K-Pop music videos are truly a spectacle, characterized by their vibrant colors and stunning aesthetics. The recent release of IU's "Love Wins All" not only captures this essence but also marks a return to the narrative-driven style of music videos. Moreover, IU enchanted fans once again with a new video for "Shh" featuring the acclaimed actress Tang Wei.
Story-based music videos have a long history in K-Pop, offering fans more than just visual and auditory pleasure. A prime example is K.Will's "Love Blossom," featuring INFINITE's L and former SISTAR member Dasom. The video's comedic narrative—showcasing L as a beleaguered assistant who embarks on a theme park adventure with a love interest—delivers a heartwarming twist that captivates viewers.
Another memorable entry is 5Dolls' "I Mean You," which packs the drama of a K-drama into a music video, complete with a starring role from Jay Park. Big Bang's "Haru Haru" also stands out for its emotional storytelling, taking fans on a rollercoaster of feelings.
However, K-Pop is also known for its choreography-driven videos, showcasing intricate dance routines, multiple outfit changes, and cohesive sets. These videos, like EXO's "Overdose" and 2PM's "Heartbeat," highlight the performers' dance skills, while Girls' Generation's "The Boys" presents a royal aesthetic. Each video offers a unique glimpse into the group's style and artistry.
With these two distinct types of music videos shaping the K-Pop landscape, fans often find themselves drawn to one style over the other. Whether it's the deep, story-driven narratives or the visually spectacular dance performances, K-Pop continues to captivate audiences worldwide. So, which type do you find more appealing?
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For me, it depends on the song itself, if it lends itself more for choreography or story telling.
One good example is BTS On MV and BTS On Kinetic Manifesto. One is story driven, while the other is nearly a single shot performance video. Because of the song's up-tempo and insane choreography, over time the Kinetic Manifesto film has proven to be the more popular one.
Another example is New Jeans Cool with You. They have two story-telling MVs and 1 performance video. While I appreciate the mystery of the story telling MVs, I find myself watching the performance video much more often since the choreo is interesting and intricut.
If the lyrics are deeper and less up-tempo, I prefer the story telling MVs.