In 2024, the Korean pop landscape remains as vibrant as ever.
Groups like ATEEZ, Le Sserafim, Seventeen, and Stray Kids are blowing out speakers at music festivals around the world, while newcomers ILLIT, RIIZE, and ARTMS put down roots on home soil. From sparkling synths to '80s Miami bass to bass-thumping bangers, the year's best K-pop tracks are a dynamic fusion of old and new. Whether it's the intricate choreography, the catchy melodies, or the out-of-this-world visuals, K-pop continues to captivate global audiences, pushing boundaries and setting trends.
Our mid-year favorites are songs we can't stop listening to and love to love, from rising boy groups like BABYMONSTER and BOYNEXTDOOR to established sirens like aespa and IVE.
IVE are wild cats stalking their prey in this playful anthem and modern ode to South Korea, a country once known as the "land of tigers." In the chorus, IVE promise that "the moment you're enchanted... In a snap, I’ll catch you!" and the song delivers, sweeping listeners up into a plucky, punchy pop confection. Nestled within the instrumentals are group calls, airy chants, and howls that evoke the thrill of a hunt. The music video depicts the sextet prowling through traditional South Korean art and folklore reimagined in candied greens, purples, and pinks. — Elizabeth de Luna
This debut from girl group ILLIT (pronounced like "eyelet") is a percolating pop hit about the irresistible pull of undeniable attraction. The production fizzes with bubbly arpeggios and crisp hi-hats, while the lyrics are both sweet ("My heart feels like a giant magnet, everything about you sticks to [it]") and fresh ("I'll make it a green light, girls gotta have guts!"). A reference to a South Korean cultural obsession, the Meyers-Briggs types ("You're J and I'm so P, S and N — polar opposites!"), feels uniquely of-the-moment, but will likely ripen in years ahead into a nostalgic nod to the 2020s. — E.D.L.
A song so powerful that even NASA issued a response, "Supernova" lives up to its name. The track has exploded in South Korea, where it now holds the record for most weeks at No. 1 for an SM Entertainment act, surpassing "Gee" by Girls' Generation. For all its bombastic luster, "Supernova" fits soundly in aespa's eclectic sonic palette. Sampling Afrika Bambaataa's 1982 classic "Planet Rock," the propulsive pop track bursts with a bouncy, electro beat and a highly addictive hook spurred by a punchy chorus of "oh, ayy." Aespa have never been afraid to zig when everyone else zags, a risk that continues to pay off as "Supernova" makes a big bang on the charts. — Crystal Bell
Since making their polarizing debut in 2022, NMIXX have charted a dynamic path in an industry that relies heavily on fleeting trends. "DASH" implements the very best of the group's "MIXX-pop" gimmick, fusing elements of funk, R&B, and hip-hop with lush vocal harmonies and a groovy rhythm that goes from "zero to a hunnid." While the production stands out for its richness, "DASH" lets the girls' excellent voices shine, allowing Lily to flex her powerhouse pipes and Bae to demonstrate her distinct vocal elasticity. "DASH" isn't just a catchy song; it's a bold statement that NMIXX are here to redefine the rules. — C.B.
Deeply dorky and unbridled, "Earth, Wind & Fire" is a stellar single for the nascent sextet BOYNEXTDOOR. On this track, produced by mentor and South Korean megastar ZICO, the young band bounces between emotions like errant pinballs. "You’re my earth, wind, and fire," they sing in the throes of anxiety, jealousy, and devotion, "I think I love you more than I love my life." The track’s highlight is the pre-chorus gush "Baby, boo, my sweetie darling, think I love you more," which is delivered at a speed and pitch that mimics a nervous confession to a crush. The song’s choreography is just as charming, combining explosive jumps and glitching repetition to capture the fitful nature of falling in love. — E.D.L.
It's typical for male idols to release a project before their mandatory enlistment period, leaving fans with something to get them through the next 18 months. Taeyong, the de facto leader of NCT known for his striking magnetism and lethal stage presence, dropped his second EP just weeks before enlisting. And its lead single, "Tap," encapsulates everything that makes the rapper captivating. It's playful without seeming irreverent, a multifaceted effort that taps into his distinctive vision. The real gag is now we're left wanting more. — C.B.
It's never easy to stand in someone's shadow, especially if that someone is one of the biggest pop acts in the world. As the first girl group to debut under YG Entertainment since BLACKPINK burst onto the scene like a missle seven years ago, all eyes were on BABYMONSTER when they dropped "SHEESH," a braggadociously loud introduction to YG's next generation. Love it or hate it, you can't deny that "SHEESH" made an impact, thanks in large part to the group's seven members, who impressed viewers with their live vocals and onstage charisma while promoting the song on weekly music shows. In doing so, "SHEESH" climbed the charts, becoming more of a prophetic proclamation of the song's staying power. BABYMONSTER said, "Tell a friend," and people listened. — C.B.
Ethereal and warm, "Virtual Angel" is the kind of melody you hope to hear as you approach the pearly gates. The song is a promising debut for ARTMS (pronounced "Artemis"), a septet made up of former members of the much-beloved but now-defunct girl group LOONA. In "Virtual Angel," ARTMS are seraphs heralding the arrival of first love. "In my frozen heart, new flowers begin to bloom," they coo brightly to a new flame. "Once I met you, I found my instincts." — E.D.L.
RIIZE dropped their first single in September 2023 and have since tried on a proverbial wardrobe of genres for size. In a beguiling feat of musicality, the group has convincingly shapeshifted between house ("Impossible"), funk ("Boom Boom Bass") and pop R&B ("Honestly") with ease. Their latest single, "Siren," is yet another impressive offering, pairing hip-hop with exhilarating, exhausting choreography from Josh Price. — E.D.L.
When TXT experimented with pop-punk in 2021, it struck a chord with fans and critics alike. The sonic direction suited the boyband's penchant for expressing volatile coming-of-age emotions over catchy melodies. While the group has strayed from its emo phase, "Deja Vu" packs an emotional gut punch, serving mature melodrama with a serrated edge. — C.B.
While most pop songs portray girlhood with a rose-colored sheen, "Girls Never Die" brings together all 24 members of tripleS to convey the reality of young adulthood. "I don't like the weak me / Don't wanna show this part of me / Why I use strong makeup / Why I use strong filters," they sing. For a song with 24 voices, "Girls Never Die" never sounds disjointed or convoluted. Instead, they double down on the dreamlike vibes of past releases, creating a moody anthem with a modern message: "Girls never die, girls never cry." — C.B.
In "Fatal Trouble," ENHYPEN sink their teeth into delicious theatrics, delivering brooding pop saturated by elements of rock and R&B. The song is one of six tracks on a special album that commits wholeheartedly to the premise of ENHYPEN' webcomic "Dark Moon." In it, the seven bandmates are vampire schoolmates grappling with immortality and a shared love interest. On "Fatal Trouble" they tell her "Your memory, it’s falling apart... my heart, long-held trust, they’re coming undone." It’s drama, done right. — E.D.L.
Leave it to NewJeans to drop the sweetest kiss-off of the summer. “Yeah, don’t you know how sweet it tastes? / Now that I’m without you,” they taunt a toxic lover over airy electroclash synth-washes and laser beams. "How Sweet" evokes the same relaxed sound and innate cool that catapulted NewJeans to the top of the charts and the front of everyone's minds; it's nostalgic and easy to listen without being overly simple, an effortless blend of playful lyrics and sophisticated production, And the sweetest thing about it? The way the group's vocals glide over the track with breezy confidence. — C.B.
In May, WakeOne Entertainment announced that Kep1er, a nine-member girl group formed on the survival series Girls Planet 999, would continue as seven, extending the terms of their initial project contract without members Yeseo and Mashiro. "Shooting Star" is their final release as a complete unit, and it also happens to be their best. Sparkling synths, ethereal vocals, and vocoder harmonies make this an addictive listen. The song captures the essence of Kep1er's journey; it's bittersweet with a hopeful look towards the future. — C.B.
Leading up to the release of "Chk Chk Boom" in July, Stray Kids teased the track, calling it something they'd never done before. Perhaps they were referring to the song's Latin influences, which include a few Spanish words and Changbin rolling his "R's" for good measure. It's a fun twist on the group's signature dynamic intensity, reflective of their willingness to continuously explore and innovate across genres. In some ways, it sounds like the easy-listening version of their breakout single "God's Menu" — fiery rap verses, pre-chorus melodies, and an explosive hook that cranks up the energy. In true Stray Kids fashion, "Chk Chk Boom" ends with a party, bringing everyone together to celebrate la vida loca. — C.B.
