Author: Paula

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Kpop Girl Groups: 5 Top-Tier Kpop Girl Group Concepts that Intrigued Fans

kpop life - girl group concept
Picture credit: Youtube

Previously, we featured five awesome male idol group concepts. Now, it’s time to shine the spotlight on some of the most iconic concepts of Kpop girl groups. Here are five memorable K-pop girl group themes that keep fans coming back for more. 

Kpop Girl Group Concept 1: Girl Crush 

You can’t think of girl crush without mentioning the OG group to absolutely slay the concept—2NE1. CL, Bom, Dara, and Minzy debuted at a time when girl-next-door and sexy were at their peak, and the quartet immediately made a splash with the energetic track Fire. Their 2011 hit, I Am The Best, was peak girl crush, and their edgy, badass style paved the way for the current generation of girl groups.

 

 

Another second-generation group that embodied the girl crush concept is 4Minute. The girls showed off their strong and fierce style in their music videos, particularly in Crazy. Mamamoo also climbed up the charts by breaking the stereotypes of what a girl group should be like. The vocal powerhouses were cheeky and confident in Hip, and free-spirited and sexy in Starry Night. 

 

 

Blackpink further popularized the concept and took it to the global stage with their debut track Boombayah. The girls were also pretty and savage with their record-breaking hits Ddu-Du Ddu-Du and Kill This Love. Monster rookies (G)-Idle leads the pack in the fourth generation with their debut hit Latata. Other fourth gen groups to put their own spin on this theme include Weki Meki with Crush and ITZY with Wannabe. 

Kpop Girl Group Concept 2: Dark

 

 

The dark concept isn’t commonly used in Kpop girl groups, so it immediately makes an impact when female idols dive into this theme. Two groups were brave enough to cross over to the dark side. Dreamcatcher made a splash with their rock-infused sound and eerie debut music video for Chase Me. The group remains committed to the dark and creepy with their succeeding singles, such as Good Night, Scream, and Odd Eye. 

 

 

Red Velvet’s dual concept allows the girls to seamlessly switch from bright (“red”) to brooding (“velvet”) in every comeback. The group perfectly plays their “velvet” side in their music videos for Peek-A-Boo, Bad Boy, and Psycho. The Irene & Seulgi sub-unit also nailed the sinister vibe with Monster. 

K-pop has more music videos inspired by the creepiest holiday of the year. Check them out in our Halloween-themed K-pop MVs article. 

Kpop Girl Group Concept 3: Sexy 

 

Second-generation Kpop girl group Brown Eyed Girls dialed up the hotness meter and shot to stardom with Abracadabra. The sensual choreography and music video also sparked the “arrogant dance” trend. The women of SISTAR are not only the undisputed summer queens; they also owned the sexy concepts, especially in their sultry music videos for Alone and I Like That. 

 

 2014 must be the year for sexy concepts, with the release of AOA’s Miniskirt and Like A Cat and EXID’s Up & Down. Girl’s Day is another group that’s well-known for their sexiness. Their song Something won the Best Dance Performance by a Female Group at the 2014 MNET Asian Music Awards and spawned numerous covers by fellow idols. 

Kpop Girl Group Concept 4: Sci-Fi 

 Just like their sunbae labelmates EXO, rookie group Aespa’s concept is deeply rooted in sci-fi. The group is part of the SM Culture Universe—SM Entertainment’s worldview that includes all of the groups under the agency. Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning, along with their virtual alter egos, were introduced in the group’s debut single Black Mamba. The group’s storyline continues in their follow-up single Next Level and in their latest EP Savage.

Cosmic Girls (WJSN) take fans into another world complete with shooting stars, flying cars, and interstellar travel with their music video for Secret. Twice makes sci-fi cute as they try to communicate with an extraterrestrial love interest in Signal. Even legendary girl group 2NE1 took a stab at the sci-fi concept in their video, taking on the roles of rebels in a dystopian world for Come Back Home. 

Kpop Girl Group Concept 5: Cute/Girl-Next-Door

Cute/girl-next-door is one of the most popular concepts in K-pop, but girl groups always make sure to put a fresh spin to the idea in every comeback. One of the first groups to earn the nation’s girl group title, Girls’ Generation, are the queens of the girl-next-door theme. From the earworm Gee to the genre-bending I Got A Boy to the retro-cute Lion Heart, these ladies continue to serve the perfect visuals and vocals every time.

Red Velvet has struck the perfect balance between creepy and lively. Power Up, Red Flavor, and Queendom’s cheerful and refreshing sounds are paired with colorful music videos that showcase their quirky charms. Twice has mastered the cute concept as well, seen in their videos for Cheer Up and Heart Shaker.

 Produce 101 group I.O.I also released songs that fit the cute concept, especially Very Very Very. Lovelyz were adorable in their music video for Ah-Choo. More recently, Oh My Girl cranked up the aegyo and made waves with Dolphin.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, because female idols take inspiration from anywhere and everywhere for their music! What’s your favorite girl group concept? 

Featured Image: A still from MAMAMOO’s Hip. Credit: Mamamoo Youtube

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K-POP ARTISTS LATEST STORIES SUPER JUNIOR

An E.L.F’s Thoughts on Super Junior–D&E’s Countdown

A still from 'Zero'.

Super Junior’s Donghae and Eunhyuk have been making K-pop fans dance to their bops since 2011, so it’s surprising to realize that they haven’t actually released a full Korean studio album—until now! But as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait, because this gem of an album was definitely worth the wait. 

On November 2, the D&E sub-unit finally dropped their first full album, Countdown. The album contains 10 tracks—nine in Korean, and one in English—and showcases a more mature sound (but still sprinkled with fun) from the duo. 

The songs in the album cover a wide range of genres—from the heavy dance track Zero, to the groovy La La La, to the pop ballad Have a Nice Day. The diverse genres in this album proves that this sub-unit can’t be boxed into just one genre of music. 

 

 The lead single, Zero, is an upbeat dance track that can be seen as a song for E.L.F. In the chorus, the pair sings, “Don’t go away to stop this story/ Even if it’s filled with scars/ Without you, without you I’m zero.” I feel that it’s a song that conveys the duo’s (and Super Junior’s as a whole) thoughts toward their loyal fans—that they would not have been able to go on for this long without E.L.F.’s love and support. I also personally think Zero is a good song. Maybe it’s not on the same level as the sub-unit’s superb 2015 track Growing Pains, but I’m pretty sure Zero will be on my SJ on repeat playlist.  

 

Beautiful Liar was a surprise. The song’s opening bars sounded like it was going to be a soft dance track, but then the chorus suddenly became more energetic. It jarred me a bit on the first listen, but this song is growing on me. The pair then sings about wanting to go on a vacation in Far Away, and it does sound like the perfect song to listen to on a trip! It’s the kind of song you put on when you’re spending a chill day on the beach. The vibe turns sentimental and emotional with Have a Nice Day and Home, balanced with the smooth and bright tracks Muse and Share my Love. 

My favorite song from D&E’s latest release, however, is oddly not included in the album track list. Eunhyuk’s pre-release single, Be, is a nice emotional track that shows off the main rapper’s lovely vocals, for a change. I see Be as an ode to Eunhyuk’s younger self, encouraging him to never give up on his childhood dreams. I find the choreography in the M/V beautiful as well.   

 

  Overall, this album is musically diverse but still cohesive. It clearly shows the duo’s passion and commitment to their craft, which contributes to their staying power in the K-pop scene. This album is a great way to mark the sub-unit’s 10th anniversary. 

As a final note, in Super Junior’s YouTube live broadcast on the eve of the full group’s 16th anniversary, the members mentioned that they are preparing loads more content (albums? Variety shows? Concerts? I’m sure all E.L.Fs like me would be more than happy to get quality content from these fine men!) in the coming months. With these men releasing quality content like the Countdown album, Super Junior D&E—and the rest of Super Junior—will truly be the last men standing. 

Featured Image: Screen capture from Super Junior–D&E’s Zero MV. Photo: SMTOWN/YouTube
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Five Amazing Boy Group Concepts That Left Fans Wanting More

Picture credit: Youtube

K-pop music videos are always a delight to watch, not just for the music and the awesome choreography, but also for the concepts that will leave you in awe! Here we list down five unforgettable boy group concepts that had many fans clicking on the replay button.

School uniform

The school uniform concept is often used in idol group comebacks, but it’s the one theme that fans never tire of. It may be common in K-pop, but each group has put their own spin on it to make it fresh, fun, and unique! EXO brought this concept back into the spotlight with their music video Growl. (Fun fact: this music video was shot in one continuous take!)

BTS in their rookie years nailed the high school bad boy look in Boy in Luv. In the MV, the members act tough to try to get a girl’s attention. The boys also don school uniforms in their follow-up single Just One Day, which showcased a lighter, more mellow vibe.

Astro are portrayed as manhwa characters in their music video for Confession. In the video, a high school girl draws the members, and the boys come to life and start following her around as she goes about her life. And, Seventeen are cheeky schoolboys trying to impress girls in their MV for Mansae. 

Dark

This concept is masterfully brought to life by the undisputed concept kings—VIXX. Voodoo Doll’s heavy, intense beats paired with macabre imagery resulted in a music video so shocking, the group had to release a “clean” version. In the original MV, a woman used a voodoo doll to control and torture the members. The group’s music video Hyde also fits this concept well.  

SHINee’s Married to the Music is much less gruesome but hiding behind the cheery music and colorful visuals is a video where a series of unfortunate events happened to each group member while at a party. Meanwhile, their SM hoobaes, NCT127, ran with the vampire concept in their most recent release Favorite (Vampire). 

Block B capitalized on people’s fear of clowns and deserted theme parks in their MV for Jackpot. Rookie boy group Enhypen also joined the horror concept train with Drunk Dazed, featuring the members having drinks spiked with blood and dancing in a literal bloody shower. 

Check out the other music videos that have gone over to the dark side in our Halloween-themed K-pop MVs article.

Literature/Mythology

Global superstars BTS are known to tell stories through their music and reference literature in their albums. In Blood, Sweat & Tears, from their second full album Wings, BTS references the themes of temptation and growth, reality and illusion, and good and evil. The song—the entire album actually—is based on Hermann Hesse’s novel Demian. In the MV, RM even narrated a quote from the book: “He too, was a tempter. He too was a link to the second. The evil world with which I no longer wanted to have anything to do.” 

VIXX’s Scentist, a portmanteau of “scent” and “artist,” portrays the members as perfumers. The lyrics and the music video led many Starlights to believe that the MV is inspired by the 1985 German novel Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind. The concept kings also released a trilogy of songs inspired by Greek Mythology in their 2016 Conception project. The first of the series, Dynamite, was based on Zelos, the Greek god of jealousy. The second track, Fantasy, drew on Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Rounding off the project is The Closer, inspired by Kratos, the divine personification of strength.

Super Junior’s Ryeowook took inspiration from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry‘s The Little Prince in his solo debut song and album of the same name. The music video is chock-full of references to the novel, and the lyrics tell the story of a heartsick man in a conversation with The Little Prince. 

Sci-Fi

EXO’s entire group concept is one big sci-fi universe. From their origin story in MAMA to fighting the Red Force machine in Power; battling against their sinister alter egos in Obsession and journeying through space in Don’t Fight the Feeling, they have consistently expounded on their rich storyline that keeps EXO-Ls hooked. Bonus: they also have a song called Lightsaber, a collaboration project with Star Wars! 

Bigbang has also dabbled in the sci-fi concept. In their music video for Monster, the members portrayed genetically modified beings trying to escape a ruined facility. And an ill-fated love story in the far future is the setting for VIXX’s Error. In the music video, Hongbin recreates a cyborg version of his lost love, only for both of them to meet a tragic end. 

Retro

Vintage has its charms, and K-pop groups know it! Idols have taken their cue from the catchy tunes and styles of the past and molded them to fit current music styles. 

BTS channels 70’s disco-pop in their feel-good record-breaking hit Dynamite. The group went on full throwback with a colorful video with retro-themed outfits, choreography, and sets! Seventeen also swings back into the past with Home;Run. The boys danced their way around an old-fashioned movie theater, a vintage train, and an old-school bowling alley in retro-inspired garb. 

Second generation Kpop legends TVXQ sends fans back to the roaring ‘20s with their jazzy hit Something. Bright lights, brass instruments, and intricate choreography add to the MV’s theatrical vibe. Finally, NCT U throws it back to the ‘90s with ‘90s Love. The song jumps right into the newtro trend, defined as adding a contemporary twist to the retro style. In the music video, the boys battle it out on the hockey rink—has anyone got The Mighty Ducks flashbacks? 

With these (and more!) concepts to play with, male idol groups will never run out of stories to tell through their music! Which male idol group concept is your favorite?  

Featured Image: A still from TVXQ’s “Something”. Credit: SMTOWN

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5 Books Read by K-Pop Idols to Add to Your Reading List

RM, BTS's resident genius, reads "A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney" by Martin Gayford" while preparing for a performance.

One might think that with their super busy schedules, idols won’t have time to even crack open a book. But, it turns out that there are a lot of bookworms among idols—and they love recommending new reads to fans! Check out these K-pop idols’ book recommendations, what they have read, or were spotted with:  

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 1: I Decided to Live as Me by Kim Soo Hyun

Read/recommended/spotted: BTS’s Jungkook

A collection of short essays, filled with nuggets of wisdom, seems to have intrigued BTS’ Jungkook.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed as you took your first steps into adulthood? Or maybe you’ve had days when you felt lost, insignificant, or worthless? Try reading I Decided to Live as Me, a collection of short essays by Kim Soo Hyun, to soothe your worries. The book is filled with nuggets of wisdom such as, “The person that you always have to respect is no one else but yourself.” This blunt, no-nonsense self-help book (peppered with cute illustrations that break up the seriousness of some of the topics) teaches important life lessons that will empower everyone to accept themselves for who they really are and live well. 

BTS’ golden maknae Jungkook was seen packing this book in his bag in the group’s travel variety show Bon Voyage season 3. Sales of the book increased almost immediately after the show was aired, as ARMYs became interested and began reading and recommending it to friends. 

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 2: Almond by Sohn Won Pyung

Read/recommended/spotted: BTS members RM, Suga, and J-Hope

Leader of BTS, RM often recommends the books he read and loved to ARMYs. And this one is RM approved!

The BTS members are certified book lovers! Leader RM, in particular, often recommends the books he read and loved to ARMYs. One such RM-approved book is Almond by Sohn Won Pyung. The story revolves around Yunjae, a boy born with a brain condition that makes it difficult for him to feel strong emotions like fear or anger. When he personally experiences violence and loss, he struggles to cope, until he forms a surprising bond with a new friend. It’s a touching story about growth, friendship, and love, all wrapped up in a slim volume.  

RM read this book at BTS In the Soop. Fellow members Suga and J-Hope were also seen reading the novel in the show. 

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 3: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Read/recommended/spotted: Super Junior’s Kyuhyun

This hefty, 400-plus page non-fiction book was ready by Super Junior’s Kyuhyun

Super Junior’s maknae and resident genius, Kyuhyun, also likes to indulge in reading during his downtime. One of his more recent reads is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. This hefty, 400-plus page non-fiction book dives deep into the history of the homo sapiens—us, modern-day humans—and their motivations, innovations, and need for self-preservation. The idol brought this book with him to a solo staycation, as seen in his KYU TV channel on YouTube. 

Watch Kyuhyun’s staycation video below: 

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 4: Kim Ji Young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam Joo

Read/recommended/spotted: Red Velvet’s Irene

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam Joo is the story of Jiyoung, a 30-something year old woman, and her daily struggle against gender discrimination that’s present in every aspect of her life. This takes a toll on her mental health, and she slowly descends into madness. It’s a sobering story tackling pervasive misogyny, societal oppression, and what it means to live life as a woman. 

Feminist book Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 landed Red Velvet’s Irene in hot water.

Red Velvet’s Irene revealed in a fan meeting that she read the thought-provoking book, which got her into hot water with male fans. The book is branded as a “feminist” book, and some anti-feminists in Korea perceive the novel as inciting contempt for men. Netizens even posted photos of them cutting and burning Irene’s photocards after the event. 

Other idols who have read the book include BTS’ RM and Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung. 

K-pop idols’ book recommendations 5: The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino 

Read/recommended/spotted: EXO Kai

EXO’s main dancer said The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino made a huge impression on him.

EXO’s main dancer Kai named The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino as a book that made a big impression on him in the KBS program The Human Condition. The Japanese crime novel tells the story of meticulous math teacher Ishigami and his neighbor Yasuko, a divorced mother. When Yasuko’s abusive ex-husband drops in at hers and her daughter Misato’s home unannounced, a fight ensues that ends in the ex-husband’s death. Ishigami offers to help cover up the crime, which results in a high-level cat-and-mouse game between the teacher and the detective in charge of the case. 

Which of these books will you add to your list of must-reads? 

Featured Image: RM, BTS’s resident genius, reads “A Bigger Message: Conversations with David Hockney” by Martin Gayford” while preparing for a performance. Photo: BANGTANTV/YouTube
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Standout Sub-units in K-pop

Picture credit: official site

A sub-unit is a smaller group, usually around two to five members, formed from a larger group. Sub-units usually release music and concepts that have a different vibe from the main group. Forming sub-units also allow idols to experiment with genres and aesthetics not usually embraced by the full group.  

Here are some of the amazing idol group sub-units in K-pop:   

Super Junior–K.R.Y.

Let’s be real: sub-units won’t exist in K-pop if not for Super Junior—they were the first group to introduce the concept of sub-units in K-pop. The second generation idol group introduced Super Junior–K.R.Y., made up of main vocalists Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung, in 2006 with “The One I Love” from the drama Hyena original soundtrack. The trio continually recorded several drama soundtracks, as well as beautiful ballad tracks. In 2020, they released their first EP, When We Were Us. 

Listen to Super Junior K.R.Y’s “When We Were Us” from their EP of the same name: 

 Super Junior–D&E 

Super Junior D&E is the fifth sub-unit of the legendary idol group, after Super Junior K.R.Y., Super Junior-T, Super Junior-M, and Super Junior-H. The unit brought together the group’s main dancers, Donghae and Eunhyuk. The duo debuted in 2011 with the catchy single “Oppa, Oppa.” 

The talented twosome is celebrating their 10th anniversary as a sub-unit this year. They released their first full album Countdown on November 2, 2021. Watch the fun music video for their latest title track “Zero”:

Girls’ Generation–TTS 

Girls’ Generation–TTS is the girl group’s first sub-unit, composed of main vocalists Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun. The trio has released three EPs: Twinkle, Holler, and Dear Santa. The unit is currently on hiatus, as Tiffany and Seohyun have left SM Entertainment, but SONEs are still holding out for a TTS comeback!  

Watch their debut single “Twinkle” (featuring pre-debut Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Kai, and Sehun!) below: 

Girls’ Generation–Oh!GG

Girls’ Generation-Oh!GG is the group’s second sub-unit, composed of the members still with SM Entertainment: Taeyeon, Sunny, Hyoyeon, Yuri, and Yoona. The unit released their first single album Lil’ Touch in 2018. 

Watch their video Lil’ Touch below: 

 EXO–CBX 

EXO-CBX is the first sub-unit of EXO, made up of members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin. The trio debuted in 2016 with the high-energy track “Hey Mama!” 

The unit is currently on hiatus as Chen and Baekhyun are still completing their military service. Their most recent release is 2018’s “Blooming Day.” Watch the music video below: 

EXO–SC 

EXO’s rapper line, Sehun and Chanyeol, came together to form the group’s second sub-unit, EXO–SC. They debuted in 2019 with their first EP, What A Life. Just one year later, they released their first full album, 1 Billion Views. Their combined album sales have already exceeded 900,000 copies, making EXO–SC one of the most successful K-pop sub-units!  

Like EXO–CBX, EXO–SC is also on hiatus as Chanyeol is currently serving in the military and Sehun is busy with his acting projects. In the meantime, watch Sehun and Chanyeol’s “One Billion Views” below while we wait for the duo to make a comeback: 

NCT

NCT is a massive 23-member group split into several sub-units: NCT U, NCT127, NCT Dream, and WayV. NCT U is a rotational unit that is formed from group members that fit a particular comeback concept. NCT127 is the Seoul-based unit that will be primarily active in Korea. NCT Dream was originally the “teenage” sub-unit with an age-based graduation system, but this system has since been abolished. WayV is the group’s China-based unit. 

NCT127 is the latest sub-unit to make a comeback with “Sticker.” The song has ten music show wins as of October 8, 2021. Check out NCT127’s “Sticker” music video below: 

VIXX LR 

VIXX LR is the first sub-unit of concept kings VIXX, composed of main vocalist Leo and main rapper Ravi. The duo’s contrasting yet harmonious vocal colors debuted in 2015 with “Beautiful Liar“. Their last comeback was in 2017 with “Whisper.” Leo is currently busy with preparations for the Frankenstein musical, while Ravi is occupied with releasing solo music, appearing on variety shows and managing his two music labels—but here’s to hoping they make a comeback soon!  

Watch VIXX LR’s “Whisper” music video below: 

BIGBANG – GD&TOP/ GDxTAEYANG

Bigbang has two official sub-units: GD & TOP and GD x Taeyang. 

Rapper duo G-Dragon and T.O.P released their first album as a sub-unit in 2010. That album yielded three singles: “High High,” “Oh Yeah,” and “Knock Out.” Their most recent single, “Zutter,” was released in 2015 as part of Bigbang’s MADE album.  

VIPs know that G-Dragon and Taeyang were originally slated to debut as a hip hop duo before Bigbang, so fans were thrilled when they paired up to form a sub-unit in 2014. The K-pop legends have only released the track “Good Boy” so far, but fans will surely keep watch for a comeback!  

RED VELVET–IRENE & SEULGI

Red Velvet’s leader Irene and main dancer Seulgi teamed up to form the girl group’s first sub-unit. The pair played up the sultry vibe with their first EP, Monster, released on July 6, 2020. 

Be mesmerized by Irene and Seulgi’s tutting in “Naughty” below: 


Of course, there are more insanely talented sub-units. There was the quirky Orange Caramel, the co-ed project groups Troublemaker and Triple H, the YG hip-hop duo MOBB, the sexy SISTAR19 and more. All of these sub-units add their own unique colors to the ever-growing K-pop scene. 

Which sub-unit is your favorite?

Featured Image: Sehun and Chanyeol of the EXO–SC, sub unit of EXO. Photo: SM Town official website
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Kpop Halloween Costumes and Playlists? Check out These Halloween-themed K-pop MVs!

Red Velvet serving Kpop halloween costumes from their Peek-A-Boo music video. Photo: SMTOWN/YouTube

Boo!

If you are looking for  Kpop Halloween costumes or songs for your Kpop Halloween playlist for your party, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get into the spirit of things by watching these music videos inspired by the creepiest holiday of the year!

Chilling K-pop music videos for Halloween

Voodoo Doll, VIXX

What even is a list of dark and creepy K-pop music videos without VIXX? Of course, the concept kings must be in this list. The group has an uncanny ability to pull off wildly different concepts—ranging from ethereal to unusual to gruesome—that are not commonly seen in K-pop. In Voodoo Doll, the members are trapped by a woman (maybe a jilted lover?) hell-bent on exacting revenge by using a voodoo doll. The video also cuts into close-up shots of bloody body modification and the female character’s enjoyment in doling out the painful punishment, illustrating her character’s sadistic streak.

Watch the music video in all its haunting glory below (trigger warning: blood, gore):

Boy Meets Evil, BTS

Intense and soulful are the perfect words to describe this trailer video for BTS’s Boy Meets Evil, from the Wings album. RM opens the video by narrating an excerpt from Demian by Hermann Hesse: “My sin was not specifically this or that but consisted of having shaken hands with the devil. The devil held me in his clutches; the enemy was behind me.”

Then, J-Hope appears to perform a routine that was equal parts grim and emotional. The video, lyrics, and choreography give off that feeling that something sinister is lurking unseen. It reminds you that sometimes, the scariest, most unsettling things lie deep inside your own mind.

Watch J-Hope’s emotive performance in the video below:

Chase Me, Dreamcatcher

The dark concept isn’t normally seen in girl group music videos, but Dreamcatcher has made it a point to fully embrace the eerie in their MVs. In Chase Me, a ghost hunter spends the night at a hotel, in an attempt to capture any paranormal activity. The Dreamcatcher members are the spirits that haunt the man at every turn.

Watch their music video for Catch Me below:

Witch, Boyfriend

In the music video, the members are vampires who face off with a female vigilante killer in a red cape—who turned out to be their friend. Their discovery of this betrayal leads to a rooftop battle with the vigilante, a fight which the Boyfriend members lose.

The group also did a darker reinterpretation of Alice in Wonderland with their music video for Bounce. Unfortunately, the group disbanded in 2019. But their music videos, including Witch, are still up on YouTube. Watch it below:

Peek-a-Boo, Red Velvet

Red Velvet is no stranger to creepy yet captivating music videos, and Peek-a-Boo fits perfectly into this category. In the music video, the girls—who turn out to be a murderous bunch obsessed with pizza delivery boys—play various games with an unsuspecting pizza guy. By the time he catches on with the girls’ plan, it’s too late to escape.

Check out their music video, AKA a warning to all pizza delivery guys everywhere:

Don’t Hate Me, Epik High

K-hip-hop legends Epik High did their own spin on the Halloween theme in their music video for Don’t Hate Me. In the music video, Tablo, DJ Tukutz, and Mithra Jin slog through a dreary supermarket shift when kids dressed as movie villains and Halloween characters invade their workplace and trash the whole place. While the video featured kids in spooky costumes and causing mayhem, the song lyrics actually address the group’s fans and anti-fans.

Watch the high-energy music video below:

Full Moon, Sunmi

In Full Moon, Sunmi is a sultry vampire who turns her love interest with a bite and waits for him to transform. The man convulses, seemingly in pain as a result of the bite. As the music video progresses, we see flashbacks from the man’s younger years—he looks at Sunmi walking across a rooftop while he was stuck in a wheelchair. At the end of the video, we see the man completing his transformation into a vampire.

Watch the music video below:

TT, Twice

TT, with its sweet and cheery sound, doesn’t seem to fit the Halloween theme. But in the music video, little trick-or-treaters go somewhere they shouldn’t be and encounter the Twice members who are decked out in costumes. Admittedly, the video is more cute and charming than dark and creepy, but at least you can get Halloween outfit ideas for when the world opens up again!

The girls’ debut song, Ooh Ahh, also put a dash of cute on the Halloween theme, with its zombie apocalypse setting.

Be charmed by Twice in the TT music video below:

Thriller, BTOB

Cemeteries and catacombs automatically give people the creeps, and BTOB ups the scare factor by using these as the setting for their Thriller music video. In the first few seconds of the video, the members appear to rise from their graves as zombies. Their glowing eyes combined with their choreography added to the feel that the BTOB guys are out to take over for the night.

Check out the video below:

Shadow, Highlight (Beast)

Ruined buildings, torch-lit hallways, skulls, creepy crawlies, and people with skeleton body paint all contribute to the gothic atmosphere of the Shadow music video. The group released this track in 2013, back when they were known as Beast. In addition to the dark imagery, the video used light and shadow, as well as a mirroring effect, to evoke the feeling of being taken over by the darkness.

Watch the music video below:

Of course, there are more K-pop videos that use dark imagery—plus, there’s a whole range of other concepts that will simply blow you away! We’ve written about amazing Kpop boy group concepts and top-tier Kpop girl group concepts—make sure to check them out!

Which dark, creepy, or Halloween-inspired music video is your favorite?

Happy Kpop Halloween!

Featured image: Red Velvet serving Kpop halloween costumes from their Peek-A-Boo music video. Photo: SMTOWN/YouTube

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For your listening pleasure: I Say Mamamoo: The Best

MAMAMOO's mumumumuch official music video. Photo: MAMAMOO/YouTube.

Mamamoo is known for their vocal prowess and their jazzy, retro-infused sound not commonly found in the K-pop scene. Since they debuted in 2014, the quartet continuously released hits that ranged from energetic to theatrical to soulful.

In the seven years since their debut, Mamamoo has firmly established themselves among K-pop’s vocal powerhouses. And when singer-rapper Hwasa sings “I’m ready for some action / Are you ready for perfection” in her deep and sultry voice for Piano Man, you know she’s just spitting out truth bombs about their music, which makes their latest release even more exciting for Moomoos.

On September 15, the ladies dropped their first compilation album, I Say Mamamoo: The Best. This is the group’s first album after Wheein left RBW Entertainment and signed on with TheL1VE. The 23-song album features remixed and re-recorded versions of their hit songs and popular B-sides. It also includes two new tracks: lead single mumumumuch and Happier Than Ever.

https://twitter.com/RBW_MAMAMOO/status/1438065396045672448

I’ve always enjoyed Mamamoo’s music, and for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised by this album. The lead single, mumumumuch, is a light disco track that makes for easy listening and has echoes of their signature sound. To be honest, I was expecting their title track to have that hard-hitting, let’s-bring-the-house-down energy that makes full use of their formidable pipes. But my personal thoughts aside, I can say it’s still a good song.

The ladies promised a fresh spin on their most popular songs, and they delivered. Their re-recorded version of Piano Man turned up the sensuality, while Decalcomanie, Mr. Ambiguous and You’re the Best ramped up the jazzy, big band sound that’s rare in K-pop. Even their 2021 versions of A Little Bit, Wind Flower, and Words Don’t Come Easy sounded clearer, fresher, and had more depth.

Hip, Mamamoo’s clapback for their haters, gets an even more energetic re-do in the remix version, while Gogobebe’s tropical sound gets a rock-infused makeover. My personal favorites, though, would have to be the orchestra versions of Starry Night and Paint Me. The originals already showcased the foursome’s vocals, but the use of strings and the piano gave the rearranged tracks added drama and intensity.

Overall, the album showcases the group’s versatility, reminding everyone that Mamamoo can own every genre they try and must not disband. This album is an excellent introduction to those who are just discovering them, and a beautiful present for the group’s loyal fanbase.

Mamamoo’s discography is timeless, and this compilation album proves that their songs will stay on Moomoos’ and casual fans’ playlists—mine included—for a long time.

Featured image: MAMAMOO’s mumumumuch official music video. Photo: MAMAMOO/YouTube.
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Subscribed! YouTube Channels of 12 Male K-pop Idols.

EXO Chanyeol's Personal YouTube channel, NNG ᄂᄂᄀ. Photo: NNG ᄂᄂᄀ/YouTube

We’re always on the lookout for fresh content from our idols—anything from music show performances to variety show appearances. But in the last few years, we have seen idols open their own YouTube channels, giving us a new opportunity to see our idols living their lives away from the stage.

Some idols open their own channels to post song covers, and several grab the chance to better showcase other aspects of their personalities. But above all, K-pop idols use the platform to better connect with fans.

Take a look at the personal YouTube channels of these male K-pop idols and click that subscribe button so you can catch up with their daily lives!

iKON

Chanwoo

iKon’s Chanwoo posts a variety of content on his Chanwoo Sari channel for iKONICS to enjoy! From food reviews to gaming to car interviews, there’s a lot of stuff for fans to indulge in.

Chanwoo also gives fans a sneak peek of the new YG building. Check out his YG New Building Tour video below:

BIGBANG

Daesung

Bigbang’s Daesung tried to make his YouTube channel D’splay as anonymous as possible, but there’s no hiding from VIPs! In his channel, Daesung uploads drum covers of K-pop and western songs. He has also recently started uploading vlogs of his daily life and activities.

Watch his drum cover of Take My Breath by The Weeknd:

VIXX

N

Want to wind down and relax after a long day? Head over to VIXX N’s channel, Today’s Record, to watch soothing videos that give Starlights a glimpse of the idol-actor’s daily life.

Watch N as he drives around Korea for his drama Mine:

Ken

On the other hand, main vocal Ken’s YouTube channel, ! Ken Do !t, is rife with bright and cheerful energy! In his channel, the idol and musical actor posts song covers, mukbang videos, backstage footage from his musicals, and more.

Ken is still serving in the military, but his pre-filmed content is uploaded regularly on the channel. Watch his hilarious—and on point!—cover of Into the Unknown from Frozen 2:

Ravi

Main rapper Ravi is the latest VIXX member to become a YouTuber—and one of the latest idols to join the platform. He opened his YouTube channel just this September! Aside from video and audio clips of his music, Ravi has also posted a teaser video of what Starlights can expect! Looks like fans can look forward to the idol showing the singer, variety show star, record producer, and record label boss sides of himself, so make sure to subscribe and turn on the notifications!

Hyuk

VIXX’s maknae Hyuk only recently launched his YouTube channel H:Life. The idol posts vlogs about his daily life and work. In his first few videos, though, he never showed his face—but a lot of Starlights easily figured out his secret. On the 100-day anniversary of his channel, Hyuk finally revealed himself! Fingers crossed for English subtitles to be added soon for international fans!

Day6

Jae

Day6’s Jae also runs his own YouTube channel. Initially, the channel was called Jaesix, and he posted videos of him interviewing and playing games with fellow idols, as well as his a-day-in-the-life vlogs. More recently, renamed the channel to eaJ. The latest posts are now the singer-songwriter’s self-written tracks.

GOT7

Jay B

GOT7’s Jay B launched his channel in February 2021 as a way to communicate with his fans. His initial uploads were the songs from his mixtapes. But just last August, Jay B uploaded his first vlog—so make sure to hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss future updates!

EXO

Baekhyun

Baekhyun’s KyungTube contains vlogs, behind the scenes footage of album recordings and music video shoots, ASMR and mukbang videos, and more. Before he left for his military enlistment, he pre-filmed lots of content to be released regularly, and it looks like he’s keeping his promise!

For the EXO fan club’s anniversary, Baekhyun uploaded a video of him preparing a rainbow cake to greet EXO-Ls a happy birthday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vBKpUNbYFo

Chen

If you’re missing Chen’s soothing vocals, make sure to check out his YouTube channel. Aside from his solo songs and OSTs, he also covers songs from other artists.

Chen hasn’t uploaded any videos recently, but you can still get your fill of his amazing covers such as his rendition of Breath by Park Hyo Shin:

Chanyeol

Chanyeol’s Studio NNG documents the idol’s life as he goes to recording sessions with his bandmates and collaborators, tries out baking, and builds a bar in his studio. There’s also behind-the-scenes footage from music video filming, and backstage videos from music show performances.

Like Baekhyun, Chanyeol also pre-filmed content to be released monthly throughout his military enlistment. Make sure to subscribe and click the notification bell so you don’t miss an update!

Lay

EXO’s only Chinese member, Lay, also has his own channel! Subscribe to Lay Zhang so you watch his amazing dance performances, cinematic music videos, and more!

We know this is nowhere near a full list because more and more idols open their own channels every day. But in any case, fans everywhere are delighted to see their idols show off their unique talents and fun personalities on YouTube! Who’s your favorite male idol YouTuber?

EXO Chanyeol’s personal YouTube channel, NNG ᄂᄂᄀ. Photo: NNG ᄂᄂᄀ/YouTube

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K-pop’s Massive Influence Threads High Fashion

Blackpink's Jennie Kim after the Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear Show — CHANEL. Photo: Chanel/YouTube

The Hallyu wave isn’t just limited to K-pop and K-dramas anymore. K-pop has gained massive popularity and grown its influence in the last few years, and many are standing up to take notice—including the fashion industry.

Today, K-pop acts are dominating the global music scene—from BTS to Blackpink, EXO to Twice, and more—breaking records and capturing the hearts of fans everywhere. Not only are these extremely talented and gorgeous artists crushing records and topping music charts; they’re also smashing the proverbial glass ceiling of beauty and fashion.

K-pop idols making waves in the global fashion industry

K-pop stars are now among the world’s biggest influencers. Their huge fanbases and social media following has helped brands reach a wider, more diverse audience and boost the sales of luxury goods.

For example, the four members of Blackpink alone have a combined 205 million followers across their individual Instagram accounts as of September 21, 2021. Lisa has 60.1 million followers, followed by Jennie with 51.7 million, Rosé with 46.7 million, and Jisoo with 46.5 million.

The Kai x Gucci capsule collection sold out quick after its launch earlier this year. And BTS’ Louis Vuitton outfits ran out of stock almost immediately after their most recent airport photos came out online, proving that idols’ popularity and global reach do wonders for brands and the industry as a whole.

Rolling out the red carpet for K-pop’s biggest stars

Bigbang’s G-Dragon, one of K-pop’s original fashionistas, paved the way for idols to discover and explore their own styles. The K-pop legend has always been a style icon in South Korea, with his bold, brave, and experimental take on fashion. But his appearance at the Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week in 2015 and his appointment as a brand ambassador for Chanel cemented his spot among the upper echelons in the world of haute couture.

Since then, Korean celebrities, especially idols, have become ambassadors for various luxury brands. They have also started to grace runways and red carpets. Two years ago, Winner’s Mino walked the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2020 show. And just this September, the Baddest Female CL and Blackpink’s main vocalist Rosé made a splash on their MET Gala debut.

14 K-pop idols and groups that are the face of luxury brands

The fashion world has, indeed, embraced K-pop stars wholeheartedly. Here are some of the global fashion and beauty houses that have tapped our favorite idols to be their brand ambassadors:

BTS for Louis Vuitton

Global superstars BTS became the Louis Vuitton house ambassadors in April this year. All seven members made their debut as models in a stark, futuristic fashion film that also showcased their individual styles.

Watch their Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall/Winter 2021 fashion film below:

EXO Kai for Gucci and Bobbi Brown

EXO’s Kai first made his presence known when he attended Gucci shows as one of the fashion house’s brand ambassadors. In 2019, he was appointed as the first Korean male global ambassador for Gucci Eyewear. Just two years later, Kai would release his very own capsule collection with the brand. Kai also represents cosmetics brand Bobbi Brown as its first male muse.

Kai was also recently named the global ambassador for the 2022 S/S Seoul Fashion Week, to be held online from October 7 to 15, 2021.

IU for Gucci

IU is one of the most sought-after celebrities in South Korea, and Gucci has fallen for her charms. Just like Kai, IU is also a Gucci ambassador. She signed on with the brand in February last year.

IU most recently starred in the brand’s Beloved campaign.

Bigbang G-Dragon for Chanel

Bigbang’s leader has been loved by Chanel for years; he’s been a house ambassador since 2017. His style continues to inspire everyone, from fellow idols to VIPs around the world.

Watch G-Dragon with his fellow house ambassadors in the teaser video for the Chanel Fall/Winter 2021/22 Ready-to-Wear virtual show:

Plus, the rapper talks about the one piece he would love to get for himself from the Chanel Spring/Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear show in the video below:

Blackpink Jennie for Chanel and Calvin Klein

Blinks have affectionately dubbed Jennie as the “Human Chanel”—and it’s easy to see why. She has been a house ambassador for the brand since 2018, and the brand’s classic, feminine style perfectly matches the idol’s image.

Listen to Jennie as she shares her thoughts on Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear show:

More recently, the star made a stunning debut in the Calvin Klein Fall 2021 campaign.

EXO Chanyeol and Red Velvet Irene for Prada

SM labelmates Chanyeol and Irene were both appointed as brand ambassadors for Prada in 2020. Both idols showed off their stunning visuals while decked out in the house’s designs.

Hyuna for Loewe

Hyuna’s sexy, daring, and charismatic style has not escaped the attention of Spanish fashion house Loewe. The brand introduced the “I’m Not Cool” singer as their newest global ambassador in July.

EXO Sehun and Blackpink Jisoo for Dior

Dior appointed Blackpink’s Jisoo as its global ambassador for fashion and beauty earlier this year. Watch Jisoo try out the latest pieces from the brand’s Cruise 2022 collection before settling in to watch the virtual show in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QgLDiA-0UM

And, EXO’s Sehun shows off his stunning visuals as the face of Dior Men.

Watch Sehun sporting Dior Men’s Fall 2021 collection in this video for GQ Korea:

Blackpink Rosé for Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co

Rosé has been Saint Laurent’s muse since 2020. In one of her first shoots with the brand, she modeled key pieces from the Fall/Winter 2020 collection. Watch the chic clip below:

The “On the Ground” singer also became a brand ambassador for jewelry brand Tiffany & Co this year.

Blackpink Lisa for Celine and MAC

Blackpink’s main dancer and rapper Lisa was appointed as Celine’s first official brand ambassador in 2020. The idol is often seen and photographed looking her Parisian chic best, decked in head-to-toe Celine.

The Thai superstar is also the face of MAC Cosmetics. Watch Lisa as she shows her MAC must-haves in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA2p8GYBNhU

Red Velvet Seulgi for Salvatore Ferragamo

Red Velvet’s main dancer Seulgi is loved by fans, not only in South Korea but all over the world. But this multi-talented idol is also loved by Italian fashion brand Salvatore Ferragamo! Seulgi’s unique personal style, passion, and creativity led the brand to tap the star as their new global ambassador.

Aespa for Givenchy

Rookie group Aespa, with their breathtaking visuals and unique avatar concept, has caught the attention of French luxury brand Givenchy. In February 2021, the brand announced Aespa as their newest global ambassador.

The K-pop and haute couture crossover isn’t just a passing fancy. As idols continue to gain popularity in and out of South Korea, global luxury brands and K-pop stars will continue to make beautiful music together for a long time.

Featured image: Blackpink’s Jennie Kim after the Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear Show — CHANEL. Photo: CHANEL/YouTube
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15 Female K-pop Idols on YouTube You Need to Follow

SNSD Yoona's personal YouTube channel, So Wonderful Day. Photo: Yoona's So Wonderful Day | 임윤아 오피셜/YouTube

South Koreans love YouTube—so much so that they spend an estimated 25 hours and 40 minutes on the platform every month. In recent years, the number of YouTube creators—from home-based business owners promoting their products to cat owners uploading their pets’ adorable antics to mukbang stars hosting live broadcasts—increased exponentially, giving audiences in Korea and around the world endless content to dive into.

Even idols are quick to set up their own channels as a way to showcase their interests and express themselves. These days, we’ve got idols uploading song covers, vlogs, cooking tutorials, Q&A sessions, and more!

Previously, we’ve featured the male idols who are showing off their charms in their respective YouTube channels. Now, it’s time to take a look at female idols with YouTube channels that are worth watching!

GIRLS’ GENERATION

Taeyeon

In Taengoo TV, Taeyeon has uploaded a mix of vlogs featuring her travels, concert rehearsals, and random moments in her daily life. It’s been two years since her last video, but SONEs everywhere are looking forward to the day Taengoo TV becomes active again!

Watch Taeyeon run errands for her mom:

Yoona

Yoona’s So Wonderful Day is just the ray of sunshine you need when you’re feeling down. In her channel, Yoona shares snippets of her wonderful days on and off work.

Learn how to bake lemon cake with Yoona below:

Sooyoung

Sooyoung shows off her quirky personality and tells stories through her vlogs in her aptly-titled YouTube channel The Sootory. In her channel, she documents her travels, food trips, conversations with fellow idols, and more.

Watch Sooyoung celebrate Girls’ Generation’s 14th anniversary by baking a cake:

Yuri

It seems the members of Girls’ Generation really love to cook! Yuri’s channel, Yurihan TV, features the idol’s kitchen adventures. She also uploads exercise vlogs, as well as behind-the-scenes footage from her dramas and photo shoots.

Check out her latest video, where she cooks and shares a meal with fellow member Yoona:

BLACKPINK

Jennie

Blackpink’s Jennie celebrated her birthday in January this year by launching her own YouTube channel, Jennierubyjane Official! In her intro video, the star says that she opened her channel to give Blinks everywhere a glimpse of her daily life. She even included a cover performance of Mandy Moore’s “When Will My Life Begin” from Tangled!

Rosé

Like fellow member Jennie, Rosé just opened her own channel, ROSÉ Official, earlier this year. Her first video is an interview film where she shares stories from her childhood up until her preparations for her solo debut.

Lisa

Want to see more of Lisa’s show-stopping dance moves? Head over to her Lilifilm Official channel! Aside from her performance videos, Lisa also uploads vlogs from Blackpink’s concert tours and her travels.

Lisa recently debuted as a soloist with LALISA, and in her latest video, she gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at her album jacket shoot.

MAMAMOO

Solar

Mamamoo’s leader Solar shows off her bright, cheerful personality in Solarsido. In her channel, she shares how she spends her weekends, takes on various challenges, and goes on mukbang battles. She also uploads quick exercise routines that Moomoos can follow!

Follow her Solar Fit 10-minute hip workout below:

OH MY GIRL

Hyojung

There’s something about idols cooking and eating that makes it interesting to watch—and Oh My Girl’s Hyojung does not disappoint in her Jjungi eonni channel. Her videos are pretty chill, even when she holds eating broadcasts! Fair warning: do not watch while hungry!

GIRL’S DAY

Hyeri

Girl’s Day Hyeri has also jumped onto the YouTube train! Her channel, I am Lee Hyeri, has a wide variety of content that fans can watch. Watch her fun and healing solo trip to Jeju Island below:

APINK

Bomi

Bomi’s Bbom Bbom Bbom channel is a mixed bag of treats that can keep fans entertained for hours on end. The Apink member uploads vlogs of her daily life, travels, mukbang, and snippets of her broadcast activities. She also does beauty tutorials and game and product reviews. Watch Bomi drive away the heat with her cold noodle mukbang:

AKMU

Suhyun

Lee Suhyun from the sibling duo AKMU is not just a soulful singer; she is also a well-known beauty YouTuber! Her channel features beauty product reviews and makeup tutorials.

Suhyun announced on her channel that she would be taking a break from YouTube to recharge. Fans don’t need to worry, though because she has promised to return to creating content—so do not press unsubscribe! In the meantime, catch up on her videos, such as her holiday makeup video with LeeHi:

DARA

Dara TV is just as colorful and quirky as Dara herself! In her channel, she uploads everything from song and dance covers, to local and international trips, and even the secrets to her ageless beauty!

It’s been a while since her last upload, but now that Dara has joined a new agency, fans are hoping she will be back soon for more entertaining content! In the meantime, watch her hunt down her birthday ads on the subway in the vlog below:

IU

Check out IU’s official YouTube channel if you want to know more about what the soloist does off-stage. In her channel, IU posts behind-the-scenes clips of her in concerts, album recordings, and fan meets. She also uploads interviews with other celebrities in her own web talk show, IU’s Palette.

Watch IU sit down for a chat with ITZY below:

HYUNA

Here’s something not commonly seen among idols’ YouTube channels: idol couple videos! In HyunA’s official YouTube channel, the idol posts her vlogs with her boyfriend of six years, Dawn.

The couple recently released a new song together. Watch their behind-the-scenes album photo shoot:

There’s something for every fan on our list, so make sure to check out these ladies’ channels! We know there are more female idols who have their own channels—but we’ll never get to the end of this article if we include them all (so maybe we’ll do a part two!). Which female idol YouTuber do you like most?

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