When they’re not busy stealing viewers’ hearts on the big and small screens, actors lend their talent to productions such as commercials or K-pop MVs — sometimes, these two happen to be the same thing. While the roles are usually cameos, sometimes these actors take on a lead character in a music video as part of a detailed storyline.
Be it past or present, here are 12 actors who delivered unforgettable roles in K-pop MVs. Happy viewing!
From first glance, it seems that actress Park Min Young is trapped in a love triangle between G-Dragon and T.O.P. The two best friends are at each other’s throats and part ways after getting in a physical fight, following which T.O.P has apparently chosen his new love interest over his squad. A heartbroken G-Dragon is aimlessly roaming the streets until he receives a sudden phone call that sets the record straight. Although in the beginning of her career at the time, Park Min Young has always had what it takes to deliver her role to the letter, and she always manages to capture the audience with her charm in doing so.
What does a fateful encounter feel like? Heize and Song Joong Ki answer this question in this puzzled MV that keeps viewers eager for the two protagonists to end up together. They are somehow connected, but they can’t help but unknowingly miss each other at every turn, which begs the question: Is it a memory loss situation à la “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” or is this more of a “What if” scenario? Being used to Song Joong Ki in action roles, this silent but loud character he plays is entertaining and captures the essence of silent and oblivious crushes.
A lot can happen at a laundromat. Reminiscing about what once was, Lee Sung Kyung and Choi Tae Joon look back on the details of their long-lost romance in this MV. From the initial innocent interactions to the development of the relationship and every little detail in between, both characters are caught in the moment, missing what they once had, and perhaps low-key wishing they could have it back. The two actors have had a handful of roles in romantic dramas, and these silent roles are but an extension to their gift that shines with every new character they play.
IU personally asked Kim Soo Hyun to play the role of her significant other in this melodic song. In character, the actors take us on a beautiful promenade down memory lane, where they reminisce about how their relationship came to be, up until the moment where they hit a dead end and mutually let each other go. Kim Soo Hyun’s mastership of romantic roles is no stranger to anyone, and it’s always heart-fluttering to see him succeeding yet again in bringing it to life.
Love and war are both present in SPEED’s music video, which has its own drama version. Ji Chang Wook and Park Bo Young are two youngsters who’ve lost a mutual friend. While Park Bo Young’s character is mourning her loss at home, Ji Chang Wook’s opts for revenge as he leads a group of people into rebellion against the soldiers who shot his friend. The young boy’s death reveals a love story between the two leads that didn’t get a chance to blossom. Both actors were at the prime of their careers when they worked together on this music video. It’s no surprise that their ability to convey vivid feelings is just as powerful then as it is these days in their recent works.
Park Seo Joon is the main character of Kim Ji Soo’s dreamy MV, alongside BOL4’s Ahn Ji Young. The actor plays the role of Ahn Ji Young’s ideal type, where he fulfills all of the roles a perfect boyfriend does by being loving, caring, and charming all the way. The music video ends with Ahn Ji Young waking up on her own accord and taking off the sign that says “Don’t wake me up,” only to put it on the person sitting next to her, who is none other than Kim Ji Soo himself. Park Seo Joon is definitely part of every fan’s dream, and this MV is another reminder of his amazing acting skills that can stir hearts without him even saying a single word.
Kim Yoo Jung is Kim Jae Hwan’s long-lost love, for whom he travels in time in order to rekindle their love and relive the moments they once shared in the past. However, this fairy tale does not have a happy ending, as Kim Yoo Jung finds out that their union is not supposed to happen. Shattered, she bids a tearful Kim Jae Hwan farewell, and they each go back to living in their respective timelines. Kim Yoo Jung’s long and rich cinematography bears witness to her incredible talent in encompassing emotions, no matter how rooted and complex they are. Her role in this short love story is another feat that further highlights her emotive skills.
What is love? In this pensive narrative, Lee Jong Suk comes home to an empty place. While he carries routine tasks around the house, his mind seems to be elsewhere. Navigating his memories through every trivial action he takes, he reveals at the very end that he’s come to commemorate a lost loved one, who could be a parent or a mentor, who most likely taught him how to play Go when he was younger. How Lee Jong Suk stays composed throughout the MV, almost nonchalant, only to break into heavy tears, revealing the depth of his hurt, is a vital reason why he is constantly praised for his acting delivery every single time.
You didn’t think I’d forget about the biggest plot twist in MV history, did you now? Ahn Jae Hyun and Seo In Guk are two best friends who are caught in a tangled love triangle that is definitely bound to end in envy and heartache, and the culprit is the woman caught between these two men. You’ll need to watch the clip below to really get the gist of the story, but rest assured that the meticulous portrayal of these two fine actors will have you gasp in shock: this is not an opinion, it’s a fact!
Which actor do you think delivered an unforgettable role in K-pop MVs? Let us know in the comments below!
Esmee L. is a Moroccan lively dreamer, writer, and Hallyu enthusiast.
