Top 15 Best K-Pop Songs and Albums in 2022

Best Kpop Songs and Album. Photo: KnowInsiders

K-pop expanded its perimeters and scope this year while simultaneously infusing itself into today’s trends and sounds in creative ways. While many acts raised their international profiles with releases that found bigger audiences than ever, the songs that truly soared pushed the limits to represent more than just the stars singing them.

The strongest albums of 2021 ranged from traditional pop perfection to low-key R&B and alt-rock heaven—showcasing the musical variety of the ultra-popular genre.

Which are the 15 Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2021/2022?

1. "0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You) feat. Seori" by TOMORROW X TOGETHER

2. IU – ‘Lilac’

3. 공감 (Empathy) by D.O.

4. Hello Future by NCT Dream

5. aespa – ‘Next Level’

6. BTS, "Butter"

7. Taemin - "Advice"

8. Twice - "The Feels"

9. STAYC – ‘Stereotype’

10. Weeekly - "After School"

11. NCT 127 - "Favorite"

12. BIBI - "Life is a Bi…"

13. SHINee - Don’t Call Me

14. "Rock With You" by SEVENTEEN

15. "FEVER" by ENHYPEN

*****

List of 15 Best K-Pop Songs and Albums 2022

1. "0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You) feat. Seori" by TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Photo: Glamsham

This song marks a clear transition for the TXT boys and the music they make. They're shifting from happy-go-lucky boys full of charm to rebellious, angsty, teens. And they're expressing this angst in the purest way possible: through pop-punk.

Everything about the song bleeds nostalgia, bringing the listener back to a time when the airwaves played hits from the likes of Fall Out Boy and All Time Low.

K-indie rising star Seori's vocals may sound deceptively soft here, but the lyrics are anything but — breaking away from traditional K-pop fare. The group yearns for a lover while in a dark place: "No place for me in heaven / At the tips of my feet / Everything turned pitch black / My life before you was trash."

TOMORROW X TOGETHER took a risk here and it worked. "0X1=LOVESONG" proves that these boys won't be boxed into a specific type of genre. They're carving out a space for themselves in the K-pop world that's going to be memorable and long-lasting.

2. IU – ‘Lilac’

Photo: Shopee

‘Lilac’, IU’s first album in four years, is nothing short of magnificent. The 10-track comeback record not only reestablished her as an all-rounder, who has the ability to transition from elegant disco pop to soaring ballads to smoky R&B seamlessly, but also as an expert storyteller and songwriter. On the album’s title track, IU tells her most relatable tale yet: the bittersweet journey of letting your youth go.

While age has always played a significant part in IU’s music – ‘CHAT-SHIRE’’s ‘Twenty-three’ is a spunky coming-of-age bop, while the minimalist ‘Palette’ finds her embracing adulthood on her own terms – ‘Lilac’ feels more intimate and knowing than the rest. Seeped in nostalgia, this surprisingly dancey number is a heartfelt love letter to the singer’s roaring 20s before she enters a new decade. “The day when the lilac flower withers, good bye / This kind of ending suits us,” she sighs on the sparkling chorus, as she looks forward to the rest of life’s journey. Trust IU to make breaking up with your young self sound so sweet and poetic.

3. 공감 (Empathy) by D.O.

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After years of anticipation from fans, EXO’s tender-hearted vocalist, D.O., finally made his solo debut with 공감 (Empathy). Like his fellow bandmates-turned-soloists, D.O. had the freedom to choose whichever route best suited him—some fans thought it’d be smooth R&B; others figured he’d go with ballads.

Fortunately for us, he tiptoed into both sides of the pool and came out with something much more sincere and true to his character. 공감 (Empathy) is the acoustic-pop-R&B dream the world needed after the nightmare that was 2020. D.O.'s always had a rich quality to his voice, but in songs like “It’s Love” and “I’m Fine,” he's able to convey romance with each syllable.

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4. Hello Future by NCT Dream

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NCT Dream has had its most successful year to date in 2021. Hello Future—the repackaged counterpart to Hot Sauce—is a timeless tale of Dream’s unbreakable bond as bandmates, friends, and, most importantly, brothers. Together, they venture out and explore what it means to be young adults while keeping their youthfulness close to the vest, and it works like magic.

As one of the most engaging albums this year, it’s nearly impossible to choose a standout. The upbeat R&B vibe of “My Youth” is warm and familiar, while “Dive into You” introduces us to a pop-rock version of the group, with boastful band instruments and an irresistible bounce. But “Life Is Still Going On” is the epitome of combining Dream’s childlike nature with a more mature element, such as hip-hop and a trap beat. Each track is brought up to its full potential and solidifies NCT Dream’s place as the future of K-pop.

5. aespa – ‘Next Level’

Photo: Kenh14

On the first listen of ‘Next Level’, you may be confused. Maybe even on the second and third, too, as your brain gets used to the unique many-songs-in-one structure and mid-track tempo changes that keep you on your toes.

But at a certain point, that confusion becomes thrilling, with the punchy electro bassline, staccato intonation of the lyrics and unquestionably powerful vocals meshing together ingeniously to make one of the most addictive earworms of the year. Confidence exudes from the rookie group in this song in a way that feels like it rubs off as you listen, and as soon as it’s over you’re ready to hit play immediately again to bask in that attitude.

6. BTS, "Butter"

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“Dynamite” could’ve been a tough act to follow, but when BTS’ second English-language track “Butter” glided onto the scene in May, the septet ruled the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 for 10 consecutive weeks – seven more weeks than their English debut.

“Butter” cemented BTS’ status in American pop as they performed the toe-tapping tune on America’s most high-profile tickets — including the 2021 BBMAs, AMAs and Jingle Ball in Los Angeles. Plus, it earned them their second Grammy nod.

7. Taemin - "Advice"

Photo: Home - Kinh Doanh Thế Giới

This song opens with a captivating piano melody. You suddenly get pulled in. This melody continues throughout the first verse and swells up to reach a beat drop, and this is where, when paired up with the visuals in the video, this song excels.

Taemin gets to exhibit his polished dance moves, as smooth as the melody and his vocals accompanying it. As one of the strongest dancers and vocalists in the industry, his talent is brought to the forefront as the hook of the song quickly approaches.

If you aren't spellbound quite yet, Taemin gets it with the lyrics "hey you," almost as if he's calling you to fall into this pre-chorus. He finishes it with a simple line: "you'll never get the keys to my lock." And by the time you reach the end, you're in. He locks you right in before taking you on a ride with the song's chorus.

From start to finish, "Advice" keeps you in its strong grasp with enchanting vocals and visuals to go with it. This track proves what we've known for a very long time: that Taemin is K-pop's brightest star.

8. Twice - "The Feels"

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It's been six years since Twice debuted in 2015, and their first English single "The Feels" somehow manages to encapsulate all sides of the group's musical identity over the past half-decade. It has all of the pop charm of their earliest Korean releases, and the intensity and self-assuredness of their latest ones.

Backed by a driving bass line, tight vocal stabs, and pure ear-candy ad-libs, "The Feels" brims with confidence, clarity, and even vulnerability.

At a time when more and more K-pop groups are releasing English tracks, or English versions of their Korean ones, "The Feels" is a stand-out.

9. STAYC – ‘Stereotype’

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Catching the public’s attention has proven to be a harder task than ever for new K-pop groups in this overcrowded industry. Still, STAYC have defied the odds this year with back-to-back viral smashes that have solidified their place as an act with limitless potential, with the sprightly ‘Stereotype’ being their most effective yet.

Bubblegum pop meets future bass and flute-like synths on this Black Eyed Pilseung-produced track, finding the middle ground between the hard-hitting ‘So Bad’ and their first viral hit ‘ASAP’, creating yet another masterpiece that’s already been picked up on by a portion of the tastemaking TikTok crowd.

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10. Weeekly - "After School"

Photo: SoundCloud

"After School" was one of the biggest K-pop mainstays of 2021 on TikTok, where the song's free-wheeling chorus and addictive choreography racked up over 385,000 videos.

The song's lyrics speak to the anticipation of the end of a school day, racing out to catch the last rays of daylight while skateboarding and filming goofy videos of your friends. It's youthful whimsy at its finest, transitioning effortlessly from cheeky rap lines to playful, swung melodies.

Underlying the song's carefree nature is the lingering feeling of impermanence: "This moment will never come again," Monday sings in the song's second verse. Still, "After School" is squarely in the moment.

While the song's final post-chorus is full of reminders to pay attention to the camera and capture the present, it ends on a definitive note sung by member Zoa: "I feel so free."

11. NCT 127 - "Favorite"

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For a while, there was a lull in the flow of NCT 127 content in 2021. Granted, they had just come off the heels of their expansive Resonance era at the end of 2020 and dropped a Japanese album shortly after—the guys deserved a break. But after the long-awaited announcement, fans welcomed them back with open arms in their latest installment, STICKER. On its own, the 11-track LP is already impressive.

But with three extra tracks included in the mix, you get Favorite—its repackaged and better counterpart. It’s no secret that 127—out of any unit—is the one tasked with pushing the limits of what’s considered popular music. Laced with the obvious “neo-print,” Favorite delivers the usual hard-hitting raps, melancholic ballads/R&B jams, and the peppy outbursts of a classic pop song. But like any 127 album, they continuously reinvent the wheel with elements fans have yet to hear, including the future-house influence of “Breakfast” and the dirty-bass-inspired banger, “Love on the Floor.” Through Favorite, the listener can experience the full depth of NCT in all their layered glory.

12. BIBI - "Life is a Bi…"

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If anyone is going against the grain in the industry, it’s singer-songwriter BIBI, a rising star known for cleverly juxtaposing her “cute” image with taboo topics. In her sophomore EP, Life is a Bi…, she explores the toxic relationships one can form with others—and even with oneself. BIBI uses an upbeat and bouncy rhythm to counteract the depression in her lyrics in “Umm... Life.”

Referencing the album cover, which shows the singer surreally bruised, she explains her “black eye” came from the misfortunes of life. Similarly, with the other four tracks, BIBI incorporates fun trap beats and harmonic riffs to lighten up the rather dark undertones behind the messages. Through her artistic freedom and subtle humor, BIBI isn’t afraid to say what others won’t—in fact, it’s her permanent domain.

13. SHINee - Don’t Call Me

Photo: Yeah1 Music

Ushering in the 2021 wave of second-gen returns was SHINee, rightfully nicknamed the Princes of K-Pop. Nearly three years of military enlistments took the 13-year-old group out of commission for a while (excluding Taemin), but even with the hiatus, it’s as if they never left. Don’t Call Me, their seventh studio album, is a celebration of SHINee’s triumphant and much-needed return. With top songwriters, producers, and, of course, SHINee themselves, the album refuses to let the group’s sound become stale.

Given their success, it would be easy for them to rehash the same concepts and call it a day. But SHINee is too artistic to ever be rote. Don’t Call Me is everything existing fans can expect, with familiar nods to the group’s pop and R&B roots while attracting a newer audience through uncharted territories, such as hip-hop and reggae. Whether you’ve been a K-pop fan for 13 years or three, a crown jewel is always recognizable when you see one.

14. "Rock With You" by SEVENTEEN

Photo: Koreaboo

SEVENTEEN is back at it again with another certified bop. The 13-member group has been no stranger to a hit record. That's the magic of this group: they keep getting better each time. They invented the wheel and then continue to reinvent it with every release, resulting in their past five albums being "million-sellers."

They aren't referred to as the theater kids of K-pop for no reason. SEVENTEEN can blend into any environment and put on a show-stopping number.

This song, on a surface level, may be reminiscent of their 2019 song "Hit" but something's different this time. The lyrics "I wanna rock with you" pay homage to the backtrack, full of hard rock-esque electric guitars, heavy drums, and a prominent bass line, while their vocals are soft, pop-like, and fun.

It creates a dissonance — and a very pleasant one — as the two elements combine to create a hit.

15. "FEVER" by ENHYPEN

Photo: YouTube

ENHYPHEN has definitely given us some of the biggest surprises of 2021, starting the year off with "Drunk-Dazed," which amassed almost 60 million views on YouTube. But their stand-out was definitely the B-side track "Fever."

This is a rookie group giving us a sexy, sultry hit, complete with piercing vocals, and a video to match. The choreography to this track is thrilling; so smooth, giving each member their time in the spotlight.

It's intriguing for such a young group to be doing this and doing it so well.

Debuting during a global pandemic is uncharted waters, but ENHYPHEN has navigated it swimmingly. If this song is any indicator of how far the group has to grow, we're very excited to see what's next.

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