Staff Picks: Best MVs of 2014 (First Half)

After choosing the best songs so far for the first half of 2014, the staff members at allkpop went onto choosing the best MVs! There have been many amazing MVs that boasted great cinematography, touching stories, and great shots of some addictive dance moves, but which ones made the Staff Picks list?

Check them out below and then let us know your favorite K-Pop MV so far in 2014.

Eunice: Akdong Musician "200%"

This MV is all kinds of adorbs, featuring baby-faced Lee siblings capturing the fun and fluff in chasing a high school crush. The unexpected twist in the ending is bittersweet but so relatable

Priscilla: BTS "Boy In Luv"

Why are you shaking my heart, BTS? I'm too old for them to be my oppas, but they won me over with their powerful choreography. There are scenes that are plain funny like when the boys are just chilling in the bathroom. It's also squeal-worthy how they make you think they're total jerks at first, but then they confess to the girl and it's game over<3.

Seung, Eric, & Hyera: Orange Caramel "Catallena"

Seung: "Best" is a subjective term, but in terms of memorability, there are few music videos that stand out more in the first half of this year. Orange Caramel has always been known for their funky, unique style, but they came out with guns blazing this time around. Thanks to them, the term "sushi concept" is now in the K-Pop lexicon, and the world is a better place for it.

Eric: ?This subunit of After School cranked out my pick for best MV. Besides being a ridiculously catchy song, "Catallena" also serves up of the most unique visuals I've seen to date. Whether peeking out from underneath the plastic on a seafood tray at the market or being a featured dish in a buffet, these girls never fail to amuse in this video.

Hyera: Quirky, colorful, random, and oddly mesmerizing. When it first came out, I watched it at least three times a day (it was my guilty pleasure). For all the silly antics and waggish dancing, you still wonder if there is some deep, convoluted meaning behind it. Mmm...sushi.

Carol: B2ST "Good Luck"

To be honest, I didn't really expect much when B2ST announced their comeback. After the release of "Fiction", I had a hard time getting into the group's songs as I kept comparing all their latter releases to their "Fiction" comeback - that's the problem with setting such a high standard early on. Just when I thought the boys might have lost their edge, what do you know, they come out and prove me wrong with their new title track "Good Luck". The MV is the perfect accompaniment to this powerful track as it starts off slow, just like the song, as Yoseob cries out, "Why, why you leave me alone baby. I'm still loving you". That first line sets up the story to come right off the bat as we start learning about a woman who seems to be having several affairs at once with different men, or rather, the different B2ST members. We also see Junhyung compare the pain he receives from finding out about this to being stabbed in the heart. It's all quite well done when you understand what the lyrics are about. All this is off set by their new choreography that has all the organized, aggressive elements that we've been missing from B2ST in the more recent comebacks, and I have to say, I love it!

Jenny: EXO-M "Overdose"

While not a true one-take MV like "Growl", "Overdose" still shows SM really CAN get creative with their dance-in-a-box MVs. With only 3 different splices, instead of unnecessary numerous close ups, EXO get to show off their amazing choreography that have left their fans 'overdosed'. I like that they managed to incorporate Baekhyun's light powers in the M version MV (Kudos, SM, for continuing to put in bits of their superpower here and there since "MAMA"), and as a fan, I have to add that Kris's part is just to die for. If only they.... weren't wearing those frumpy outfits in the beginning....

James: Girl's Day "Something"

Move over SISTAR, there's a new 4-member sexy girl group that's taking over. Shying away from their cute concept, Girl's Day made a bold statement with their MV for "Something". Provocative, beautiful, and attitude is what comes to mind when watching this video.

Elisa, Annie, & Joy: 2NE1 "Come Back Home"

Elisa: It's been a really long time since a K-pop music video absolutely blew my mind. All the elements from the story, concept, props, special effects, timing, and directing make it obvious that the MV was meant to be appreciated and not just enjoyed; not to mention that it's hard to pull off sci-fi without making things cheesy. It's going to take a lot for another MV to top this level of epic.

Annie: "Come Back Home" MV was more like a short movie as it fits such an elaborate (albeit not entirely original) sci-fi story into a mere four and a half minutes with the song in the background, perfectly fitting the tone and message of the story (which is like a miracle in the K-Pop industry). The graphics were impressive and beautiful, backing up Yang Hyun Suk's claim that the MV was high budget. This definitely left an impression and was almost haunting regarding its message about the modern, technological world today.

Joy: "Come Back Home" by 2NE1 is still one of my favorite songs of 2014. The music video is just the cherry on top of a solid track, and consequently my favorite video for the first half of this year. More so than the choreography, which is usually a determining factor for me when rating K-Pop videos, is the artistry in the video�although, the body wave during the chorus is pretty fun to do as well. The combination of the colors (a mix of dull and whimsical colors), outfits, and graphics takes you on a multi-dimensional ride of emotions and mind states. I am a sucker for movies and videos that let the viewer interpret the meaning behind an underlying storyline, and this particular video nails that concept on the head.

KG: Crayon Pop "Uh-ee"

It's distinctive. I was feeling that a lot of idols' performances these days were dull, but I enjoyed this because they showed an old and tacky but fun dance. You cannot leave out the chicken-leg dance.

Paul: Gary's "Shower Later"

Some people are turned off by this MV but it has quite the opposite effect on me. Hot ladies and some hilarious over-the-top scenarios, doesn't take itself too seriously. The song is pretty good too.

These were some of the staff members choices. Now we ask, what was your favorite MV in the first half of 2014?

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