My Favorite K-Pop Albums of 2019

K-pop's scene is driven by lead singles and heavy promotion of the same song on the endless cycle of music show broadcasts in the country, but that doesn't mean their B-sides off studio works don't deserve attention. Here are some of my favorite K-pop EPs and albums of 2019, by order of release.

1. Treasure EP.2: Zero to One by Ateez

My first taste of Ateez led me to their moody, intense second EP (where they managed to pull off a bandit concept, of all things, for the lead single). It's hard to describe Ateez's music. It's like going on some epic, grand adventure, with the kind of bombast in their sound that never comes off as try-hard or forced. With only five songs, Ateez have established a strong sophomore work that only gets listeners wanting more from the young group.

Standout B-sides: "Hala Hala (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)" and "Promise"

2. The Dream Chapter: STAR by Tomorrow x Together

Despite (or because of) intense interest from what seems like the entire world, TXT have made the smartest decision in not following BTS's footsteps in any way. What comes is their debut EP, very much rooted in an impeccable bubblegum pop package, with breezy, airy, bubbly synths, stunning vocal harmonies, and strong energy throughout the five tracks. For bubblegum pop that centers mainly on young love and the pains of growing up, the lyrical content is surprisingly complex and poetic. It's so nice to see a group that's so unapologetically innocent, carefree, and sweet. If you're going to do a cute concept, you got to do it like TXT. I didn't think I would enjoy this EP as much as I have, and after listening through it again in July (after not listening to it since it first came out), I've realized just how much staying power this group will have for many years to come. I'm very excited to see what TXT has in store.
Standout B-sides: "Blue Orangeade" and "Our Summer"

3. Clé 1: Miroh by Stray Kids

Stray Kids came back with a personal vengeance on their debut anniversary with the start of a new music era, and Clé 1: Miroh delivered and then some. Very rarely do I see albums that follow a story line as well as Clé 1: Miroh does, and for that alone, this EP deserves the recognition. It definitely doesn't hurt that every single track is amazing.

Standout B-sides: "Entrance", "Victory Song", "Maze of Memories", and "19"

4. Map of the Soul: Persona by BTS

BTS are unarguably the biggest boy band in the world. Further proving how capable they are of doing any concept they want, Map of the Soul: Persona saw the boys take a more lighthearted, less-emo concept, and why not have a good time while we're at it? "Boy with Luv" with Halsey is a certified bop, but BTS always deliver on quality, and the B-sides are no exception.

Standout B-sides: "Intro: Persona", "Make It Right", and "Home"

5. We Are Superhuman by NCT 127

Turning to a sound that is both familiar yet completely new for NCT 127, We Are Superhuman saw the group really giving their vocalists a time to shine, delivering on a flawless body of work stuffed with pure pop melody. Listening to We Are Superhuman is truly an enjoyable experience, and it perfectly distills everything amazing about this 3-year group on the rise in the west while also seeing the group finally leaning into their label's well-known, polished retro-pop sound.

Standout B-sides: "Highway to Heaven", "Fool", and "Jet Lag"

6. Treasure EP.3: One to All by Ateez

The fact that Ateez is showing up twice in this list says enough about my love for this group. Ateez does not disappoint. Period. Embracing the summertime release period, Ateez lean into a breezier, brighter sound with this EP. It shouldn't come to any surprise to anyone that Ateez can do bright, more carefree concepts with ease while still being distinctly Ateez: delightfully weird and unashamedly experimental delivered with polished bombast.

Standout B-sides: "Utopia" and "Aurora"

7. The Book of Us: Gravity by Day6

The ever-consistent band came back with their brightest material yet, perfect for the summertime. Raucous "Time of Our Life" fronts the newest EP from the group, and the B-sides are equally good. Leaning more into pop-rock sounds for this comeback, Day6 take us on an emotional journey through the growing pains of love, life, and learning more about yourself. Day6 just never disappoint. Enough said.
Standout B-sides: "Wanna Go Back" and "Best Part"

8. An Ode by Seventeen

K-pop self-producing idol group Seventeen produce another phenomenal studio album. The genre-exploring tracklist is a doozy. It's incredible that the group still manages to maintain a distinct sound in their songs, despite their musical growth and their deviation from the bubbly, funky-pop sound that they debuted with. There are still hints of old Seventeen in songs like "Snap Shoot" and "Lucky", with the fun chorus and bright production, but it's clear Seventeen are finding themselves comfortable with their EDM sound. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Standout B-sides: "Network Love", "Snap Shoot", "Lucky", and "Happy Ending - Korean Version"

9. Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action by Ateez

Ateez were probably the most prominent rookie boy group this year, with three works released this year alone and three EPs and one studio album released in less than a year after debut. Each of their works have been polished and incredible from start to finish (as evident how every single release of theirs have made it onto my list), and their first studio album is no exception. Lead single "Wonderland" is wonderful (pun intended), but listening to the whole album is a special kind of experience. Ateez have this distinct sound that I allude to many times but have a hard time describing (it's kind of like frenetic percussion married with inventive EDM sounds, creating some pretty epic, stadium-worthy production), but that sound is present on every single track, despite the many different tones and genres they explore in this work.
Standout B-sides: "Dazzling Light" and "WIN"

10. The Dream Chapter: MAGIC by Tomorrow x Together

After 7 months since their debut release, TXT finally come back with another impeccable package of bubblegum pops, slower jams, and sick production. Lead single "Runaway" is excellent (as expected for BigHit), but listening to the whole album is an intensely enjoyable experience. I find myself bopping my head to each of their tracks, and with good reason. TXT have managed to outdo their debut EP in many ways (though let's be real, it's hard to top "Blue Orangeade"), but the sonic progression in the sound is evident in Magic, and that's very promising for a rookie group.
Standout B-sides: "New Rules", "Poppin' Star", "Can't We Just Leave the Monster Alive?", and "20cm"

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2019

Another year of great music, another list! Here are my top 19 songs of 2019 from the K-pop world (in no particular order):

1. "Miroh" by Stray Kids

Stray Kids made a triumphant return on the anniversary of their debut with lead single "Miroh", and boy is it a doozy. Pulling influences from African Congo chants to deep house and EDM beat drops, "Miroh" uses them in a way that sounds completely new and fresh. Stray Kids made a huge statement with their debut song "District 9" back in 2018, and "Miroh" is that song's edgier successor. Everything about "Miroh" keeps you on the edge of your seat: the song's unconventional structure, the gargantuan, stadium-worthy deep house beat drop (some of the best beat drops in pop music in general), and the sonic spectacle of it all. What makes Stray Kids so compelling is their high energy tracks, and "Miroh" exemplifies what makes Stray Kids so great in a nutshell. Like they suggest in their music video, Stray Kids are taking over the world.

2. "Boy With Luv" by BTS (ft. Halsey)

Having been taking a small break since their conclusion to their Love Yourself era with Love Yourself: Answer back in August of 2018, BTS has kickstarted a new era to their careers with the release of their new EP and Map of the Soul: Persona and its release of lead single "Boy With Luv", a play off their 2014 single "Boy in Luv" and featuring their longtime Western alt-pop artist friend Halsey. What results a bubbly, pink-infused pop song with an addictive chorus. Basically, I love it. "Boy with Luv" isn't revolutionary nor hard to digest, but that doesn't detract from how great of a song it is. If anything, I guarantee it will lift your spirits instantly.

3. "Highway to Heaven" by NCT 127

A pre-release to their then-upcoming EP We Are Superhuman, "Highway to Heaven" was the perfect sampler to NCT 127's new sound this comeback, and boy did it not disappoint. A satisfying blend of retro-pop and conventional deep-house, "Highway to Heaven" is the kind of anthemic burst of energy that I crave from the group that constantly experiments and pushes themselves to try new sounds in their music. The vocalists, notably Taeil, Doyoung, and Haechan, consistently shine in this track, and Mark and Taeyong's easy-going flow only adds a different yet welcome flavor to the mix. While I love NCT 127's more hip-hop centric sound, the fact that songs like "Highway to Heaven" can showcase the unique vocal talents of the group's many vocalists is a god-send. This song easily tops my favorite NCT 127 songs to date. Go do yourself a favor and listen to this. You won't be disappointed.

4. "Superhuman" by NCT 127

NCT 127's late-May EP We Are Superhuman is seriously some of the group's best work to-date. Call me a bit biased, but I love my straight pop bops, and "Superhuman" fits the bill. NCT 127 have always been the group that is never afraid to try new things, and with its electro-pop leanings (a completely new sound for the group while also a throwback to their label's older sound) "Superhuman" is both completely fresh yet familiar.

5. "Hala Hala (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)" by Ateez

Rookie group Ateez made a huge splash with international fans during their late-2018 debut. Follow-up EP Treasure EP.2: Zero to One's lead single "Say My Name" is worthy of recognition, but there's something about the demonic B-side "Hala Hala" that I can't seem to shake off, despite it's early release this year. The performance-driven track has a sinister energy in the chorus driven by some truly strange production. "Hala Hala" essentially encapsulates what's so charismatic and enticing about the rookie group, and if they keep it up, the boys are going to see much more success in the future.

6. "Blue Orangeade" by Tomorrow X Together (TXT)

TXT has the unique distinction of being of the same label as bonafide superstars BTS, so the intense interest around the group prior to their debut in early March was inevitable. Boy, did these five (very young and ridiculously talented) boys deliver. With a fresh, bright concept, "Blue Orangeade" gives listeners a sample of the kind of bubbly pop sound that will be further explored in the rest of the EP. "Blue Orangeade" wears its infectious hooks, impeccable production, and the general happy vibes with an ease and comfort that leaves listeners feeling giddy.

7. "Me" by CLC

There's something intensely fierce and bombastic about CLC's "Me" that makes me keep coming back to it. The charisma of the girls combined with the edgy production elevates the song to a different level. While it does sound all over the place upon first listen, repeated listens make you realize just how well the song flows. CLC have delved into more fierce concepts since their success with song "Hobgoblin" followed by "Black Dress" and "No", and "Me" continues that sassy, confident attitude. The song isn't for everyone, but you might be surprised by how much you will take from it if you give it a shot.

8. "Wanna Go Back" by Day6

While lead single "Time of Our Life" is amazing and everything I love about Day6, there's something instantaneously charming about B-side "Wanna Go Back". On the surface, it's a carefree pop melody, but upon reading the lyrics, you realize the emotional weight to it, creating the ultimate Day6 "sad bop". There's something really bittersweet and hard to express when listening to Day6's sadder music, and "Wanna Go Back" encapsulates what I love about this group. Also, this may have gotten on the list because a certain drummer gets a line in the song...

9. "Good to Me" by Seventeen

Seventeen's first 2019 lead single "Home" wasn't a huge hit for me, but there's something about B-side "Good to Me" that's an instant classic and defines Seventeen's discography in my eyes. It's just effortlessly suave, sexy, and catchy, and Seventeen never disappoint.

10. "HIT" by Seventeen

Okay, so if you must know, I'm a huge huge fan of Seventeen, so if the boys are gonna release more than one lead single in a year, more than one of their songs are bound to reach my year-end list. "Hit" is the kind of classic Seventeen that I have missed in their sound: hard-hitting, relentless energy. Seventeen, while exploring genres that deviate from the youthful, boy-ish concept they debuted with, thrive best in the songs that allow them to show their dynamism as one of the industry's best performers. "Hit" encapsulates everything that makes Seventeen so great.

11. "Fancy" by Twice

"Fancy" saw Twice pursuing a more refined sound. Conceptually, "Fancy" was different from any of their previous idiosyncratic, quirky-cutesy concepts, but sonically, it still had that bright sound that's so distinctly Twice. "Fancy" would mark a transition in their sound, as further evidenced by their late-September release "Feel Special". This song was everywhere, from the timelines of K-pop stan twitter to coming out of every speaker in Korea. Despite its overplayed value, "Fancy" is really a phenomenal song, and is one of those songs you would have someone new to the group listen to.

12. "Wonderland" by Ateez

Ateez have had a phenomenal 2019. With their third comeback (they literally debuted last year) and first studio album with the release of lead single "Wonderland", Ateez only continue to show how unique they are. We have rising stars in our midst, and boy do they have the sound to match. Bombastic, epic, suave, and confident, "Wonderland" is everything I love about Ateez while also being completely fresh and new (also, that pre-chorus hook "가자" is literally the best thing to happen in K-pop this year). This is Ateez at its best (until they inadvertently release an even better song).

13. "New Rules" by Tomorrow x Together

Honestly, every song off of TXT's studio album is top-tier, but the first song that gave me "Blue Orangeade" level insta-love (the EP opener) was their album opener "New Rules". It does a phenomenal job of introducing the evolved, slightly more mature TXT, packaged with polished production and top-tier melodies (falsetto Taehyun should be a thing for like, the rest of time).

14. "Deep in Love" by Day6

I'm a bit mixed on Day6's lead single "Sweet Chaos" (it's not their best song), but album opener "Deep in Love" brings some of the most hard rock sound to the Day6 discography that I've heard in what feels like a very long time. It's an amazing way to start off the album, and it's made its way to the top of my very long list of favorite Day6 songs of all time.

15. "Valkyrie" by Oneus

I've heard things about Mamamoo's labelmate and RBW's first male idol dance group throughout their debut year this year, but I didn't even hear a full song from them until close to the end of this year. I'm disappointed I didn't hop on that train earlier, but I can confirm now that their debut song "Valkyrie" is incredible. It's a performance track for sure, but it's bolstered by strong hooks and solid production. Rookie groups this year really made some truly solid debut tracks, and Oneus will surely see themselves grow in their musical journeys.

16. "Dalla Dalla" by Itzy

I spent time debating between the rookie group's debut smash hit or their fresh, retro-tinged summer bop "Icy", but "Dalla Dalla" came out on top. While "Icy" has a phenomenal bass line and is very much a smooth progression from their debut work, I think "Dalla Dalla" still has longer staying power, and I like the melodies a lot more. It's a surprising earworm, and it grows on you very quickly.

17. "Hip" by Mamamoo

Vocal queens Mamamoo came back with a badass, giving-no-f*cks song about their haters AND gave us some amazing choreo too. While I've been aware of Mamamoo's previous discography (especially their several singles in 2018) and play "Wind Flower" repeatedly once the leaves starting changing color this year, "Hip" is an amazing statement piece and captures what makes Mamamoo such a unique girl group. It's just so smooth in its delivery, yet so aggressive at the same time. There's really no song like "Hip", and to hear their older sound blend well with a dance track is K-pop magic.

18. "Snapping" by Chungha

Chungha has been killing it this year. Her star power has been there from the get-go, and I'm glad to see her gain even more attention. "Snapping" capitalizes on what made her first single of 2019 "Getting Go" so alluring, and she amps it up even more. Known for her sharp choreography, she absolutely kills it, but the song holds on its own. The performance makes it dynamite in a bottle.

19. "Violeta" by Iz*One

I think it can be universally acknowledged that the recent scandal involving Mnet and their abuse of power regarding the Produce series has been years in the making, but it nevertheless really sucks that so many young and aspiring artists have to deal with the brunt of this, when they likely had nothing to do with it. Iz*One (especially) have captured a niche in the K-pop and J-pop market, and their songs have been the most consistent among the Produce groups. "Violeta" is higher in energy and just more fun than "La Vie en Rose", and it made for a really solid comeback for this 12-member group. The beat drop is decent, the choreo is top-notch, and it's quite the earworm. This is the group capitalizing on what makes them so appealing.

I hope that you all had a wonderful year, and despite the many tragedies and sad events that happened this year, let's take the time to also think about what made K-pop so great and develop in new ways in 2019, and look forward an exciting new decade of K-pop. Have a happy and safe holiday season everyone!