25 Amazing J- and K-Pop Music Videos That Could Be Award-Winning Short Films

On August 30th, 2024, Netflix released the incredibly enjoyable A-List to Playlist, a documentary about the hundred days that Jo Jung-suk had to compose and record his very first album.

Is A-List to Playlist Worth Watching?

A-List to Playlist has seven short episodes and an eighth, final episode that spans 80 minutes. Not only is Jo Jung-suk an endlessly charismatic artist that is easy to root for, but he is also blessed with such a fantastic network of people that make the journey a million times more entertaining. It’s not only Jung-suk’s genuine, cheerful personality that makes A-List to Playlist a funny, moving, and heartwarming watch.

On the road to his debut album, Jung-suk shares his struggles and learns from his fellow artists, including the lovely IU, the legendary 99s, his BFF Park Hyo-shin, and even his wife Gummy. Their conversations are so sincere and full of heart that A-List to Playlist goes beyond a simple music documentary to become a door into their inner worlds and emotions. We also have to mention the hilarious duo that takes care of Jung-suk, Jung Sang-hoon and Moon Sang-hoon, without whom this show wouldn’t have been half as fun.

What Does A-List to Playlist Have To Do With This Article?

Everything in A-List to Playlist feels so authentic that it’s difficult to let it go, and the final episode can easily make you tear up (I know I did!). I personally thoroughly enjoyed Episode 6, in which they bring in Jung Kyung-ho to direct Jung-suk’s music video for Champagne. I’ve always loved (believe me, I’m talking about passionate love here) behind-the-scenes featurettes, so this episode brought such joy to my life that I can’t even describe it. But, as I was watching it, I thought to myself: there are so many K-pop and J-pop MVs that tell fantastic (sometimes iconic) stories! So I decided that I wanted to discuss with you all some excellent J- and K-pop music videos that are… short films in their own right.

Quick disclaimer: here, I’m using “K-pop” and “J-pop” as umbrella terms for all music created by Korean and Japanese artists.

Quick Intro to the World of J- and K-pop Music Videos

The world of MVs in Japan and Korea is full of visual complexity: bright colours, rhythmic editing, vibrant compositions, and, often, flawless choreographies. For instance, two music videos I’ll always admire are BTS‘s ‘ON’ Kinetic Manifesto Film: Come Prima and Hirate Yurina‘s ダンスの理由 (Dance no Riyuu, “The Reason for Dancing”). The combination of choreography, camera movement, composition, colour, and editing in these two videos is just insane.

Since we’re talking about BTS: BTS is known for their storyline MVs, that is, a series of music videos that tell a story. But the narrative they’re trying to tell can only be fully known if fans interact with it through different platforms. We call that “transmedia storytelling,” which is something that K-pop artists do well and often. Their stories are told throughout months, sometimes years, and include music videos, album art, short videos, and even webtoons. Today, however, I’m focusing on music videos that tell a story from beginning to end, like Jo Jung-suk’s Champagne.

Are you ready? Here are 25 J- and K-pop music videos that are just as entertaining (and cinematic) as a short film:

Wedding Dress (Taeyang, 2010): Romance + Drama

Let’s start 14 years ago with Taeyang’s classic Wedding Dress. In muted colours and with a simple narrative structure, Taeyang illustrates the sorrow of the lyrics. As he shares his pain and regret when seeing the woman he loves marry another man, Taeyang goes over his memories with her and realises the missed opportunities and the poor timing of their journey together.

恋の寿命 (Galileo Galilei, 2015): Romance + Fantasy

Let me introduce you to one of my all-time favourite MVs. Almost a decade ago, Galileo Galilei released the music video for Koi no Jumyou (恋の寿命, “The Lifespan of Love”). This is a touching (and fairly tragic) romance between two young adults who are trying to understand what love is and wondering whether they can stay together. Spectacular cinematography and intimate compositions record the beauty, yearning, and joy of early love.

Love is (DAVICHI, 2016): Drama

A year later, DAVICHI released the MV for Love Is, starring the incredible Lee Jong-suk. In addition to Jong-suk’s poignant performance, the music video counts on stunning cinematography, flawless compositions, and a lovely colour scheme. This is a story about the pain of losing a loved one and how we often struggle to let ourselves fully grieve. Because it’s only by embracing our grief that we can learn how to live without them. This is another one of my absolute favourites.

Spring Day (BTS, 2017): Drama

And since we’re talking about missing someone, we have to mention BTS’s Spring Day, which was released a year after DAVICHI’s Love Is. Even though the video is a Storyline MV, I believe it works well as a stand-alone tale of time, longing, and transience. According to Rolling Stones India, the MV purposefully references both Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer (2013) and Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel, The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. The visuals play with bright colours, lots of symbolism, and dreamlike sequences that evoke a sense of melancholia and make us think about the people we’ve loved and lost.

Korean audiences have also long associated the video with the Sewol ferry disaster, and the song has often been used as a way to pay respect to the victims of the disaster.

Congratulations + You Were Beautiful (DAY6, 2015-2017): Romance + Drama

This list wouldn’t be complete without the one and only (love of my life), DAY6, am I right?

Starring Jang Hee-ryung and Choi Woo-shik, Congratulations and You Were Beautiful explore the complex feelings that come with a break-up. At first, we can’t help but feel the anger and hurt when someone breaks our hearts. Isn’t painful to see them moving on without us, especially when we’re still struggling? The heavy sounds of Congratulations inspire the darker visuals of the music video, counting on more saturated colours and harder lighting. The narrative also chooses to focus on the rage and cynicism of the present, leaving little space for the nice memories of the past.

But, with time, we all heal. So, You Were Beautiful is a more appreciative, more nostalgic perspective of that relationship. The colours are softer and brighter, and the light is more uniform. Once our heart heals, we’re able to acknowledge the beauty in the experience and cherish the memories of a unique relationship that just wasn’t meant to be. I must confess that the lyrics of You Were Beautiful tug at my heartstrings, no matter how many times I listen to it (Thanks, Young K T-T).

Melos (Wednesday Campanella, 2017): Drama

Also in 2017, Wednesday Campanella released Melos, a song and music video heavily inspired by Dazai Osamu’s short story, Run, Melos!. Run, Melos!, a classic of Japanese literature, is a retelling of the ancient Greek tale of Damon and Pythias. The story highlights the beauty and selflessness of true friendship and loyalty. Beautifully shot in the Mongolian deserts and allowing folklore to shine, the video makes use of surreal elements and bold colours to give a twist to a well-known tale.

Treasure (Chansung, 2018): Rom-com

Look, I don’t think this MV gets the attention it deserves, so here we are (maybe because it was a Japanese release? Huh…)

The narrative of Treasure is developed like a musical, allowing the (incredible) choreography to tell some of the story. Chansung plays the part of a man with a huge crush who struggles to find the courage to confess his feelings (to a girl who seems to be completely indifferent). While reality is shown in black-and-white, reflecting our protagonist’s dullness, his vivid imagination plays out in ridiculously romantic and bright colours. Chansung’s comedy chops are as excellent as his flawless dance moves.

Party (2018, Mrs. Green Apple): Drama

Mrs. Green Apple’s Party is one of the most cinematic, most striking music videos out there. Interpreting the lyrics with tenderness, Party reminds us of the fragility of life and how, no matter how long or short the life, our existence is meaningful. It also tells us of the importance of kindness and that we should always be generous with our love and care towards others. These are the things that truly matter and that remain, despite the impermanence of life. Exceptional use of colour, light, and composition, in addition to heartfelt performances, results in a video that is not only beautiful to look at but also profoundly touching. It makes me cry every single time (and believe me, I’ve watched it a thousand times).

サザンカ (Sekai no Owari, 2018): Family drama

Sazanka (サザンカ, “Camellia”) was written as the NHK’s official song of the 2018 Winter Olympics, so this is an uplifting, encouraging song to all dreamers out there. Starring the marvellous Kamiki Ryunosuke, Sazanka depicts the struggles of an aspiring young artist and his supportive, loving older brother. The video is bathed in warm tones and bright light, counting on perfectly placed dynamic cuts and a heartwarming plot that can’t help but put a big smile on your face.

The new MV for Time Machine (タイムマシン) is also worth a watch — but grab the tissues first!

for lovers who hesitate (JANNABI, 2019): Romance

JANNABI’s for lovers who hesitate tells the story of a young man who falls in love at first sight with a postwoman. As he spends time with her, his shyness sends her mixed signals. He then decides to make his feelings known… but is it now too late? JANNABI reminds us that conveying our feelings takes a lot of courage in a video of soft visuals and heartwarming performances.

Blueming (IU, 2019): Romance

Giving a modern take to a classic romance, the lyrics of IU’s Blueming explore early love and the hidden (thrilling) emotions behind the texts that lovers often exchange. Meanwhile, the music video reinterprets the concept in a more old-fashioned, hand-made style. Fully showcasing IU’s timeless beauty in a surreal, fantastical universe, the video is bright and colourful, successfully exuding the excitement of the lyrics.

Pretender (Official髭男dism, 2019): Romance + Drama

Released as the theme song of The Confidence Man JP: The Movie (2019, dir. Tanaka Ryo), Pretender was a record-breaking hit in Japan. The music video was shot in Taipei and takes full advantage of the vibrant colours of its streets, both in daylight and at night. Bursting with the bittersweet yearning that comes from being friends with a person you love, Pretender tells the story of a young man who finds it difficult to be so close to the girl he’s in love with. Saturated colours give the video personality and precise compositions place us in his shoes as he wonders if they are never meant to be and how she feels about him. This is an MV I’ll never get tired of watching.

Stand Out Fit In (ONE OK Rock, 2019): Coming-of-Age + Drama

This song and music video easily resonate with immigrant children, especially those from Asian families. Equally heartwarming and heart-wrenching, Stand Out Fit In depicts the racism, the struggle, and the pain that often come with being in a foreign land. To survive, our main character lets go of his origins and tries to embrace a new personality to be accepted by his peers. But is that what he should be doing? In a poetic and poignant climax, our protagonist finds his answers. Visually dark and melancholic, ONE OK Stand Out Fit In delivers a timely and incredibly moving message.

Tree (Car, the Garden, 2019): Romance + Slice-of-life

Car, the Garden’s Tree, which was also used as part of the OST for jTBC’s Chocolate (highly recommended, by the way), portrays the everyday life of a couple. If it sounds simple and undramatic, it’s because that’s what it is. But the beauty of Tree resides in the little adventures that the two share, reminding us of the magic of mundane yet unique moments. It also shows how fascinating it is to be best friends with your lover and the joy and growth that this bond can bring to the two of you. Flat lighting and soft colours give the video a sense of calm and comfort.

不思議 (Hoshino Gen, 2021): Slice-of-life

Hoshino Gen’s Fushigi (不思議, “Strange” or “Curious”) is one of my favourite songs, but also one of my favourite music videos. Stunningly cinematic, the MV for Fushigi counts on striking wide shots, bright lights, and a pitch-perfect colour scheme. The compositions masterfully make use of patterns, symmetry, contrast, and negative space, mesmerising and pulling us into this little Hoshino Gen universe. While the video is more symbolic, the lyrics make for one of the greatest, most honest love songs out there. Hoshino Gen nails the mystery of falling in love in a poetic, sincere, and heartfelt song. How can we — completely different, unique beings — develop such a strong feeling towards someone we only met in the middle of this long journey called life? I’ll leave you with my favourite part of the song, which summarises the idea quite well:

希望あふれた　この檻の中で
In this cage full of hope
理由もない　恋がそこにあるまま
Love was there without rhyme or reason
ただ貴方だった
It was just you

幼い頃の記憶　今夜食べたいもの
Our childhood memories, what we want to eat tonight
何もかもが違う
If everything is different
なのになぜ側に居たいの
Then why do I still want to be by your side?
他人だけにあるもの
A feeling that belongs only to strangers

Fushigi is the theme song of TBS’s Why I Dress Up For Love. And while we’re talking about Hoshino Gen, I’d also recommend the joyful Idea.

怪物さん (Ken Hirai feat. Aimyon, 2021): Romance

Kaibutsu-san (怪物さん, “Ms. Monster”) was a song released by Ken Hirai to celebrate his 25th debut anniversary and written with Aimyon in mind. The result is a catchy tune whose lyrical persona is a woman with a one-sided crush. She lashes out at herself, bursting with the frustration that comes with longing for a person who doesn’t like her back. The video, highly symbolic and stylised, is brightly coloured and sharply lit. Kaibutsu-san is a surrealist take on the game “Daruma-san ga Koronda” (or “Red Light Green Light”), using it to represent the unbalanced relationship between the two characters. As if the incredible visuals weren’t enough, the intelligent and story-motivated use of choreography is the cherry on top.

カメレオン (King Gnu, 2022 + 硝子窓, 2023): Drama

Hauntingly beautiful, King Gnu’s Chameleon (カメレオン) is an animated music video that portrays two marionettes exploring themes of self-confidence and self-acceptance. As a young boy doesn’t feel worthy of his stunning, famous friend’s attention, dark thoughts start to take over him. Chameleon gives you a nice and tidy ending, but King Gnu offers us an alternative ending with GLASS WINDOW (硝子窓), released the year after. Compared to Chameleon, GLASS WINDOW is even more surreal, but they are both profoundly moving. As the first video raises the question of who we are, the second responds, loud and clear: we’re all the same — just as unique and imperfect.

Chameleon is the theme song of the great Don’t Call It Mystery (Fuji TV, 2022).

Ditto Side A & B (NewJeans, 2022): Youth + Drama

I think NewJeans’s Ditto might be one of the most fascinating K-pop music videos out there. The music video shows a group of high schoolers experiencing the joys and mischief of adolescence together. Their memories are immortalised by one of their classmates, who is recording them with an old-fashioned camcorder. You could say that Ditto is a different way to explore the theme of self-acceptance, but the video also approaches themes of belonging, nostalgia, and loneliness. These feelings are conveyed through muted colours and grainy POV shots — and the narrative can only be fully appreciated if you watch both sides of the tale (thus, “side A” and “side B”). A poignant take on youth and how much it continues to affect us even after we grow up.

You can watch the “Side B” video here.

三文小説 (King Gnu, 2023): Romance + Drama

Just had to add a second (or third, I’d say) video by King Gnu, Sanmon Shosetsu (三文小説, “Dime Novel”). This music video is dark, melancholic, and incredibly expressive. The video shows a couple whose love story is portrayed as they dance. As they move, photos of their life together illustrate the background. The idea is terribly simple but skillfully executed, as its minimalist visuals allow the two characters to shine and perfectly interpret the lyrics. Sanmon Shosetsu is a heartfelt love story, representing a love that survives the struggles and the passing of time, thanks to the strength that we can only receive from our beloved. An endlessly poetic music video that I’ve watched a million times.

月を見ていた (Kenshi Yonezu, 2023): Drama + Fantasy

Kenshi Yonezu not only has the most unique voice and some of the greatest tunes, but he also delivers some of the best MVs the J-pop industry can offer. It was very difficult to pick just one, considering how cinematic, symbolic, and spellbinding they all are. But today, let’s talk about Tsuki wo Miteita (月を見ていた, “Moongazing”). The video paints a fantastical, mystical universe, unravelling a tale of longing, fate, and search and reflecting the angst but perseverance of the lyrics.

Tsuki wo Miteita is the theme song of Final Fantasy XVI. While we’re talking about Yonezu and theme songs, I’d highly recommend the MV for さよーならまたいつか! (Sayonara, Mata Itsuka!, “Goodbye, See You!”) — both his own version and the animated version from NHK’s The Tiger and Her Wings. Simply spectacular.

Falling Slowly (DAESUNG, 2024): Romance + Crime + Drama

Starring Kim Seon-ho & Moon Ga-young, DAESUNG’s Falling Slowly is easily one of my favourite MVs released this year. Bringing such sorrowful lyrics to life required two high-calibre actors and an intriguing narrative — and that’s exactly what the music video delivers. Falling Slowly proves that moving pictures can convey more than a million dialogue exchanges ever could. Seon-ho and Ga-young can say much with their gazes, and they go through an entire array of emotions in a mere 4 minutes: from giddiness to grief, from serenity to despair. To strengthen these marvellous performances, both the camerawork and the colour scheme are stunning.

Love Wins All (IU, 2024): Romance + Dystopian fiction

Another IU video? Yes! After all, she has a series of little pearls that need to be talked about. This year, IU brought BTS’s V into the mix and had the two of them act out a heart-wrenching love story, Love Wins All. As two lovers try to survive in a dystopian world, they imagine better days as they fight for their love and their lives. Not only are their performances incredibly heartfelt, but their tale can’t help but give you goosebumps. The strength of their feeling transcends the screen in a world in which reality is grim, but the little bubble that they create to keep each other afloat is full of colour, light, and charm. Do you end up crying your eyes out? Well… yes.

Please don’t… + No Sad Song For My Broken Heart (K.will, 2012-2024): Romance + Drama

Over a decade ago, K.will released the music video for Please don’t… This seemingly straightforward love triangle surprised fans with a fantastic twist at the end. Starring a ridiculously young Seo In-guk, Ahn Jae-hyun, and Kim Da-som, both the song and the video talk about loving someone who is always close, but with whom you can never be. Please don’t… is full of contrasts in colour, lighting, and of course, emotions. This is one music video that most K-pop fans know and love, which is why everyone was (more than) slightly desperate for a sequel.

That sequel came twelve years later. A few months ago, No Sad Song For My Broken Heart came out. The MV brought the original cast back in a narrative that presents us with a twist just as surprising as the original one, but twice as painful. Both the song and the video reflect the pain of unspoken emotions, the ones that we fail to deliver to the people we love and need the most. Bright colours and hard light paint this picture of longing and loss.

You’ve already watched all of them? Then…

Some other music videos that definitely deserve attention for their lovely narratives are YOASOBI’s 三原色 (Sangenshoku, “RGB”), Alexandros’s adorable Snow Sound, 2PM’s Make It and My House (the latter for a healthy dose of fairy tale retelling), Sakanaction’s Goodbye. If you love cinematography as much as I do, I’d also recommend Junho’s Winter Sleep for some of the most incredible shots you’ve ever seen. With its highly saturated colours, even lighting, and eye-catching compositions galore, Winter Sleep is one of my favourites too. Another one for cinematography fans is EXO’s Universe, an absolute beauty of a music video. Counting on tons of symbolism, muted colours, and lots of patterns, Universe is the kind of MV you can re-watch a million times.

Pin this list so you remember to watch them all:

So what are some of your favourite J- and K-pop music videos? Let me know in the comments what stories have moved you recently!