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HallyuSG Explains: The Bardcore K-pop trend that’s making rounds around Tiktok

Take a scroll through your Tiktok FYP, and you'll easily see dozens of Bardcore K-pop videos on TWICE, NewJeans, Red Velvet and more.

Ashley Cheah

| October 1, 2023

A new trend has taken over the short-form video hosting Tiktok, it seems.

I scroll through my for-you page, or FYP, and I see dozens of videos on Bardcore K-pop.

These videos have a similarity: they feature K-pop idols, like Red Velvet, TWICE and NewJeans dancing to some of their recent releases. It all sounds normal till this point, except all the songs have a medieval twist to it.

Tiktok users cut out their idols dancing, and attach the video onto a medieval backdrop.

@yesgowon

thou are great amercement! #fyp #wendy #joy #irene #seulgi #yeri #redvelvet #bardcore #bardcorekpop #kpopbardcore #kpopfyp #kpopfeed #kpop

♬ original sound – a

In this particular clip, we see Red Velvet members dancing to Feel My Rhythm (2022). The caption in the video wrote: “POV: It is the year 1436 and thy crotette: Thyrene, Joyness, Seulgith, Wendil and Yera hath performed Feel Thy Rhythmus for peasants living in thou hundred”.

Evidently, they have changed the names of members Irene, Joy, Seulgi, Wendy and Yeri to have a medieval slant to it.

Their hit track Feel My Rhythm is also now called Feel Thy Rhythmus.

Now, another user also posted a video of K-pop girl group TWICE dancing to Alcohol Free (2021).

@yunaixy

Took me forever to make 😞 #yunaixy #fyp #kpopfyp #bardcorekpop #bardcore #kpop #twice #once #alcoholfree

♬ Bardcore freeth of liquor – #1 bamtori

Its caption wrote: “It’s the year 1553, thou was walking into thys nearest tavern getting a beverage. And thou sees nine ladies performing their newest song Freeth of Liquor”.

Don’t get mistaken: such a track doesn’t exist, it’s just the, presumably, medieval name for Alcohol Free.

Other users have also made videos for the nonet’s other tunes, like Prance Thy Night Beyond and Moreth and Moreth. No prizes for the correct guesses, though.

As far as humour goes, these modern Bardcore K-pop tunes mixed with a medieval remix are actually surprisingly pleasing to the ears.