K-Pop Songs That Are Commercials (CFs)

Did you know that some K-pop music videos are actually commercials that promote a company's product? Sometimes the product placement is rather obvious or hinted at in the song's lyrics. Other times, it's hard to even tell that the release is a paid endorsement! Here's some k-pop songs that are pushing a product towards you.

1. 2NE1 - Don't Stop The Music

Promotes: Yamaha "Fiore"

2NE1 are warped into a colorful Lego world and party with Fiore motorcycles! They sing to the DJ, telling him to keep the music pumping so everyone can dance till the morning.  It's such an addictive song with auto-tuned vocals and trendy flair. And I didn't notice at first, but 2NE1 sing "Fiore" at some parts, just in case you forget what the song is promoting. In the MV, we get to see loud outfits, smooth dance moves and the fun, friendly chemistry between CL and Minzy.

2. Mamamoo - Woo Hoo

Promotes: LG G5 & Friends (cell phone)

From the first second, Mamamoo serenade listeners with their enchanting vocals. In such fresh harmony, these girls express the excitement of finding someone special. Their charm and flirtatiousness is all captured in a one-take music video. The video caption describes it as a"medium-tempo, funky" song. Overall, I just love the summery/spring concept! "Woo Hoo" is only a commercial, but it's Mamamoo at their finest.

3. Orange Caramel - Abing Abing

Promotes: Baskin Robbins (Ice Cream)

Lizzy, Raina and Nana entice you to fall in love with all thirty-one flavors. They assure us that ice cream is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day. And I agree, though the girls' delivery is overly saccharine! 'Abing Abing' advertises a specific ice cream called bing-soo, which is a Korean shaved ice dessert. Tasty!

4. SNSD & F(x) - Chocolate Love

Promotes: LG Chocolate (cell phone)

Both girl groups released a version of this song. Girls' Generation (SNSD) are elegant ladies who sing about their love for LG's chocolate phone. Their version of the song is retro-pop with a feminine charm. The music video is in a fancy venue and the members wear white outfits. On the other hand, f(x) take a darker approach to 'Chocolate Love' with the ever-so trendy electro-pop. Instead of white lace, f(x) wear black leather and are edgier.

5. NCT 127 - Taste The Feeling

Promotes: Coca Cola

NCT collaborated with Coca Cola and released a Korean version of 'Taste The Feeling'. Members Jaehyun, Taeil, Yuta and Haechan provided the vocals for this track but the entirety of NCT 127 is included in the music video. Each member is shown doing an activity, but they all fall short of success. Then, they take a sip from the iconic red bottle and get the drive and ability to succeed. Like most Coca Cola commercials, this MV makes sure viewers associate their soda with happiness, friendship and positivity.

6. Yuri X Seohyun - Secret

Promotes: Pantene hair care

What's the secret to Yuri's and Seohyun's fabulous hair? They tell us in this endorsement for Pantene hair products, which is complete with silky tresses and slow-motion hair flips. 'Secret' is a dance song that has European-pop elements. The whispered chorus is backed by a heavy electronic bass. It is very chic and is paired with an equally cool video. Yuri and Seohyun dance beside each other and pose on fancy motorcycles and cars.

7. 2NE1 - Be Mine

Promotes: Intel 'Make Thumb Noise' Project

'Be Mine' is a laid back, medium-tempo song that shows the best of all the members' vocals. It is about a girl's confession to her long-time crush and desire to finally start a relationship. In the music video, 2NE1 show their technical savvy, as it is a promotion for a computer processor company. Laptops are shown throughout, and on their screens are with behind the scenes clips of 2NE1.

8. Girl's Day - Hello Bubble

Promotes: MISE EN SCENE  Hair Color Products

'Hello Bubble' is a rather short but fun promo song. It's normal for Girl's Day to switch between cute and sultry concepts, and for this release they went with the former. The music video shows the girls as they get ready for a date. They sport quirky, colorful clothes and show off their trendy styled hair, as it's an endorsement for hair dye.

9. Girls' Generation - Visual Dreams

Promotes: Intel Core

Girls' Generation get technical in 'Visual Dreams' to promote Intel Core computer-processors. It's a bouncy, fun synth-pop track with quite a bit of English in the lyrics. The music video is basic, but entertaining with plenty of colorful special effects!

Sources:

Images: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Playlist 14. Sugar Rush

Theme: Sweet
Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite

Songs about sugar, spice and everything nice.

1. As One - Candy ball

Cantonese ♥

As One is a four member girl group from Hong Kong. You may know one of the members, Shin, from the TV show Produce 101. The original version of 'Candy Ball' is in Cantonese, but As One made their K-pop debut with a Korean version of the song. I love the colorful music video and pop-ish tune which reminds me of 'Glass Bead' by Gfriend.

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 4/5

2. Orange Caramel - Cookies, Cream & Mint

Japanese

I always thought Orange Caramel was the perfect group for listeners with a sweet tooth. They have a 'candy culture' concept and even their name sounds like a taffy flavor! This song is from their first Japanese album and the lyrics are like an ice cream menu. "Chocolate chip, Mocha Fudge, Cake Cream and Mint, Vanilla Strawberry".

Review: Song - 2/5 MV - 3/5

3. Fiestar - Apple Pie

Korean

Fiestar has femininity, charm and cuteness all baked in their latest single "Apple Pie". Much different from their serious music, 'Apple Pie' is a fun synth-pop track. The music video has a Snow White theme. And rightly so, because...apples!

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 2.5/5

4. NC.A - Vanilla Shake

Korean

I like this song. But, there are some elements that don't quite belong. For example, the dance. I think the dance should be cuter, because NC.A looks like a little girl! A little less 'Girl's Day' and more 'Apink' would make this music video better, in my opinion.

Review: Song - 2.5/5 MV - 2/5

5. Gemma - Sugar Rush
Mandarin ♥

Taiwanese celebrity Gemma (aka Gui Gui) signed with CJE&M for her K-pop debut! So, she has a Korean version of Sugar Rush on her mini-album. In the music video nurse, Gemma gives her patients doses of sugary candy. Sweet.

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 4/5

6. NCT Dream - Chewing Gum

Korean

NCT Dream is the third NCT sub-unit and its members are 14 to 17 years old. Not my cup of tea, but the members sure are adorable. The school concept has never been more suitable and the kids-with-candy theme is appropriate. There's also a Chinese version.

Review: Song - 2/5 MV - 2/5

7. Danni - Soda

Mandarin

This singer is from the four-member hip-hop group UV Girls. They debuted in 2014 with a mini album, but haven't released anything since. Danni is the first to have a solo release. 'Soda' has a K-pop style and can be compared to Hyuna during her early days.

Review: Song - 2/5 MV - 2/5

8. F(x) - Ice Cream

Korean ♥

Like many f(x) songs, 'Ice Cream' is an acquired taste. Their quirky style is not for everyone, but it's just my flavor! The song compares first love to vanilla ice cream. "I found you, I found love I melt whenever I’m in front of you".

Review: Song - 4/5 

9. Orange Caramel - Milkshake
Korean

Off of the group's mini-album 'Lipstick', this track could've been a title track too. It has a fast melody and catchy hook. All this talk of Orange Caramel makes me really want them to have a comeback!

Review: Song - 3/5 

10. Laboum - Sugar Sugar
Korean

Laboum embrace sisterhood and friendship with a slumber-party. The girls are talking about a sweet boy that they really like even though he's not Kim Soo Hyun or Lee Min Ho. I like the fun innocence that Laboum show as they crush on a boy.

Review: Song - 2.5/5 MV - 4/5

Playlist 13. Pretty

Theme: Beauty

Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite

Self-confidence songs about beauty (and inner beauty)!

1. Ladies' Code - Pretty Pretty
Korean

There's a fine line between self-confidence and over-confidence. This funky song by Ladies' Code is arguably a bit of both. Basically, they know that they're attractive and don't hesitate to say so! Don't worry though, these girls know that appearances aren't everything, and mention "And my personality is cool too!"

Review: Song - 3/5 MV - 2.5/5

2. F(x) - Pretty Girl
Korean ♥

'Pretty Girl' by f(x) is a bubblegum pop/soft rock hybrid from the group's 2nd album 'Pink Tape'. On the surface, if you don't understand Korean, you may think that this song is just praising a girl's physical appearance. However, it's really an anthem for those who are overshadowed by other's beauty. 'Pretty Girl' bites at the beauty standards for women and points out that prettiness isn't everything. 

Review: Song - 4/5 

3. Brave Girls - High Heels
Korean

Brave Girls strut around in high heels that make them feel confident. This song is upbeat and fun, like many songs produced by Brave Brothers. Though it's not the best outlet for the member's vocals (they can sing very well!), it's empowering! "I'm a sassy girl! I'm a tough girl! I'm a pretty girl! I'm a foxy girl."

Review: Song - 2.5/5 MV - 2/5

4. Girls' Generation - Check
Korean

SNSD are sultry and sing smoothly about getting stylish for their man. Listening to this, I get strong 2000's r&b vibes. What's more, I can almost imagine Britney Spears singing this because it sounds like her style! 'Check' isn't a title track, but in my opinion, it's one of Girls' Generation's strongest releases and is a nice contrast to their usually bubbly concept.

Review: Song - 4/5 

5. Orange Caramel - Lipstick
Korean ♥

This comical trio introduces a new shade of lipstick- orange caramel flavored! The song's sound is a mix of saxophone beats and Korean trot, and it's lyrics describe a flirty girl swooning over a man. Like always, the girls of Orange Caramel are coy and cutesy. In the MV they completely fall for a handsome tennis player.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3.5/5

6. Happiness - Sexy, Young, Beautiful
Japanese

'Happiness celebrates young women in this Japanese pop track over-run with English.It's different from any J-pop that I have listened to, but not unfamiliar. To give you an idea, the visuals are similar to SNSD's 'I Got A Boy' and the sound is like the style of British Girl Group 'Little Mix'. The dancing and fashion aren't my taste, but I must admit this isn't half bad.

Review: Song - 3.5/5 MV - 3/5

7. CLC - High Heels
Korean

Similar to Brave Girl's track of the same title, it's about putting on shoes that make you feel good. The cute concept is all too familiar to me, but this is the group's first release with new members Elkie and Eunbin.

Review: Song - 2/5 MV - 3/5

8. Breeze - Pretty
Mandarin ♥

Breeze is a girl-group from Taiwan that mixes fashion with music. There's not much information on them but from their debut song 'pretty', I can tell they have an attractive image. This K-pop style music video is colorful and the members are clad in fashionable outfits.

Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 4/5

Visual: Sports Concept

Some k-pop and c-pop music videos with sporty themes! :)

1. Twice - Cheer Up!
Cheerleader

2. Ikon - Rhythm Ta

Basketball

3. AOA - Heart Attack

Lacrosse

4. Popu Lady - Lady First

Basketball

5. EXO - Love Me Right

Football

6. Girls' Generation - Oh!

Cheerleader

7. Orange Caramel - Lipstick

Table Tennis

8. Apink - Mr. Chu

Tennis

Playlist 6. Sweethearts (Girl Ver.)

Theme: Sweet
Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

A collection of sweet, lovey-dovey songs to raise your blood sugar! All the singers/groups in this playlist are girls, a boy version with the same theme is coming soon! 

1. AOA Cream - I'm Jelly Baby

Korean

AOA Cream is a sub-unit from Aoa, featuring members Hyejeong, Yuna and Chanmi. The MV is bright pink with a dessert theme and slightly inspired by Sailor Moon. Hyejeong gets jealous when she finds her boyfriend with another girl.

2. Red Velvet - Oh Boy

Korean ♥

Songs like these are why I am a Red Velvet fan! The song really showcases their vocal abilities in this r&b track. I also like how they experiment with the dance music genre.

3. Popu Lady - Love Bomb

Mandarin

Popu Lady is a k-pop-esque girl group from Taiwan. So if you're wary about listening to c-pop, you should start with Popu Lady. Their early songs are cute and bubbly with a concept similar to that of A pink. Not to mention 'Love Bomb' is incredibly catchy!

4. A Pink - LUV

Korean

A pink stayed true to their cute concept in LUV. It's safe to say this song is an A Pink classic. "Do you remember the time we spent together? L.o.v.e. Luv!"

5. Girls' Generation - Gee

Japanese ♥

'Gee' was my very first k-pop song! No doubt it paved the way for the recent K-pop era and is a well known classic. All this aside I prefer the Japanese version. Shinee's Minho is featured in both music videos!

6. Twice - Ohh Ahh

Korean

Monster rookie Twice's debut song. So far Twice only have one mini album, but their lead single crushed the charts. The members are bright and the song is catchy enough. I included the dance version.

9. Orange Caramel - Lipstick

Korean ♥

Orange Caramel is a sub-unit of girl group After School. I love all OC's songs and this is in my favorites. Raina, Nana and Lizzy sport orange jersey dresses and crush on a tennis player. At the end of the MV, they battle some sort of tennis princess. Funny!

10. Jolin Tsai - Phony Queen

Mandarin ♥ 

Everything about 'Phony Queen' is to die for; from the song, lyrics and even the weird outfits. Apparently, Jolin wants to marry a phone, because it's more tolerable than a real man. "Want to be in a relationship? As it turns out the real is inferior to the fake".

11. TTS - Good-Bye, Hello
Korean

TaeTiSeo (the third sub-unit on this list) are from Girls' Generation. They received a lot of attention for debut song 'Twinkle' however their non-title tracks deserve attention too.

12. f(x) - Rum Pum Pum

Korean ♥

F(x) ambush the one that they love in 'Rum Pum Pum'. "Ouch! your head will hurt, you won’t be able to sleep, you won’t forget me easily, your true first love that appeared." The MV is as bold and vivid as the lyrics - I want those plaid dresses!

This or That? {1st Edition}

Ever hear a song that reminds you of another? This is a friendly comparison of videos and songs with similar genres, concepts and themes.

Orange Caramel Aing v. Cocosori Dark Circles

       

Orange Caramel is known for their odd but amusing songs like Aing. It's a sweet bubblegum pop tune about a girl liking a boy. In the MV the girls dance around in plastic cosplay outfits. But new girl Duo Cocosori proves they can be just as weird and charming! The pair dances to "Dark Circle" (also) wearing plastic-y dresses, interacts with a broccoli-man (yes, a broccoli man) and sing about getting bags under their eyes. Both songs are in upbeat trot with kitschy music videos!

• Orange Caramel - Aing~
• CocoSori - Dark Circle

My Choice: OC is one of my favorite girl groups,  but i'll have to choose Cocosori!