As far as k-pop is concerned, it’s safe to say that 2024 cooked. Through many great debuts and iconic comebacks, the k-pop industry delivered. To list the top 10 was no easy task, as there were so many great releases this year.
Here are my top ten releases of the year:
10. Smart – LE SSERAFIM
“Smart” was the first LE SSERAFIM song I listened to. Of course, I first saw it from the viral Stray Kids challenge but it really was a good song. I’ve seen the youngest member Eunchae everywhere as host of Music Bank, but didn’t know this was her group. I really love her alto voice and I’m glad we got to hear it in the second chorus.
Nayeon came back hard this year with a banger solo track, “ABCD”. The music video was so cool with the different film styles and eras. The instrumental kind of reminded me of “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé (but better?). On my first listen I felt like the prechorus dragged on, but eventually I grew to appreciate how it’s in no rush to deliver the greatness it has. Not to mention the spicy choreography in final chorus and TWICE’s reaction. Nayeon is now 29, so I’m happy to see her step out of the sweet and innocent stereotype.
IVE’s songs had been becoming hit-or-miss for me. “Eleven”, “Love Dive”, and “After Like” were incredible. But after “Kitsch” and “Either Way”, I started to stray away from them. For 2023 they took a break from the poppy vibe but came back hard with “Baddie”, and then “HEYA”. It was a perfect summer song with a colorful instrumental and catchy chorus. Gaeul was really able to shine in this era as well, devouring the last chorus as well as being the featured role in the b-side music video for “Accendio”. I absolutely loved this song, and the album was a certified no-skip.
I admit I was very suspicious when listening to “Cheeky Icy Thang”. I didn’t get the name at all and quite frankly still do not. But I do know that this summer bop really outsold. From the moment I saw the teaser, I knew my bias Seeun was going to be in the spotlight and I was right. Ever since “Teddy Bear” in 2023, Seeun has consistently been featured in the choruses and I’m so glad they’re using her voice more. The only downside is this song is shorter than most at only two minutes and 30 seconds. It does still work but I wish there was more of this song to go around!
Going two for two, “GPT” was a total unexpected bop. I almost didn’t realize this was a full comeback as STAYC rarely does single releases, but this went hard. The record sample in the beginning was very interesting and made for a unique sound. I’m so glad Seeun got even more time to shine, singing in the first verse and all three choruses. J’s voice really suited this song as well, I especially loved her sound in the chorus. Unfortunately this was also criminally short, but great nonetheless.
Starting the top five off strong is MADEIN. They debuted unexpectedly this year with “UNO” in September. Formed from the trio Limelight, Mashiro and Yeseo of Kep1er, and two new idols. The seven were in sync with this song and it’s very catchy. I like the chopped vocals that echo throughout the whole song, especially in the chorus. The music video was heavily criticized for its use of AI, and I can completely see why. But, I will take any new Kep1er-adjacent content I can get.
TWICE ended the year with a bang by dropping “Strategy” in December. Previous comebacks played it safe with a classic pop sound (“One Spark”, “Set Me Free”, “Talk That Talk”, etc.) It has a bit of a hip-hop vibe and a funky/retro instrumental. The first verse where they listed their four steps to their strategy was so catchy and charming. The only other song I can think of that does that is “New Rules” by Dua Lipa. It’s such a good trope that writers should use more often.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear Jeongyeon in the first chorus. And as much as I Nayeon, I think taking a break from her voice was actually refreshing. Not to mention, Megan’s feature on the song was a perfect fit. I’m not necessarily a big Megan fan, but I can’t help myself from singing her rap every time I play it.
It felt like she genuinely loved hanging out with the TWICE girls, which we love. Other western features on k-pop songs feel anticlimactic and flat. For example, when IVE collabed with Saweetie last year with “All Night”. Apparently, the six girls and production traveled all the way to LA just to film with her, but there were barely any scenes with them actually together. Not to mention the song wasn’t original, it was a cover of a Icona Pop’s song that they tried to make their own. Meanwhile, in “Strategy”, Megan and her team flew to Korea and really joined in on the element. The song is exclusively in English, but it didn’t feel like it lost the k-pop vibe. It felt like they were actually all in the same room and enjoying each other’s company. It’s a shame Megan couldn’t perform to any of their live stages in Korea, but it was still such a great December comeback to finish off the year.
Kep1er had a wild year, with releasing 20 new songs across three albums. Their first release as a seven member group still stood strong with a cute and poppy vibe. Not to overuse the word fresh, but that’s truly what this album was. “TIPI-TAP” had such a cute and catchy chorus. A “tippy-tap” is another name for those paper fortune tellers, which was a subtle concept of the video. It would’ve been so cool if they did some sort of choreography to symbolize it, I’m actually surprised they didn’t.
It was a bittersweet comeback without the iconic Yeshiro duo, but it still did what it needed to do. The overall album was a no-skip, which is impressive because as biased as I am, I can’t say that about all of their albums. Kep1ians claimed it reached a level with “Up!” and maybe even topped it. I wouldn’t go that far but it is at three on this list for a reason.
“Shooting Star” is the epitome of Kep1er, with their space concept on full blast. As Kep1ians, we never knew how good we had it until it was too late. Kep1er’s initial contract expired and renewed for all but two members: Mashiro and Yeseo. As mentioned, they went on to join MADEIN, but nothing could replace their colorful voices in the group of nine.
The choreography is incredible all around. Notably, in the very beginning when the members hold hands in a circle around Xiaoting, it’s kind of reminiscent of a planet with rings. One thing I really love about the group is their use of tutting or hand choreography. As used here and there in their other title tracks, especially “Up!”, it might actually be the best of them all. When they open and close their hands and point, it’s almost like twinkling stars. Another classic hit from Kep1er.
At number one is “I Got You” by TWICE. Words cannot explain how magical this song is. There’s a catchy synth melody that echos throughout the song. Jihyo was robbed of her lines, but I didn’t necessarily miss it if I’m being honest. I loved Nayeon’s voice in the chorus. When singing this song live, you can tell it’s at the top of their range (without going falsetto) and it comes out pretty strained. But to be honest, I secretly love it. I’m a sucker for a second verse with a different melody from the first, and Sana hits that here.
Like “Strategy” and “The Feels”, it’s an English song. It has a version featuring the artist Lauv but honestly I prefer the original. The pairing of Momo and Dahyun for the chorus fits so well together. My apologies to Sana stans, but I don’t particularly like her voice in the second chorus. When Nayeon sings it, she comes in sharp but Sana falls a bit flat. I would’ve loved to hear another strong vocal like Jeongyeon sing it. Near the end there’s a bridge that transitions into the last chorus, delicately sung by Mina. It’s so dreamy and perfect with her voice. This song was such a casual February comeback that ate and left no crumbs.
To limit the best songs of the year down to ten is criminal with the amount of bops we had in 2024. Some honorable mentions being “Wife” by (G)-IDLE, “Touch” by KATSEYE, and “Summer Festa” by IVE (for a Pepsi ad, it’s a solid bop). And who could forget “APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars.
All in all, 2024 was an unprecedented year for K-Pop. Throughout great debuts and tragic disbandments, our favorite groups gave us their all with high quality no-skips. KATSEYE and ILLIT joined the club while NewJeans and fromis_9 left the chat. TWICE will turn ten this year, and NewJeans is rumored to come back under a new name and agency. I’m looking forward to what 2025 has to deliver!