#psyko speaks

[thepsykoshipper]

Moon Lovers Scarlet Heart Ryeo has given me serious PTSD when it comes to period kdramas. I always get anxious towards the end of a series in fear that I will experience another ending like that again 😅

[thepsykomonbebe]

Hey whoever’s running the Monsta x text service.......I just wanna talk

[thepsykoelf]

Now I was a Hani x Heechul shipper but above all I am a Heechul x Happiness shipper so let me tell you I am THRILLED that the man who is always talking about wanted to get married and raise a family is in a relationship

[thepsykoshipper]

Psyko’s Top 10 Kpop Songs released in 2021

This is based on what I listened to the most this year and is excluding any songs sung in any language other than Korean (ex. English or Chinese)

10. Alcohol-free by TWICE

I think the reason I listened to this so much is because I liked doing the dance. TWICE’s korean title tracks were definitely weaker than their Japanese/English releases but this era gave us back Jeongyeon and a better DTNA concept.

9. BEcause - Dreamcatcher

I also really liked the dance to this song. I’ve really loved what Dreamcatcher has been putting out lately and this is no exception. This beginning of the chorus is toned down and smooth and ramps up to the rock sound Dreamcatcher is known for.

8. Next Level by aespa

The bridge of this song was really what brought me in. I’m a Ningning bias so whenever she just gets the chance to belt, I’ll always be a fan. Plus, I also enjoyed doing the dance.

7. After School by Weeekly

These girls have been on my radar since their BOMB debut with “Tag Me”. This song is just fun, and I think emulates the bouncy but laidback energy I really love in girl group songs. Another song where I loved to do the dance. 

6. Hello Future by NCT Dream

Another incredible vocal performance. I absolutely love it when they just let the boys, especially Haechan, just go wild on the riffs. The last like 15 secs of the song is full of beautiful harmonies and riffs. Truth is I only really started listening to this song because my best friend was obsessed with “Hot Sauce” and wanted to only listen to NCT Dream, but I grew to really love this song.

5. Advice by Taemin

Now I’m a big fan of falsetto in kpop songs, and Taemin really lured me in with this song. He really is one of the best male soloists and I don’t really think anyone is doing it like he is.

4. Love So Sweet by Cherry Bullet

I got really into Cherry Bullet during their debut but fell off after they lost a few members. When Girls Planet 999 began airing, Kim Bora immediately captured my attention and I decided to give Cherry Bullet another chance. And I’m so glad I did. Love So Sweet was one of the best girl group releases of the year. A funky beat that just makes you want to move, and a concept that brought Cherry Bullet back to their roots. Also, I will forever be salty that Bora didn’t make it into the Kep1er line up.

3. Silent Cry by Stray Kids

The best B-side of the year. This song makes me feeling like I’m running through a field and falling through the air at the same time. The instrumental at the end of the bridge brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it.

2. Gambler by Monsta X

Now Monsta X is my ult group, but even I can admit that “Love Killa” was a bit of a let down. Gambler was the shot of adrenaline that these boys needed to get back on top. Of course, we got my baby Joohoney singing again, which I always love. Plus, Hyungwon in the center of the dance break was incredible. I really think this was one of his best eras.

1. Unnatural by WJSN

Now I only barely got in to WJSN after playing Superstar: Starship, but I was utterly obsessed with everything about this comeback. The sexier concept for a typically cutesy group, the lull of the prechorus before it jumps into the chorus. Yeonjung’s vocals, the dance that I was somehow able to learn. This was the best girl group comeback of the year and I’m seriously upset that it didn’t get more recognition.

[thepsykoshipper]

Psyko’s Top 10 Kpop Songs Sung in a Different Language and Released in 2020

This list is based on what I listened to the most. I’m including songs sung by a Kpop group or if they were performed at a korean stage.

10. Losing You by WONHO

This song was the first song released by ex-Monsta X member Wonho following his scandal in October of 2019. Fans has speculated that he was learning english to prepare for his solo debut, but no one expected his first song released to be an English ballad. Not gonna lie, some tears were shed.

9. Put it on Ya by Jessi feat. BM, nafla

This was my favorite song off of the album that skyrocketed Jessi to the success she has deserved. Because Jessi and BM are able to rap in their native languages, there’s just a little bit more swag to it which it why I think I enjoyed it so much.

8. 100 Ways by Jackson Wang

Jackson never disappoints when it comes to the beat of his songs. They’re bouncy and easy to dance to, which is probably why I listened to this so often. Plus the fudal warlord aesthetic was super attractive in the music video.

7. Happy Without Me by Monsta X

It’s not secret that I am of fan of Jooheon as a vocalist, and I think this was one of the best songs off of their English album “All About Luv” that demonstrated his singing ability. When Jooheon just gets to riff, it automatically makes the song better.

6. Pretty Please by Jackson Wang

The only reason I put this song above “100 Ways” is because it is physically impossible not to dance during the chorus.

5. You Can’t Hold My Heart by Monsta X

This song is able to more fully put on display the vocals of each member in Monsta X, which is why I enjoyed it so much. Kihyun and Jooheon also kill the pre-chorus.

4. Dream of You by ChungHa feat. REHAB

ChungHa is another one of those artists who seems to fly under the radar for me, but whenever I listen to her songs, I adore them. This song has some sort of sexy dancability that makes it fun to perform in the shower.

3. Levanter (English Ver.) by Stray Kids

I know a rule for me in the past with these lists had to be that they were original songs and not just translations but this song changed my mind on that. This song is just beautiful, and for me, actually being able to understand the lyrics just really hit home for me. Incredible vocals, incredible lyrics, stray kids are winning.

2. I Can’t Stop Me (English Ver.) by TWICE

This is Twice’s first English release of an already released original song, and it is fantastic. The lyrics are deep and don’t just sound like they were put through google translate. Plus I love singing to it.

1. Dynamite by BTS

I really put off listening to this song for a while because I tend not to listen to songs that have a lot of hype surrounding them. But when I did get around to listening to this song, I understood why everyone was raving about it. It’s one of BTS’s best songs. It’s fun and encompasses all the reasons why ARMYs love BTS. The dance isn’t too difficult to learn, but it so fun to perform. I was blown away.

[thepsykoshipper]

Psyko’s Top 10 Kpop Songs Released in 2020

This is based on what I listened to the most this year and is excluding any songs sung in any language other than Korean (ex. English or Chinese)

10. More & More by TWICE

This song was coming off the coattails of TWICE’s smash success “Feel Special” and all nine girls were finally back together. It was such a concept shift, that I found myself really enjoying it and listening to it “more and more”

9. Elevator (127F) - NCT 127

What really drew me to this song was the mini music video that SM put out for it. It was so cute, that I found myself really enjoying the rythmic beat. Johnny’s little dance is also everything.

8. Dr. Bebe by Pentagon

Pentagon can do no wrong. People doubted they would be able to bounce back from the loss of one of their members, but they proved us all wrong last year with “SHA LA LA.” This year they came guns blazing with a new dark concept and incredible vocals. These guys deserved their first win this year.

7. Red Moon by KARD

Dumb Litty and Bomb Bomb are my two favorite KARD songs, and the group kept the momentum going with Red Moon. It’s still hard to believe this group hasn’t had their first win yet.

6. Answer by ATEEZ

I honestly was shocked I listened to this song as much as I did. ATEEZ has always flown under the radar for me in that I think most of their songs sound similar. But Answer is different. The powerful vocals are what drew me in and kept me listening as much as I did.

5. All For You by Sechkies

I’m going to show a little love for my older boys. Sechkies released this beautiful ballad this year in stark contrast with their edgy image of their past, and I found it beautiful.

4. WANNABE by ITZY

I honestly can’t believe I had my doubts about ITZY. They continue to put out fantastic song after fantastic song, each one better than the last. With WANNABE, they have made their home in groups I stan

3. Maria by Hwa Sa

I’ve really enjoyed Hwa Sa (of Mamamoo)’s solo endevours. She has the unique voice to be a soloist and I’ve loved her for it. I adored Maria because of how effortlessly it fit her voice and how fun it was to sing along to (even for a dumb American like me).

2. Afraid by Day6

I think this is one of the only songs on this list (besides NCT) that was not a title track. This song hit me out of nowhere on my first listen to Day6’s album “The Book of Us: The Demon”. The part that kept me coming back was a riff from Sungjin in the bridge that was just some beautiful vocalization. Please go give it a listen.

1. BOUNCY by Rocket Punch

Rocket Punch has never been on my radar. I gave this song a half-hearted listen when I was trying to find new groups for my Kpop radio show. What I heard was one of the most fun, upbeat, and dance worthy songs of the year. I have this song on constantly, and in a year where we got some great ballads, it was nice to listen to something upbeat.

[thepsykoshipper]

Psyko’s Top 10 Kpop Songs Sung in a Different Language and Released in 2019

This list is based on what I listened to the most. I’m including songs sung by a Kpop group or if they were performed at a korean stage.They also have to be original songs and not songs originally in korean but translated. ( I apologize ahead of time for all the Monsta X)

Other list: Psyko’s Top 10 Kpop 2019 Releases

10. X-Phenomenon by Monsta X

This Japanese hit made for an interesting listen as it changes tempos for the chorus of the song. The killer rap part tops off the very exciting song.

9. Lights by BTS

This was the only BTS music we got in the latter half of this year and it was right up to BTS’s beautiful standard. There’s also a badass metal cover of this song by PelleK on youtube that you should go listen to here.

8.  Middle of the Night by Monsta X

This song is so special to me because it was the first song Monsta X released after the announced departure of Wonho. But because this song was recorded before he left, his vocals are still in the songs. I just like to listen to it and think of my sweet baby boy.

7. Drip by Jessi feat. Jay Park

This was the second song released by Jessi under her new label: P Nation. It’s an awesome song to groove to and Jay Park’s rap appearance is one of his best.

6. Bullet to the Heart by Jackson Wang

Jackson’s voice is HEAVENLY. I was drawn to this song from the music video and after seeing how much passion Jackson puts into singing, this song became an instant favorite for me.

5. Moonwalk by WayV

This song is incredible. WayV has really found a good way to compliment all their members’ voices and rap abilities. This song will definitely be part of the legacy WayV will leave as a Chinese/Kpop group

4. Wakey Wakey by NCT 127

This song came out after I bought my tickets to go see NCT 127 in concert so I was in NCT mode. If you give this song a listen, so watch the music video. I watched it over and over again for Jungwoo’s part in the bridge alone.

3. Breakthrough by TWICE

This is probably one of the only Japanese songs of Twice’s that I listened to more than once. This song came hot of the success of FANCY (which was my SOTY) and gives off very similar vibes. 

2. LOVE U by Monsta X

When I first heard this song, I was driving to class. I saw there was a new english Monsta X song released and I thought nothing else of it as I put it on. I was no more than 30 seconds in when I immediately began blushing. I ranked this song so high for how overtly sexy it is.

1. WHO DO U LOVE? by Monsta X feat. French Montana

This was my most listened to song of the entire year for one reason: Jooheon. I’ve been a vocalist Jooheon stan ever since they did the part switch version of Fighter and Honey killed Kihyun’s part. So when this song opens up with Lee Jooheon’s beautiful voice, I knew this song was not going to leave me alone. My love for Monsta X outshines my dislike of French Montana

[thepsykoshipper]

Psyko’s Top 10 Kpop Songs Released in 2019

Based on what I listened to the most (also excluding songs by Kpop artists sung in Japanese or English)

10. Side Effects by Stray Kids

The choreography alone was enough to have me hooked. Definitely bias wrecked by Felix in this era.

9. Bomb Bomb by KARD

KARD killed it this year, what with DUMB LITTY and BOMB BOMB. This was the song that kicked off an incredible year for KARD

8. Bad Habits by Shaun

I discovered Shaun this year and afterwards I’ve had Bad Habits on repeat ever since. The man’s amazing composition skills combined with his angelic voice made for a great song

7. Play it Cool by Monsta X feat. Steve Aoki

As a Jooheon stan these stages definitely wrecked me, and I think this song had a huge effect on Monsta X’s success internationally

6. PIRI by Dreamcatcher

This was the song that got me into Dreamcatcher and got a lot on my non-kpop friends to listen to Dreamcatcher too. I always described it as Korean Metal-Pop and I think Dreamcatcher has definitely found their vibe with this sound

5. SHA LA LA by Pentagon

I was originally skeptical on how Pentagon was going to bounce back after the loss of DAWN, but my inner skeptic was immediately silenced by Sha La La. The bouncy beats with sexy choreography solidified my identity as a UNIVERSE

4. Superhuman by NCT 127

This album came out just days after I saw NCT 127 in concert so of course I fell absolutely in love with it. I also got quite the workout pouncing from bias to bias.

3. Highway to Heaven by NCT 127

I don’t know how many times I listened to this song just to hear Haechan’s high note during the bridge.

2. MIROH by Stray Kids

I remember the first time I heard this song I listened to the entire thing with my mouth a gape. I never expected this kind of song to come out of Stray Kids, especially after something as precious as Get Cool. This song set the trajectory for Stray Kids as we know it.

1. Fancy by Twice

I’m sorry but I’m one of those bitches who thought FANCY should have got SOTY. Much like MIROH and Stray Kids, Fancy changed the game for Twice and set them going on the sleek, more mature concepts they’ve achieved thus far. I was never the biggest fan of Twice’s cute concepts, so believe me I was beyond thrilled when these girls came out the gate with this leather-laced banger.