TOP 10 FAVOURITE J-POP MUSIC VIDEOS (ONE OK ROCK & AAA)

This will seem like a biased list of music videos from Japan because it is... consisting of groups like AAA and ONE OK ROCK, so really it is my Top 10 music videos from my favourite J-POP groups, sprinkled with J-POP music videos produced by Korean artists. We all know that Korea is popular for their music videos to be of high budget and also their movie-like productions.

These music videos have made it to the list purely based on the visuals alone rather than the music even though we know how musically talented these artists are, we will just be looking at the production work including set designs and themes.

1. AAA - DEJA VU (2018)

Album: Color A Life

AAA are known for their bright coloured sets which match their innocent and lively music so this is probably one of my favourite sets from an AAA music video since it is so different from their regular videos. The gloomy tone mixed with neon-coloured flares brings out the dark aesthetics and gives off futuristic city vibes. The set is so simple yet has so much going on; each individual members have an allocated set (apart from Misako with 2 sets) to tell their own stories but all come together to one big set, which is just in the middle of all the combined sets, ready for the choreographed dance sequence. My favourite shot is and will always be Mitsuhiro's set with a neon themed market.

2. TAEYEON - STAY (2018)

Album: Stay - Single

This may be an unpopular opinion but I am a fan of over-saturation filters for music videos. Every single shot in Taeyeon's music video is aesthetically pleasing to look at. The bright and colourful locations match Taeyeon's outfits as well as the song itself. Every shot can be used a wallpaper.

3. AAA - SAYONARA NO MAE NI (2014)

Album: Gold Symphony

This music video production made me love AAA; again, the idea is very simple but they do not disappoint me with their set locations. With just 2 astonishing sets, the video captures a range of colours including the CGI butterflies that represents the innocent nature of the lyrics, which is how I perceive AAA's music direction - innocent and touching.

4. ONE OK ROCK - MIGHTY LONG FALL (2015)

Album: 35xxxv

Like how AAA are known for their innocent lyrics and impressive vocals presented in bright and colourful sets, ONE OK ROCK can be known for their use of dark tones and similar colour palette to portray their rock music. I've noticed how their music video's conventional colour palette consists of black, red, and blue. It may be conventional for rock bands to use black / dark themes in their music videos but the sets ONE OK ROCK uses are always spacious for editors to make use of CGI, digital effects, and practical effects. Another factor is lighting - conventionally, dark lighting represents rock music and here, the lighting affects the story that is being told, focus on what is in the light and what is in the dark.

5. ONE OK ROCK - CRY OUT (2015)

Album: 35xxxv

6. GIRLS' GENERATION - ALL MY LOVE IS FOR YOU (2012)

Album: Girls & Peace

Girls' Generation have made their mark in Japan, not only with their music style but their high level of production work for their Japanese singles. The aesthetics for this music video reminds me of light academia with the range of brown and nude colour palette which later changes to a range of pastel colours for the bridge of the song.

7. AAA - KAZE NI KAORU NATSU NO KIOKU (2014)

Album: Gold Symphony

Traditional Japanese kimonos, Japanese night market with orange themed bistro lights and lanterns; this music video plays in my mind during a rainy Friday afternoon. The orange aesthetics fits well with Japanese traditions and the story.

8. SHINEE - WINTER WONDERLAND (2016)

Album: Winter Wonderland - Single

This Japanese single reminds me of old K-POP music videos with close up shots of each member, at the same time, majority of the music video is a CGI winter wonderland with blue and white aesthetics.

9. AAA - NEW (2016)

Album: Way Of Glory

Released in 2016, it very much reminded me of Calvin Harris' music video for 'Summer'. The music video is filled with real life set locations in Los Angeles. Even though the music video seems like it was produced for an American audience, the music still showcases AAA's music style. The narrative is very much a chilled and living life to the fullest sort of vibe, giving the listeners a 2014 summer feeling, well at least it reminds me of my 2014 summer holidays.

10. AAA - LOVER (2014)

Album: AAA 10th Anniversary Best

A 2014 summer song to celebrate AAA's 10th year anniversary of producing great POP music. This song screams POP music from 2014 however, it also gives me mid 2000 pop songs from the UK with the summer aesthetics like the sea and a beach house.

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I would have named this my TOP 10 favourite ONE OK ROCK and AAA music videos but I had to add some J-POP music videos by Korean artists as they also produce amazing videos.

Next up is a list of my favourite K-POP music videos. 🎶🎵

Sabina 🦁