[Analysis] K-pop’s mise-en-scène

Sets – [MV] 마마무(MAMAMOO) – 별이 빛나는 밤(Starry night)

The music video uses natural landscapes for the setting. By utilising the connotations of these locations, a meaningful although simple frame is created — e.g the desert scenes create a sense of isolation. What makes “Starry Night” particularly effective is the change of scenery throughout the video, the switch between bright grasslands to dull woodlands suggest to the audience a change in mood. By relying on natural settings rather than constructed sets, the video has an authentic feel. Working with nature rather than against it is what makes this music video visually striking.

Costumes and make-up – (여자)아이들((G)I-DLE) – ‘Nxde’ Official Music Video

One of the most prominent costume themes in the video is the references to Marilyn Monroe, with the members wearing blonde wigs and Yuqi wearing a white dress reminiscent of Marilyn’s iconic look. Marilyn Monroe is known for being a sex symbol and the face of the ‘male gaze’; i-dle adopts and then subverts Marilyn’s image to connect it with the song’s narrative about resisting objectification. Each costume is carefully chosen to reflect the narrative; the cabaret/showgirl costume and makeup represent how female idols are treated solely as performers who must constantly entertain and meet expectations. The video ultimately uses costume design to redefine what it means to be ‘nude’ suggesting true exposure is emotional rather than physical. This message is reinforced in the final group scene, where the members wear nude-coloured tops, having shed the performative costumes from earlier on.

Actor performance – 골든차일드(Golden Child) ‘안아줄게(Burn It)’ MV

The “Burn It” music video effectively acts more as a short film, with 4 extra minutes of solely acting added to a 3 minute long song — I’m not complaining, I really enjoy zombie media! Set in a post apocalyptic world, which serves as a backdrop for the Golden Child members to showcase their acting abilities. The apocalyptic scenario needs convincing portrayals of fear, injury and adrenaline, which the members deliver. There is a lot of action e.g. fighting off herds of zombies which require physically demanding performances beyond their usual choreography. As well as sad scenes e.g. losing a loved one due to a bite, members had to convey grief and hopelessness. Each member successfully establishes a distinct character with clear motives without verbal dialogue.

Composition – 비비 (BIBI) – 가면무도회 (Animal Farm) Official M/V

In the opening sequence, Bibi is arranged in the middle of a glamorous dining table, sat at the table are masked and pig-faced men in formal attire, which suggests they are of status. She is in a hunched over position with her hands tied behind her back and an apple in her mouth; this display is similar to a roast pig, suggesting Bibi is just a piece of meat to these powerful men. Following a slaughter-like scream, Bibi appears to slowly walk through the ballroom, scattered with smaller circle tables around the big rectangular table. Those at the smaller tables wear white masks whilst pig men sit at the big table, demonstrating a social hierarchy within the shot.

With a katana in hand, Bibi stands on top of the big table, directly on the red table runner before charging directly at the pig head of the table and beheading him. His pig head falls next to a plate, a symbolic shot portraying his hunger/greed. We then see Bibi sat at the head of the now bloody table, Bibi is placed as a part of the background in order to focus on the damage she has done as bodies lay around her. A Kill-bill style fight scene takes place on the red carpet, as blood pools it blends in. Her white dress stained in blood represents her anger overcomes her innocence, she holds a pure white guitar in the rain, whilst flames surround her. These two elements cannot coexist, reflecting how her good and bad side can’t exist without sabotaging another.