Ok, y'all, I am feeling super psyched for end of the year lists and Spotify wrap up. I think we can all agree that 2020 was just not it and I am so ready for this year to end. That being said the kpop industry has blessed us with some bangers and I kind of wanted to celebrate these bops and make a list of my top 10 kpop songs of this year.
Disclaimer- these are my opinions and I have not listened to every song that came out this year. I have included B-sides because sometimes them B-sides really do slap harder than the title track. Also I am not 100% sure if all of these songs would be considered kpop. They are all Korean but it might not technically be categorized as kpop so please don't kill me over that either. I also put a condition of one song per artist because otherwise this list would basically just be Lucy because I am in love with every single song that they have come out with. Additionally, I was going to rank them but then I saw just how different some of these songs are and how I like certain songs during certain moods, so ranking them wouldn't really make sense for me. Instead I have arranged them alphabetically by artist and have included a link to the official videos for these songs (For the B-sides, it will be the song put up by the official YouTube channel or the Spotify link). Anyway here is my top 10 songs of kpop for 2020.
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B1A4- Like A Movie
It feels like forever since B1A4 had a comeback and I gotta say that it's pretty accurate since Rolling came out in 2017. Obviously, Baro and Jinyoung is missed. Their contributions to the group was extraordinary and I really can't wait to see what they do. I know they both have been doing a lot of acting but I really am looking for seeing some music, especially from Jinyoung, since his composing/producing abilities are amazing. But anyway, B1A4. This Origine album as a whole is just perfect. All of the songs are top notch and the cinematic masterpiece of the Water Drop Special Clip cannot be ignored. It was really hard to choose my favorite song of the album, but I did end up choosing the title track, Like a Movie. Not only is music video vibrant and fun, which is to be expected of B1A4, but reflects the theme of the song and the age of the members. Yes, the situations they are put in are fun and wacky, but there's a certain air of maturity to it somehow when compared to What's Happening? or Beautiful Target. That may be because the song itself definitely has a more serious and mature feel to it. Talking about the song, I love it. I am always a sucker for more orchestral backgrounds, and Like a Movie definitely has that with the strings and mixes it with more modern beats and such. It definitely shows great dynamics which really shines in the later half of the song. These aspects really make the song fit the concept of movies since it is reminiscent of what you would find for an OST.
Crush- Ohio
I am not gonna lie, I found about this song because of Lucy's cover of it. I was unsure if the song was actually a bop or did Lucy make an absolute bomb ass rendition of it. Turns out the song is fucking amazing. First off, I adore the instrumentals. I am a sucker for simple backgrounds and this song uses it perfectly. Throughout the majority of the song, there is only percussion and piano accompanying the vocal. But I am obsessed with what they do with it. The percussion has a very interesting beat where even though it just repeats I'm still hooked and loving it. The same can be said of the piano where the rhythm is what really brings it color for me. There is also the juxtaposition between the parts with the piano and where there was more stuff going on the background including the layered voices which I am in love with. Essentially, I love how this song is just so simple but also so complex and just sounds amazing.
Dreamcatcher- Scream
I feel like I don't talk about Dreamcatcher enough, which is true because I don't. They are so consistent with amazing J-rock inspired title tracks, and Scream did not disappoint. The hard hitting J-rock sound that they have fits perfectly with the current trend of hard hitting dance breaks and the fact they did not receive a win for this song blows my mind. It's an absolute banger. Gahyeon's mask rap is iconic. So, are the "eyes open" hand movements and you can bet your ass that I do the hand movements with them every single time. Also, I love the sort of fantasy vibes that they give us. Do I understand the story with this song and Boca, not really, but I appreciate the effort. I guess what I am saying is that Scream is just a great Dreamcatcher song and that I love the consistent sound and aesthetic that Dreamcatcher provides us with.
fromis_9- Feel Good
I only know fromis_9 from Love Bomb and I found this song through someone's best girl group comebacks (I think it was hoeforxuxi). Obviously, I fell in love with this song since it is on this list. Like the title, the song really makes you feel good. It's so bright, fun, and catchy. And can I just say I am living for some of these outfits. I love the pink outfits in the music video, especially Seoyeon's. I need that halter top. It's so cute with the bow, the plaid pattern and the crop. Then it's paired with these amazing high waisted, pastel pink, flared pants with slits. It's definitely 70's inspired and I am living for it. I am obligated to say that they did Hayoung dirty with that cowboy outfit. All the other girls got super cute retro inspired outfits, and she got that, it's sad. I also love Saerom's blue Yale outfit. I do think it would have looked better with white tennis shoes or black combat boots, instead the weird blue boots that they used. I also looked at some of the stages and these girls are consistently serving looks. I can't complain about these outfits they are absolutely amazing and their stylist needs a raise. Anyway, I love this song. It's super bright and fun and makes me feel happy.
LOONA- Ding Ding Dong
I guess you can call me a fake Loona fan because I haven't listened to any of their b-sides. The only bands that I have actually listened to every single song of theirs is SHINee and Lucy. But anyway, I listened to the entire # and 12:00 mini-albums. Not gonna lie, I was sleeping on the b-sides. This song, though, really popped off, particularly Chuu in this, because damn she got like half the song. Maybe I'm just a simp for Chuu, but this is might be one of my favorite Loona songs period. It's so bright and fun, but seriously fits everyone's voice. I find a lot of times it's really hard to fit a lot of the higher pitched girls voices but they are perfect for this song. Like excuse me Yeojin actually having lines in the second verse and killing it.
Lucy- Flowering
Are we at all surprised that this song is on this list? I am literally obsessed with this band, especially this song. I listen to this religiously since it came out in May and I am still so unequivocally in love with it. I wrote a whole post about it here, so you can check it out if you want a more in depth and longer version of me gushing over this amazing piece of music. It is truly a masterpiece and by far my favorite song of the year. The arrangement of this song is absolutely stunning.
SF9- One Love
I definitely payed more attention to SF9 around their debut with that choose your own adventure show that did, if that rings anyone's bell, than I do now. But, I did love watching Rowoon in Extraordinary You (I have been planning to write about it and comparing it to the manhwa it was based off, July Found By Chance. It is literally in my drafts but I haven't brought myself around to rewatching and rereading.). Anyway, I was pretty surprised from hearing this song from them. This is definitely a departure from their usual sound. It has a clear retro sound to it and is very fun and bright. That being said, I would love to see them do a comeback with a song like this. I must say Good Guy is very close to this, so I am pretty satisfied. This entire album was pretty banging, but One Love was really just the cream of the crop. It has me dancing and singing along, and you can't tell me you don't do the same listening to this absolute bop.
Stray Kids- God's Menu
I don't believe that I have ever mentioned Stray Kids on this blog. I generally haven't really listened to their music since their debut. I know I have District 9 and Hellavator on one of my playlists and I listen to them all of the time. Other than that I have been pretty uninvolved with whatever has been happening with Stray Kids. Then, the Back Door MV appeared on my YouTube recommended. I was really impressed and I really was digging the song, the video, the styling, the choreography, etc. God's Menu played next and I was in love. This MV is art. I love concepts and Stray Kids really delivered on that chef concept. The lyrics continuously talked about cooking including Felix's iconic "Cooking like a chef, I'm a five star Michelin" (I love the irony of this after watching him trying to cook with Seungmin and epically failing), the outfits being reminiscent of a chef's uniform (also IN's outfits really be amazing like I was not prepared for that sleeveless red outfit but damn did I love it), the choreography including chopping movements, seasoning, mixing, and Han's eating. The way that they incorporated all of this ingenious. Also the camerawork and editing for the video is amazing. Like I watched Form of Therapy's video about it, and he really breaks down just how amazing the video editing is. From top to bottom this song is chef's kiss. Also, the way that this song fits so well with Happy Feet is my favorite thing ever.
TXT- Blue Hour
This is another group where I haven't been paying attention to what they were doing. Honestly, this is the first song of theirs that I listened to, and, again, it was because it kept on appearing on my YouTube recommended. The first time I listened to it, I wasn't really impressed, but I was really interested in their styling. I loved the pastel outfits, those were my favorite outfits in the video. The cowboy aesthetic outfits aren't usually my thing, but I kinda dig it. The knit bolero though... I still don't know how I feel about that. Yeonjun really be shining. Like I hate mullets, but homeboy really be looking amazing every time he appeared in the music video and his outfits were consistently on point. You can't tell me that pink turtleneck crop top outfit was not the best you have ever seen. It's such a simple outfit but it is chef's kiss. The crop of the shirt is the perfect length, and the color with his hair is absolutely perfect. Additionally, Beomgyu's concept photo with the mesh turtleneck under a white button down shirt is absolutely stunning and I need more people to wear that. Anyway, after rewatching the video constantly to examine the outfits, I grew to really like the song and constantly have it stuck in my head. The chorus is insanely catchy and you can't tell me you don't sing along to "cause it's you, you're the one that I want, you, everything that I want". My favorite part though, is the dance break, so it definitely a shame that it was not included in the album, but more reason to watch the music video and stare at their outfits for another 5 minutes and 3 seconds.
VeriVery- Thunder
I swear to god I have not even heard of this band before like a month ago. I found out about them from a cover of Bol4's Some that they did with ONF, The Boys, and Oneus, which apparently was a Road to Kingdom reunion, and I didn't watch Road to Kingdom, so I didn't know that and was there to listen to Bol4. (I linked it here. It's a good cover, check it out. Unrelated to VeriVery, but made me lowkey fall in love with E-tion from ONF). But yeah, I found them through that. Now onto Thunder. This is one of the songs that I wouldn't usually like that much. However, I'm kind of obsessed. I love the creepy music box sound, the amazing chorus (Yeonho and Dongheon are fucking killing it), Minchan's part in the first verse, and the quieter and melodic bridge after the dance break. The sound is very reminiscent of VIXX and Dreamcatcher where it incorporates darker and creepy sounds and just makes a fucking masterpiece.
Honorable Mentions-
- Spring by MCND- This is such a fun song that I listen to all the time. It definitely brings those summer vibes. It has a very simple background which really highlights the guys' singing and rapping.
- Jungle by CIX- This is one of those songs that I didn't expect to like as much as I do. What I love about this song is that it is so subtle and simple but still hits hard and every time I listen to this song I am entranced by it.
- I Mean It by Got7- It's very reminiscent of early 2010's American pop for me, which I live for. The chords in the chorus are absolutely everything.
- Blueberry Eyes by MAX ft. Suga- This is definitely not a kpop song but it is an absolute bop and includes Suga from BTS. If this song was completely Korean it would definitely be on this list because it is one of my favorite songs that I have listened to this year.
- Feeling Good, Love Me, and 0&4 by ONEWE- I was really conflicted over whether or not I should include these songs because they are technically on their 2020 album, but I believe that they were originally released on their 2019 mini-album, which is why one of these songs are not included. They are absolute bops though, so I definitely recommend them.
- Bet You Wanna by Black Pink ft. Cardi B- An absolute bop. Not on the list though because it is completely in English, which puts it in this kpop or American pop sort of limbo.
- Any Song by Zico- I legit forgot this song came out this year since it come out in January and for some reason I associate it with 2019. If I had remembered beforehand it would have been in the top ten, but I forgot and didn't feel like going back and changing it. I remember when the dance was trending on TikTok and, you know what, it deserves it because it do be a bop.
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