20. Butter - BTS
This was the song of the summer. BTS brought a fun song to conquer the world with and they really did just that. It’s instrumental is a fun pop one that just really gets you grooving. Then you have BTS’ vocals on top of it which make it a showstopper. We also can’t forget the perfect rap break to tie it all together. It’s the perfect pop song.
19. Ready for Love - Seventeen
Seventeen have been looking for a mature sound for a while. Ready to Love really shows them coming into their own now. It’s got a lovely instrumental, beautiful vocals, great raps, it just has it all. Seventeen are definitely carving a place for themselves now!
18. First - Everglow
Everglow proved they were on another level this year especially with this song, First. Firstly, this song has some of the best raps I’ve heard from a girl group. The instrumental is also something to behold. You definitely will find yourself bopping along to this tune almost instantly.
17. Breaking Dawn - The Boyz
The Boyz had a stand out year that it was hard to pick which song stood out the most. Breaking Dawn checks all the boxes though. The rap line really delivers and the vocals are heavenly. And let’s not forget about the sexy instrumental. It’s a true bop.
16. Thunderous - Stray Kids
Stray Kids took noise pop to another level this year. Thunderous is imaginative and really shows their producer team at their best. Their rap line also really shines here. Thunderous really proves that no one can do it quite like Stray Kids.
15. Cold Blooded - Jessi
This song was impossible to escape when it came out and you can hear why. The queen herself, Jessi, really took her talents to another level. The raps are some of the best I’ve heard from her and the lyrics are quite catchy too. You’ll definitely find yourself bopping along to Cold Blooded for years to come.
14. What’s Goin’ On? - Omega X
Omega X’s debut year has definitely been a strong one. What’s Goin’ On? Really proves it too. While the rap line really shines here, the vocal line definitely doesn’t go unnoticed either. Their vocals are strong and everyone just blends so well together. It’s the pinnacle of Omega X and it will be fun to see where they go from here in 2022.
13. What I Said - Victon
Even though this song was released in January of 2021, it remained on repeat throughout the year. It’s freakin’ catchy to the point where it won’t leave your head for weeks. Not to mention the rapping is literally iconic. If you haven’t heard this song then you’re definitely missing out.
12. The Feels - Twice
Twice decided to take over the world with this earworm. The Feels is just a fun catchy bop. It takes over your brain in every possible way. The choreography is fun, the singing is great, it’s a perfect song.
11. Gambler - Monsta X
Monsta X know how to cater to their sex appeal. This song has some sexy raps from I.M and Joohoney. The vocals are smooth like the finest honey. And it’s all put together with a noisey instrumental that is Monsta X’s signature. It’s sexy, fun to dance along to, and definitely one of Monsta X’s best title tracks.
10. Don’t Call Me - Shinee
Talk about iconic! Shinee came back this year and this was the song they came back with. What a way to do it. It’s got the great harmonies that only Shinee can pull off, an iconic rap from Minho, and a great instrumental to pull it all together. Shinee really showed that they are legends and will forever remain one of K-Pop’s biggest treasures.
9. Hot Sauce - NCT Dream
Hot Sauce is full of many flavors. You have the catchy lyrics (listen to this song one time and tell me you didn’t sing ‘geolla ma dish’ to yourself immediately after). Then there is the fun instrumental that really makes it dance worthy. On top of it all you have NCT Dream delivering some of their best raps and vocals. It’s an iconic song for sure.
8. IYAH - Kang Seungyoon
Winner’s own maknae and leader finally made his solo debut in 2021 and he really showcased a lot. IYAH really shows off Yoon’s personal style and makes it stand out the most. There’s a beautiful guitar instrumental and beautiful lyrics all about speaking to your inner child. Yoon’s voice is smooth and emotional and it really ties the whole track together.
7. Drunk-Dazed - Enhypen
Enhypen know how to bring the drama to any song they make. Drunk-Dazed showcases the drama they bring the best. The build up from the verses to the chorus are goosebumps inducing and something I’ve never heard before. Enhypen also gives us a catchy chorus that will get stuck in your head instantly. It’s a party song for sure.
6. Close - AB6IX
This track fell under a lot of people’s radars this year but it’s a song that certainly stands out. Close has one of my favorite instrumentals out of 2021. The house beat really makes for a groovy moment that is only made better by AB6IX’s vocal line. This song feels like you’re being transported to another world. It’s impossible to know why people didn’t give it more recognition.
5. Next Level - aespa
Next Level lived rent free in everyone’s minds in 2021. Even if you hated it, it would still get stuck in your head. aespa delivered some of the catchiest lyrics over a video game-like instrumental. On top of that, they gave us some of the most iconic choreography moments ever in 2021. Everyone was doing this dance. Then, there’s the beat change that a lot of people didn’t like but I think it definitely is a strength. While the first half of the song really showcases the rap skills these girls have, the beat change really showcases their vocals. It’s the best of both worlds. It’s got everything you could want.
4. Loser=Lover - TXT
TXT had a stand out year with the sound they went for this year. Loser=lover has an alternative emo sound that really fits TXT’s image the best. The sound is only made better when you get to the chorus that is made to be screamed out. It’s so catchy. This sound is something that I can only hope that TXT continue to use as they go into 2022 because it works for them.
3. Fireworks (I’m The One)/The Real - Ateez
There was a lot of back and forth picking the best Ateez track of the year. It came to the point where it was virtually impossible to choose between Fireworks and The Real. Both songs are iconic for their own reasons. Fireworks is Ateez really showcasing their best. You have some of their best raps, best vocals, best choreography. It’s a song that goes hard and they make it work. The Real is Ateez showcasing their culture. This instrumental is one of my favorites to ever grace the K-Pop world. It’s a classical Korean instrumental that isn’t outshined by modern hip-hop sounds. They found a way to make both coexist without erasing the classical sound. Not to mention how well these guys bring the fire with the rapping. Ateez really brought the fire this year and these two songs really show it.
2. Bad Love - Key
The 80s is in and Key really brings it on Bad Love. This song has a retro-future sound that features some 80s synths and drums and it really makes it stand out. Key also belts out some of his strongest vocals that I have ever heard from him. It’s hard to believe that he debuted as a rapper in Shinee. Bad Love is Key at his very best and really shows his growth as a performer and soloist. He can shine in his group but he also shines very well on his own.
1. U Mad - Bobby
And the best title track of the year goes to: Bobby. U Mad was released in January 2021 and remained a stand out track the entire year. Bobby’s skills are unmatched throughout this entire song. His raps are fast but not clunky and his rap flow is unique and crazy. He’s really going off in the way he knows how. Then there’s the wild, noisey instrumental that really showcases Bobby’s wild side. It really is unmatched on so many levels. Bobby is one of the best idol rappers and this track proves it.
Very nice list!!!! Yoon top 10 as he should!!!!