Okay-Pop music is in all places in the present day. You may hear a Okay-Pop music on the radio throughout your commute to work, within the soundtrack for a brand new film, or as an audio on TikTook. Whether you notice that what you are listening to is Okay-Pop usually is dependent upon the language, however many K-Pop soloists and groups have dipped their toes into the Western market by selling totally English songs amongst their Korean tracks.
As somebody who had a fan account on Twitter all through my teenage years, I used to be witness to 1000’s of fancams of idols I could not identify beneath each viral publish I noticed. I additionally bear in mind giving up on voting for my favourite artists (5 Seconds of Summer and One Direction) as soon as I noticed that they had been up towards BTS. It took till school earlier than I lastly gave in. I lived with three roommates, who had been all large Okay-Pop followers all through center and highschool.
Our junior yr shortly grew to become outlined by nights sitting on the sofa, every of them presenting me with Okay-Pop music movies and songs to coach me on a style I’d stayed away from for therefore lengthy. After only a couple nights of this, I used to be hooked. TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s “Blue Hour” and NCT U’s “Make A Wish (Birthday Song)” had been the primary Okay-Pop songs to look on my Spotify Wrapped in 2021. Now, Okay-Pop is well my most listened-to style, filling my final three Spotify Wrapped playlists to nobody’s shock.
Below are 10 songs that both pulled me into Okay-Pop practically 4 years in the past or songs that I strongly imagine would pull me in in the present day, every showcasing completely different elements of the style. They’re in a free order, resulting in probably the most simply approachable songs within the second half of the record. Best of luck in your Okay-Pop journey or in your quest to get your family and friends into Okay-Pop!
10
Russian Roulette
Red Velvet (Active 2014 – Present)
Red Velvet are one of the vital essential K-Pop girl groups that everybody ought to attempt listening to at the very least as soon as. “Russian Roulette” presents all of the quirky, vibrant elements of the style in lower than 4 minutes, including a particular Red Velvet aptitude that you will discover whereas diving into their different music. Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri’s voices are sugary candy, every having a definite tone that may make them simply distinguishable from each other for a first-time listener.
Like most of this group’s music movies, “Russian Roulette” presents a hilariously darkish visible of the music the place a clip of 1 member making an attempt to push a piano down the steps to hit two different members cuts to a vibrant clip of all of them dancing fortunately. If you or whoever you hope to get into Okay-Pop needs one thing completely different whereas additionally receiving unbelievable music, look no additional than this five-member woman group.
9
Walk
NCT 127 (Active 2016 – Present)
NCT 127 is not a gaggle that is usually advisable for newbie Okay-Pop followers, however I can not assist however current the perfect boy group music of 2024 to anybody hoping to get into the style. “Walk” sees the group step away from their extra experimental sound in controversial songs like “Sticker” and “Simon Says” to lean right into a hip-hop type that fits every member completely.
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Any fan of hip-hop or a great beat typically will see the attraction of this music, and anybody with the smallest quantity of dance expertise is bound to be hypnotized by the synchronization and footwork discovered within the efficiency video. While it is probably not the perfect introduction to NCT 127’s wider discography, significantly their title tracks, I imagine that “Walk” exhibits off the members’ vocals, rapping expertise, and dancing skills completely in one of the vital effortlessly cool songs that is come out just lately.
8
FEVER
ENHYPEN (Active 2020 – Present)
ENHYPEN had been the Okay-Pop group that reeled me in for good. They had been the primary group the place I took the time to study each member’s identify and select a bias (AKA your favourite member). It was a efficiency of “Not For Sale,” a B-side from their 2021 mini-album BORDER : CARNIVAL, that offered me, however one other observe from this album is one which I used to drag my sister into the Okay-Pop world with me.
The seductive choreography paired with the group’s heavenly vocals make for an addictive mixture that has certainly lured 1000’s of individuals into Okay-Pop already.
“FEVER” falls into the class of songs by boy teams that beg a woman to stick with them or describe how badly they need somebody in shimmering, poetic language. Think “No Control” by One Direction. The seductive choreography paired with the group’s heavenly vocals make for an addictive mixture that has certainly lured 1000’s of individuals into Okay-Pop already. There’s not a nasty place to begin with ENHYPEN, so be ready to dive head first right into a near-flawless discography.
7
Selfish Waltz
ATEEZ (Active 2019 – Present)
Any ATEEZ followers is likely to be shocked that I selected this over any of their flashier title tracks, however after my first hear, “Selfish Waltz” shortly grew to become one among my favourite songs past simply Okay-Pop. ATEEZ does loads of issues nicely, like bringing 110% to each efficiency and including the correct amount of energy to their title tracks earlier than they really feel too overwhelming. Another factor they do proper is synth-pop. They do not do it usually, however after they do, you’d imagine that was their regular type.
“Selfish Waltz” provides members like Wooyoung and Yunho the highlight their voices deserve, with Wooyoung giving the efficiency of a lifetime in each refrain. Mingi and Hongjoong’s raps are completely delivered, and each masterful second of this music builds and builds till it crashes down with Jongho holding out that last refrain like his life is dependent upon it. Once you have processed this music, which might take weeks, be happy to maneuver on to its synth-pop sisters, “Take Me Home” and “Cyberpunk,” and extra underrated ATEEZ songs, too.
6
Replay
SHINee (Active 2008 – Present)
If you wish to begin your journey just a little additional again, let’s rewind to 2008. As the one debut observe on this record, SHINee’s “Replay” deserves each second of consideration. From the minute the instrumental kicks in, you are transported again to the early 2000s sound that newer teams have tried to copy up to now few years of Okay-Pop. None of that might attain the extent of attraction that this music brings.
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SHINee homes among the most spectacular vocalists in Okay-Pop, however late member Jonghyun grabs your consideration from the second he opens his mouth. You can not help however imagine he means each phrase he says. Starting with a gaggle like SHINee is ideal for watching how their music evolves as new generations are launched into the style. Despite all of it, Jonghyun, Onew, Key, Minho, and Taemin maintain onto their crown as a boy group that influenced all who got here after them. They additionally every have in depth solo catalogs to discover.
5
134340
BTS (Active 2013 – Present)
In the same vogue to my ATEEZ choose, I made a decision to go along with a extra low-key BTS music for my preliminary suggestion. They’re one other group that everybody ought to at the very least acknowledge for the contributions they proceed to make to the style as a complete, each as BTS and of their seven separate solo careers. BTS’ lengthy discography is full of nearly each sub-genre of music you’ll be able to think about, however with most of their members nonetheless finishing their necessary army service till mid-June, you might have loads of time to get by all of it.
“134340” is a flute-driven observe that permits any listener to know the attraction of BTS. From Jungkook’s dreamy falsetto to Suga’s rap which may simply make you blush, it is a refined invitation to discover their music. The album this music is off of, LOVE YOURSELF 轉 ‘Tear,’ is an ideal introductory album that’s certain to have you ever questioning what took you so lengthy to search out them.
4
Flights, Not Feelings
aespa (Active 2020 – Present)
As we transfer nearer to the top of this record, we lean into extra acquainted sounds to any fan of music outdoors Okay-Pop. aespa’s “Flights, Not Feelings” is a B-side off of their most up-to-date mini-album that includes the hypnotizing title observe, “Whiplash.” Before diving into their extra elaborate title tracks, although, take the time to understand the R&B sound that loads of their B-sides have to supply.
It provides listeners a style of the vary many Okay-Pop teams have inside their discographies.
This music specifically is one which I did not totally come round to till just lately. As I’ve gathered songs for this record, I imagine “Flights, Not Feelings” is an ideal starter music for anybody fascinated by moving into Okay-Pop. It provides listeners a style of the vary many Okay-Pop teams have inside their discographies. Although most of their title tracks characteristic heavy instrumentals and grand manufacturing, they’ll strip them again when they should. Plus, aespa is likely one of the largest teams presently, so it will not harm to attempt them out.
3
20
BOYNEXTDOOR (Active 2023 – Present)
BOYNEXTDOOR are one of many youthful teams on this record, however that simply means that you’ve much less of a dedication to make when deciding when you ought to give their music an opportunity. They additionally simply launched their newest mini-album, No Genre, on May 13, so perhaps that is destiny. Maybe BOYNEXTDOOR is the group who’s going to reel you into Okay-Pop for good, like ENHYPEN did for me. The six-member boy group is stuffed to the brim with expertise due to their mentorship by ZICO of Block B at KOZ Entertainment.
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By now, each member has participated in songwriting at the very least as soon as, with Taesan and Jaehyun rising as among the fifth technology’s most promising rappers. “20” encapsulates their idea completely by the heartbreaking authenticity of their voices as they sing concerning the nervousness that comes with leaving your teenage years behind. The remainder of their music options the identical youthful spirit in lighthearted, humorous songs in addition to extra touching, slower songs. Moral of the story: you will not remorse moving into BOYNEXTDOOR.
2
Crazy Sexy Cool
ASTRO (Active 2016 – Present)
The second I heard “Crazy Sexy Cool” by ASTRO, I knew I used to be finished for. Granted, this was lengthy after my descent into Okay-Pop and likewise after studying about member Moonbin’s passing, but it surely nonetheless provides me the identical feeling it did throughout that first hear. At the top of the day, it is simply an extremely candy love music that takes my breath away with its magnificence.
There are loads of lovely, even tacky, love songs in Okay-Pop, however I assure beginning with this one will set a excessive bar that may go away you no alternative however to hear to each music ASTRO has ever launched. Their vocals and raps go away no room for criticism. That, paired with a candy music video the place each member seems to be like they’re having the time of their lives, is what at all times leads me down the highway of studying extra a few group, listening to their music, and inevitably watching their content material past simply music movies to achieve a deeper appreciation.
1
Nobody Knows
KISS OF LIFE (Active 2023 – Present)
The different youngest group on this record is KISS OF LIFE, a four-member woman group that has already positioned themselves among the many likes of i-dle for his or her unapologetic angle inside their music. “Nobody Knows” is a magnetic music that I’d present anybody searching for music suggestions. Oftentimes, their B-sides get a lot larger than their title tracks, particularly on their first two mini-albums, and this was one such case.
‘Nobody Knows’ is a magnetic music that I’d present anybody searching for music suggestions.
This music’s music video alone appears like a feat for Okay-Pop. They contact on situations of bullying, harassment, and undesirable advances by males, all issues which can be extremely prevalent in South Korea and past, permitting every girl to come back out on prime of every scenario. The choreography sees them leaning right into a extra sultry type that feels refreshing amongst so many woman teams centered on Y2K or much less mature ideas. I’d simply present this music video and several other of KISS OF LIFE’s songs to somebody wanting to discover Okay-Pop.
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