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30 K-Pop Music Videos Released This Year That Prove You Need To Start Listening To K-Pop, Like, Yesterday

Did your faves make the list?

Let's get real: K-Pop music videos are out of this world.

They tell a story; they're visually appealing; they perfectly highlight the group's complex choreography; they can hit you right in the feelings — they have everything!

This year saw the release of some of the best K-Pop music videos of all time, which pushed creative boundaries and destroyed YouTube view count records.

Although it was no easy feat, we picked our 30 favorite K-Pop music videos of the year.

Ready to see who made the list? Let's go!

30. "Adios" by Everglow

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Stone Music Entertainment / YouTube

Goodbye, au revoir, adios — Everglow slayed this year with their follow-up single "Adios" and its addictive hook. From the desert choreography to its dual-world concept, this video proved that nobody should sleep on Everglow.

29. "D.D.D" by The Boyz

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CreKer Entertainment / YouTube

Take a trip down the rabbit hole with The Boyz's "D.D.D", which takes viewers on a fantastical, Alice In Wonderland-inspired journey through New York. With cool visual effects and imaginative storyline, "D.D.D" brings back the lighthearted side of last summer.

28. "Lion" by (G)I-DLE

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Cube Entertainment / YouTube

If there's one thing to be said about (G)I-DLE, it's that they don't come to play. From the opening shot of "Lion," the queens of (G)I-DLE mix powerful choreography and fierce, luxurious looks with bold lyrics that dazzle and dominate.

27. "Follow" by Monsta X

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Starship Entertainment / YouTube

The visuals in Monsta X's "Follow" are, quite simply, out of this world. Don't believe us? Just watch Hyungwon sing haloed by golden light, I.M rap as snakes slither toward him, or the entire group ferociously dance upon the face of a clock. True opulence!

26. "Wave" by ATEEZ

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KQ Entertainment / YouTube

ATEEZ is known for their solid visuals and powerful concepts, so it was nice to see them take on a lighthearted storyline in their video for "Wave." Filmed on the beaches of Saipan, "Wave" pushes ATEEZ's adorable friendships to the forefront as they dance in grocery stores, skateboard, and celebrate summer together. Hakuna Matata!

25. "Devil" by CLC

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Cube Entertainment / YouTube

Is there anything better than when K-Pop groups mix cute and creepy concepts together? CLC's "Devil" begins with the members cutely trying to kill each other with darts, cactuses, and soap, but quickly descends into madness as they don dark outfits, play with decapitated doll heads, and bring skulls to the dinner table. We love duality!

24. "RPM" by SF9

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FNC Entertainment / YouTube

You'd think the 'F' in SF9 stood for 'future' after watching the group's Tron-esque music video for their single "RPM". (It stands for 'feeling' irl!) The video's storyline sees SF9 run through lasers and use flare guns on their quest to obtain magical crystals. It's the adventurous, futuristic concept we never knew we needed from the group!

23. "Good Bam" by N.Flying

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FNC Entertainment / YouTube

Cute. N.Flying's music video for "Good Bam" is just plain cute, and feels like a fun night out singing in the noraebang, dancing, and wandering the streets of Seoul with your best friends.

22. "Lalalay" by Sunmi

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Makeus Entertainment / YouTube

From the moment Sunmi emerges from a suitcase like a butterfly from a chrysalis, you know the music video for "LALALAY" is going to be magical. She's a woman reborn who's unafraid to embrace her eccentricities and power. As Sunmi says, "get ready to buckle up," because we're all living in Sunmi's world now.

21. "Flower Shower" by HyunA

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P Nation / YouTube

Petals, meadows, and flower crowns make up just a few of the gorgeous visuals present in the music video for HyunA's "Flower Shower". HyunA herself is breathtakingly gorgeous as she dances in multiple floral gowns, but it's the joy on her face as she "paves a floral path" on her own terms that makes this video so special.

20. "All Night" by ASTRO

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Fantagio / YouTube

Speaking of visuals — "ALL NIGHT" by ASTRO is one of the most aesthetically pleasing music videos of all time! Its opening shot of Cha Eunwoo in a glass case surrounded by neon lights and flowers like high class art is just *chef's kiss*. ASTRO are literal flowerboys as they don white suits and stroll through a blooming garden like royalty. Seriously — every Disney prince is shaking after watching this video.

19. "Bet Bet" by NU'EST

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PLEDIS Entertainment / YouTube

Speaking of royalty, who doesn't love their protective, hard-working knights? NU'EST look like they came straight from a fairytale in the music video for "Bet Bet." The video completes the group's "knights looking for a queen" storyline that's been in development since 2016 as they rescue the queen and return home to utopia. Who doesn't love a happy ending?

18. "Dalla Dalla" by ITZY

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JYP Entertainment / YouTube

ITZY kicked down the door to everyone's heart with their debut single "DALLA DALLA" and its bold music video. From dancing on fancy cars to unleashing their kaleidoscopic superpowers, "DALLA DALLA" is an explosion of rainbows and self-confidence. Plus, the music video has a color-changing dog! What's not to love?

17. "Boom" by NCT Dream

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SM Entertainment / YouTube

Boom! NCT Dream did that. The group's iconic choreography is the main focus of their music video for "Boom", but it still includes some unique shots, like Renjun singing in front of multiple paintings. There's also doppelgänger magic throughout to give the video a hint of mystery.

16. "Spark" by Taeyeon

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SM Entertainment / YouTube

From Taeyeon's first scorching look into the camera, we should've known her music video for "Spark" would be hot! The "spark" in this video takes on multiple meanings — seen literally in the flames around her, but also in the reds of her dress, fireworks, and in the sunrise. Not to mention that shot where her boots catch flames? Shivers!

15. "You Calling My Name" by GOT7

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JYP Entertainment / YouTube

Any music video that begins with the members forming a clock is one that deserves to be on this list. Dressed in leather suits, each member of GOT7 plays the role of the melancholy, affluent ex perfectly. It's not until viewing the chorus's choreography that you see their more seductive side take center stage.

14. "Gotta Go" by Chung Ha

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MNH Entertainment / YouTube

Chung Ha puts her gorgeous visuals, out-of-this-world dance skills, and irresistible vocals into the perfect pop package with the music video for "Gotta Go." No matter what outfit she's wearing or how many backup dancers she has, Chung Ha naturally claims your attention with her effortless charm — she's that good.

13. "Jopping" by SuperM

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SM Entertainment / YouTube

Filmed in Dubai, "Jopping" definitely fits in line with supergroup SuperM's powerful, futuristic concept as members pose on tanks, race lavish cars, and dance as drones soar overhead. From its Roman coliseum concert to rapping from a helicopter, "Jopping" is more than just a music video — it's truly an experience.

12. "Fear" by Seventeen

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PLEDIS Entertainment / YouTube

This music video is everything. It puts the song's incredible choreography at the forefront, but also includes some breathtaking cinematography. Like, look at Joshua being doused with glitter. Look at Jeonghan in his white turtleneck and blue contacts smearing lipstick across his face. The entire video is dangerous and seductive, and a perfect fit for the song's sinister lyrics.

11. "Eung Eung (%%)" by Apink

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Play M Entertainment / YouTube

It's just fact that Apink singlehandedly kicked 2019 K-Pop into gear with their irresistible January single "Eung Eung (%%)." Every room in the pink factory is so aesthetic that it looks like a museum people would pay to take selfies in, and we can't not talk about their effortlessly cool choreography in front of six stacked pink cars. Such a power move.

10. "Humph!" by Pentagon

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CUBE Entertainment / YouTube

Pentagon deserves all the awards for their music video for "HUMPH!" The video's storyline is unbearably cute, and the members do a great job of acting like longtime childhood rivals who just can't get along as they point fingers, stamp their feet, and angrily bicker with each other. Their acting makes it even more adorable when they finally settle their differences in the end.

9. "Kill This Love" by Blackpink

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YG Entertainment / YouTube

Every scene in Blackpink's "Kill This Love" music video is a visual masterpiece. Seriously, there are so many scenes we could talk about in this music video. Jisoo eclipsing the sun with her dazzling, coral-like head piece! Rosé showing off her acting chops as she cries and drives! The entire group dancing on a massive bear trap! With "Kill This Love", Blackpink only further solidified their status as aesthetic queens.

8. "Boy With Luv" by BTS (Feat. Halsey)

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Big Hit Entertainment / YouTube

Oh my, my, my! We couldn't go through this list without mentioning BTS's "Boy With Luv". This video not only amassed a whopping 74.6 million views (!!) in 24 hours, but was shot with a warm, golden color palette that gives the video a very romantic vibe that's very in line with the song's message. Although honestly, even without the color choices, BTS smiling and dancing alone makes the video extremely cute.

7. "Blueming" by IU

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Kakao M / YouTube

IU is a genius. The music video for "Blueming" is full of little references to a storyline she's been weaving since 2012 about love, longing, and magic. Sure, on the surface level it's a video about IU going on a colorful adventure, but it's even cooler when viewed as the next chapter in IU's long-running saga of achieving true love. We recommend any of the theories on YouTube if you want to fully understand the video!

6. "Run Away" by TXT

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Big Hit Entertainment / YouTube

The rookie group TXT transforms from pop stars into magical high school students à la Harry Potter in their video for "Run Away" when they find a magical portal at the bottom of their high school pool. Transported to a new world, they're allowed to embrace their magic and be themselves. In true Big Hit Entertainment style, the music video is jam-packed full of metaphors that we can't wait to see explored in future music videos from the promising group.

5. "Miroh" by Stray Kids

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JYP Entertainment / YouTube

We love a K-Pop group that successfully works to overthrow a government in their music video. Although City Jungle may originally have been run by a rich mayor in the beginning of the video, by the end Stray Kids have taken their rightful rule of the city. And they did it in colorful outfits, secretive plans, parkour, and cool dance moves. Honestly, if I lived in City Jungle, they'd have my vote too!

4. "Fancy" by TWICE

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JYP Entertainment / YouTube

Nayeon sitting upon a diamond. Mina dancing in front of the New York skyline. Sana holding cupcakes. Tzuyu literally in space holding planets like they're balloons. Everything in this music video feels fancy, and it just makes us fancy it more every time we watch it. Everything TWICE touches turns to gold.

3. "Hip" by Mamamoo

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RBW / YouTube

We've talked about how influential "Hip" is before, but it stands to talk about it one more time (and honestly forever) because this video really is EVERYTHING. Wheein protesting for climate change? Solar being a boxing queen? Hwasa *literally* spitting on her haters? Moonbyul as a powerful boss? Plus their inclusion of drag queens like Nana Kim make "Hip" truly a female-empowering masterpiece.

2. "Obsession" by EXO

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SM Entertainment / YouTube

Even though EXO teased fans with their new album last month, there was no way fans could ever be properly prepared for the release of "Obsession". The concept of two EXO's — good-natured EXO and evil X-EXO — is flawless. Then to make them fight each other? Incredible. The concept, visual effects, choreography, makeup, sets, outfits — everything is on another level. Their video for "Obsession" perfectly affirms why EXO is one of the greatest K-Pop groups of all time.

1. "Zimzalabim" by Red Velvet

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SM Entertainment / YouTube

There is truly no one out there doing it like Red Velvet. Case and point: "Zimzalabim". While not the first group to do a carnival concept in K-Pop history, Red Velvet continue to prove that they can take any concept and make it even better with their own magical, sinister spin. The video's storyline is a rollercoaster ride (literally) that blurs the line between genius and madness. Has Irene brainwashed the rest of the members? Or are we all brainwashed from listening to the song's hook? From dancing crystalline animals to boots that march on their own, "Zimzalabim" is a music video that truly has to be seen to believed, and a perfect example of how Red Velvet boldly pushes creative boundaries with grace, style, and a sprinkle of magic.