esteemed Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, not only showcased a unique aura but also seamlessly blended impressive storytelling with cinematic aesthetics.



Hannah's Pick: Key - Good & Great

The perfect pick-me-up to get me out of the mid-week funk. The contrast between the drab office scenes and the explosion of colors in between makes it the perfect video to break up the drudgery of the workweek.

Sohnji's Pick: Jungkook ft. Latto - Seven

The "Seven" music video, featuring the dynamic duo of Jungkook and Han Seo Hee, was an absolute highlight for me. It was packed with fun and amusement, showcasing an incredible synergy between the two. Their chemistry was palpable, turning each scene into a captivating display of artistic expression and entertainment.

Rika-Go's Pick: TXT - Sugar Rush Ride

My favorite MV of 2023 is "Sugar Rush Ride" by TXT. This visually stunning music video seamlessly combines aesthetics with an infectious soundtrack, creating an immersive experience that lingers in the mind long after the MV ends.

Germaine-Jay's Pick: VIVIZ - MANIAC

It was a gorgeous MV, and the scenes were simple but still had a definite mood and impact. The transitions and zooms were also unique to me, and I didn't notice that certain style in other music videos released this year.

Dani-Dee's Pick: LE SSERAFIM - Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard's wife

When I think about music videos I was obsessed with in 2023, the very first thing that comes to mind is the opening of this music video, where everything is dramatically still and the view is focused on Chaewon holding an arrow-shooting pose. Just from the beginning title sequence alone, I knew it would be one of my favorite videos by the group, but after seeing it paired with the choreography and the group's overall confident performance, I think I became one of the many who thought, "How isn't this the title track?!"

Sofia-Sayson's Pick: ATEEZ - Crazy Form

This latest track of ATEEZ was just recently released — forget the catchy song for a second — but the music video of "Crazy Form" instantly became one of the contenders for 2023's top K-pop music videos; it's visually pleasing and of high quality. The camera angles and movements are on point, and I think I won't get tired of saying the results were really awesome coupled with the members' facial expressions and charisma. The video was also able to highlight the points of the dance choreography of the song, and I like how they were able to put a lot of concepts/worlds, like the futuristic one, without feeling bombarded or overwhelmed by them. Everything's balanced. The transitions and effects put into it are mind-blowing and just "crazy," and the members actually made it so much better. I honestly don't usually watch music videos because I go straight to music streaming platforms like Spotify as I'm always after the songs, but I can say that ATEEZ's music videos are always worth watching. Kudos to ATEEZ's creative and production teams as well!

Susan's Pick: Moonbin & Sanha - Madness

Thank you for all of your hard work these past 7 years. Thank you for making me smile and laugh and dance funny and thank you for "Distance" and "Ghost Town" and so many other songs precious to me. You worked harder than anyone else. And your voice in "Butterfly" will always be my favorite.

Pauls' Favorite: Epik High - Catch ft. Hwa Sa / On My Way ft. Jackson Wang

Recollections of an unforgettable tour, enriched by a soundtrack of incredible music, is a recipe for success. The music video for "Catch ft. Hwa Sa / On My Way ft. Jackson Wang," blending two songs into one, stands out as a personal favorite. It beautifully captures various moments from Epik High's tours, showcasing a mosaic of experiences and scenes that bring the journey to life. Each frame of the video brings vibrant energy and the deep connection shared during those travels.

KG's Pick: NCT 127 - 1, 2, 7 (Time Stops)

On a visit to Atlanta, Georgia, the members of NCT 127 took the opportunity to create a self-filmed music video that captures the essence of the city. Titled "1, 2, 7 (Time Stops)," the video features the boys enjoying the charm of Atlanta, with scenes shot in touristy locations like Piedmont Park, Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Ferris Wheel. The self-filmed nature of the video adds an authentic and intimate touch, allowing fans to see a more spontaneous and genuine side of the group as they explore and enjoy the city together. This fan-favorite MV has an organic feel and their joyous spirit can be felt.

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Amadevs
Amadevs1,561 pts Friday, December 29, 2023 0
Friday, December 29, 2023

Bouncy by ATEEZ is definitely a spot-on, especially their promotional strategy of giving away Chili Pepper-labeled boxes containing a gift to fans during that time. Aside from the song being a good one, the skit also helped out in making it more memorable. Man...I still remember people asking some fans where they 'purchased' those chili peppers.🤣

8 (+13 / -5)
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ty-track
ty-track1,107 pts Friday, December 29, 2023 0
Friday, December 29, 2023

I loved a lot of mvs this year but my favourite was save me kill me by cix!!

5 (+6 / -1)
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