PSY’s Gangnam Style has now crossed 4.6 billion views on YouTube. This puts Gangnam Style at the top of the list for the most-watched Kpop music videos, which is not even close. This is saying a lot since Kpop had grown in popularity for years before Gangnam Style came out. Since YouTube’s launch back in 2005, YouTube has continued to grow. Now nearly 6.5 billion videos are watched daily, with people uploading nearly 500 hours of video to YouTube every minute. Kpop accounts for less than 1% of YouTube’s content. Yet it gets close to 5% of the views. Many people, not just Koreans, watch Kpop music videos on YouTube and blog about Kpop.
Top 100 Kpop Stars in 2023 – Q1
This article will focus on the most viewed Kpop Music Videos on YouTube. If you are interested in non-Kpop-related Korean YouTube videos, we also have an article. Many of these Kpop videos instantly get massive views on their release thanks to the millions of subscribers by many top Kpop Entertainment companies. For example, HYBE has over 72 million subscribers, and SM Entertainment has over 31.9 million subscribers on YouTube! This is why you will see A LOT of BTS and BLACKPINK on this list.
PSY – GANGNAM STYLE
When Gangnam Style emerged, Psy was considered an “old school” Kpop star. He also had a bad-boy image and nothing like today’s clean-cut version. So when people started to learn more about Kpop because of Psy, he was not the classic representation of Kpop stars during this time. Gangnam is a wealthy neighborhood in Seoul where young people go to parties. The song brilliantly and humorously captures the culture of people who hang out in Gangnam.
Gangnam Style has a lot going on in the music video, but all the shots were shot in less than two days of filming. It features many Korean celebrities such as Hwang Min-woo (a dancing kid sensation), Soon Jae-Suk (TV host/comedian), No Hong-chul (a TV personality), and Hyuna (Kpop star). It also included the famous horse dance that went viral worldwide. On its first release day, Gangnam Style got an impressive 500,000 views! Now it has over 4.8 billion views on YouTube!
“Gangnam is a territory in Seoul, Korea. I describe it as noble at the daytime and going crazy at the night time…and the lyric says I am the right guy for the lady who is like that,” said PSY
Total Views: 4,813,516,649
BLACKPINK – DDU-DU DDU-DU
BLACKPINK became the first Kpop group to get over 2 billion views on YouTube for Ddu-du Ddu-du. The song was the first to pass the 1 billion view mark in November 2020. In addition, the four members are the second-most subscribed global artists on Youtube, with over 54 million subscribers. Their fandom (Blinks) is the biggest in Kpop and is very aggressive in ensuring a new BLACKPINK release breaks as many YouTube records as possible.
It is also one of the best Kpop Videos on YouTube ever produced. The girls are fierce and fabulous, serving major attitudes throughout the video. The visuals are statement-making, with bold colors and edgy styling. And the choreography is on point, as always. The girls look like they’re having a blast dancing around in an abandoned warehouse, and they definitely bring the heat with this one.
Total Views: 2,101,718,980
BLACKPINK – Kill This Love
Another BLACKPINK music video with over 1 billion views on YouTube is Kill This Love. The “Blinks” did a great job in promoting this song right when it was released. However, it also got much media attention when the dance practice video of “Kill This Love” was released on Blackpink’s official YouTube channel. KBS banned the music video for violating Korea’s Road Traffic Act because there is a scene in the video where Rose is seen driving a car at high speed without wearing a seatbelt. Both positive and negative media attention really helped this music video gain a lot of attention upon its release. It is one of their most popular global songs and was able to rank 41 on Billboard’s main singles chart in its first week of release.
Sonically, “Kill This Love” is a high-energy track with signature Blackpink elements like catchy hooks and rap verses. The production is glossy and polished, making for a very radio-friendly listen. The music video is also extremely well done, featuring the group’s signature aesthetics and aesthetic. In true Blackpink fashion, the girls look gorgeous and perform a powerful performance that will leave fans wanting more.
Total Views: 1,807,693,077
BTS – Dynamite
BTS made history in 2020 when their new single Dynamite became the best-ever 24-hour debut of a music video on YouTube with more than 100 million views (101.1 million). The song is an upbeat disco-pop track that was sung entirely in English. It is officially the most-viewed music video premiere on Youtube. This was a goal that the BTS Army was trying to achieve, as Blackpink’s How You Like That previously held the record. They were able to make their TV performance of Dynamite at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards. In addition, BTS got their first Grammy nomination in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for Dynamite.
Total Views: 1,709,484,913
BTS – Boy With Luv
Many might not know BTS from DNA but rather from Boy With Luv. BTS collaborated with singer-songwriter Halsey to create this music video which has also hit 1 billion views on YouTube. The song was able to peak at No.8 on the Hot 100. It is seen as the song that really helped BTS break out in the U.S. Market. They even performed Boy With Luv on Saturday Night Live!
The music video features the group’s seven members dancing and singing against various colorful backdrops. The boys are shown having fun and enjoying themselves throughout the video, which reflects the song’s upbeat message. Overall the “Boy With Luv” music video is a fun and energetic visual that perfectly complements the song’s message of love and friendship.
I flew to Korea to film the music video for “Boy With Luv” and got to spend some time there, and see how they [BTS] work, how they make music videos, and how dedicated they are to dance and making sure everything is perfect,” said Halsey.
Total Views: 1,650,972,231
BLACKPINK – BOOMBAYAH
BLACKPINK makes the list again with their third video to reach 1 billion views on YouTube. It is their debut single and was released with “Whistle” as a digital single, Square One. Boombayah reached the 1 billion view mark four years after its initial release. It was one of their very first hits. No Kpop group has ever had three music videos hit the 1 billion views mark on Youtube.
Blackpink’s “Boombayah” is a high-energy, bass-heavy banger that keeps your head nodding and your feet moving. The song opens with a strong 808 beat that sets the tone for the rest of the track. The verses feature catchy melodies and rap delivery from Lisa and Jennie, while the chorus is an infectious sing-along that will have you hooked from the first listen. The music video is equally captivating, with the group’s sharp choreography and stylish looks on full display. In just under four minutes, Blackpink packs a lot of personality and style, making “Boombayah” a must-watch for any fan of K-pop.
Total Views: 1,607,141,025
PSY – GENTLEMAN
PSY’s follow-up to Gangnam Style was also a big hit on YouTube. The pressure was high on PSY to replicate the massive success of Gangnam Style. While the song did not reach that level, Gentleman was still hugely successful. All did not praise the video as it shows Psy pranking women, which some viewers felt was too sexual. However, the video got over 50 million views on Youtube in the first two days of its release.
PSY’s “Gentleman” is a fun, catchy song that will get stuck in your head. The music video is also very well done, with creative visuals and intricate choreography. The video features PSY performing various pranks on unsuspecting people, including pulling chairs out from under them and spraying them with a water bottle. Overall, “Gentleman” is a fun, feel-good song that can please viewers of all ages.
Total Views: 1,564,302,901
BTS – DNA
BTS has become a global musical sensation. Their videos are among the top viewed Kpop videos on Youtube. Many thanks have to go to their fandom (ARMY). They have done a great job of supporting BTS and making sure their videos are shared all around the world. Their 2017 hit song DNA has the most views and topped 1 billion on YouTube in June 2020. When it was first released, it got 21 million views on Youtube within 24 hours. In addition, DNA is the lead track for their 2017 album Love Yourself. It stayed on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for four weeks in a row. In addition, the song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The music video is a stunning visual feast that perfectly complements the song’s catchy tune and lyrics. The video opens with a close-up of an eye, followed by a series of rapidly changing images introducing the seven BTS members. These images are visually arresting and help to set the stage for the video’s main concept: DNA replication. interspersed with shots of the band performing against various colorful backdrops, we see close-ups of cells splitting and replicating. This cleverly-edited footage gives the impression that the members of BTS are themselves replicating or clones. The video ends with a shot of all seven members standing in a line, their faces slowly morphing into one another until they become indistinguishable. This final image is both trippy and thought-provoking, leaving viewers with plenty to chew on long after the video is over.
Total Views: 1,516,202,270
BTS – MIC Drop
BTS collaborated with American DJ/Producer Steve Aoki for Mic Drop, which has already passed 800 million views on YouTube. Moreover, it debuted at No.28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for ten weeks in a row.
BTS’ “Mic Drop” music video is a jaw-dropping work of art that perfectly displays the group’s impressive dance skills and musical talent. The video starts with the seven members of BTS walking confidently toward the camera, each clad in their unique style. As the beat drops, the members start to dance in perfect synchronization, their movements sharp and precise. The camera pans around them, allowing viewers to see all the intricate details of the choreography. The video then transitions to scenes of the members singing passionately into the microphone, their voices sounding clear and powerful. The final scene shows all seven members standing together, proud and victorious. Overall, “Mic Drop” is an incredible music video showcasing everything that makes BTS special.
“It’s [Kpop] kind of like a best-kept secret. Because it’s in Korean, you don’t get to hear about it so much. Now Because of the way that people discover music, it doesn’t have to be in English anymore. People are amazed by different cultures and sounds,” said Steve Aoki.
Total Views: 1,334,511,364
BTS – FAKE LOVE
BTS’s Fake Love passed 800 million views in 2020. Back in 2018, it had the most views on YouTube in the first 24 hours of its debut. It is the title song from their record-breaking album Love Yourself: Tear.
The band members are shown going about their everyday lives in the music video for “Fake Love” by BTS, seemingly happy and content. However, as the video progresses, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems. The members are shown struggling with depression and anxiety, and eventually, they reach a breaking point. The video ends with the band members embracing each other, signifying their strength despite their difficulties. “Fake Love” is a powerful song that speaks to the pain and struggles of mental illness. The music video is beautifully done and effectively conveys the song’s message. It is a moving tribute to those who suffer from mental illness and an important reminder that we are not alone.
Total Views: 1,266,990,015
5 comments
Awesome ! Im so proud of my Boys 😘 thy worked sooooo hard and it was all worth it. I Hope that in they will be happy anytime.
Love BTS sooo much fromARMY
BTS is one of my favorite KPOP group. they have work really hard with their dancing and singing.
You should probably update this list. Dynamite made history with breaking streaming records and is already at 1b. Butter made history too and how you like that gas a huge amount of views
Will update the list next week. Thanks for the feedback.
#blackpink is the best
I am very proud that I am a blink…..
#blinkforever