Highlighting a few music videos that left a lasting impression

When people think of K-pop, what is the first image that comes to mind? A dazzling stage, bright lights, and perfectly polished idols. Yet today’s K-pop music videos present a landscape that diverges from those familiar formulas, moving away from the traditional love stories between men and women to feature performers with diverse appearances and identities, broadening the world of K-pop.

With that in mind, the editor highlights a few music videos that left a lasting impression. LE SSERAFIM has depicted a drag queen and individuals from different ethnic backgrounds. Joy showcases women of various body types. BIBI’s “Dere” presents a narrative around friendship and a crush between two girls. LOONA’s “Luminous” captures an elderly person, a pregnant woman, and a person in a wheelchair in a single frame, visually presenting diversity.

Of course, the mainstream entertainment industry still has clear limitations. Nevertheless, these kinds of efforts matter because showing difference is, in effect, a form of acknowledging existence.

K-pop’s diversity is more fun than you might expect.