# 📺🎨 The Rise of Fully Animated Music Videos in K-Pop

## Executive Summary

The K-Pop industry is experiencing a surge in fully animated music videos, a trend that expands creative storytelling beyond the limitations of live-action production. Pioneered by major acts such as BTS, and embraced by newer groups like PLAVE and RIIZE, these animated works blend pastel aesthetics, futuristic narratives, and immersive digital worlds. This report examines the emergence of this trend, details key artist examples, analyzes its broader industry impact, and highlights artist perspectives.

 

## 1. Introduction

In recent years, K-Pop has continually pushed visual boundaries through elaborate choreography, set design, and cinematography. The latest frontier is fully animated music videos, offering artists and production teams unprecedented freedom to craft narratives impossible in live-action formats. This shift caters to global audiences eager for fresh, immersive experiences and presents a potential new standard for music video production.

 

## 2. Trend Emergence and Analysis

- **Trend Definition**: Fully animated music videos are those where every frame is digitally rendered, incorporating 2D or 3D animation styles rather than live-action footage.

- **Growth Factors**:

  • Lower logistical constraints compared to large-scale live shoots.  

  • Ability to convey abstract concepts, multiple timelines, or fantastical worlds.  

  • Rising consumer appetite for interactive and visually rich content.

- **Statistical Insight**: While exact viewership numbers vary by release, animated videos like BTS’s "We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal" have accumulated hundreds of millions of views on platforms such as YouTube, signaling strong audience engagement.

 

## 3. Artist Examples

 

### 3.1 BTS

- **Key Releases**:  

  • "We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal"  

  • "Make It Right"  

- **Stylistic Notes**: Both videos feature pastel palettes and fluid character animation that mirror the group’s evolving narrative universe. The visual style accentuates emotional beats and lyrical themes of unity and self-discovery.

- **Artist Perspective**: BTS described their animated work as “not just a video; it was a tribute to BTS’s journey and their connection with ARMY.” This underscores how animation can deepen fan engagement through symbolic and symbolic storytelling devices.

 

### 3.2 PLAVE

- **Innovative Approach**: PLAVE has fully embraced an animated identity, crafting a persistent digital universe where each member exists as a stylized avatar.

- **Creative Impact**: Their animations blend idol performance tropes with sci-fi worldbuilding, enabling cross-media expansions such as virtual concerts and interactive fan experiences.

- **Member Quote**: The group emphasizes "a digital universe that feels immersive and unique," highlighting their commitment to a coherent animated brand.

 

### 3.3 RIIZE

- **Notable Release**: "Midnight Mirage"

- **Narrative Technique**: Eschewing traditional dance breaks, the video employs stylized 3D animation to depict a futuristic storyline involving time loops and dreamscapes.

- **Visual Distinction**: Sharp color contrasts and dynamic camera movement convey a cyberpunk aesthetic that stands apart from mainstream K-Pop visuals.

 

## 4. Industry Impact

- **Creative Opportunities**: Animation lowers entry barriers for complex set pieces, enabling smaller groups to compete visually with high-budget productions.

- **Fan Engagement**: Immersive worlds encourage extended fan interaction through theories, fan art, and digital collectibles tied to video lore.

- **Monetization**: Expanded revenue streams include animated merchandise, NFT drops, and virtual event ticketing.

- **Technological Collaboration**: Increased partnerships between entertainment companies and animation studios or game developers, fostering cross-industry innovation.

 

## 5. Conclusion

Fully animated music videos represent a natural evolution in K-Pop’s visual strategy, blending artistry and technology to unlock new narrative possibilities. As leading groups continue to experiment, this trend is poised to reshape fan expectations and industry standards. The adoption of animation not only enhances storytelling but also reinforces K-Pop’s global leadership in entertainment innovation.

 

## References

- "Are Animated Music Videos the Next Big Trend in K-Pop," AllKPop, May 2025. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2025/05/are-animated-music-videos-the-next-big-trend-in-k-pop