Top K-Pop Music Videos of 2024 Pt 1
Check out some of the top releases from the first half of the year. To include as many artists as possible, each artist was only chosen once (with the exception of units and solo projects).
JANUARY
8TURN started the year off strong with “RU-PUM PUM” on January 9. All of the members donned bleached hair as they walked around attracting fans everywhere they went.
This ALL(H)OURS video is filled with dramatic camera movements, shattered glass frozen in time, fire, and the members electric dance moves.
The veteran idol Hui of PENTAGON finally made his solo debut in January 2024 with the title track “Hmm BOP.” Hui orders the anthropomorphic Hmm BOY burger before breaking out into song and dance in the middle of a diner. He crashes people's dinners, conducts puppets, teaches aerobics, visits the moon, and more in this comedic music video.
It’s not very common for western artists to appear in K-Pop music videos alongside the act that they’re collaborating with, but that’s not the case for this Saweetie and IVE song. These seven girls came together on this cover of Icona Pop’s “All Night” to deliver 2010’s club vibes in 2024.
The five members of VANNER fight over a briefcase filled with money in this action packed video.
FEBRUARY
Being the comeback that earned them their first win, it’s no surprise that “Killin’ It” is one of P1Harmony’s strongest music videos. Each of the members has their own time to shine in this song that highlights each of their unique styles. “Killin It’” is not only visually appealing on behalf of the members' looks but the props and sets also blend well with the group.
TEN moves between microbangs with no eyebrows to long hair in this video, both of which give him an eerie vibe. “Nightwalker,” his official debut song, shows off the dancers moves in a way that plays with the storyline of the video. TEN controls those around him with his moves, creating an army of dancers around him.
“EASY” by LE SSERAFIM is filled with an array of colors that give it a dreamy look. Each of the members are sure to steal your attention the second they appear on the screen.
February was a big month for NCT solo projects. NCT 127’s leader TAEYONG released his second EP with the title track “TAP.” The video was filmed in Japan with TAEYONG exploring the city searching for Japanese delicacies.
Being a virtual K-Pop group, PLAVE is given endless abilities when it comes to their music videos. In this video, the members walk through portals and fly through the air in a futuristic car.
MARCH
March was a good month for solo artists, starting with Chungha’s “EENIE MEENIE.” The song features Hongjoong of ATEEZ, and many fans were surprised to see he makes an appearance in the music video as well.
WENDY’s “Wish You Hell” seems sinister based on the title, but instead is a pop song about living authentically. She says goodbye to her old self, who is seen lying in a casket in the beginning of the video.
In “FRI(END)S” V goes through his daily life fed up by the happy couples that surround him. He then wakes up from a dream to find out that he is the one in a happy relationship and rather everyone around him is fighting.
NCT DREAM become Fruit Ninjas in “Smoothie,” a video that tries to appear more serious than it is.
BoA’s “정말, 없니? (Emptiness)” feels like being stuck in a trance. The color palette embodies the coldness of the song, immersing the viewer.
APRIL
This KISS OF LIFE music video has an array of sets that plays into the song's Greek mythology theme.
ONF brings back third generation music video vibes in “Bye My Monster.” One might think that implies a cheapness of the production, however the video demonstrates the opposite.
Although the overload of visual effects in the video might be overkill, “Earth, Wind, & Fire” by BOYNEXTDOOR makes for a fun and playful watch.
“SPOT!” by ZICO and JENNIE doesn’t include any elaborate sets, but still stands out thanks to its directing and cinematography. The unique camera angles and set decor create a vibe that goes perfectly with the song.
It’s no surprise that “MAESTRO” by SEVENTEEN was nominated for “Best Music Video” at multiple end of the year awards. SEVENTEEN are the maestros of everything around them, even robots, as they show why artificial intelligence (AI) can never authentically replace real artists.
MAY
It was hard to choose between “Mars” and “Popcorn” as the best Do Kyungsoo release of 2024, however Kyungsoo riding a bike carrying flowers twice the size of him is undeniably a heart stealer.
“Girls Never Die,” the debut track for all 24 of the tripleS members, is one of the best girl group releases of the year. The resilience that they sing about in the song shows up in the video with the members supporting each other during hard times.
MARK is finally embodying his ”spidermark” persona in a music video with his single “200.”
One of the most critically acclaimed music videos in K-Pop is RM’s “LOST!” directed by Aube Perrie and San Yawn. The video has won awards around the world including the UK and Germany.
If the dance itself wasn’t addicting enough on its own, the music video of “Armageddon” added another layer of appeal to the choreography.
JUNE
Five of the WayV members hit the Give Me That Auditions as a singer-songwriter, cowboy, dancer, rapper, and basketball player.
BADVILLAIN made their debut with this self-titled track. Despite this being a debut, the video has a wide array of sets, opening with the members getting mugshots taken.
The brother and sister duo, AKMU, bring fairytales to life in their music video “Hero.”
JEONGHAN X WONWOO (SEVENTEEN)’s “어젯밤” is mysterious with the two SEVENTEEN members walking around people laying all over the ground. The concept is based on the urban legend “Ever Dream This Man?” as Jeonghan and Wonwoo travel through people's dreams.
CHUU’s “Strawberry Rush” is filled with video effects of light beams, colorful smoke, and much more as she chases a floating trophy through the streets.