Top 10 Recommended Music Videos

"Just Right" by GOT7
I love this group so much and this music video made me love their charm even more! This is definitely one of my favorite songs and videos from this group from last year. It has a great message and amazing choreography. Honestly, I think they can only go up from here. This catchy, sweet song proves that GOT7 is just going to keep growing in the right direction. I love the colorful concept and the interaction with the little girl. If you've seen this from the Fine Bros. channel, it would be best to turn those captions on and I promise you that this is a lot less creepy than it seems. Also, if you're having a cloudy day, this'll definitely lift your spirits and make you feel all warm, fuzzy, and special inside.



"Champagne" by Yunho (DBSK)
I believe this was released before his and Changmin's military time. I'm still not super into this duo, but I do enjoy their music from time to time and Yunho is my bias, so I had to check out this song when it was released. I wasn't expecting such a vibrant, fun, charming, and catchy song. It has so many set changes and variations in style with the visuals, costumes, and sound. It's different from the DBSK duo material, but still has a tiny hint of it in the music/dance break. I'm looking forward to listening to more Yunho solo material when I get around to it.



"You & Me" by Kisum feat. Jooyoung
Thanks to Unpretty Rapstar, which I'll review and rant about at some point, I was interested in this lovely and talented young lady. I'm glad the show gave her a launch pad to showcase her talent to the world. This video and song really shows off her cute, playful, and sweet side that you don't see in a lot of Korean female rappers that doesn't infantize them. Jooyoung's vocals work very well with Kisum's rap verses. They have good chemistry together and everything about this music video gives me the warm fuzzies.



"XOX" by Z.HERA feat. Eun Ha (Dal Shabat)
Anytime I see new music from Z.HERA or ANDA, I instantly get excited and keep hoping that more people discover their fresh, shining talent like I have. In this colorful and animated video, Z.HERA channels another part of herself and lets loose of the more serious work she's done. I love the colors, fun choreography, and the upbeat tone of the music. It really looks like she's having fun. While I don't think Eun Ha was all that necessary to the song, her contribution with Z.HERA worked well. I kinda wished they interacted a little more, but they look and sound good together.



"Don't Be Shy" by PRIMARY feat. ChoA (AOA) & IRON
Even though I'm far from a fan of AOA, I do like ChoA. Something about her makes me happy and I enjoy watching her in AOA music videos. Seeing her in a PRIMARY video with Show Me the Money 3's personal heartthrob IRON made me excited. PRIMARY's music and videos are always unpredictable and that's something I love about his work. This music video is no exception. It combines dark and artistic elements and uses a believable vintage aesthetic, then fuses them with modern color tones and imagery that current kpop fans are used to, even though it is a strange, supernatural narrative with a romantic, laid back musical tone. I love ChoA's vocals on this reggae inspired sound and of course that's IRON's element of expertise, so I wasn't worried about his contribution.



"Married to the Music" by SHINee
This group has really grown on me since "Lucifer". Perhaps I've even become...a fan. *gasps* Anyway, I must admit that I enjoyed "View" as a song more than this one, but the video doesn't have as many visuals that'll stick in your mind as this Halloween appropriate house of hilarious horror. It gives that playful, upbeat haunted house vibe that I remember getting from Backstreet Boys' "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". I'm really happy that SM Entertainment gives this group so many creative and fun concepts and visuals compared to some of their groups. The guys look like they're having a lot of fun and the video really shows off their chemistry with their goofy acting, choreography, and vocal harmony. I'm honestly impressed with the production. Good job, everyone!



"My Number" by Cheetah
After Unpretty Rapstar and seeing the teasers for Cheetah's first solo rap video, not only was I excited, but many fans were too. Some were disappointed in the lack of hardness and mainstream sound choice, but I think we're alright with it. I understand the disappointment as this was nothing I thought it would be, but I'm not shunning this effort obviously. I still managed to enjoy this neon colored, genderbending, street inspired imagery. The lyrics and delivery still reflect Cheetah's fierce and dominating personality and that's what's really important. I'm looking forward to more from her like Kisum.



"RESPECT" by Loco feat. GRAY & DJ Pumkin
This is a song that I listen to off and on, but I have found more appreciation for it after hearing it live. The video combines your usual basic studio produced hip-hop visuals as LOCO performs, snippets of story with his friends and working on music, and social media graphics simulating a narrative of his life or something close to reality. LOCO brings a lot of charisma and charm as he delivers his lyrics to this b-boy like beat. It has a feel good, catchy chorus provided by labelmate GRAY. It's definitely a positive feeling type a song that's easy to enjoy by yourself or with friends.



"Beautiful Liar" by VIXX LR
I was surprised to hear that VIXX was making a sub-unit with Leo and Ravi and I was very curious how that combination was going to work. I didn't doubt that it wouldn't be great as I claimed the Starlight name and I love both of these talented individuals. This music video definitely played to all of their strengths. Leo's beautiful, passionate vocals give a great sense of vulnerability, while Ravi's rough, powerful rap delivery expresses pain and conflict that completes the overall atmosphere of this song. The visuals are dark, theatrical, and artsy. Visuals that VIXX are very good at. It really completes the story for our characters and their emotional struggle. I'm looking forward to hearing more from this sub-unit in the future as they work very well together.



"Wet" by Jooyoung feat. Superbee
Honestly, my mind went straight to the gutter with this title and I'm sure some other people's mind went that direction too, but it's not that kind of song. I promise. This is a very emotional and beautiful song that'll have you body rolling and crying simultaneously. I thought this was the first time I've heard Jooyoung's lovely vocals, but this is just the first time he's really stood out for me. The trap-R&B beat and the sorrowful lyrics bring out the strengths in his vocal expression and charisma. Definitely an automatic jam for many, many months for me. I recommend turning on those subtitles, because the lyrics are really beautiful. The visuals are dark, minimal, and perfectly sensual like the tone of the song and beat. It really focuses on Jooyoung's internal struggle and chemistry with the girls in the video and audience.

Top 5 Recommended Music Videos

"크레용팝 'FM'" by Crayon Pop
I know everyone was crazy about "Bar Bar Bar" last year...and "The Fox Song", but I just couldn't get into it. I never got into this group's appeal, but something about this video and song intrigued me. It reminded me a lot of Japanese pop music like AKB48 and such, even though I never really listened to them. I guess the closest thing I listen to is BeForU, who are probably more known for their contribution to the rhythm game series Dance Dance Revolution. Getting back on track of this video, not only does the song sound more like your typical jpop song, the visuals remind me of the laughable productions of Power Rangers (Sentai shows) and Godzilla. It's amusing and makes me smile. This'll probably be the only Crayon Pop song I'll be jamming to for a while.



"God" by Jimin (AOA) & J.Don (N.Flying)
This might be a surprising choice as I'm far from being a fan of AOA's material and at some point in time, you'll learn how annoying I think Jimin is, but something about this song (and video) is worthy of recommendation. It reminds me of 4Minute's HyunA: trying to be sexy and a bad bitch, but her vocal "talent" can only be handled in small doses for me. She tries to act all tough and demure like a goddess, but Jimin can't have it all in my eyes. Nonetheless, if I push past the high notes that scrap my ears, I do enjoy jamming out to this. I like the minimalistic trap beat, the delivery in the verses, and the contrast in Jimin and J.Don's voices. They have just enough chemistry to being opposing of each other, while working together at the same time. The set pieces and camera work are very appealing and goes well with the elegant, yet hard image Jimin is going for.



"I NEED U" by BTS
[Original version]
BTS remains one of my male bias groups in kpop and this video, no matter the version, is further proof of their talent. I originally watched the video that is embedded, then checked out the original version which is rated 19 for its visual content. The difference between the two was the individual stories that might seem too violent or even triggering for some viewers, so please watch with caution. With the expanded story, it is also a little longer than embedded version. Either video is equally great as you can still tell what's going on and enjoy this amazing song. The song is both hard hitting in sound, but fragile lyrically. It's a balance that is challenging for a lot of kpop groups. Even though the content lyrically and visually are quite gloomy and realistic, it's another one of their videos that I could easily watch over and over and still be in awe by their growth as a group. Even more, I'm surprised how far they went with the 19+ content without overdoing it or letting it overshadow the happy moments the boys share together.



"SEX TRIP" by Jay Park
Obviously, this isn't a song you can listen to just anywhere, but surprisingly the visuals aren't as NSFW as you would think with a title like that. Ths visuals are quite sensual, much like the GRAY produced beat, and might I say...sophisticated to an extent. This is like Usher or 90's R. Kelly level sexy. There's plenty of eye candy for both sexes, but not overly sexy where you have to look over your shoulder to make sure that no one catches you watching it. Really, the lyrics would be your real worry as Jay Park doesn't hold back with his lustfilled and determined words. He's poetically blunt and smooth. Definitely baby making music and it's beautifully shot. Honestly, I could see something like this appealing to western audiences quite a bit.



"Love game" by Lim Kim
Similar to "Awoo", this video has a very vibrant color scheme with quirky visuals and lyrical delivery. It's hard not to be charmed by Lim Kim the same way the men pursuing her are. She looks beautiful and alluring with a subtle sex appeal that isn't in your face like a lot of kpop girl idols. I like the diversity of men featured in this video and the lyrics are amusing. It's an easily enjoyable music video.