Does the song make the K-pop music video or does the K-pop music video make the song? Of course, a good song should always be able to stand on its own, with the accompanying music video only serving as a mnemonic aid, so the answer might seem obvious to some. But consider the following uniquely […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/7-Uniquely-Shot-K-Pop-Music-Videos-Feat.1.jpg7681024Shelley Foohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-08-28 19:27:112015-08-29 19:40:157 Uniquely Shot K-Pop Music Videos
On August 18, a member left one of SM Entertainment‘s most popular groups and the K-pop world hardly stopped to consider the usual questions. There was no “why?” or “what now?” as there had been following departures from EXO, Girls’ Generation, and f(x) over the past two years. Instead, Kim Kibum’s departure from SM Entertainment […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sorry-sorry-kibum.jpg6721054Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-08-26 18:17:452015-08-26 19:12:05The Curious Case Of Super Junior’s Kim Kibum’s Quiet Departure From SM Entertainment
Does the song make the K-pop music video or does the K-pop music video make the song? Of course, a good song should always be able to stand on its own, with the accompanying music video only serving as a mnemonic aid, so the answer might seem obvious to some. But consider the following uniquely […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/7-Uniquely-Shot-K-Pop-Music-Videos-Feat.1.jpg7681024Shelley Foohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-08-28 19:27:112015-08-29 19:40:157 Uniquely Shot K-Pop Music Videos
On August 18, a member left one of SM Entertainment‘s most popular groups and the K-pop world hardly stopped to consider the usual questions. There was no “why?” or “what now?” as there had been following departures from EXO, Girls’ Generation, and f(x) over the past two years. Instead, Kim Kibum’s departure from SM Entertainment […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sorry-sorry-kibum.jpg6721054Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-08-26 18:17:452015-08-26 19:12:05The Curious Case Of Super Junior’s Kim Kibum’s Quiet Departure From SM Entertainment
Does the song make the K-pop music video or does the K-pop music video make the song? Of course, a good song should always be able to stand on its own, with the accompanying music video only serving as a mnemonic aid, so the answer might seem obvious to some. But consider the following uniquely shot music videos that challenge the notion that all of the genre’s visual releases follow the same trite love octagon storylines and abandoned brick room sets as the ones before it. We repeatedly return to these effective and entertaining videos and as the soundtrack second handedly ingrains itself in our heads, we know the real answer to this age old question.
EXO “Growl”
Because we all saw it coming and because we cannot have a compilation of uniquely shot music videos without it, EXO’s “Growl” is the first up on our list. Garnering 76 million views on SM Entertainment’s official Youtube channel, this makes it the most watched video the group has to date. It may be the song, or the boys’ A+ school uniform concept that is attracting all the attention, but more likely than not, it’s the fact that the entirety of the music video was shot in only one take. Audiences can only imagine how long it took the boys who were working under much pressure to perfect the dance, and even then, it wasn’t quite perfect. Coming from someone who is guilty of revisiting the music videos multiple times, several blunders can be spotted in the final cut, such as the moment when member Kai accidentally drops his hat in the middle of the routine (see 2:13 mark). With such swift recovery, however, fans would never have thought that it wasn’t part of the choreography.
Overlooking the unflattering filter that only makes the members look more washed out than their Korean skincare routine can handle, VIXX’s fun music video for “G.R.8.U” employs another never been done before technique – the use of a rewind effect. It veers from the dark fantasy concept that we are used to seeing from the boys down into a more lighthearted avenue as we watch the members channel their inner five year old. They squander away good tissues from a tissue box, rip away at pages from a book, and commit other acts of horrors to a mother in reverse. And I know I just cannot be the only one who was envisioning how this must have looked like done in motion during the filming process.
What makes this music video all the more awe inspiring, however, is that with music videos that apply a rewind effect, comes backwards lip-syncing. As if a music video shoot was not demanding enough, the members had to learn the lyrics of their song all over again, but this time an inverted version of it. As one Kultscene writer has noted, VIXX works hard to create pieces that can be enjoyed on every level.
INFINITE “Bad”
Though times are changing, INFINITE shows that they are one tech savvy group to beat with their revolutionary music video for “Bad.” The first of its kind, at least where K-pop music videos are concerned, the video uses advanced 360 degree virtual reality technology in order to create an interactive experience. Viewers at home can change the angle of camera by manipulating the arrows on the video or, if on a mobile device, by moving the device in the direction that they want to view. As we look on through the many mirrors that are seen throughout the music video, the immersive aspect comes into play when the members are locking eyes with and singing to us. It almost feels intimate, as if we are intruding on something private, but sadly, it’s probably the closest most fans will ever get to be to the boys. Besides, what is more romantic than having seven guys serenading to you in a strip down bathroom anyways?
The witty incorporation of the social media that is so prevalent today in music videos is commonplace, but before San E or Aoora did it, there was BEAST with their original music video for “No More.” In it, the group’s rapper Junhyung and his former lover sift through their newsfeed and old photo memories on Beastagram, a parody of popular social media platform Instagram. Most of the music video itself, which features the members emotionally singing in a white recliner while the video retells the protagonists’ former relationship, is essentially the videos that are uploaded onto Beastagram. It’s a little gimmicky but because of the right direction and proper execution, was able to nevertheless deliver a touching story of how a couple can move on and still simultaneously watch over the other. Only in our generation could giving a like on an ex’s picture ever be so powerful.
Akdong Musician “200%”
Another music video that is just as creative as Beast’s “No More” is Akdong Musician’s “200%,” where Lee Soohyun, the female unit of the duo, shyly tries to confess her feelings to model turned actor Nam Joo Hyuk through a paper crane that she left him. Origami is an integral element in the video, so naturally the motif can also be seen throughout the video, whether as a part of the how to fold graphics that are randomly displayed or in the editing style. Unfortunately for Soohyun, who we are made to believe ends up with Joo Hyuk’s character, the puppy love came to a bitter twist ending as the screen “unfolds” along the creases and reveals that Joo Hyuk has been sharing moments with another girl and not Soohyun. The music video cleverly takes a simple art, such as that of paper folding, and infuses it into the video, literally and thematically.
Leessang “Turned Off the TV” feat. Tasha and Kwon Jungyeol of 10cm
The product of what happens when stop motion meets K-pop is Leessang’s mildly suggestive music video for “Turned Off the TV.” The song and video depicts how a woman makes a man feel, that is, wanting her so much even if it means playing catch up. One of the best moments of the music video that was only made possible because of the limitless boundaries of the animation technique is when the man becomes exasperated in the process of catching up and, while bending down and back up, becomes his own boner. The erect phallus is enough to give the woman a fright, so she slaps him, Korean drama style.
Other than the comedic value it can bring, the use of stop motion lets the imagination run wild in other instances as well, such as the scenes where the men and woman fly through the cotton clouds or swim through the dark blue carp of an ocean. The production quality is low, sure, but the results of bringing together a bunch of household props and a lot of time on hand creates for an extremely endearing music video.
Girl’s Day “Hug Me Once”
Girl’s Day music video for “Hug Me Once” reminds me of one of those choose your own ending books we all used to read as a kid. It’s highly engaging, and the seemingly endless possibilities put the readers in control. Well, that’s exactly how it is in this music video as it starts from an introduction video where you, the viewer, are given the choice of watching the game or dance version of the music video, other than the original video itself. There is also even an option to kindly decline all offers, but of course this means game over for the viewer.
Apart from the dance version, all the selections and their accompanying videos are shot from the first person point of view for added realism. Fans are taken on an immersive adventure as the girls drag your outstretched hand to optical illusion museums, cruise ships and scenic beaches. The directors were even sure to include a buffering scene to emulate actual MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) in the game version, which was shot in a role playing manner with familiar dialogue boxes and heart meters. Since its release back in 2011, nothing as charming or similar as Girl’s Day’s “Hug Me Once” has been put out in the K-pop market, making it an undeniable addition to this list.
Is there any other K-pop music video cinematography you enjoy? Share your picks in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/7-Uniquely-Shot-K-Pop-Music-Videos-Feat.1.jpg7681024Shelley Foohttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngShelley Foo2015-08-28 19:27:112015-08-29 19:40:157 Uniquely Shot K-Pop Music Videos
On August 18, a member left one of SM Entertainment‘s most popular groups and the K-pop world hardly stopped to consider the usual questions. There was no “why?” or “what now?” as there had been following departures from EXO, Girls’ Generation, and f(x) over the past two years.
Instead, Kim Kibum’s departure from SM Entertainment led, yes, to sadness from many Super Junior fans, but also to an almost overwhelming sigh of “it’s about time” from the larger K-pop community.
For a fandom that has seen a lot of dramatic exits, Kim leaving SM Entertainment was one of the quietest major events to happen to one of K-pop’s top acts. Which leads to the question of why the calm? Why didn’t K-pop fans freak out about a departure from Super Junior?
Probably because Kim Kibum in actuality left being an active Super Junior member long ago, and the official statement that was shared by Kim on Instagram is just the final nail in a coffin that was already buried years ago.
[Just a note, several Super Junior members posted support for Kim’s departure from SM, showing that there were no hard feelings, and fans were quick to notice that that Kim’s official Instagram post said that he was leaving SM Entertainment but not Super Junior.]
Since debuting in 2005, Super Junior has seen a lot of scandals and drama amidst personal loss, accidents, fights, lawsuits, line-up changes, enlistments, and much more. But Kim’s departure was something that had been expected, and accepted, almost since 2009 when he first went missing from the group amidst “Sorry, Sorry” promotions.
After he was absent from the follow up track to “Sorry, Sorry,” “It’s You,” SM Entertainment announced that Kim would focus on his busy solo promotions. The group wasn’t suffering, and had just seen legendary success with “Sorry Sorry,” so the fact that Kim went MIA at this point in the group’s career sent a pretty clear signal that he was happy to do his own thing. And Super Junior and SM Entertainment were, from the outside point of view, fine with that (it is unclear what arrangement the company had with Kim regarding compensation and Super Junior’s career following his initial absence from the group.)
In essence, Kim Kibum left Super Junior unofficially in May 2010, when SM Entertainment confirmed that Kim would officially not partake in Super Junior activities for the time being. ELF, Super Junior’s Everlasting Friends, continued to support Kim’s solo career, and Super Junior even recently discussed welcoming Kim back if he were interested, but that ship had truly sailed long ago.
Why wasn’t this a big deal then, and why isn’t it now? In comparison to the departure of Hankyung (Han Geng) during the same period (2009-2010,) and the JYJ-TVXQ lawsuit (and the more recent Kris-Luhan-Jessica-Tao- Sulli exits), Kim’s departure was phrased as anything but. He’s been under the company until now, taking a few acting jobs now and then but essentially sitting as a lame duck. Why did SM Entertainment put up with it? That leads us to the fact that Super Junior probably should win the award for being the K-pop Group That Shouldn’t Exist.
The fact that Super Junior began its tenth anniversary promotions this summer with the release of “Devil” is absolutely insane, to put it easily. Super Junior debuted as the project group Super Junior ‘05, with the intention of SM Entertainment rotating members in and out. The original line-up of twelve members was not supposed to stick. The addition of Kyuhyun and the removal of the year from Super Junior’s name was momentous not only for the group’s loyal fans because it meant that Super Junior was there to stay, but it also meant a change of path for the members.
Prior to debuting in Super Junior ‘05, Kibum was the most prominent member in Super Junior. As a model and actor, Kim was responsible for getting Super Junior’s name out there, and took the role as one of the group’s so-called visual members. And he got the job done, promoting as Super Junior’s Kim Kibum on television.
Following the initial success of the group and then the 2009 glory of “Sorry Sorry,” it was clear that Super Junior was going to stick around the K-pop world. So someone who had initially prepared to graduate from being a K-pop idol in a few years was forced to look at a possibly daunting career. As an ELF myself, I can admit that Kim Kibum’s raps were decent at best, while his heart was truly in acting and modeling. For whatever reason, SM Entertainment didn’t promote him well after he went on hiatus from the group, but Super Junior had gained exposure thanks to Kim’s presence on television, and then when he wanted to call it quits, it seems like SM let him go at a time when bad PR would tank the company’s stocks even more.
Kim Kibum was never integral to Super Junior, and Super Junior was never integral to Kim Kibum. So when he left initially, it was fine. And in 2015, when his contract expired, there was no drama. There was no lawsuits, or shocking interviews with the Korean press, or outrage from either side. There was civility, and an adult attitude towards the whole thing. Which is quite impressive for K-pop.
How do you feel about Kim Kibum’s exit from SM Entertainment? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sorry-sorry-kibum.jpg6721054Tamar Hermanhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2015-08-26 18:17:452015-08-26 19:12:05The Curious Case Of Super Junior’s Kim Kibum’s Quiet Departure From SM Entertainment
