We all know how cinematic Korean music videos can be with their incredible cinematography, special effects, acting performances, and dance breaks that sometimes make us feel as if we are watching a movie rather than a music video. Some of these songs even take inspiration from cinema with not only their visuals but, sometimes, their titles, with some K-Pop and K-Hip-Hop songs sharing the same name as a famous Hollywood movie. So, for this week’s Throwback Thursday, let’s go to the movies with K-Pop and K-Hip Hop and take a look at some of these songs with the same name as a Hollywood movie.

“SUPERMAN” - Super Junior

Sharing a name with a very famous DC Comics superhero and movie franchise, Super Junior’s 2011 hit “SUPERMAN” is one of the group's most interesting releases to date. On paper, the song sounds as if it shouldn’t work as the beat is quite repetitive and the lyrics are almost like a chant; however, this chanting and repetitiveness is what contributes to it being an iconic Super Junior song. Unlike other Super Junior songs that distribute the song between vocals and rapping, “SUPERMAN” has all the members performing more of a rap style performance with expected adlibs from the group’s KRY vocal sub-unit line. “SUPERMAN” is a really fun and catchy song that shows a different side to Super Junior that those outside of the ELF fandom might expect. 

“MAMA” - EXO

EXO’s 2012 song “MAMA” shares a name with a 2013 supernatural horror film by director and writer Andy Muschietti. The song was EXO’s debut song that has a very SM Entertainment feel to it despite not being a typical pop song. Instead of electronics, “MAMA” uses an orchestral sound and drum beats, opening with a Latin chant, that fuses classical sounds with modern sounds to create an iconic K-Pop debut single. “MAMA” is a lot different to the style of songs EXO have performed since their debut, but is still an incredible song that all fans of K-Pop should check out nevertheless.

“Whiplash” - NCT 127

Sharing a name with a 2014 psychological drama by Hollywood director Damien Chazelle starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash” is NCT 127’s B-side track from their 2017 third mini-album NCT #127 CHERRY BOMB. Performed by Mark, Taeyong, Jaehyun, and Taeil, “Whiplash” is a mid-tempo R&B track with smooth vocals and serious rap skills that combine to create this incredible B-side that is a favorite among NCTzens. According to NCT leader Taeyong, “Whiplash” is a song written for his sister, about being whipped in order to work harder in life, but I’m sure NCTzens can work out what “Whiplash” is truly about. 

“Hocus Pocus” - PLT

“Hocus Pocus” is a 2018 collaboration between Planetarium Record artists Gaho, JUNE, Moti, Jung Jinwoo, and former labelmate Villain under the name of PLT, and shares a name with the popular 1993 Halloween movie starring Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker. This song is an incredible fusion of K-R&B and K-Hip-Hop with an addictive beat that perfectly blends electronic sounds with strings and intriguing droplet sounds to create a groovy and upbeat yet chilled number that also perfectly showcases each of the artist’s different vocals and rap styles. If you’ve never heard a PLT song, now is the time to start!