My top 15 kpop songs of 2024
My countdowns of the year are overdue. So here's my first list with my favorite kpop songs of the year.
H.M. ROSÉ- APT. This earworm- because that's what it is- would easily make my top 3 of the year but apart from the intro the song it's in english so I do consider it a pop song but I just had to mention it.
15. TAEYEON-Letter to myself. The thing I love the most about Taeyeon's ballads is that she always picks interesting melodies to sing. And this one is no different. So no matter how many times she sings about heartbreak I keep loving it.
14. BOYNEXTDOOR-OUR. This song is so fresh and fun. This group has really become one of my favorites of the fifth gen and this song was my favorite this year even if Earth, Wind and Fire is also great, and the actual title of their mini album.
13. DOYOUNG-Little Light. When I heard NCT's Doyoung was releasing his solo album I was convinced he would release a ballad album and I was wrong. He went the pop rock route and I really enjoyed his whole album but I kept listening the title that in korean translates to firefly. It's a bright fun song to listen to.
12. New Jeans-How sweet. I have to confess I'm not a fan of New Jeans overall look but I love the songs they come up with and this one in special was as the title says a sweet song to listen to.
11. RIIZE-Impossible. RIIZE is such a fun group. I've enjoyed all the songs they've released and this one was really stuck in my head the first half of the year. It's about feeling everything that is impossible it's somehow possible when you're with that special somebody.
10. BABY MONSTER-SHEESH. Another song that stayed in my head for ours on end. It definitely has that YG feel and a great hook. I haven't really paid as much attention to them but this song makes me feel I'm really missing out.
9. NCT Dream-Unknown. I think this is kind of like their cheerleader song. It's about going after your dreams. Definitely feating for my favorite NCT subunit.
8. SEVENTEEN-MAESTRO. To be honest, I don't know why I either love or hate Seventeen songs. This one I absolutely love it. The choreo is everything and the beat is bright.
7. Taemin-Horizon. So, fun fact: my most listened kpop artist of the year was Taemin. This year he released his first album after singning with BPM and it really meant the confirmation that it wasn't SM that drove his career... it's all him. Sexy in the air was good but it was this song that really got me. It's Taemin so you know the choreo had to be crazy and on top of that he got some of the best dancers in the industry and yet his star quality shines through.
6. Baekhyun-Pinneaple Slice. Baekhyun was another artist that showed that he could deliver without the SM machinary behind him. This fun, sexy song is catchy. The MV has a vampire theme that is fresh. The vocals are EXO quality, of course.
5. Chanyeol-Hasta la vista. My favorite song from EXO Chanyeol's first album. I mean finally. Why is this the first one? Anyway... This song might be just a bside from his album but it was one of my most listened songs of the year. It has the band aspects Chanyeol has always loved, the vocals are so sweet even if the lyrics are heartbreaking.
4. AESPA-Supernova. Another earworm. When they released Supernova I was like "nope, next" and I actually like Amargeddon too but it's been seven months since it was released and still sometimes I wake up and the first thing out of my mouth is "Su-su-su-su-supernova".
3. GD ft Taeyang and Daesung-HOME SWEET HOME. Power was such a great comeback for GD but when Home Sweet Home was released to the world it was just legendary. It just screams BIGBANG. Exactly what I've been hoping for the last few years and to this day it sits on top of the korean charts.
2. ZICO ft. JENNIE- Spot. Zico has been kind of dragging his feet when it comes to releasing albums because he has been so focused on producing but him releasing this song was like him saying I can top the charts if and when I want to. The lyrics are about having a night out. It has a cool beat, Zico's signature rap, a great hook and Jennie's fun vocals.
1. Lee Young Ji ft Do Kyungsoo-Small girl. This song is mostly in english but I think D.O.'s parts in korean qualifies it as kpop. The lyrics really hit me hard the first time I watched the MV because it took me back to me being fourteen and feeling so much bigger than all of my friends. It really talks about self esteem but it's also a cute duo with Kyungsoo's beautiful vocals. It also happens to be my most listened kpop song of the year.
