8 K-Pop Music Videos & K-Dramas You May Not Have Known Were Filmed In Malaysia
Can go recreate the scenes the next time you go to these places, hehe.
1. Super Junior - Dancing Out
OG ELFs definitely know this one, teehee! Legendary second gen K-pop group Super Junior paid a visit to our shores in 2006, to film the music video for Dancing Out.
From start to end, the music video is filled with scenes of the SuJu members walking, running, and dancing around various iconic locations in KL. This includes the PETRONAS Twin Towers, the Bukit Bintang crosswalk, Dataran Merdeka, Suria KLCC, Masjid Putra, and more.
Fun fact: At some of their concerts in Malaysia like Super Show 2 in 2010 and Super Show 5 in 2013, Super Junior has performed Dancing Out and mentioned how they have fond memories of filming the music video here.
2. B.A.P - Crash
While in KL for their first showcase in Malaysia in 2012, B.A.P also found time to film a music video for their song titled Crash at... Sunway Lagoon!
The six members of the group definitely look like they're having the time of their lives at the popular local theme park as they do everything from getting up close with animals to zooming around in go-karts.
You can even spot them enjoying some of our fave childhood ice creams at the 0:42 mark, hehe! It seems like Daehyun and Jongup are eating Mat Kool Icy Grape, while Zelo is having Nestle Apple Sourz.
Though B.A.P sadly officially disbanded in 2019, Malaysian BABYs will always cherish this music video to remember the good times. <3
3. On the Way to the Airport
Malaysia is featured in more ways than one in this 2016 K-drama. Not only do most of the main characters work for AirAsia, either as cabin crew or pilots, the children of the main characters attend an international school in Malaysia as well.
As such, it's no surprise that quite a few scenes of the drama were filmed right here, including locations such as Seri Wawasan Bridge in Putrajaya, Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur, Bridge Bar at G-Tower in KL, and of course, KLIA.
4. GOT7 - A
Note: The video above is the official music video, but the thumbnail appears blank due to a problem with the YouTube video itself. However, if you press play, the video still works fine. :)
In 2014, the boys of GOT7 and TWICE's Sana dropped by Holy Smoke Cafe in Section 13, Shah Alam to film the music video for A.
In several scenes of the music video, Malay words such as makanan laut, farmasi, mee hoon, sup, and laksa can be seen on signboards and banners. Plus, some scenes were also filmed in the aisles of a Malaysian supermarket (which many suspect to be a Tesco outlet), where you can spot familiar products like KitKat and Sunsilk.
One of the members, Mark, even has a run in with a mak cik in the supermarket, haha!
5. Byul - Bikini
Long before she married HAHA of Running Man fame, singer Byul was already a popular celebrity. Her 2008 music video, Bikini, was filmed right here in Malaysia, and in fact, the whole video basically showcases her playing tourist in our beautiful country.
Throughout the video, she explores the sights of Malaysia with her friends, clearly having tonnes of fun and snapping loads of photos along the way. Besides the popular KL tourist haunts like Petaling Street, the PETRONAS Twin Towers, and Pavilion KL, the music video also features the gorgeous beaches of Langkawi, as well as KLIA and some LRT stations.
6. Introverted Boss
This 2017 K-drama revolves around the employees of the fictional Brain public relations firm, particularly on its shy and introverted CEO, whose life gets turned upside down when the company hires a cheery and outgoing new employee who harbours a dark secret.
Where does Malaysia come into play, you ask? Well, in episodes seven to nine, the team goes on a trip to Malaysia to help orphans, in an attempt to better the image of their CEO. While there, they stay at Club Med Cherating Beach resort in Pahang, which can be seen in several scenes during those episodes.
7. Wheesung - With Me
While we're not sure of the exact filming locations of Wheesung's With Me music video from 2003, it was definitely shot here in Malaysia.
At the start of the video, the popular R&B singer can be seen holding a Malaysia postcard, with what seems to be an image of Dataran Merdeka on it. Later on, he drives through a kampung area, walks along a beach, and parties at a KL hotel's pool area that has a scenic view of the PETRONAS Twin Towers.
Psst, spot the Proton Wira during the sequence from 0:34 to 0:46.
8. AlphaBAT - Oh My Gosh
In their second visit to Malaysia, AlphaBAT held special Selamat Hari Raya showcases in three different states — Perak, Melaka, and Kuala Lumpur. While in Perak for the Ipoh showcase, the boys visited The Lost World of Tambun and Kellie's Castle in order to film the music video for Oh My Gosh.
Both locations are prominently featured in the video, with the boys seen performing their choreography at both spots, as well as posing for solo and group photoshoots.