Artists in Multiple Ways: Music Videos Drawn by Female Soloists

From writing to composing, soloists often find themselves involved in many creative aspects of their personal projects. Each artist’s contributions vary in their vision to bring their music to life. Though many companies outsource teams to create music videos’ stunning visuals, sometimes singers do the art themselves. An animated music video using a singer’s own drawings adds another layer of depth to the meaning of “artist.”  

“Skin” by KIM PUREUM

KIM PUREUM animated the music video for “Skin,” the ninth track off her first full album, ‘BLUISH’ Unplugged. While the album came out on October 9, 2024, the track’s music video came out on January 23, 2025. This slow song features a unique acoustic guitar and recorder instrumentation that contrasts the eerie thoughts and shadowy figures on screen. Its video uses a simple color palette of white, gray, and black to portray the anguish experienced by the main character. They feel crushed from society’s ruthless actions, which causes the lyrics to ask, “Are they living with empty minds? / Are they living with empty hearts?”   

“Madagascar” by Swan

Formerly a member of Weeekly and previously under the stage name Yoonie, Swan animated her “Madagascar” music video. Released on September 15, 2024, this song tells of a broken-hearted person getting over their lost lover. Swan combines colorful 2D animation and stop motion with video footage and selfies for this fun project. This allows viewers to feel the depressing emotions from the cartoon character crying on screen, the frustration from seeing hands rip up a love letter, and the joy plastered on Swan’s face as she dances for the camera.  

“I ≠ DOLL” by Huh Yunjin

After releasing her first solo single on August 9, 2022, LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin went the animated route for her second single on January 9, 2023. The group’s main vocalist picked up her pen to write the lyrics and to draw the animations that go with “I ≠ DOLL.” While Yunjin sings about the harsh expectations people project onto idols, a doll-like character goes through scrutiny under the spotlight. In an interview with Weverse Magazine, Yunjin said that drawing for “I ≠ DOLL” made her think of her past dream of becoming a cartoonist. “Ever since I was young, I’ve always been attuned to visual things and interested in creative work.” she said.