I always hear people gush about their favorite songs during the winter in anticipation of Christmas, but I never really hear anyone talk about what they listen to in autumn while waiting for Halloween to roll around the corner. Iâve heard of the classics such as âThis is Halloweenâ from âThe Nightmare Before Christmas,â Bobby âBorisâ Pickettâs âMonster Mashâ and Michael Jacksonâs iconic 1984 hit âThriller.â I have heard a considerable amount of spooky songs through the years but I want to focus on these types of songs found in Korean Pop music.Â
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   First on our list is f(x)âs âDracula,â the ninth track from their third studio album âRed Light.â A song by one of my favorite K-Pop groups of all time, âDraculaâ is the perfect track for those who want to get into the Halloween spirit. With its ominous introduction given by a deep, brooding voice, echoes of a high-pitched scream throughout the song and lyrics warning the listener they better run from a foreboding presence, âDraculaâ is a fun song with somewhat dark undertones. Another fun aspect of âDraculaâ is its quirky choreography which can be seen from f(x)âs concert tour 4 Dimension â Docking Station.Â
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   Next up is SHINeeâs âMarried to the Music,â a funky-disco song released on the groupâs repackaged album of the same name. While the song itself isnât particularly Halloween-ish, itâs music video certainly is. With its imagery inspired by ââThe Rocky Horror Picture Show and other B-Grade horror filmsâ (said by Tamar Herman of Billboard in their â20 K-Pop Songs for Your Halloween Playlistâ article), the music video for âMarried to the Musicâ is a fun watch. The five members of SHINee are seen attending a lively party where, throughout the video, each member loses parts of their body in wacky ways (donât worry, itâs not graphic at all and is intended for comedic purposes) in order for a woman to create âthe perfect manâ at the videoâs ending. Iâd definitely give this song a listen if you want a more upbeat tune for Halloween.Â
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   Another personal favorite of mine, VIXXâs âVoodoo Dollâ is the perfect song and music video for those who enjoy the scarier side of Halloween. Released as the second single off the groupâs first studio album âVoodoo,â âVoodoo Dollâ appears to tell the tale of an individual who is willing to sacrifice themselves in order to bring their lover happiness. Throughout the song, the narrator questions whether they should stay or leave this relationship. This theme is made evident in the songâs music video, where the six members of VIXX are imprisoned in chambers by a young woman who tortures them through a voodoo doll. Be warned, readers, this music video is graphic (it was given an R rating)! If you do plan to watch the music video for âVoodoo Doll,â be aware there are graphic images of organs and flesh being stabbed, cut open and even stapled. If you donât think you can handle this, however, do check out the song!Â
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Next is âShadow,â a song performed by SHINeeâs Taemin Lee from his second solo Korean extended play âWant.â When I first heard âShadow,â I was immediately mesmerized by its enchanting introduction and dark, synth-like instrumental. Judging by the lyrics, âShadowâ appears to follow an individual who cannot let go of a past lover. No matter where they go, their past romance haunts them âlike a shadowâ and it seems as though their memory will haunt them forever. Itâs an infectious tune that one will get stuck in their head upon the first listen and itâs one of my favorite K-Pop songs that is on the darker side. Taemin is at his best when it comes to this style and for my readers who do check out âShadowâ and find that they like it, I encourage you to check out the rest of Taeminâs discography. You definitely wonât be disappointed.Â
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   Last on our list is âFull Moon,â performed by solo singer Sunmi, a former member of the famous girl group Wonder Girls. The song also features Lena, a former trainee under JYP Entertainment. Released on her debut extended play of the same name, âFull Moonâ (both song and music video) follow Sunmi as a vampire who beckons a lover to meet her under the full moon before sunrise. In the music video, scenes intercut between Sunmi dancing against a dark backdrop under the full moon in snowy terrain and her a young man who appears to be ill. As the video progresses, Sunmi bites the manâs neck and turns him, saving him from his sickness and thus allowing him to be with her forever. While the song isnât particularly frightening, itâs sweet and melodic; the music video is also beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.Â
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   These are only a few of the many K-Pop songs I have heard that remind me of Halloween and October as a whole, but I encourage you to check out the ones I have mentioned above! These songs hold a special place in my heart, especially since four out of five of them I heard when I first got into the genre as a whole.
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