The 10 K-pop songs I couldn't stop listening to this year

Which songs did you find yourself gravitating towards this year?

When it comes to K-pop alone, the year was dominated by rookies, girl groups, surprise drops and solo debuts. From bubblegum pop, 2000s nostalgia to uplifting sounds and sexy concepts, it’s safe to say fans had lots to be entertained with this year.

Most of my year was defined by BTS, as they were really the gateway that brought me back into the K-pop genre. But I also found myself exploring more groups and artists than ever before. It was hard for me to narrow down this list because it was truly a great year for music. So below (in no order in particular), are the 10 K-pop songs I just couldn’t get enough of this year. Honourable mentions will be included in a list below.

NewJeans - “Hype Boy”

Dubbed South Korea’s “little sisters”, NewJeans is undoubtedly one of the biggest breakout stars of 2022. And who can deny how perfect their music is? Inspired by early 2000s slow jams, “Hype Boy” became an almost instant viral hit with his catchy chorus and addictive choreography. Their iconic dance has now been covered by TikTokers, star actors like Kim Go Eun, and SF9 and ONF members who are currently in the military. The only person who still hasn’t learned the iconic dance is me, so I guess that’s what I’m gonna go do now…

Nayeon - “Pop!”

Girl group Twice’s Nayeon made her big solo debut this year when she delivered her seven-track debut extended play Im Nayeon. Nayeon’s title song “Pop!” set the tone for what was to be a completely no-skip album full of catchy hits. It is a summer-y bubblegum anthem with an even more adorable and colourful music video. It’s classic Twice, but this time Nayeon gets to shine all on her own.

I want everything she wears in the music video, please. Especially that Louis Vuitton romper that her stylist made out of a towel. Genius.

Psy featuring Suga of BTS - “That That”

No song had me more in a chokehold than “That That” by Psy and Suga. First of all, it’s catchy as hell. Second of all, I did not realize how much I loved Cowboy Yoongi to the point that he became my second bias of BTS. And thirdly, this was the song that inspired me to take my very first K-pop dance class (and die at the end of it).

The song is super silly, which is on brand for Psy. But the dance moves are equally whacky and addictive. To this day, I dance to this song alone in my hallway. Just call me a “That That” enthusiast.

Sunmi - “Heart Burn”

Sunmi captured the hazy and dreamy days of summer with her track “Heart Burn”. While it took me a few listens to truly get into the song, I found myself gravitating towards it on long summer road trips to the Albertan mountains and Lake Louise. While the song is less upbeat than her other tracks, Sunmi managed to incorporate a fun hip shimmy that became a viral TikTok dance trend amongst her younger fourth generation idols and comedians. I loved this song because it was unlike other K-pop track I’ve heard. And if you want something that’s unique, count on Sunmi to take that on.

J-Hope - “More”

It’s probably unfair to say J-Hope had a breakout year considering that he’s part of the biggest boy band in the world. But this was undoubtedly the year he showed fans new concepts when he delivered his very first debut solo album Jack in the Box. I was particularly struck by “More” because it gave us a darker, more punk rock concept to J-Hope, who is often seen as BTS’s happy and bright sunshine. It was refreshing to see J-Hope give us a more angsty side to him, signalling his desire to go in a different artistic direction. He points out he’s not just looking for more fame or money, but to follow his need to expand his craft. I can’t wait to see what’s MORE to come from J-Hope next.

SVT Leaders - “Cheers”

What a year Seventeen has had. They delivered hits after hits, played in some of the biggest concert venues of their career and solidified themselves as one of the 3rd generation groups to dominate the charts in the next year.

“Cheers” is quintessential Seventeen. It’s unapologetic, hype and undeniably catchy. Sung by the leaders of the group’s sub-units (Hoshi, S.Coups and Woozi), “Cheers” has so much live performance potential. That’s why I was SO upset it was excluded from the setlist during the Be the Sun North American leg of their tour. Nevertheless, the boys performed it at LA3C (iconic hip shaking dance break included!). And yes, the wait was worth it.

BTS - “Run BTS”

“Run BTS” has everything that makes BTS great. While an upbeat track that incorporates hip hop, rock and rap, its lyrics are equally meaningful to the group’s fans who have been there since day one. BTS tells the story of their early days running toward success, never losing their motivation and ambitions to be at the very top.

There was great anticipation to see what the choreography to the song would be like once performed live. And while the “Yet to Come” Busan concert came with lots of technical glitches for those watching from home, our eyes were truly blessed when the song started playing.

Jin - “The Astronaut”

It was only a matter of time until Jin had to announce he’d have to take a step back from BTS to enlist in mandatory military duties. So I had been anticipating his next solo project to be an emotional one.

Jin has always excelled in ballads that showcase his higher vocal range. But “The Astronaut” is more like a stadium anthem, one that showcases his emotional strength and trust with his beloved fans. It may be a goodbye for now, but his lyrics promise that he’s never far away. “You and me, a never ending history.”

P1Harmony - “Back Down”

This song came out just less than a month ago, but it has easily climbed its way up as one of my favourite releases of 2022. The song captures the message of getting through hardships as a group no matter what, rather than stepping back in fear. And its music video builds on the theme, with the P1Harmony boys delivering undeniable swag and confidence, along with complex choreography. The song also features one of my favourite bridges of the year, with Theo and Keeho singing “Stand up, stand up
Then put your hands up, hands up, 날 따라 넌 기립, When you're falling back down
Back down, back down, let's get it!”

Seventeen - “Hot”

No song got me as hyped as “Hot” by Seventeen. It was more than the sexy outfits and addictive choreography (though I still find myself pumping my chest to the beat every now and then when I’m at home). But it was really the track that catapulted me from casual fan to full-blown Carat.

One only needs to see this song being performed live to truly understand the level of quality the boys of Seventeen put out. They give something new every time and fans are never prepared. Who can forget Hoshi lifting his shirt to show off his abs? Or DK’s powerful vocal moment at the Asia Artist Awards?

“Hot” is the ultimate song to start a concert with. I will never forget the cheers around me the moment Mingyu and Vernon start with their opening lines. “Hot” sets the tone for what’s to come every time: an unforgettable concert experience.

Honourable mentions:

RM (with youjeen) - “Wild flower” - A powerful track that shows us a more vulnerable side to BTS’s leader RM. Cried listening to this for the first time.

Epik High ft. Younha - “Gray so Gray” - A song you listen to when you’re feeling down. It’s normal to feel broken and hate yourself during tough moments. Listening to this makes you feel that everything will be okay.

TXT - “Good Boy Gone Bad” - These boys are just so cute, even when they are exploring a more hardcore side. This song is banger and has so much live performance quality. Please come to Toronto next, TXT. I beg you!!

LE SSERAFIM - “ANTIFRAGILE” - It took me a few listens to really get into this song. But I am addicted to the sassy choreography and attitude! “Lovey lovey lovey, dovey, dovey dovey” is just too catchy.

Songs I’m taking with me into 2023

NewJeans - “Ditto” - The ladies of NewJeans delivered two melancholic music videos along with their latest single “Ditto.” Set in what looks like the ‘90s, it was giving me 20th Century Girl and Twenty-Five Twenty-One vibes. This song is less than a month old, but I already played it more than 20 times. It’s coming with me into the new year.

Vernon - “Black Eye” - Inspired by Avril Lavigne and 2000s pop-punk, Vernon’s “Black Eye” strays away from his usual rapper persona and shows us the Seventeen member’s rocker side. Look, the lyrics aren’t revelatory. But am I head-banging along to this with an air guitar? HELL YES.