4 simplified steps on Korean Music Video Production

By: Pon Hang Lam

GOT7 music video “Never Ever” | Source: HELLOKPOP

15 NOVEMBER 2020 - With the singers’ high energy dance moves and catchy beat, Korean Music became a global phenomenon. The element that gave Korean Music a boost to become a global phenomenon is choreography. With music as the roots and choreography as a boost, Korean Music Video was made to promote the songs, the artists, and their album. Like TV shows and films production, the Korean Music Video needs to go through 6 steps from pre-production to post-production to produce which are:

1. Writing the Music

When it comes to writing the music, the credits are not only from the Korean Music groups but also goes to a group of songwriters and producers. To get the producers, Korean agencies must work with other foreign companies. It is hard for the agency to work with the companies because of the difference in language but it would be a great benefit as the language would be suitable in writing a song when working with the right producers. After that, songwriting camps will be held to find potential songwriters to help write the music.

2. Music Production

After writing the music, the singers will work with producers and engineers to produce the music. This includes distributing the parts of the music to be sung to the singers and picking the best recording to put inside the music. In a group of singers, all of them will have a part of the music to sing. After recording the singing, the instrumental or background music will be added, mixed, and mastered into the music to complete the whole music.

3. Music Video production

Next, the singers and the music company will produce the music video which includes choreography and music. The choreography team will pick which choreography or dance moves suits the music sent to them. The producers will create a detailed screenplay about how the video will be shot. The designers will also design approximately 3-4 outfits that match the concept of the songs for the singers. In a music video, the details of the video (e.g. costume, music, styling) are also important as it needs to fit the concept of the song. After the video was shot, the video will be edited which includes adding the music.

4. Advertise!

Lastly, the company will prepare a showcase to advertise and release the complete full music and music video. The company must book a place for the showcase very early as it is very hard to book no matter how famous the singing groups are. Usually these will be advertised on radios, music programs and entertainment news. After that, the group will upload their music videos on YouTube to advertise.

Music Videos are important as the visual images beautify the artists. It looks easy but to create a music video it takes a lot of producers, singers, songwriters, and designers therefore it is not easy to make one. So, when you watch a music video, it is important to know that the singers should not take all the credit as there is a group of people working silently to perfect the music videos.

Here are more details about the making of K-Pop music videos: