17 of K-Pop’s Best Storytellers

Artists with the most exciting teaser videos, short films, and more!

View the Substack version of this piece, which includes links to these artists' videos, here!

From short films to mini-series, many K-pop acts go beyond the traditional music video format for their cinematic world-building. Here are seventeen current acts who do so in the most compelling ways!

#17: BOYNEXTDOOR
Reason: From hand puppets that come alive when their owners aren’t looking to a Willy Wonka-esque plot about a “Golden Ticket,” BOYNEXTDOOR’s teaser videos are wild, weird, and whimsical!
Must-Watch: The 19.99 era’s teasers, which include both fictional plots and looks at the “behind-the-scenes” BOYNEXTDOOR.
Dive Deeper: Read more about BOYNEXTDOOR’s world here and here! 

#16: Red Velvet

Reason: Red Velvet enjoy teasing their “red” and “velvet” sides at the same time, with their angelic allure flipping on a dime into a dark and devilish demeanor! Their aesthetic is the epitome of sweet innocence until it is anything but, and that duality keeps viewers on their toes.
Must-Watch: “‘Love is COSMIC’ Trailer.” In classic Red Velvet fashion, the benign premise escalates quickly, and it hints at the ominous undercurrents to expect from the “Cosmic” music video!
Dive Deeper: Read more about Red Velvet’s world here, and check out this “cheat sheet” if you’re a paying subscriber!

#15: KEY
Reason: KEY’s teasers prove he is capable of making any setting amusing, from a banal office to a futuristic bar! In the Good & Great era’s teasers, his days at the office are anything but conventional, due to time freezing, a very strange boss, and hints at everything not being as it seems. He takes that air of suspicion to the next level in Pleasure Shop’s teasers, playing a cyborg bartender who offers patrons drinks that are akin to snake oils. Whether playing the person in charge or the one taking orders, KEY incorporates sci-fi elements into his videos and uses them to send messages about the emotions and experiences that are taken for granted.
Must-Watch: The Pleasure Shop teasers, for the layers of meaning.
Dive Deeper: Read more about KEY’s world here! 

#14: NewJeans
Reason: This group favors a “Choose Your Own Adventure” style that makes multiple viewings in order! They tell the same story from multiple perspectives, most directly in the “side A” and “side B” versions of “Ditto.” And in “‘Cool With You’ Official MV (side A)” and “‘Cool With You’ & ‘Get Up’ Official MV (side B),” the main takeaway differs depending on if one watches “side A” before “side B” or vice versa.
Must-Watch: “‘Cool With You’ Official MV (side A)” and “‘Cool With You’ & ‘Get Up’ Official MV (side B).” The two-part story adds intriguing context with the inclusion of a famous work of art and the guardian angel characters the members presumably play. 
Dive Deeper: Read more about NewJeans’ world here, here, and here! And check out this “cheat sheet” if you’re a paying subscriber! 

#13: P1Harmony
Reason: This group dared to release a movie about their origin story before even releasing any music! P1H: The Beginning of a New World came out prior to their debut and explains their roles as time travelers trying to save Earth. They do so with a unique set of superpowers that go beyond the typical ones. Rather than focus on invisibility, flight, and super-strength, the superpowers they flex include omnifabrication (the ability to invent or create anything), precision, and hyper-durability! They also frame some human characteristics as superpowers, like optimism and resourcefulness. The teaser clips and full movie both bring home an earnest message about how finding one’s own “superpowers” is not as hard as it seems and is something everyone can do!
Must-Watch: The “W+W (Welcome to +WORLD)” series, for showing how everyone can channel an inner superhero! 
Dive Deeper: Read more about P1Harmony’s world here and here, and check out this “cheat sheet” if you’re a paying subscriber!

#12: Xdinary Heroes
Reason: The band interrogates existential questions with the depth they deserve, but not with too much depth! They have fun along the way, with easy-to-follow and engaging storylines and understated ways of addressing heavy topics. 
Must-Watch: “<Troubleshooting> Mood Film,” for its evergreen commentary on what is “real” versus “fake” not always being so clear-cut. 
Dive Deeper: Read more about Xdinary Heroes’ world here!

#11: NMIXX
Reason: NMIXX’s adventures are as ambitious and expansive as their songs! The ways their characters go about leaving their world and constructing a new one, dubbed “MIXXTOPIA,” vary, but the overarching message is consistent: NMIXX are determined to set sail and stay the course no matter how much fear remains while doing so. They explain what motivates their journey and mission to create a new world free from prejudice in a set of “MIXXLETTERS,” fictional newspaper editions detailing alleged corruption and a pro-conformity agenda in the world with which they want nothing more to do. This is the gist of the story, but it is much more surreal than any summary could express!
Must-Watch: The “Fe3O4: STICK OUT” series. The apocalypse training days maintain high tension, while levity comes from the bizarre ways they embrace the traits of a “black sheep”!
Dive Deeper: Check out this “cheat sheet” if you’re a paying subscriber!

#10: KAI
Reason: Both “FILM : KAI” and “FILM : KAI #Rover” blur the lines between “Good KAI” and “Evil KAI,” and they both have plenty of Easter eggs for fans of the larger “SM Entertainment Culture Universe” to appreciate! One doesn’t have to know about the “SMCU” to be captivated by KAI’s performances, though, which deftly go back and forth between telling stories via dancing and acting. The acting-focused scenes allude to KAI’s criminality while hiding smoking guns from view, and his character’s internal conflict over his presumed guilt is felt via the push-and-pull dynamics between him and other dancers. 
Must-Watch: “‘Peaches’ Prologue Film,” which most succinctly shows how KAI views storytelling via dance and storytelling via acting as mutually useful.
Dive Deeper: Read more about KAI’s world here and here, and check out this “cheat sheet” if you’re a paying subscriber!

#9: Stray Kids
Reason: When Stray Kids are not making a literal show within a show, their videos still allude to playing roles in a world of their own creation. When they are not literally playful, playing characters in a short film called “SKZFLIX” and hosting a recital in “‘樂-STAR’ Prologue,” they are figuratively playful, winking and nodding to their “masters of the MEGAVERSE” status!
Must-Watch: “‘ATE’ Trailer,” which takes a comedic approach to boasting about Stray Kids’ far-reaching influence!
Dive Deeper: Read more about Stray Kids’ world here, here, and here! And check out these “cheat sheets” if you’re a paying subscriber! 

#8: LE SSERAFIM
Reason: LE SSERAFIM effectively up the anticipation around a comeback by kicking it off with an introductory monologue and video. The monologues vary but tend to focus on the strength in unapologetic individuality. “Burn the Bridge” is about kicking open every door that society tries to lock, “Chasing Lightning” is about embracing life’s uncertainties, “Good Bones” is also about making the most of what life throws their way, and “Born Fire” voices a belief that their only limitations are self-imposed ones. “Everyone should be confident being themselves” is a downright cliche message, but time after time, they elaborate on it in new ways, with an array of symbols and settings.
Must-Watch: “EASY TRAILER ‘Good Bones,’” which is inspired by Maggie Smith’s poem of the same name. It is a perfect example of how LE SSERAFIM take unexpected approaches toward tried-and-true topics, like not letting fear win.
Dive Deeper: Read more about LE SSERAFIM’s world here, here, and here! And check out these “cheat sheets” if you’re a paying subscriber!

#7: NCT
Reason: While each subunit operates in its own distinct part of the NCT Universe, they often cross into each other’s realms, while staying cryptic as to why those crossovers occur. While navigating different levels of consciousness, their actions bring to mind The Matrix and Inception. The most interesting behavior is NCT DREAM’s, as they sometimes play institutionalized lab rats. For those who prefer lighter fare, NCT WISH offer that  alternative, with mini-movies about their time in an academy for wannabe Cupids! 
Must-Watch: NCT DREAM’s “7 DREAM Production : Stranger Seven,” which has mystery, drama, comedy, fourth-wall-breaking, several plot twists, and the overall ability to reel in new NCT Universe fans!
Dive Deeper: Read more about NCT’s world here, and check out this “cheat sheet” if you’re a paying subscriber! 

#6: SEVENTEEN
Reason: SEVENTEEN routinely mark the start of a new era by telling the audience what its theme will be without telling them what to think about that theme; they describe the bigger picture the audience ought to keep in mind and let everyone fill in their own blanks. The viewing experience is an inviting, interactive one, and the monologues are addressed to “you.” “2021 Concept Trailer : Power of ‘Love’” asks if “you” are ready to “love” alongside them. “NEW RINGS CEREMONY : The Sun Rises” thanks fans for helping them “soar towards the sun.” “F*ck My Life : Life in a minute” ends with this text on the screen: “Inspired by everyone around the world.” And “‘SPILL THE FEELS’ : Speak Up” shows each member communicating in a different way, from a t-shirt to spray-painted windows. They show and tell when arguing that what matters more than the format through which one communicates is the fact one feels empowered to communicate at all. SEVENTEEN champion self-expression and inclusivity. 
Must-Watch: “2021 Concept Trailer : Power of ‘Love,’” for the nostalgic details and adorable animations!
Dive Deeper: Read more about SEVENTEEN’s world through the essay series and “cheat sheets” linked to here!

#5: Billlie
Reason: The members of Billlie play characters looking for “Billlie Love” and trying to piece together their memories of her. They turn to a range of symbolic objects to detect patterns and clues, remnants of playdates’ pasts that do not have the joyful connotations one would expect. The search endures across years of short films, and while the group’s efforts seem to be in good faith, the fact they still haven’t found answers raises suspicions, especially when noting the parallels to Matilda. In Matilda, the main character’s telekinetic powers disappear once her intellectual needs are satisfied in a different way. Perhaps Billlie fear that their imaginations will disappear once the emotional need for them - to assist in the search - is gone. In other words, maybe they don't want to find Billlie Love; they want to extend the process of looking for her for as long as possible. Besides, finding her entails directly facing someone they might have wronged in the past; the natures of their past relationships with Billlie Love remain elusive. The “Billage of perception” series is a gripping story about culpability, compassion, memory, and both good and bad sides to magic.
Must-Watch: “Bi11lie chapter one” from “the Billage of perception” series, not just to get the backstory, but to understand the nuanced tone of this series, which is neither nostalgic nor the opposite. 
Dive Deeper: Read more about Billlie’s world here, here, here, here, and here! And check out these “cheat sheets” if you’re a paying subscriber!

#4: aespa
Reason: While dimension-hopping and getting familiar with their computer-generated alter egos, called “aes” (pronounced “eyes”), aespa have to wrap their heads around unprecedented dilemmas. What are the consequences of “SYNKOUTS,” periods when the ability to communicate with ae-aespa is lost? Are ae-aespa always trustworthy? What happens if and when aes are hacked? And how much of aespa’s futures remain in their control, rather than dictated by out-of-control algorithms? The “SM Culture Universe” series offers thought-provoking assessments of the interconnectedness - for better and for worse - of the digital and physical worlds.
Must-Watch: “ep. 1 Black Mamba,” which raises prescient questions about the long-term consequences of everyone’s digital footprints.
Dive Deeper: Read more about aespa’s world here, here, and here! And check out these “cheat sheets” if you’re a paying subscriber! 

#3: ENHYPEN
Reason: ENHYPEN’s sprawling narrative gets the cinematic treatment it deserves! Their short films are essentially adaptations of their songs and the related webtoon, DARK MOON, in which they play time-traveling vampire knights! Adding more inherent drama to this fantastical story is the constant incorporation of philosophical, religious, and literary influences. Being an ENHYPEN fan comes with optional homework for understanding the story at a deeper level!
Must-Watch: “‘DARK BLOOD’ Concept Trailer.” It speaks to the fact that ENHYPEN deliver so much more than a superficial and generic vampire story! 
Dive Deeper: Read more about ENHYPEN’s world here, here, and here! And check out these “cheat sheets” if you’re a paying subscriber!

#2: TXT
Reason: By drawing from classic children’s stories while portraying authentic emotions and experiences, this group reveals how the magic and imagination within one’s inner child can and should stay embedded in adulthood. They manage to tell stories both fanciful and relatable, and the storybook elements give their fictional world a sense of infiniteness and timelessness.
Must-Watch: “minisode 3: TOMORROW Concept Trailer.” While early-day short films, like “Nap of a star” and “Magic Island,” focus on the style of classic children’s books (pop-up books, a stop-motion feel, theatrical costumes…), later short films focus on more of their substance. “minisode 3: TOMORROW Concept Trailer” is the perfect example of how the deeper they get into a specific literary reference (in this case, The Little Prince), the more they expose the hidden layers within the most seemingly nonsensical tales! Their work exposes the meaning behind the magic in the kinds of stories people who have lost touch with their inner child disregard as wastes of time.
Dive Deeper: Read more about TXT’s world here, here, here, and here! And check out these “cheat sheets” if you’re a paying subscriber!

#1: BTS
Reason: BTS’s profoundly moving and layered mini-movies remain in a class all their own. In addition to excellent acting, everything from recurring symbols to the uses of flashbacks and montages explore life’s highest highs, lowest lows, and everything in between, in ways that always stick the landing. They show what it looks, sounds, and feels like to feel like one is walking on air, like one is sinking into the deepest abyss, like one is frozen by uncertainty, like one is finding strength from leaning on others, like one is finding pain and discontent from relying too much on others, and so much more. They span the spectrum of human emotions and cover it with as much texture as any great full-length movie does. 
Must-Watch: “Euphoria : Theme of LOVE YOURSELF 起 Wonder.'” It has plenty to appreciate for both those familiar and unfamiliar with BTS’s lore. Plus, it features a beautiful piano instrumental!
Dive Deeper: Read more about BTS’s world here and here!

Stay tuned for a list of Honorable Mentions!