[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] "'Why is Demi Moore appearing there?'"
An unexpected figure appeared in the music video for “Animal,” the new song by HYBE’s global girl group CATS EYE. It is Hollywood actress Demi Moore, who is enjoying a second heyday after being nominated for Best Actress at the 97th Academy Awards for her role in the film “Substance.” Making a strong impression despite her brief appearance, she symbolically demonstrated how K-pop music videos have evolved into a global cultural platform.

K-pop music videos are no longer merely videos that introduce music. With Hollywood actors and global celebrities appearing in them, they are establishing themselves as content that creates not only new songs but also another form of entertainment.
The most talked-about recent example is Cat’s Eye. Prior to “Animal,” which featured Demi Moore, the music video for “Gabriela,” released last year, starred actress Jessica Alba. By casting global actors in two consecutive videos, the group has been praised for establishing a collaborative model that goes beyond simple cameos.
This trend is spreading to other K-pop groups as well. Hollywood rising star Chase Infinity appeared in ATEEZ’s music video for their new song “BAD.” Known to be a longtime fan of ATEEZ, he didn’t just make a brief appearance; he performed the choreography alongside the members, blending seamlessly into the performance. This is an example of a collaboration between an actor and an artist that goes beyond a simple cameo to become a unified performance.

The case that generated the most buzz was Stray Kids. The music video for “Chk Chk Boom,” released in the summer of 2024, featured Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the lead actors from the movie “Deadpool and Wolverine,” making a special appearance. This collaboration between a K-pop music video and a Hollywood blockbuster drew explosive interest from global fans immediately upon its release and is cited as a prime example of the synergy between the film and music industries.
Behind this trend of Hollywood actors appearing in K-pop music videos lies the changing status of K-pop. Music videos are no longer merely teaser content; they are global content that is viewed by tens of millions of people the moment they are released and spreads worldwide through YouTube and short-form platforms. For actors, they serve as a gateway to reach new fan bases, while for K-pop artists, they provide a stage to secure buzz and global reach that extend beyond their music.
An industry insider commented, “In the past, it was enough for an international star to simply visit a K-pop concert or express their fandom to generate buzz, but now it has evolved to the point where they are collaborating on music videos.” They added, “K-pop music videos are no longer just videos promoting a song; they have established themselves as a global content platform connecting music, film, brands, and celebrities.”