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!

2018 K-Pop in Review: Favorite Songs

2018 was the year I truly got into K-pop. While I haven't been around for too long, I've definitely exposed myself to a decent amount of new music this past year that I've fallen in love with. Here are my favorite K-pop songs of 2018 in no particular order:

1. “Shine” by Pentagon

“Shine” by ridiculously underrated boy group Pentagon is one of the best comeback songs of 2018. It’s spurred a viral, fervent response from many idols that eventually led to positive word-of-mouth and the group charting both domestically and internationally for the first time ever. It’s hard not to fall in love with this song. There’s nothing seriously complex going on, with the production opting for brassy, minimalistic synths, piano, and verbal cues as percussive instruments, yet the song never delves into mainstream, and it’s never tiring even as it remains incredibly catchy and a massive earworm. The song is a breath of fresh air, which is fitting, given that the song is about the euphoric and heart-fluttering feelings of unrequited love and the awkwardness of not having the courage to express them. Even as I say this, I don’t think I’ve properly expressed how magical of a song this is. You’d have to check it out yourself to get what I mean.

2. “Baby Don’t Stop” by NCT U

Oh, where to begin. If you’re new to this blog, just know I’ve been obsessed with this song the moment it was released all the way back in late February of this year. Everything about this song is just unreal. S.M. Entertainment definitely has their long history of poor choices, but if there’s one thing they did right, it’s making Taeyong and Ten an NCT U lineup and letting this song see the light of day. It’s extra exciting for fans to see Ten again, who hasn't played such a big role in NCT releases since he debuted with NCT U's debut song "The 7th Sense" all the way back in 2016. I continue to be surprised by the breadth of talents that the duo possess, and this song perfectly showcases these two incredibly charismatic members and their natural and explosive chemistry in ways that are beyond engaging. They are performers that transcend the concept of performance itself. The production starts off simple before delving into a playful, sprawling soundscape backed by an intense bass track, 8-bit sounding synth instrumentals, and other unconventional percussion to support Ten’s smooth (and shockingly good) vocals, the ASMR-like, passionately whispered chorus, Taeyong’s deep, gravelly rap as well as his surprisingly light vocals, and the mesmerizing choreography. The song is quirky and unique and unconventional, yet it just works. As expected of arguably NCT’s best performers.

3. “Yestoday (Extended Version)” by NCT U

I’ve always maintained the opinion that NCT U (with its whole concept being a rotational unit that switches member lineups with each song so as to have the best lineup of members that fit the concept of the song) is the superior NCT unit, and with good reason: even when the group throws it back to 90’s-vibe hip-hop, what comes out is still magnificent and surprisingly emotional. Stripping the usual theatrics associated with NCT's previous releases, the song focuses on the unique flows and delivery of rappers Taeyong, Mark, and Lucas in their verses. Complementing the three rappers is main vocalist Doyoung, who has been given deserved opportunities to showcase his vocal talents this past year. He effortlessly weaves the rappers’ disparate verses with his voice, crafting a sort of dreamy, contemplative, almost heartbreaking song about coming to terms with our past selves in order to build a brighter future.

4. "My Pace" by Stray Kids

It was a toss-up between the rookie group's aggressive and angsty debut song "District 9" or their equally aggressive yet more playful comeback "My Pace". JYP's rookie boy group is truly one of the most promising and exciting groups of this year, and their debut was equally confident and distinct, but I think it was there comeback song "My Pace" that really solidified my genuine love for the group. The song, simply put, is just fun. The rappers of the group cap off their impressive debut bars with different flows and styles at play, diversifying the group's musical and rhythmic palette. For the sake of context, I've always thought Stray Kids was the perfect marriage of what makes self-producing group Seventeen and hip-hop-and-western-influenced group BTS so great, yet "My Pace" shows that the boys are here to make a mark for themselves. Why not have a little bit of fun along the way?

5. "I Want You" by SHINee

SHINee came back after a year and a half (and unfortunately, without the presence of late member Jonghyun, who passed away in December of 2017) with deep house-influenced, suave track "I Want You", the second single of their three-part release schedule. It's a feel-good song, showcasing the members well-known charisma in their performances. Above all, the song proves why this ten-year-old group are considered the princes of K-pop. SHINee elevate any material they touch, and "I Want You" is no exception.

6. "The Truth Untold" by BTS (feat. Steve Aoki)

BTS admittedly doesn't have the strongest vocalists in K-pop (nothing wrong with that; the group debuted with a more hip-hop influenced sound anyway), but their singers Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook have probably the most distinct voices in K-pop. Even that said, "The Truth Untold", a stripped-back, emotional, powerful ballad, is arguably Love Yourself: Tear's strongest moment. To add another layer of surprise is the fact that EDM hype-king Steve Aoki (who remixed BTS's loud and bombastic "Mic Drop" into something even more energetic and aggressive) produced this song. You can clearly tell how much BTS's vocalists have grown musically since their last comeback, and this song is a testament to that growth.

7. "Oh My!" by Seventeen

After exploring slightly more aggressive and melancholy influences with their 2017 comebacks, self-producing idol kings Seventeen came back with a refreshing, bubbly concept with "Oh My!", a perfect time for summer. It's a welcome throwback to the material that Seventeen became known for (ex: "Pretty U"), yet also introduces new sounds to the group's already diverse musical palette. It's never a disappointment with Seventeen.

8. "Shoot Me" by Day6

For the time being, I'll have to stick Day6 with K-pop, but I am aware that they are more of a K-rock group (though you could argue that their songs are more pop-rock if anything). Technicalities aside, Day6's long-awaited 2018 Korean comeback came with the bravado that was expected of a song title as "Shoot Me". The band has toyed with a harder rock sound with their Every Day6 project in 2017 ("I Wait", "How Can I Say", etc.), but "Shoot Me" stands out for just how far the band has pushed for their new sound. For one thing, Day6 has yet to disappoint fans on a single release, so it's no surprise "Shoot Me" has made its way on this list, but it's deserved nonetheless. The rest of the songs on the album are equally good, so this is another chance for me to tell you to listen to the entire album (and then their entire discography because they are THAT good).

9. "Lullaby" by GOT7

As much as I genuinely respect Got7's talents and chemistry as a group, I always found myself disappointed by their generally mellow-impact discography of the past few years (they were okay at best, generally stale at worst). With their third full-album comeback with Present: YOU and title track "Lullaby", Got7 finally nailed down the kind of synth-breezy, dance-funk sonic landscape they attempted to achieve with "Look". In short, "Lullaby" is Got7's best song in years. The hook of "sweet talk to me babe/it's magical" is an instant classic of a hook, immediately leaving a lasting impression (I could not stop singing it to myself for at least a good month after the song's release), and one that won me over with this song in general. While one song isn't enough to guarantee a group's return to form, I welcome the crystallization of the group's sound for the first time in years. I'd also suggest you check out the track's three other language versions (in addition to Korean, the track is also sung in English, Chinese, and Spanish).

10. "Candy (so good)" by The Rose

More of a band, less of an idol group, but we'll have to make do. Relatively new band The Rose released their debut EP "Void" in April of 2018, and less-than-three-minute track "Candy (so good)" made the strongest impression on me. Reminiscent of  The 1975, "Candy (so good)" is the kind of breezy indie rock that makes you want to listen to it again and again.

11. "City 127" by NCT 127

I have mixed feelings regarding the now-ten member group's title track "Regular" off their first full-length studio album Regular-Irregular. Oddly enough, "Regular" is probably on the album's weaker songs, especially considering B-side tracks "Come Back", "My Van", "No Longer", and "Replay (1:27 PM). The song I can't stop listening to is the first song in the album "City 127", which so clearly brings to mind autumn, late-night walks in the city. Taeyong and Mark trade verses that offer lighter, breezier fare from normally hard-hitting raps in most NCT 127 discography. The vocal harmonies are also delightfully simple yet effective in their delivery, and the whistling in the background just rounds off this perfect track.

12. "Jealousy" by Monsta X

Talk about a god-tier chorus. "Jealousy" freewheels between so many disparate genres, but somehow it works incredibly well in this song. Monsta X has been a relatively recent discovery of mine, and I must say I love pretty much everything about this song by the group.

13. "Idol" by BTS

The boys surprised everyone with their off-the-walls track "Idol", dialing up the incredibly idiosyncratic energy that BTS is known for and coming up with a track that arrives with one of the most freeing, climatic choruses of their recent discography. Favorable comparisons have been made to their equally bold "Not Today". I love "Idol" for how weird it is and for how much it embraces that weirdness, fitting for a song ultimately about how the boys of BTS view themselves and how they've learned to love themselves, a perfect bombastic conclusion to their introspective and thoughtful Love Yourself series. Also of note is the traditional Korean elements the boys incorporate into the production, choreography, and music video visuals, implying to fans and the general public of how distinctly proud the members of BTS are about their Korean heritage and how proud they are to represent their country as they hit higher and more international stages.

14. "Tempo" by EXO

Everything about this song is perfect with exception to what sounds like bed squeaks in the chorus. I love the song's funky leanings, sounding two steps away from some polished Korean barbershop quartet music. The EXO comeback was a long time coming, and "Tempo" reminds everyone why EXO remains relevant to this day. It's just fun and light and addictive.

15. "Not That Type" by Gugudan

I know literally nothing about this Jellyfish Entertainment girl group other than the some of the former I.O.I members, but I've heard nothing but high praise for Gugudan's recent comeback, so I checked it out. This song delivers and more. It's the kind of power anthem I need in 2018 while not taking itself too seriously. It's enjoyable, energetic, and a really good time. Gugudan, I'm watching you.

16. "Bad Boy" by Red Velvet

This song is nothing short of legendary. While this uniquely dual concept girl group has done "velvet" concepts (aka their more R&B, less bubblegum pop style) in the past, "Bad Boy" is their most "velvet" yet, completely throwing away any hints of anything particularly cute or approachable and embodying the sort of badass Red Velvet that paid off in spades. The production is impeccable, approaching this concept with the kind of minimalism that kicked off 2018 with a bang. The attention this song received is well-deserved. "Bad Boy" is Red Velvet at its best.

17. "Woman" by BoA

The Goddess of K-Pop came back with her first full-length studio album in years this year with lead single "Woman", a perfect blend of groovy bass, sharp confidence, and female empowerment. Despite being in the industry for almost two decades (if you were born in the 21st century, she's been a K-pop star longer than you've been alive) and being sidelined by newer acts, BoA continues to prove what makes her legendary with this song that manages to show off another side of the incredibly versatile performer.

18. "Siren" by Sunmi

Sunmi's new singles after departing JYP Entertainment have been nothing short of extraordinary. From song of summer 2017's "Gashina" to January's incredible "Heroine" to late summer's 80's inspired "Siren", Sunmi has shown time and time again how incredible of a performer she is. "Siren" really took the cake, though, with its infectious hooks and production as well as Sunmi's mesmerizing performance.

Those have been my favorite eighteen K-pop songs of 2018! This year has been an incredible year for me, and here's to an exciting 2019!

Why You Should Stan BTS

Global takeovers and pop sensations BTS (Korean: 방탄소년단; Romanization: Bangtan Sonyeondan) are arguably the biggest emerging boy group since the early days of One Direction. They're not stopping any soon.

BTS was my true introduction to contemporary K-pop, and it was interesting to see how a group like BTS has been the face of new wave of K-pop. It took me awhile to get into them, if I'm being honest. I haven't looked back on that decision.

1. They have an inspiring underdog story.
This is something I just really admire about the group. Coming from incredibly small company Big Hit Entertainment (founded by former JYP producer Bang Si-hyuk), BTS literally started from nothing, having very limited resources at their disposal to make it in the incredibly tough K-pop industry. It's amazing and a glorious miracle that the group has the kind of success it experiences now.

2. They're self-producing.
All members have been involved in some part of their group's music-making process. Truth be told, that just makes the music that they put out all the more authentic. BTS is one of those K-pop idol groups that blur the line between idol and musician. They're truly artists in their genre, and the stuff that they write easily transcends any barriers. Rappers RM, Suga, and J-Hope have all released mix-tapes that they self-wrote and self-produced, which reveal the personalities and music tastes of the rappers in a more intimate fashion.

3. They're incredibly grateful for their fans.
Because of their underdog background, BTS is incredibly thankful for their fans who have levitated them to the stratosphere of K-pop. K-pop is always reliant on fans above all else (money is, after all, money), but the sincerity that BTS expresses towards their fans is very special.

A scene from one of their many sold-out arena concerts

4. They always are mindful of their roots.
No one is more aware of their origins as BTS is. Their discography throughout the years is tinged by the sort of people-with-big-dreams mindset that landed them to where they are now, and they embrace their past selves even as they delve in various genres in their music. Above all, the group remains incredibly humble about the success they have achieved, and that's something very admirable.

5. They have some of the most unique vocalists in K-pop.
Arguably, their singers (Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook) don't have the best technique in K-pop, but their vocal colors are incredibly diverse and distinctive. I think that's what sets them apart from other groups, because there whole image is just imbued with identity, even coming down to easily distinguishing who's singing.

6. Their dancing is off-the-charts.
Despite only having three formally-trained dancers in the group, BTS is known for their synchronicity in their dances that also set them apart from other groups. The dances are hard, engaging, and incredibly seamless.

7. Their rappers are some of the best rappers in K-pop.
Part of it has to do with credibility. Members RM and Suga were part of underground hip-hop scenes before joining Big Hit as idols, for one thing. They also are just good rappers. All three members are known for their distinctive styles and their individual flairs that make BTS's rap line the strongest in K-pop. RM is known for his clever use of wordplay (especially with melding Korean and English lyrics to fit with that wordplay) and his diverse delivery. Suga's style is equally wide-ranging, whether that be adopting a very chill vibe or delivering bullet-fast verses, penning incredibly raw lyrics with little regard to censoring himself (he basically couldn't care less about what people think about his lyrics). J-Hope's personality quite literally bursts from his rapping, giving you a high sense of energy any time you listen to him.

Rappers Suga (left), J-Hope (middle), and RM (right)

Stan talent. Stan BTS.

K-Pop Choreography That Shook Me to the Core

In case you weren't aware, K-pop is such an amazing genre because of the intense choreography idols have to do along with being expected to sing live and in stable condition. I am a dancer by no means at all, so with an untrained eye, I have had my fair share of witnessing stunning choreography. Here are some K-pop choreography performances that literally made my jaw drop.

1. "Very Nice" by Seventeen
Seventeen is one of those formidably talented, well-rounded groups that can do everything so perfectly, making them one of the most exciting groups in the K-pop industry today. I fell for the group immediately while watching their dance practice video for their 2016 hit song "Very Nice", which features the members goofing off, being so mind-blowingly in-sync in the execution of their moves, and providing incredibly funky, playful vibes that make them impossible not to love.

2. "The 7th Sense" by NCT U
It's hard to describe the choreography for "The 7th Sense", the debut song for NCT U (and the world's introduction to the sprawling group of NCT). The choreography for "The 7th Sense" is both graceful and powerful, weird and experimental. I was intrigued by the group when I saw this video, and the choreography left me incredibly impressed.

3. "Cherry Bomb" by NCT 127
NCT 127 and NCT U dances have always been kind of weird (not surprising, considering that they're a boy group whose sole premise is built on the idea of experimental concepts and that they come from a company that emphasizes polished performances). Thus, the dance for "Cherry Bomb" is not surprising because of how weird the movements are (they can be questionable at times), but by how far they push the envelope in achieving something truly unnerving yet compelling to watch. Of special note are the background movements during WinWin's center position, Haechan's center position as well as the background for that, the drop onto the ground near the end, and of course the infamous spreading-V-formation-combined-with-a-descent-into-near-splits move that is just so insane on so many levels. A "Cherry Bomb" performance is truly an experience, even though the song is arguably a mess.

4. "Don't Wanna Cry" by Seventeen
A special shoutout to performance team leader Hoshi, who choreographed this stunning work. The performance is trademark Seventeen synchronicity, but it's also incredibly emotive, and attempts to emulate street lampposts during a pivotal section. Inspired by modern dance, this choreography is what makes the song superior to any EDM track out there.

5. "My First and Last" by NCT Dream
I mean, forming a human pinwheel? The entire chorus section? And they're how old?

6. "Blood Sweat and Tears" by BTS
This is just one of the most beautiful dances out there. The fluidity of BTS is beyond me, with every member an extension of the other. It's gorgeous, seductive, and iconic.

7. "Fire" by BTS
Talk about stamina to the max. "Fire" is intense all the way through, especially with that killer move near the end.

8. "DNA" by BTS
The song (and choreography) that converted many Americans to BTS fans, this song will remain iconic for that reason alone. Also, this dance is just... really good. Their level of synchronicity just astounds me.

9. "Baby Don't Stop" by NCT U
The choreography is so enchanting. Ten and Taeyong are, without argument, the best dancers in NCT. The two have their own distinct styles of dancing as well, which is beautifully showcased in the choreography. Taeyong’s small mannerisms and the way he just spices up somewhat basic choreography with his movements from microscopic details such as the placement of his fingers to the way his body moves is just simply mesmerizing. Ten is equally so, drawing you in with his graceful, artistic movements. Combine the two together, and you just have pure performance magic. It’s truly stunning in every way, and you can't help but think about it after you watch it.

10. "Boss" by NCT U
The beat change at the end of the song is just overwhelming. Combined that with weird crouch move thing that the members do, and it's enough to make your jaw drop because of how weird yet effective it is. Everything about the choreography is just unconventional. The chorus section and the end section are especially noteworthy. Plus, you can't go wrong with Taeyong (from a completely objective point-of-view, he's so talented; it's hard to believe that he had no dance training at all before he entered the company).

I'm obviously missing tons of other groups with amazing choreography, so feel free to let me know in the comments what I should check out!

An Unhelpful Guide to K-Pop After 3 Months in the Rabbit Hole

April marks around the 3-month mark since I've gotten into K-pop (like, really get into it), and boy has it been a journey. Since this is my first post, you should probably have an understanding of where I'm at as you read future blog posts (and before I update you on what I learned in K-pop after this post). I've listened to so much K-pop at this point that I've managed to learn a lot about different groups, the culture, and the idols that I really love and the ones that I don't. Here is what I know about K-pop in a nutshell.

Groups that I stan:
Stan: Like, really deep into the fandom, knows too many inside jokes, knows random facts about all the members, and would buy their albums if I had the financial means to do so

Seventeen

• Thirteen members (not seventeen)
• Have four international members (two Americans and two Chinese members); one is biracial
• Originally supposed to have seventeen members but PLANS CHANGE OKAY
• Debuted in 2015
• Came from a bankrupt company (Pledis Entertainment) and single-handedly brought the company out of financial ruin
• Known in the K-pop industry as the "self-producing idol group", which means that they do EVERYTHING (write and produce their own music, choreograph songs, and have a lot of creative input in what they produce for their fans)
• Their choreography is really hard and they've rightfully won awards for them; syncing 13 members w/ different styles and body types is extremely difficult and keep in mind that only three members have a background in dance and they self-direct themselves with the choreography
• Their earlier concepts lean more towards "boy" concepts but they've matured with every comeback and I think that's very artistically healthy for a group with members that don't stay young forever
• They really, really love their fans (called Carats) and their fans really love them; in general, I would say they are one of the chillest fandoms (can't say the same for EXO-Ls and ARMYs)
• Three different sub-units (vocal, hip-hop, and performance) that release their own tracks but don't promote outside of the group's activities, instead operating under the Seventeen umbrella
• Very recently, three of the members debuted as a unit called BooSeokSoon (a combination of the members' names) and their song "Just Do It" is a bop
• Their music is some of the most consistent, most high-quality stuff I've listened to in general (which means it's not just limited to K-pop)
• Seventeen never disappoints with their title tracks and their albums are always very good as cohesive units
• They work really hard and it shows in the quality of their content
• They honestly have a really fun time with each other no matter what they're doing and I get really strong family vibes from them
• The members are really weird and just so hilarious the memes sort of generate themselves at this point

BTS

• 7 members
• In Korean they're known as Bangtan Sonyeondan (which literally means bulletproof boyscouts)
• Debuted in 2013
• Came from a really small company called Big Hit Entertainment (Big Hit and BTS basically grew up together)
• Their youngest member (or "maknae"), Jungkook, is known as the "Golden Maknae" in the K-pop industry because he's known for being good at basically everything
• Their concepts are really well-thought out and between different concepts, there are connections, suggesting at a larger story that fans have worked to construct theories for
• Their rap line is truly one of the best rap lines in K-pop
• Their vocalists don't have very strong technique but their voices are quite distinct and very easy to differentiate, which is sometimes hard for K-pop groups to do
• Always have a special place in my heart because they were the first group I stanned
• They all work really hard and write and produce a lot of their music
• They dance really well too considering only three of the members are professionally trained in dance
• Everyone in that group is so weird and nothing like their on-stage personas
• They're also known as one of the few K-pop acts with exclusively Korean-nationality members, meaning all members are ethnically Korean and born and raised in Korea
• If you haven't heard of them by now I don't know where you've been
• Pretty much taking over the world as you're reading this so might as well inform yourselves about them

NCT

• 18 members (and counting)
• Debuted in 2016
• NCT stands for "Neo Culture Technology", which their company CEO has stated to mean that the group plans to localize K-pop in various parts of the globe and try to modernize and expand the limits of what people understand to be K-pop; the group's concept is to have an unlimited amount of members: there is no limit to their expansion as a group
• Honestly most fans don't really know what's going on we're just going with the flow
• Under S.M. Entertainment (THE biggest K-pop company in South Korea)
• They currently have three sub-units that pretty much promote separately (there are a handful of members in more than one sub-unit, with one member, Mark, in all three)
• Their concept as a group isn't too hard to understand (people are just overreacting) I just think remembering all the members is kind of tough and new members coming in makes it a bit harder
• I really didn't think I would get into them because I normally don't like S.M. groups (S.M. isn't known for really emphasizing quality music), but NCT releases have surprised me
• NCT U (a rotational unit) has never failed me with music releases (all of their songs are SO good and are, in my opinion, the most consistent quality-wise)
• While I don't dislike any of NCT U's songs, my favorite releases of theirs are probably "Baby Don't Stop" and "Yestoday", but their debut song "The 7th Sense" is really good; it's probably one of the best debut songs in all of K-pop (along with "Energetic" by Wanna One, but I digress)
• NCT 127 (their fixed unit based in Seoul) is sort of hit or miss for me but they dance extremely well (if you want to be in awe check out the dance for their song "Cherry Bomb")
• Some of NCT 127's lyrics are questionable (just read the lyrics from "Baby Don't Like It" and "Whiplash" and you'll get what I mean)
• NCT Dream (their rotational, graduation-based unit of minors) hasn't really been my style but their songs are not bad (and their new song "Go" is definitely a departure from previous concepts and more up my alley)
• Along with "Go", other good songs are "My First and Last", "We Young", and "My Page", but they are quite standard, bubblegum pop songs
• Every member dances really well (along with BTS, I think this group has the most interesting choreography)
• They have underutilized vocalists that deserve more attention from S.M.
• Their line distribution is awful (Dream's line distribution isn't too bad) and there are some members who just get no appreciation from S.M. whatsoever (Yuta, Johnny, WinWin, Kun) and that is just really frustrating for fans
• For such a new group they already have a lot of crazy fans (known as sasaengs, or privacy-invaders)
• Two members (Taeyong, leader of NCT 127, and Mark, the dude in all three units) contribute lyrics to their songs, which is a rarity for idols under S.M. (and unheard of for new groups like NCT)
• Their rapping is okay (considering S.M. rappers are not good) but I think they focus too much on rapping
• In general, they're known to have very experimental sounds and influences, which is kind of fitting for a group called Neo Culture Technology
• As of now, half of their members are international members (one Thai, one Japanese, one Canadian, one American, five Chinese)
• The concept of NCT as the way they have envisioned it isn't fully realized, but I think there could be great potential in future success if S.M. doesn't screw up (and S.M. is known for screwing up groups in the past, soo....)

Groups I sort of like:

GOT7

• 7 members
• Debuted in 2014
• From JYP Entertainment (one of the "Big 3" K-pop companies in South Korea)
• Title tracks have been hit ("Never Ever", "If You Do", "Look") or miss ("You Are") for me
• Their B-sides are okay and sometimes better than title tracks but they kind of sound the same at times
• I really only like them because I think the members have great personalities and they really enjoy their jobs
• South Korea is sleeping on them but they get a healthy amount of love internationally
• They have three international members (one American, one Chinese, one Thai)
• Probably the fairest line distribution in all of K-pop right now
• They're really friendly people who are very supportive of other idols and just get along with everyone (can't say the same for other groups *cough* S.M. *cough*)

EXO

• 9 members (but one member hasn't promoted with them in almost two years, so it's currently an 8-member group)
• Basically the national boy band of South Korea (they performed at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony in 2018)
• Debuted in 2012 w/ 12 members (of the three members that left, two had on-going lawsuits with S.M. before they were settled)
• Under S.M. Entertainment
• I don't think I like them as much because I think their music just isn't as good as BTS's (again, personal opinion), but I think they dance really well
• They have very good vocalists (in terms of vocal technique, I think they have an upper hand against BTS)
• Their rapping sucks lol no offense to Chanyeol (the main rapper of the group) but they're just not as authentic blame SM though
• They do a lot of solo endeavors like acting
• There's an official unit of EXO called EXO-CBX that consists of three members of EXO (the "CBX" is the compilation of initials from the three members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin)
• My favorite tracks from them are "Monster" and "What U do?"
• Their fans (EXO-Ls) are essentially engaged in a fandom war with ARMYs (BTS fans) even though the group itself actually gets along very well with BTS
• There have been a lot of really awful incidences of sasaengs doing really creepy stuff that makes me feel bad for them

Random artists that I like at least one of their songs (I'm just not a fan of much else beyond that or haven't taken the time to get into them):

iKON

• 7 members
• Under YG Entertainment (the other "Big Three" company)
• Their song "Rubber Band" is really good
• They dance well I guess

WINNER

• 4 members but debuted with five
• Their song "Really Really" is good

ASTRO

• 6 members
• Under Fantiago Entertainment
• Their song "Crazy Sexy Cool" is very good
• They are really weird and a mess 99% of the time

Red Velvet

• 5 members
• Under S.M. Entertainment
• I like their songs "Russian Roulette", "Red Flavor", and "Peek-a-Boo"
• They dance very well considering they have to dance in stilettos most of the time
• They move seamlessly between cutesy-girl concepts and mature concepts and I think that's really cool
• One international member (Canadian)
• The age range is pretty wide (oldest was born in 1991 and the youngest was born in 1999)
• They are all very weird but that's cool keep it weird

Sunmi

• She was part of the JYP girl group Wonder Girls before they disbanded
• Her song "Gashina" was one of the biggest songs in South Korea in 2017 and it's such a good song
• The dance for "Gashina" is also iconic

Suran

• She collaborated with Suga of BTS for her track "Wine" (he produced it) and it's really good
• Her voice is really good
• I don't think she's characterized as an idol but she's a very good singer

BIGBANG

• 5 members
• Literally one of the biggest K-pop groups of all time; they essentially defined modern K-pop
• Under YG Entertainment
• Their songs "Fantastic Baby" and "Bang Bang Bang" are iconic K-pop songs and are the epitome of K-pop
• Currently on hiatus because all of the members are serving mandatory military service

Wanna One

• 11 members
• Debuted in 2017 and will disband in 2018 (more on that later)
• Their song "Energetic" is probably one of the greatest K-pop songs of all time (again, I know nothing about K-pop but even music critics agree soo...)
• They were formed through a reality competition show called Produce 101 Season 2, which took 101 trainees from various entertainment companies and narrowed it down to 11, which debuted as Wanna One and would promote for 2.5 years before having to disband and go back to their respective companies
• Their age range is pretty wide (10 years, with the oldest born in 1991 and the youngest born in 2001)
• They dance very well as well
• Their company overworks them but they continually have very positive attitudes about their job and are always grateful