Written Messages In K-Pop MVs That Nobody Noticed

As many of you may already know, the current trend for popular groups like BTS, VIXX, and GOT7 is to include a series of symbols and messages throughout their music videos. However, what you may not know is that many groups have been placing messages in MVs for quite some time. If you look close enough, you’ll be able to spot a number of written messages that include heartfelt meanings.

INFINITE’s “Request”

In the MV for INFINITE’s “Request,” there aren’t a whole lot of written messages to be found, but there is a special one that pops up at around 0:24. Written by Philip Yancey, there’s a quote on the right side of the wall that reads, “I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” The quote seems to tie in perfectly with the song itself, which speaks of the pains that come with having an unrequited love. By trusting in the future, the pain that is felt might not be so painful anymore.

Jessica’s “Fly”

For those of you who didn’t know, this setting from Jessica’s MV for “Fly” is an actual mountain made of clay created by artist Leonard Knight. Located in California, the famous Salvation Mountain is painted with hundreds of scripture passages and inspirational messages. If you ever need a positive thought to get you through the day, check out more messages in Jessica’s MV below.

BTS’s “Blood Sweat & Tears”

When it comes to the “WINGS” album for BTS, you’ll come across TONS of hidden symbolisms and references. In their MV for “Blood Sweat & Tears,” there is one message, written by Friedrich Nietzsche, that holds a special meaning for BTS. Many of their other MVs center their themes around the message:

Man muss noch Chaos in sich haben, um einen tanzenden Stern gebaren zu konnen.

For those of you who noticed these words and didn’t understand them, it says, “You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.” Now that you know what it means, doesn’t everything make a lot more sense? If you pay close enough attention when you watch the MV, you’ll see how it all connects.

EXO’s “Love Me Right”

Neon messages are common elements used in K-pop MVs. While most only have one or two, in EXO’s “Love Me Right,” there’s quite a handful of them. Most are written in cursive and are rather difficult to read, but the few that can be read say things like “You only love once,” and “Remember how you made it through.” When taking it in line with their lyrics, these messages emphasize how important it is to love while you can.

BIGBANG’s “Loser”

For Taeyang’s solo clip in BIGBANG’s MV for “Loser,” there are almost too many messages to count. At first glance, most of the messages can’t be read, but when you zoom in, you’ll find several legible ones.

Most of these messages are deep and beautiful, giving off the feeling that Taeyang is expressing the struggle many go through in finding the meaning of life: “Life could have detours. It is what it is; I am who I am.” Other messages convey how hard it can be for some to keep going: “Every moment, light and dark, is a miracle.”

The best message is scribbled on the side of an RV, saying, “To love yourself is the beginning. So, trust in your truth. Only you know it.” In addition to this, there are several other messages hidden inside. See if you can spot more in the MV below.

Can you think of other messages from K-pop MVs? Let us know what you’ve found in the comments below!

J. Simpson is a Creative Writing student hailing from the U.S. with a penchant for binging Asian dramas and rocking out to Korean music. She hopes to one day travel internationally and teach English. Say hello and follow her on Instagram.