2024 was undeniably great for music from female artists. From appreciating the multitude of reunions, award-winning songs, and amazing performances, The Kraze previously discussed what women in K-Pop accomplished. Now, we’re ending the year off with the videos that bring songs to life. For this year’s final Ladies Corner article, The Kraze staff named their favorite music videos from female artists in 2024.

Roxy’s Picks

The Kraze co-owner and CMO Roxanne Wilson enjoyed the music videos for IVE’s “HEYA” and aespa’s “Armageddon.” In her recap of “HEYA,” Roxy described the video as “eye-catching” with a grandiose feeling. “HEYA” takes inspiration from a Korean folktale detailing the creation of the sun and moon. IVE describes themselves as fierce and hungry for their goals like the insatiable behavior of the tiger in the story. The music video goes all out to portray this theme, featuring traditional-style ink wash imagery by painter Park Jieun and modernized hanboks from designer MINJUKIM’s “Fairy’s Shadow” and “Bari” collections.

Director Rima Yoon of Rigend Film, who captured the Korean folklore aesthetic in “HEYA” with co-director Kim Jooae, also helped bring the post-apocalyptic and punk look of aespa’s “Armaggedon.” aespa finds themselves in a dystopian environment with elements of fantasy. “While “Supernova” is the song I prefer, I think the video for “Armageddon” is more up my alley, concept and style wise,” Roxy said. In addition to our staff, “Armageddon” also impressed at the 2024 Mnet Asian Music Awards where the track won as the year’s best music video.

Kelly’s Pick

Co-editor-in-chief Kelly Sipko found it easy to pick a favorite, calling LE SSERAFIM’s “EASY” “cinematic perfection.” The music video came out stunning thanks to American director and choreographer Nina McNeely, who has worked with artists like Doja Cat. “The song is already addictive but the music video is downright hypnotizing,” Kelly said. The video’s slick cuts and warm colors make the choreography-oriented video pop.

Rashelle’s Picks

It was all about Yves for co-editor-in-chief Rashelle Brownfield. The soloist’s debut year “did not disappoint,” and her vision for “LOOP (feat. Lil Cherry)” and “Viola” shined through in their music videos. Directed by Bang Jaeyeob, the “LOOP (feat. Lil Cherry)” music video focuses on Yves’s eye-catching dance moves while she sings about a dangerous cycle of relationships.

“Viola” visualizes what Yves’s second EP, I Did, explores: the emotions she tackled to find peace. This video, directed by eehosoo, depicts Yves as an office worker facing uncertainty. It “really reflects that cycle of sadness and happiness, of emotions dissipating, and being reborn,” Yves told Weverse Magazine.

Joi’s Pick

Editor Joi Berry called every frame of ARTMS’s “Virtual Angel” video “beautifully done.” Film studio Digipedi, who produced many LOONA music videos in the past, returned for “Virtual Angel.” Directed by Seong Wonmo and Moon Seokho, it makes use of quick cuts and dreamy visuals to create a heavenly combination. For photosensitive individuals who experience seizures, epilepsy, or other symptoms like migraines from repeated flashes, “Virtual Angel” has a separate “human eye version” video.

Cidney’s Picks

Writer Cidney Atcherson chose two cinematic videos as her favorites: Red Velvet’s “Cosmic” and tripleS’s “Girls Never Die.” Red Velvet’s “Cosmic” music video directed by Lee Hyein takes inspiration from the 2019 horror film Midsommar. The film and “Cosmic” feature imagery related to the Scandinavian Midsommar festival (also called “Midsummer”), which happens around the summer solstice. In her recap of Red Velvet’s Cosmic EP, Cidney described how the summer horror concept fit the group perfectly.

Released with tripleS’s first 24-member album, the “Girl Never Die” music video deals with the pressures young women face. Directed by UNDERMOOD FILM’s Oh Jiwon, who has directed many of tripleS’s videos, the video shows all members coming together to show the resilience of girls. It makes use of the group’s large size and the song’s intricate choreography to display strength in numbers.

Rina’s Picks

Writer Rina Miller also loved “Girls Never Die,” calling it “amazing.” However, IU’s “Love wins all” won her over with its well-executed concept. IU and BTS’s V play lovers who relive their happy memories while stuck in a post-apocalyptic world.

Directed by Um Taehwa, who directed and co-wrote the 2023 dystopian film Concrete Utopia, this video depicts how love can still flourish even during horrific unprecedented events. This pre-release for IU’s sixth EP, The Winning, reaffirms her ability to engage audiences with her singing and acting talents.

Jacob’s Picks

I tend to enjoy sillier concepts for music videos: my favorites this year come from ICHILLIN’s “DEMIGOD” and aespa’s “Licorice.” Accompanying ICHILLIN’s pre-release for their Feelin’ Hot EP, “DEMIGOD” sees the group operate a fried chicken restaurant. ICHILLIN’ raps about their god-like status as they prepare a customer’s order to hilarious results.

aespa transforms into superheroes in “Licorice.” Director Park Cheolho frames the video like children’s action shows such as Super Sentai and Power Rangers. The retro-style animation by Yi Gyurae shows the origins of a mint chocolate ice cream monster that aespa fights. The monster’s initially icy reception represents the similar polarizing taste of licorice.

Edited by Clark Royandoyan

The Kraze’s Favorite 2024 Music Videos by Women in K-Pop