The Huge Rise Of K-pop Dark Concepts Leaves Us Drunk-dazed

As a growing popular phenomenon around the world, K-pop is so popular because they train so hard to give great performances with singing, rapping and dancing, and their music videos are well produced and entertaining. Moreover, there's a range of different styles of music and they mix different cultures into their songs as well.

K-pop, which stands for Korean popular music, is a music genre that originates from South Korea. While this name was first seen in 1990-95, K-pop was invented with the first group, 'Seo Taiji and Boys', in 1992. 

What does a K-pop group 'concept' mean?

A K-pop group 'concept' is the theme or look of the K-pop group's song along with the photoshoots and performance stages. This idea can change throughout their career from debut to their different comebacks. 

Just like how K-pop has a variety of genres and styles, they also have a range of concepts. K-pop concepts include cute, sexy, girl crush, summer, dark, retro, bad boy, school and more. Many K-pop groups have great concepts that are the best for their songs and image. For example, Blackpink's concept is girl crush. 

What is a K-pop dark concept?

A K-pop dark concept is a mature theme with an often gloomy look to show content and aesthetics such as violence, horror and sexiness. 

In the past, there were more cute concepts and then girl crush or bad boy. Although cute concepts are still seen now, mainly in debuts before they grow into mature concepts, they're not as common as they were before. They were frequent back then because of Korean culture's love for cute, where they have the term 'aegyo' and K-pop fans now know it. While foreigners can do aegyo, Koreans do it more and are probably more familiar/comfortable with it. 

Aegyo means a display or act of overly cute affection or flirtation, including a cute, high-pitched voice, facial expressions (e.g. sticking out lips in a pout) and gestures.

However, through globalisation, influence from Western styles and also seeing the reactions from their audiences, dark concepts are being used more. And as a K-pop group with a dark concept succeeds, more groups challenge the dark concept. It gives a mature, cool look and attracts international fans, especially those who don't prefer cute, aegyo themes since it's not in their culture. 

VIXX

For instance, VIXX is one of the most well-known groups for the dark concept. I think they are a classic example of it and they commit to it in their amazing songs. If you like older generation K-pop music and you want a dark theme, I strongly recommend them.

VIXX debuted on 24 May 2012, under Jellyfish Entertainment, with the song Super Hero. VIXX was formed through the survival show MyDOL and they currently have 5 members: N, Leo, Ken, Ravi, and Hyuk. However, they used to have 6 members but in 2020, Lee Hongbin left the group due to controversies about criticising other groups. Their fandom name is Starlight. 

Fortunately, VIXX has not disbanded yet as Leo and Ken have renewed their contract with Jellyfish Entertainment. While N left the company and Ravi also didn't renew his contract to set up his own hip-hop label in 2019 (GROOVL1N), the two members will promote as VIXX with the others when the time comes.

One of their most popular songs that highlights their dark concept is Voodoo Doll, which was released on 20 November 2013. Being that it's one of their darkest videos, it definitely became memorable as an iconic song for this concept. It's also really scary from the start with violence and gruesome gore which gave me goosebumps so it's not for the fainthearted. 

Of course, this generation is showing a great range of different concepts and lots have taken up the dark concept - either since debut, through a re-debut or in a later comeback. I think all these must-see groups are amazing at performing this theme to suit their group and make them stand out from others.

So here are some great dark themes done by known groups and lesser-known ones. They are ranked by my personal favourites and how much I think they show a great dark concept. 

10 Popular and rising K-pop groups with dark concepts

1. Dreamcatcher

Firstly, when one says dark concept, my mind goes to Dreamcatcher. They're already popular internationally and known for their consistent, dark, nightmare concept - where everyone represents a different nightmare. I love their music as it's my type of rock music and they're very talented with well-produced music videos. However, they're not very popular domestically yet due to their rock metal genre not really matching Korea's mainstream music. 

Dreamcatcher is a K-pop girl group that debuted on 13 January 2017, under Happyface Entertainment and then its subsidiary, Dreamcatcher Company, in 2019. They consist of 7 members: JiU, SuA, Siyeon, Handong, Yoohyeon, Dami and Gahyeon. Also, Dreamcatcher's fandom name is InSomnia and they now have an official lightstick. Dreamcatcher's leader is JiU, the oldest member.

So, if you like rock music, you should definitely listen to Dreamcatcher. Not only that but they also have strong, deep raps, great vocals and powerful dancing that people say matches the energy and difficulty of boy groups dances. Trust me, I've tried dancing to them and they are indeed tiring. Not to mention, they have even written some of their own lyrics and Dami writes many of her own raps. 

Furthermore, you need to check them out if you love horror or scary things and if you don't like horror, be careful watching their videos but still check out their music. From their debut, Chase Me, they showed a horror theme in their music video such as a dark hotel, dolls, sacrifice-looking rituals/curses and ghosts. Notably, many fans say that Dreamcatcher started girl group horror concepts.

Did you know? Dreamcatcher had a re-debut and was previously known as Minx with the 5 members JiU, SuA, Siyeon, Yoohyeon and Dami. Minx debuted on 18 September 2014 and disbanded on 29 November 2016. Surprisingly, they had a cute and fresh concept with some girl crush. 

2. PIXY

Another great group is PIXY, who show the dark concept from the start. And with great vocals, powerful rap and dance, they reminded me of Dreamcatcher at first but they stay unique to themselves. If you like Dreamcatcher, I really recommend this group. 

PIXY is a girl group that debuted on 24 February 2021 under ALLART Entertainment but are managed by Happy Tribe Entertainment. PIXY consists of 6 members: Ella, Lola, Satbyeol, Dia, Sua and Dajeong. The leader of PIXY is the oldest member, Ella. Also, PIXY's fandom name is WINXY. 

Their debut song, Wings, showed a great haunting aesthetic from the start that really hooks you in. Something I love is the unique and memorable choreography in this song and their others. 

3. Enhypen

Being popular around the globe is Enhypen, the younger brother group of TXT and BTS. When I saw their debut, I loved it and all those three boy groups are great at creating their own different storyline that captivates you. 

Enhypen, or ENHYPEN, was formed in 2020 by the survival show I-LAND and they're under the BE:LIFT Lab, the joint label of BigHit Entertainment and HYBE Labels. Enhypen debuted on 30 November 2020 and consists of 7 members: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki.

While the oldest member is Lee Heeseung (born on 15 October 2001 and 19 years old at the time of debut), Enhypen's leader is Jungwon. 

In 3 months, their first comeback song Drunk-Dazed, which was released on 26 April 2021, already has over 40 million views. I liked it more than their debut (Given-Taken), as this hit stronger and I loved the aesthetic look with their dark, angsty-teen-like clothes and the great cinematography. Additionally, I find the story and the blood mystery so intriguing that I can't stop replaying it. 

4. Pink Fantasy

This group definitely makes people curious and interested with not only their dark concept but also by having one of their members wear a rabbit mask in their music video. 

Pink Fantasy is a girl group that debuted on 24 October 2018 under MyDoll Entertainment. The group includes 8 members: SeeA, Yechan, Harin, Arang, Momoka, Miku, Heesun, and the hidden member, Daewang. 

Daewang of Pink Fantasy always wears a mask to hide her identity, which will be revealed later in the future. Daewang does sing, although sometimes not as much as others. Also, the members that left Pink Fantasy include Miu, Aini (due to health issues), SangA (for personal reasons), Yubeen (because of her panic disorder), and Rai. 

Once again, if you like Dreamcatcher, you need to check out Pink Fantasy. They also have a rock-style genre and their dancers in the dance break are amazing. Especially in Poison, not only was the song and dance good but I loved the haunting effects and visuals of the video - they rocked the dark, dripping eyeliner and Arang looked great with the half black-half blonde hair. 

5. CLC

One of the older K-pop groups that shows a unique, dark concept that shows who they are is CLC. They're known for showing some variety in their style, with a few colourful videos but they have a very CLC touch. I particularly love their strong rap and great vocals in their always catchy songs. 

CLC is a K-pop girl group under Cube Entertainment that debuted on 19 March 2015. They currently consist of 6 members: Seungyeon, Seunghee, Yujin, Sorn, Yeeun, and Eunbin. Elkie left the group and company on 3 February 2021 due to the agency hardly supporting the group and violating their payment and agreement. CLC's fandom name is Cheshire. 

CLC's leader is Seungyeon and the youngest member is Eunbin (born on 6 January 2000). And not to mention, Eunbin can speak English and so can Sorn, the Thai member, and Yeeun can speak English and Chinese as well. Elkie and Sunghee can also compose songs. 

While their songs aren't rock and as scary as Dreamcatcher or VIXX, they still have the dark feel and their songs are all different but have great visuals and melodies. Truly, their most dark songs are probably Hobgoblin and Black Dress and then Me, No, and Devil - my favourite being Black Dress with their fierce, classy style and interesting ending they love to have. 

6. EXO

Although EXO has done many different concepts and succeeded in them all, their dark concepts are one of my favourites. From their iconic debut MAMA with its deep chanting, to their very popular song Monster, they show great talent and confident performance that you can't take your eyes off. While Monster, and even Obsession, aren't the horror dark, they're a sexy and violent dark. 

EXO is under SM Entertainment and debuted on 8 April 2012. They currently consist of 9 members: Suho, Xiumin, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun. However, they were originally 12 members but Kris, Tao and Luhan left the group after filing a lawsuit against SM Entertainment.

At the present time, their popularity has lead people to be interested in the many members. Although many members left, no members died and Lay is still in EXO (though he was in China mostly). Furthermore, EXO's Chen is married and had a daughter on 29 April 2020. 

7. Red Velvet

You've probably heard of Red Velvet and although you may first associate them with their summer concepts (Red Flavour) or unique ones (Zimzalabim), most fans think of Peek-A-Boo when they think of dark concepts. Despite being one song, it left such an impact that it made its mark on the list of iconic dark concepts (and the pizza boy is now a meme). 

Red Velvet is a girl group under SM Entertainment that debuted on 1 August 2014. It consists of 5 members: Irene, Wendy, Seulgi, Joy and Yeri. The youngest member, Yeri, joined at the start of 2015. And the leader and oldest member is Irene (Bae Ju Hyun), who was born on 29 March 1991. Their fandom name is ReVeluv. 

Regardless of questions for when they're going to disband, Red Velvet is still active, though on hiatus as SM says. 

8. (G)I-DLE

In like manner, (G)I-DLE is a girl group popular around the world, loved for their strong performance. Significantly, I love how Soyeon composes, arranges and writes most of their songs and other people's. 

(G)I-DLE debuted on 2 May 2018 under Cube Entertainment. The girl group consists of 6 members: Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Soojin, Yuqi, and Shuhua. The leader is Soyeon, while the oldest member is Miyeon (born 31 January 1997) and the youngest member is Shuhua (born 6 January 2000). Additionally, Shuhua and Miyeon are the visuals of the group. 

While they started off with cool, unique and badass themes, they later showed more powerful, dark concepts. Particularly, Oh My God really showed a dark concept that gained a lot of love from fans with its crazy, stunning and captivating visuals.

9. Oneus

Next, fans mention Oneus when they think of dark concepts. They're strong rookies and this permanent group is getting very well-known. Oneus is notably great for their beautiful vocals and deep rapping.

Oneus (pronounced one-us) is a boy group under RBW that debuted on 9 January 2019. It consists of 6 members: Ravn, Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong, and Xion. In contrast to others, Oneus doesn't have a leader so all members can actively help out.

The youngest member is Xion (Son Dong Ju), who was born on 10 January 2000. Also, their fandom name is TO MOON and they got their lightstick in December 2020. 

They debuted with a mostly dark theme (Valkyrie) and some of their other songs are also dark (Twilight, To Be or Not To Be, No Diggity). However, they are equally known for their cool and bright concepts. My favourite dark themes are To Be or Not To Be for its captivating video and No Diggity with its intense yet entertaining video. 

10. Nature

Although Nature has done cute, cool, and girl crush concepts, I was surprised to see them have a dark comeback with Girls and they did it really well (they love trying a range of concepts). While some may argue it's not dark because the lyrics aren't, I wanted to include this as the music video showed a captivating dark theme (and I now think of it when I see scissors). 

Nature, a girl group, debuted on 3 August 2018 under n.CH Entertainment. The group consists of 9 members: Lu, Sohee, Aurora, Saebom, Chaebin, Haru, Loha, Uchae, and Sunshine. The leader is Lu. While there's question about Aurora leaving the group, n.CH Entertainment denies this, saying that she's focusing on her studies in China.

Nature's song Girls was a bit problematic as the music video was declared inappropriate to broadcast so they had to edit and submit it again. But now, we can enjoy it and there's even an uncensored version and a bloody performance version so if you want to see something darker, you should watch them too.

The future will have more K-pop dark concepts

Many K-pop fans have commented that they are sick of dark concepts. On the contrary, I think it's great for groups to try new things to see what works well and what they like. In the future, there'll be lots more dark concepts and new ones as groups experiment. While some may not do it that well, many will surely succeed in capturing a lot of attention.

To point out, it seems that many girl groups are getting noticed with their dark concepts so more girl groups will follow but I hope there'll be more boy groups trying it too if it fits for them. 

Some may debut with a dark theme or like many on this list, they may later make a comeback with it, which I think might be more interesting to see that side of idols you're familiar with. No matter what, we'll always remember these classic and iconic dark concepts. 

To sum up, the future of K-pop dark concepts looks to be bright... maybe that's not the best word. But more dark concepts will keep coming and it's exciting to see how creative, dark and intriguing they can get.