10 Most-Watched K-Pop Music Videos of 2023

It’s official: the world is in love with K-Pop and all things related to it. With the growth of the K-Pop industry over the years, we take a look at the most-watched K-Pop music videos of 2023.

Of course, we have to point out that the items on this list cannot compete with Psy’s Gangnam Style with nearly 5 billion views. But who knows, one of these tracks just might come close someday.   

BabyMonster, a K-pop group under YG Entertainment, released their debut track, Batter Up on November 27, 2023. The group's members were introduced through the reality show Last Evaluation in 2023.

The lively and energetic tune, Batter Up, was crafted by an impressive team of composers and songwriters, including Lee Chan-hyuk of AKMU and Choi Hyun-suk of Treasure.

More than just its debut track, Batter Up serves as a bold statement, reflecting BabyMonster's determination to leave a lasting impression and carve its path in the world of K-Pop.

The song has gained significant attention and has become a viral sensation, with 158 million views on YouTube and 2,329,653 monthly listeners on the platform as of January 4, 2024. The group has also reached 1 million streams on Melon, with 121.8k unique listeners. 

Despite the shortcomings of this debut, fans worldwide seem to be embracing BabyMonster and can't get enough. 

The group has officially debuted at No. 4 on the December Girl Group Brand Reputation Ranking.

Originally slated to be a seven-member ensemble, the group faced a setback as Ahyeon, introduced during the pre-debut phase, did not partake in the debut due to health reasons.

Its members include Rami (formerly Haram), Rora from South Korea, Ruka and Asa from Japan, and Pharita and Chiquita from Thailand. 

BabyMonster marks YG Entertainment's first female act in seven years, succeeding the groundbreaking success of BlackPink.

The EP Get Up by the South Korean girl group NewJeans showcased the remarkable talents of members Jiyeon, Hyejin, Sooyoung, and Yuna with an exceptional track released on July 7, 2023. 

This song seamlessly blended liquid drum and bass, bubblegum, and Jersey club vibes, expertly capturing the jittery thrill of confessing love.

Under the direction of Shin Hee-won, the music video featured the girls flaunting their dance moves in an energetic flash mob set in Lisbon, Portugal.

This global sensation made its mark on the music scene, soaring to number two on the Billboard Global 200 charts. Impressively, it also gained significant traction in the UK, securing the 52nd spot, and landed at 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Released on February 24, 2023, as part of their single album The Beginning: Cupid, the track Cupi" by Fifty Fifty encapsulates the story of a young woman's unrequited love, delving into the accompanying feelings of embarrassment.

This catchy and enjoyable song gained tremendous traction after a sped-up rendition went viral on TikTok. Its unprecedented success marked a milestone for the minor K-pop label as Cupid became one of the first songs to achieve widespread global commercial acclaim. 

This track marked Fifty Fifty's inaugural entry onto both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, establishing them as the quickest Korean musical act to accomplish this feat after their debut.

Impressively, " reached its peak at No. 17 on the Hot 100, and its impressive ten-week stint on the charts made it the longest-charting song by a K-pop girl group up to that point. 

This achievement solidified Fifty Fifty's presence in the international music scene and underscored their swift rise to prominence.

Stray Kids, a dynamic South Korean group known for their innovative sound, released S-Class as the lead single from their third Korean-language album, 5-Star, dropping on June 2, 2023.

Crafted by Stray Kids' in-house production trio 3Racha and co-composed by Chae Kang-hae and Restart, S-Class showcases the group's unwavering confidence and individuality. 

The song artfully portrays their unique essence, likening themselves to a celestial star, radiating distinction.

Directed by Bang Jae-yeob, the music video for S-Class unfolds a cinematic narrative featuring the band confronting mysterious cloaked figures and engaging in a fierce battle against an octopus monster. This visually stunning video achieved a remarkable milestone of 100 million views by August 8.

The song's success further solidified Stray Kids' position in the industry, resonating with fans globally and marking another triumphant chapter in the group's musical journey.

Seventeen, the widely acclaimed K-pop group known for their exceptional performances and captivating music, unveiled Super on April 24, 2023, marking it as one of the primary singles from their EP, FML.

The song, titled 손오공 (Son O-gong) in Korean, pays homage to the legendary character Monkey King from the Classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West. Notably, the chorus references the line “feels like I turned into Son Ogong,” drawing parallels to the character’s immense power.

Directed by Oui Kim, the music video premiered alongside the album, delivering a visual feast. The video showcased exhilarating choreography, complemented by an impressive assembly of 228 backup dancers.

Super soared to remarkable success, earning Seventeen widespread adoration and accolades. The song secured victories for Seventeen on numerous music programs, triumphing on Show Champion, M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo, demonstrating its widespread popularity and impact in the K-Pop scene.

I Am, the lead single from the debut studio album 'I’ve Ive' by the South Korean girl group IVE, debuted on April 10, 2023, under Starship Entertainment.

Crafted by the pen of Kim Eana and the musical prowess of Ryan S. Jhun, Kristin Marie Skolem, Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen, and Eline Noelia Myreng, the song carries a powerful message advocating for a self-assured and resilient mindset, encouraging the discovery of new facets of oneself daily.

Following its release, I Am swiftly captured listeners' attention, making its ascent up numerous music charts. The track secured the top spot on the Circle Digital Chart in South Korea and dominated the Billboard South Korea Songs chart. Remarkably, it marked IVE's third song to achieve a perfect all-kill (PAK).

Internationally, I Am left a substantial footprint, entering the top 20 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and claiming a spot in the top 10 on Singapore's RIAS Top Streaming Songs chart. Its impact extended to the United States, where it ascended to the top 10 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.

The debut single album, OMG, marked a significant milestone for NewJeans, released under ADOR, a subsidiary of the esteemed Hybe Corporation, on January 2, 2023.

Preceding OMG, NewJeans achieved success with their initial extended play titled New Jeans, featuring hit singles like Cookie, Attention, and Hype Boy. Fans eagerly awaited the group's comeback, announced by Hybe Corporation's CEO, Jiwon Park, on the same day of the album's release.

Crafted by NewJeans members Hanni, Gigi, and Ylva Dimberg in collaboration with David Dawood and Park Jin-su, OMG boasts lyrics in both English and Korean, showcasing a fusion of hip hop R&B with influences from UK garage and trap rhythms.

The music video, directed by Shin Woo-seok from Dolphiners, stands out for its creativity and intrigue. Set in a mental hospital, it portrays each NewJeans member immersed in their unique delusions. 

Hanni assumes the persona of Siri, Minji envisions herself as a doctor, Hyein embodies a fairy tale character, Haerin believes she's a cat, while Danielle remains conscious of their true identities as NewJeans. The video also features cameos from actor Kim Joo-hun and former webtoon writer Lee Mal-nyeon.

The song, OMG, surged in popularity, becoming a standout success after the group's earlier accomplishments.

The lead single from their sixth EP, I Feel, dropped on May 15, 2023, courtesy of Cube Entertainment, marks a new chapter for the (G)I-DLE. Renowned for their empowering messages, this track, titled Queencard, resonates with the essence of self-confidence and the realization that genuine beauty transcends mere appearances. 

Departing from their previous releases, the song embraces a lighter, more comical style, injecting a playful twist into its lyrics and overall tone.

Queencard skyrocketed to remarkable success, claiming the top spot on the Circle Chart. It also soared into the Top 10 on Billboard's "Hits of the World" charts across Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the US World Digital Song Sales chart. This infectious tune made a significant impact on music shows, securing an impressive tally of 13 music show awards.

The music video is a captivating narrative that follows SY, a character yearning to emulate the popular girls and contemplating plastic surgery. Ultimately, SY discovers her innate beauty, embracing self-acceptance. The video exudes a retro ambiance while cleverly referencing movies like I Feel Pretty and White Chicks adding an extra layer of depth to its visual storytelling.

Jung Kook and Latto joined forces for the release of Seven. This romantic UK garage and pop fusion dropped on July 14, 2023, under Big Hit Music, creating an irresistible allure that prompts an urge to spend endless moments with a beloved partner. 

Co-written by Andrew Watt, Cirkut, Jon Bellion, Latto, and Theron Makiel Thomas, with production credits to Watt and Cirkut, Seven emerged as a captivating love anthem.

The reception has been nothing short of phenomenal! Seven stormed the charts, debuting at the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and securing the top spot on the Global 200. 

This accomplishment marked both Jung Kook and Latto's inaugural number-one hit on these prestigious charts. In the UK, it debuted impressively at number three, setting a groundbreaking record as the highest debut for a solo Korean artist in the chart's history. 

The music video, helmed by Bradley & Pablo, features South Korean actress Han So-hee portraying Jung Kook's girlfriend. It unfolds as a delightful and engaging narrative capturing an entire week of his endeavors to win her affection, adorned with comedic twists that are sure to charm viewers. It's an enjoyable visual accompaniment that adds depth to the song's narrative.

Flower marks the remarkable debut solo single by the exceptionally talented Jisoo from BlackPink, generating ripples of excitement within the music realm.

Unveiled on March 31, 2023, as the lead track from her inaugural solo venture, Me, this song intricately weaves a spellbinding blend of mid-tempo dance, pop, and trap genres. 

What sets it apart is the seamless fusion of traditional Korean melodies and vibrant Caribbean elements, elevating its allure.

Within the lyrics of Flower lies a poignant narrative of triumph over a toxic relationship. Jisoo's vocals take center stage, exquisitely delivering the song's emotional depth and message.

The accompanying music video embarks on Jisoo's personal odyssey, reminiscent of an enthralling cinematic journey. It commences within a hotel room adorned with an array of exquisite flowers, capturing her attention. The narrative unfolds through distinct chapters, commencing with "Chapter 1: Next Day," depicting the aftermath of her breakup. Clad in elaborate gowns, Jisoo navigates the space, submerged in contemplation, reminiscing about a relationship described as a "spark he simply couldn’t handle."

Amidst the melancholy, Jisoo's trajectory takes a positive turn as she embraces vulnerability, blossoming akin to a vibrant red flower, symbolically leaving her past behind. Further chapters, "Chapter 2: Same Time" and "Chapter 3: Same Place," reveal an empowered side of Jisoo, emblematic of her newfound control and strength. She signifies closure by donning a funeral black lace gown and discarding her rosette choker.

The entirety of the video serves as a visual masterpiece, showcasing Jisoo's exceptional talent and charisma throughout this cinematic marvel, leaving an indelible impression on viewers.

These music videos have gained millions of views on YouTube and are highly regarded for their visuals, choreography, and fashion. Some of these videos have even gone viral, racking up views in just a matter of hours. 

The list was compiled based on YouTube views and has been confirmed by YouTube itself. These K-Pop stars have been keeping the fans entertained with their incredible visuals and unforgettable music videos, featuring intricate choreography, futuristic landscapes, and high-fashion outfits.