4 days ago
8
This is always one of the countdowns I feel least confident about because I tend to listen to K-pop more often than I watch it. It’s also a very subjective category, as my visual/storytelling/conceptual preferences may not match others’. The truth is, K-pop has become so adept at crafting fantastic music videos that I could have included so many others on this list. Here are ten that especially caught my attention this year.
Honorable Mentions:
ATEEZ – Ice On My Teeth
Jin – Running Wild
Kiss Of Life – Midas Touch
RIIZE – Boom Boom Bass
TXT – Deja Vu
WHIB – Rush Of Joy
10. IU – LOVE WINS ALL
Cinematic music videos will always have an edge, and Love Wins All feels like the short version of a sweeping motion picture masterpiece.
9. THE WIND – HELLO, MY FIRST LOVE
Puppy love in a school setting will always be endearing and it compliments The Wind’s fresh, youthful concept so well. This felt like watching a sweet coming-of-age drama.
8. RM – LOST!
While I didn’t listen to RM’s music much this year, I found the video for Lost! to be quite evocative and surreal. That’s a combination that works well for this style of track.
7. XIKERS – BITTERSWEET
I doubt anyone else will have this on their list. It’s not even a proper music video! However, sometimes “simple is best” and xikers’ performance coupled with the cool/creepy CGI effects really captured my attention this year.
6. LISA – ROCKSTAR
I didn’t much care for this song, but the video is big-budget superstar at its best. Lisa commands attention throughout, assisted by huge set pieces and cool camera angles.
5. BOYNEXTDOOR – EARTH, WIND & FIRE
Just like the song itself, this music video is stuffed with colors and personality. Its madcap energy perfectly suits the group, taking full advantage of their charm.
4. AESPA – SUPERNOVA
I like when cool, badass songs are paired with silly music videos. It helps keep them from feeling too self-serious, and Supernova‘s campier aspects work surprisingly well to compliment the track.
3. YOUNG POSSE – ATE THAT
I completely acknowledge some of this music video’s more problematic choices, but I also can’t get over the sheer bonkers energy of it all. The Grand Theft Auto concept was absolutely inspired.
2. NAYEON – ABCD
Everything about ABCD feels like a feast for the senses, overstuffed with charisma. The music video is such a great showcase for Nayeon, throwing everything at the wall in a refreshingly old-fashioned popstar package.
1. TWS – OH MYMY: 7S, PLOT TWIST, HEY! HEY!, IF I’M S, CAN YOU BE MY N?, LAST FESTIVAL
Yes, I’m including almost all their 2024 music videos because they compliment each other so well and feel like one long, quirky youth drama. It’s rare to see a group debut with such a strong sense of concept and carry that through an entire year. These videos are bright, funny, evocative and perfectly suit the music. They’re a big part of what made TWS’s debut year so memorable, twisting K-pop tropes just enough to make them feel fresh.
English (US) · 