Stray Kids, BLACKPINK, and LE SSERAFIM: Idols Shine Through ‘Visual’ Media

The music video for Stray Kids’ (SKZ) latest single “ChikChikBoom”has gained widespread attention for its inclusion of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in their iconic roles as Deadpool and Wolverine. The group’s impressive performance in the video was followed by a humorous proposal from Reynolds to join WeZ, adding a comedic element to the production. The video’s popularity continued to soar after its release on the 19th, topping the ‘YouTube Music Video Trending Worldwide’ chart for six consecutive days and accumulating over 58 million views as of the 30th.

The popularity of idol music videos on YouTube is on the rise, with several reaching hundreds of millions of views. Adore reports that NewJeans’ music video for “Super Shy”achieved 100 million views in just 90 days and surpassed 200 million views on the 23rd of last month. Additionally, BTS member Jungkook’s “Seven”music video, which features actress Han So-hee and is crafted like a film, reached over 400 million views within a year of its release in July.

On the 27th, TWICE’s music video for “What is Love?”reached over 800 million views on YouTube. The track, which is the title of their 5th mini-album released in April 2018, has gained popularity both in South Korea and internationally. JYP Entertainment commented that the members portrayed famous movie characters in the video, showcasing their individual charms and receiving immense love from their fans.

In addition to music videos, there is a growing interest in live concert recordings and documentary films. The highly anticipated film “BLACKPINK World Tour [Born Pink] in Cinema”featuring BLACKPINK’s world tour concert will be released on the 31st at CGV. The film showcases their September performance at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, which celebrated their 8th debut anniversary. This tour drew in 1.8 million fans from 66 shows in 34 cities globally, including North America, Europe, and Asia.

On the 14th of next month, CGV will debut the concert film “Seventeen Tour ‘Follow’ Again in Cinema” . According to Seo Ji-myung, Communication Team Leader at CJ CGV, the decision to screen idol concert films instead of traditional movies during the COVID-19 pandemic was met with unexpected success. These fan-oriented contents, aimed at specific fan groups, not only attract a devoted fan base but also generate significant revenue.

When paired with events, concert films have a powerful impact. To celebrate the release of BLACKPINK’s film, CGV will be hosting special screenings during the first weekend. These screenings will include official cheering sticks and events on August 8th, which marks the group’s 8th debut anniversary. Additionally, there will be a Pink Carpet event on August 9th at Yeongdeungpo Times Square, where the members will make an appearance.

On the 29th, LE SSERAFIM released their second installment, “LE SSERAFIM – Make It Look Easy,”on YouTube. The documentary chronicles their journey over the past year and showcases their growth, from preparing for year-end performances and meeting fans, to enjoying everyday moments with members and their first U.S. promotions and solo tour. This follows their debut documentary in September 2022.

The OTT service Apple TV+ will release “Welcome to K-Pop: Idol Story”worldwide on the 30th of next month. This six-episode documentary showcases the remarkable rise of K-pop in dominating music charts worldwide and offers an inside look at the behind-the-scenes lives of idols.

Music videos that are produced like movies, dynamic recordings of concerts, and documentaries that delve into personal narratives all spark meaningful discussions. According to Park Sung-seo, a critic of pop music, performances by idol groups are naturally well-suited for video content. Incorporating hidden stories or historical backgrounds into these videos elevates their worth even more. Park also noted that when stories are included, fans develop a stronger sense of connection to the idols, with each individual finding personal significance in them. In the end, music videos, concerts, and documentaries all play a role in solidifying the support and admiration for these idols.