From BTS’s victory lap around Billboard, SHINee’s triumphant return, to Everglow’s action-packed empowerment anthem,
here are the records that pushed K-pop to the next level

 At a time where the world was riddled with uncertainty, the music coming from the Korean music industry was balm to many and the bright lights served as a beacon of hope from the darkness.

Many K-pop soloists and groups continued to push the boundaries of sound and expectation;  with BTS and Blackpink  being a consistent presence on the Billboard Hot 100 and TWICE landing their entry with “The Feels.” The innovation of online concerts, and unexpected collaborations with juggernauts in global  music, such as Ed Sheeran and Coldplay. We even witnessed a viral moment that ushered in the resurgence of Brave Girls  after four years

Since it is  impossible to label K-pop a genre, we decided to celebrate the hip-hop, R&B, pop, and alternative music created mostly by Korean and Asian artists who have had their hand in making the K-pop industry as enthralling as it is.

In no particular order, here are the 10 best K-pop songs of 2021.

10. Sunmi – Tail

 Sunmi turned the temperature up with her song “Tail.” Written and composed by Sunmi (and co-composed by Frants) the lead single boldly proclaims the singer's dark, mysterious desires and fantasies.  Sunmi embodies the feline that she has taken inspiration from, purring double entendre lyrics throughout the song: “Kiss each other like crazy / Wag our tails frantically.” Needless to say, Sunmi chose violence with this release, and it was greatly appreciated.
 

9. SHINee – Don’t Call Me

SHINee’s return to the stage was  one of the most anticipated events in K-pop. With three of the members returning from military enlistment, the start of 2021 gave fans the excuse to whisper “SHINee’s back!” The lead single “Don’t Call Me” was one of the group’s darker concepts to date, showing outright disdain for a former lover who has become obsessive. With lyrics such as “Don’t call me (I keep saying, there is no next time in your life)”, over an 808 bass sound, dark synths and a hard-bass, it’s safe to say that the K-pop veterans gave us the break-up song we didn’t know we needed.

8. Everglow – First

Everglow’s single “First” is delightfully ferocious. The sextet, who have mastered the girl crush concept, delivered an unforgettable, self-empowerment anthem letting listeners know that they have no time for haters: “You know that I come first/I'm the winner, winner, winner.” With a catchy, hard hitting EDM, trap beat and an MV that looks as though it was directed by Dr Strange,  Everglow have proved that they are a group that we need to keep our eyes on.

7. Yugyeom – I Want You Around
 
Six months after GOT7 left their agency JYP Entertainment Yugyeom released “I Want You Around”, featuring  DeVita and co-written by rapper Gray. The AOMG duo seductively express their yearning to keep the object of their affection nearby in a hauntingly captivating R&B track. If the objective was to make a statement with his solo debut, then the message was received loud and clear.

6. DPR Live feat Beenzino & Hwasa – Hula Hoops

If there was ever a song that encapsulated the feeling of summer, it is “Hula Hoops” by DPR Live. Produced by DPR Rem, DPR Live, along with Beenzino and Mamamoo’s Hwasa, the song describes a love interest, driven by a feel-good, groovy, hip hop vibe. The track  implored listeners to sway their hips, relax and ignore the growing pains of 2021.
 

5. Epik High feat CL & Zico - Rosario

Epik High came for blood when they released “Rosario” at the beginning of the year. The track encompasses everything that Hip Hop fans adore; a Latin-infused beat, quotable lyrics, and the audacity to declare yourself the best while having the accolades to  back up your big talk.  

Enlisting the help of  CL and Zico (who are trailblazers in their own right), the legendary rap trio put their haters, as well as those who are not aware of their history on notice. “I paved the way for everyone that is pavin’ the way / You’ve too much to say, ain’t no one givin’ a f*ck what you say!”

4. Taemin – Advice

 “Advice,” was a song full of theatrics where Taemin was not only the conductor but the star of the show. Taemin’s final single before military enlistment was a testament to how he has grown as a solo artist. With distorted vocals over an up-tempo R&B track and lyrics written by Jo Yoon Kyung,  the message of the song serves as a warning to judgemental people and a declaration that Lee Taemin takes his own advice: “The more you try to trap me, I’ll go off the rails / so take a good look, If you want to see the end, push my buttons.”

3. BTS – Butter

In 2021, “Butter” was the tool that BTS used to carve their names into the history books of music. The septet’s second English single was a retro, synth-heavy ‘80s pop track that exhibited the group’s swagger and sex appeal. With intense dance-breaks and word play borrowed from songs such as “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, “U Got It Bad” by Usher and “Ice On My Wrist” by Master P, it’s not surprise that  the song earned BTS a 10-week stint on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as their second Grammy nomination. And after all that, it still managed to get better - Megan Thee Stallion jumped on the remix, adding a flawless, whimsical verse that would  have been well placed on the original track.
 

2. Baekhyun – All I Got

Baekhyun's song “All I Got” could be defined as one of the most captivating B-sides of 2021. The sensual R&B song laced with soulful falsetto and hypnotic runs, left the audience in need of a cold shower.  Bold with the elements of nineties nostalgia, EXO’s Baekhyun used his mini-album Bambi to show that he is a connoisseur of Slow Jamz, and we thank him for it. 

1. IU – Lilac

Is there anything that the ‘Nation’s Little Sister’ cannot do?  IU returned this year with Lilac, her fifth studio album, and it was a cocktail of pop, ballads, R&B and wonderful storytelling. She even managed to bring K-R&B King Dean out of the woodwork. With effortless, airy vocals and a well-placed saxophone instrumental, IU uses the vibrant title track “Lilac” to tell a coming of tale of how bittersweet it can be to say goodbye to your twenties.