A lot of work goes into filming for music videos. Firstly, finding a concept that fits he ceoncept of the artists' music, determining location, lighting, camera work, the artists themselves, their approval, the costumes, choreography, date, weather, everything. One can only imagine how hard it must be for artists to create one cohesive music video.
While most music videos therefore reply on editing to create magic, some music videos are all shot in a single take. It is incredible hard to create one take shoots as every single movement needs to be precise, every single detail flawless. Otherwise, the entire thing is chucked and done all over again.
As such, it is incredible hard work for everyone involved, right from the artists to the crew and staff. A one-shot or continuous shot feature film is a full-length movie filmed in one long take by a single camera, or manufactured to give the impression it was.
Here are some K-Pop music videos that were all one shots.
1. EXO's GROWL
EXO is a South Korean-Chinese boy band based in Seoul and consists of nine members: Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun. Former members Kris, Luhan, and Tao departed the group amid legal battles in 2014 and 2015.
The band was formed by SM Entertainment in 2011 and debuted in 2012. Their music-released and performed in Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese-primarily incorporates pop, hip-hop, and R&B and includes elements of electronic dance music genres such as house and trap.
The band ranked as one of the top five most influential celebrities on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list from 2014 to 2018 and have been labelled "Kings of K-pop" by various media outlets.
EXO's Growl music video was entirely one shot, filled with choreography which meant that everyone had to be just perfect with no margin for error.
2. SUPER JUNIOR's IT'S YOU
Super Junior also known as SJ or SuJu, is a South Korean boy band debuted on November 6, 2005, by producer Lee Soo-man of SM Entertainment. They are also dubbed by the media and Korean Music Awards as the "King of Hallyu Wave" due to their prominent contributions in Korean Wave. The group comprised a total of thirteen members at its peak.
Super Junior originally debuted with twelve members, consisting of leader Leeteuk, Heechul, Han Geng, Yesung, Kangin, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, and Kibum. Kyuhyun joined the group later in 2006.
Super Junior actually pioneered the "one shot" music video as their M/V for It's You was the first ever one shot music video.
3. BTS's SAVE ME
BTS is always a different breed when it comes to music videos and concepts. They're always well-thought-out and unique.
BTS's music video for Save Me was actually a complete one shot take. After a lot of hard work and numerous attempts, the perfect shot was finally shot.
The behind the scenes video for the music video showed just how hard it is for that many people to nail every single mark in order to deliver the perfect one take.
4. BIG BANG's LOVE SONG
Big Bang is a South Korean boy band formed by YG Entertainment. The group consists of four members: G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, and Daesung; former member Seungri retired from the entertainment industry on March 11, 2019.
Dubbed the "Kings of K-pop", they helped spread the Korean Wave internationally and are one of the most influential acts in K-pop history. They are known for their trendsetting musical experimentation, self-production, and stage presence. Their music video for Love Song was a visual masterpiece.
