Favorite Kpop Tunes 2018
As I've been corrupted by Kpop over the past year or so, I decided to make a top 20 of songs I dug most. I am not a big fan of hip-hop-tinged stuff that's out there, so most of the songs here owe a lot to '80s synth pop, disco, funk, '90s and '00s dance music. If you are vaguely curious about it, I suggest to at least listen to the top 10. Some are dumb fun or simply catchy stuff, however, others are damn good pop songs. Still, leave the elitism at home, you won't find here groundbreaking music. |
| 1 | Gyeong Ree
Blue Moon
I listened to this song probably the most from all in this list. She's naturally sensual and her cute voice works so good over the simple, but catchy beats. There's nothing pretentious, simply a really good pop tune IMO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDszSrddGBc |
| 2 | BoA
Recollection
She's a legend in South Korea, because she was the first successful Kpop artist in Japan and subsequently, all over Asia. She's an amazing dancer from what I saw and this tune was composed by her. It's a bittersweet summery song with an infectious chorus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_quyoSbB6y8 |
| 3 | Yubin
Thank You Soooo Much
'80s synth pop with contemporary production. Her sassy attitude over disco funk grooves slays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiCDZYdPmys |
| 4 | Momoland
Baam
Despite being criticized for sounding too close to 'Bboom Bboom', this song is actually tighter. Other than that, it's fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txWmd7QKFe8 |
| 5 | Yubin
Lady
Her solo debut single reeks of '80s synth pop as well and her voice really suits this style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MiQonPvlVM |
| 6 | BoA
Irreversible
From what I listened to so far, her best songs IMO are non-singles written by her. It grew on me a lot during the past week. I love the late night atmosphere with deep synth bass lines and a lovely melodic chorus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t94Su6OUFPI |
| 7 | Red Velvet
#Cookie Jar
KPop disguised as JPop. I find it crazy how people tend to like the cute concepts more than the sensual, sexy ones, yet this is one of the very few songs I dig from Red Velvet's cute, whatever concepts. And this is probably because it falls somewhere in between. The bass line is cool and it feels as if the producers cared a bit more than usual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRgTMs_bGuI |
| 8 | Bad Boy
This Red Velvet song was fucking huge. Even in Romania they were acknowledged after the release of this ditty. While I dig some of the album tracks more (check out 'Look', 'I Just' or 'Kingdom Come'), this song is great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_CFBjAyPWE |
| 9 | Bol4
Travel
I had the chance to listen to this song and Momoland's 'Baam' everywhere (on the street, in shops, on TV, etc.) when I was in Seoul this Summer. Even so, it's a good, catchy track and the singer's voice is a bit different from what you usually hear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRbPAVnqtcs |
| 10 | Momoland
Bboom Bboom
The song that got them huge. While the producer wrote half of the parts here for an EXID song ('Are You Hungry?'), he decided to recycle it here. Even so, the tune is damn catchy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQGRg8XBnB4 |
| 11 | Uni.T
I Mean
A cool song from a band that unfortunately disbanded a couple of months ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bY64rtP0wk |
| 12 | EXID
I Love You
Probably the most interesting and funny Kpop act out there. While most artists there are controlled and their personalities are censored/wiped out through army-like boot camps/coordinated to suit a certain stereotype for fans/etc., these girls are being themselves and people love them for that. One of the members actually writes a lot of their tunes, which is another huge plus for a Kpop act. Anyway, the song isn't EXID at their peak, but it's still good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAdmzjsFVQo |
| 13 | SunMi
Siren
'80s influence all over, the song is really catchy. Plus, she has a nice, powerful voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNWMZIf7eSg |
| 14 | Hyolyn
See Sea
Classic Summer song. Has all the familiar feature you'd expect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDAqx45Duqw |
| 15 | Rose
Blur
Compared to the rest of the artists in this list, he is extremely underground. Nevertheless, the song is a good mix of trip hop beats, lounge-like keyboards and Justin Timberlake-oriented vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey2qz_UGsbI |
| 16 | Olivia Hye (feat. JinSoul)
Egoist
Another heavy synth bass-laden track. The melodies are great, except for the rap part, which pops out of nowhere. I saw this is a feature very often used in Kpop, however, here it doesn't ruin the overall flow that much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkY8HvgvBJ8 |
| 17 | SunMi
Black Pearl
A bit similar sonic-wise to BoA's 'Irreversible', the late night atmosphere and mid-tempo beat are lovely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WQxoL6shHo |
| 18 | DIA
Woo Woo
Another summer song with enough substance to allow multiple listens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1OUMTMwVsY |
| 19 | EXID
Lady
They took the early '90s New Jack Swing to create an interesting song. While some appreciated it more, I, unfortunately, didn't like it as much as other experiments of theirs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1JiptOTxno |
| 20 | AOA
Bingle Bangle
After the main vocalist left, the production company waited a year to re-brand them. This diluted version of theirs only made the gap left by ChoA even more visible (dying Yuna - the only main vocalist left - blonde in order to resemble more the former member was a painfully stupid decision). All these bad decisions and fading interest from the company, only threw them in the shadows. The song is okay, but it could've been much better. The video concept is cool though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntWSnDV0MYs |
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