Top 10 Korean MVs That Should Be Made Into Dramas

Korean music is kind of a hot topic at the moment, what with the American k-con having been in October and very popular and Gangnam Style making the rounds. A couple of years ago if you'd asked me what my favourite k-pop song would be, I'd have asked you what on earth you were talking about and what is k-pop?

I'd still be hard pressed to give you a definitive answer now, but for entirely different reasons - there’s just too much to choose from. From SHINee to Super Junior, 2NE1 to Girls Generation, Korean music is a genre of music which is entirely unique - with Music Videos to match. Korean MVs are unlike anything I've seen before. Stylish, with massive dance numbers, the sheer scale of these videos is quite often frankly amazing.



A lot of the MVs I've seen are just like big dance performances. The costume/make-up is very unique, and the sets are impressive, and with the size of some of the groups (SuJu has 13 members!!) the choreography is simply stunning. However, this list is not for the best MVs, or the best dancing/costumes/songs. I want to share with you my list of MVs which have a story - or could become a story. These are MVs which I think could (and should) become full length dramas simply from the MV itself, even if you ignored the song.

Please bear in mind that this is simply my opinion. Your opinion will most likely differ, and I have only seen a relatively small number of Korean music videos. This is by no means an exhaustive list, simply a selection of the videos I have seen and enjoyed - in no particular order. One thing I will say though, most of these are kind of heartbreaking. Prepare the tissues.

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As soon as I started to make this list, the first MV I thought of was Gummy - As A Man. This MV features Kim Hyun Joong (Boys Before Flowers and SS501) and Jyung Ryeo-Won (The King of Dramas). I love this video, I think it's a sweet story and has the makings for cute drama, which I think could be really popular. Especially if you could get KHJ and JRW on board again!

DREAM CAST: Ideally Kim Hyun Joong and Jyung Ryeo Won


Ok so here we have Kim Hyun Joong again, only this time, he's a part of SS501. This isn’t really one MV, but more of a series of connected ones.  A whole complicated story of assassins, shootings, love and kidnap, this seems perfect for adaptation into a full-length drama - I mean, its already nearly 20 mins long as it is. It would be a drama filled with mystery and murder - and of course, a love story with the obligatory tear jerker as an ending.

DREAM CAST: Lee Byung Hun as the bad guy, Lee Min Ho as the kidnapper/assassin, Joo Won as the boyfriend in the beginning, and Park Yoochun as the guy trying to get revenge. Then, Yoon Eun Hye as the female lead.


I’ve only recently discovered B.A.P. (Best Absolute Perfect) and I’ve loved every one of their videos to date. Stop It came close to being the B.A.P. MV I suggested, and I’m sure it would be awesome, but I’ve chosen One Shot as I think it has more to it. Stop It is cute and fun (just like B.A.P. really) but One Shot has gangs and kidnap and betrayal and the ending... Well, I won’t ruin it - you should watch it and see what I mean.

DREAM CAST: If B.A.P. couldn't do it, then Hwang Chan Sung as the undercover guy and Seo In Guk as the Group leader.


Another sad one. This video is basically about a girl sat in a room singing and crying over a guy I presume has died. There are flashbacks to scenes of them together smiling, she gives him what appears to be a pocket watch (which we see her pick up out of the ashes) and they seem happy. The room she’s in is on fire in parts of the video so I presume that has something to do with what happened. The guy shows up, hugs her, then disintegrates into nothing. I think this would make a great melodrama. The beautiful love torn apart by the fire that kills him - at least that's how I see it.

DREAM CAST: Kim Ha Neul and Cha Seung Won--I like the idea of this as a slightly older cast than set in the MV.


This is an entry from Park Bom  of 2NE1. The MV begins with a wedding, but fairly soon we see the guy has some kind of illness. This doesn’t stop the cute love story. We see the girl smiling happily, and sleeping, dreaming of babies with him while he draws her. He gets depressed and considers pushing himself down the stairs in his chair but in the end can’t do it. To cheer him up she gives him a really sweet present - a Christmas tree on the roof (This is such a sweet idea I can’t even express it).

The video ends with her in a field with the sketch book on her own. We see the drawing of her and the words ‘Sorry I couldn’t protect you’. This would be a really sweet, but sad drama. The story of her loving him, despite knowing what’s coming and doing her best to make him happy. It reminds me a bit of Koizora, I guess.

DREAM CAST: Yoo In Na and Ji Hyun Woo--they were so good together in Queen In Hyun's Man

Another crime drama entry, this one is pretty long for a MV. The story is pretty much all in the video - a guy working for the government while secretly taking orders from someone else - shooting his friend, killing witnesses - he basically seems like a bad guy. Until you get to the twist. This is perfect for adaptation. I especially love how close the group of friends seems, I think it gives it that little bit extra...something.
DREAM CAST: Gong Yoo as the main guy with Lee Sun Gyun as the friend who got shot in the leg, Gong Hyo Jin as the girl, and Kang Ji Hwan as the other member of their friend group.


T-ara’s videos are amazing. Each one I’ve seen is like a drama or movie all on its own. Cry Cry / Lovey Dovey was a close contender for this one (especially with Cha Seung Won starring) but I think the one I’ve chosen is something a bit more unique. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, this is a story of sisterly love. The video is long, but worth watching. I’ve never seen anything like it and think this would be amazing and totally unique. I especially love the style of the bright hair being a splash of colour in an otherwise monotone place.

DREAM CAST: Possibly the hardest cast--Dani would be Lim Eun Hye, her sister would be Lee Honey, and the kidnapper would be Byun Jung Soo.


The story of a band who, while playing on stage end up being transported back in time. They become stars, and one falls in love, only to be brought back to the present. It seems the mechanism of time travel is getting their equipment wet (never recommended) but still, I think this has potential.

DREAM CAST: I like the idea of this as a kind of idol drama--You're Beautiful's Style. With Jang Geun Suk leading the bad and Yoon Seung Ah as the female lead.


Ok, maybe my bias is showing here as Bang Yong Guk is also the leader of B.A.P. but as this is a solo effort, I’m going to put it here all the same.
I simply love this video. It's simple, and to the point, and heartbreakingly sad. This shows a relationship which at first seems volatile, then you see the softer side, and a man willing to do anything to protect the woman he loves, even if that means giving up his life.

DREAM CAST: Kim Tae hee and Choi Jin Hyuk

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As an extra here, I’d like to mention another BYG song, this time though one he’s only featured in. Label-mate SONG JI EUN - GOING CRAZY is another video that, with a bit of work, has potential.

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Here's the company's explanation of the video:
"In the music video for "You and I", a girl travels in a time machine to meet her future boyfriend. The 19 year old IU lives with Hyunwoo -- a boy who has fallen into a deep sleep -- in a workshop inside a clock tower inherited by her grandfather. IU does not leave his side and while waiting for him to wake up, decides to make a time machine to go meet him. Finally, the long-awaited moment arrives and she leaves for her time travel both afraid yet excited about meeting Hyunwoo but the two miss each other as Hyunwoo wakes up the moment he reaches age 20." I think this would make a really cute fantasy drama. Also, could we keep the goose in it? Such a cute touch!

DREAM CAST: I think Lee Hyun Woo and IU are already brilliant as they are. Also, don't forget the goose!

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