25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021: Critics’ Picks (2024)

• Rosé, "On the Ground"

  The long-awaited solo single from the BLACKPINK powerhouse did not disappoint, as “On the Ground” allowed Rosé’s vocals to explore all of the song’s shape-shifting production. It also let us learn a bit more about the singer-songwriter herself, who wrote elements of her personal story into the revealing lyrics: “Funny when you want it, suddenly you have it / You find out that your gold’s just plastic.” – Jeff Benjamin

• (G)I-DLE, "HWAA"

  Despite a relatively quiet year for the girl group, (G)I-DLE made a major impact early on with January’s “HWAA.” With its title acting as a play on words in Korean and Chinese, and its sound incorporating elements of moombahton and dark dream-pop, “HWAA” created something that stood out and continued to sound fresh throughout 2021. – J.B.

• Wendy, "Like Water"

  The solo single from the Red Velvet singer brought a rare, welcome tinge of country music to K-pop, acting as a gorgeous soundscape for Wendy to unleash one of her best vocal performances to date. Wendy’s delivery mesmerizes throughout the track, and when a perfectly placed intermission of soaring strings blends with her ethereal croon on the second verse, the song reaches genuinely moving heights. – J.B.

• STAYC, "ASAP"

  An unexpected viral breakout for the rising girl group, “ASAP” catapulted STAYC to the top 10 of the Billboard K-Pop 100 and positioned them as a leader in the next generation of K-pop acts. With flute-like synths that are as quirky as they are charming, not to mention TikTok-ready choreography to match the instrumental hook, “ASAP” proves that effervescent bubblegum pop can still thrive in the most challenging of years. – J.B.

• EPEX, "Lock Down"

  The standout male rookie of 2021, EPEX delivered an apt anthem for another year of constraining quarantines with debut single “Lock Down.” Speaking to the pandemic-fueled anxieties of their peers and generation — “Get up, back up, mask up, lock down” they rap before the group’s collective chants on the chorus – EPEX share how they hope to not fall victim to a life of blind consumerism and clout-chasing. If this is what the young boy band is discussing on their first single, we can’t wait to see what comes next. – J.B.

• Lisa, “Money"

  

  Few solos in K-pop were as hyped as Lisa’s, and “Money” didn’t disappoint. The track sees the BLACKPINK rapper not just flossing her wealth, but the full extent of her rap skills, star power and crossover appeal — as evidenced by her ability to score two positions as a solo artist (No. 90 for “Money”and No. 84 for “Lalisa”) on the incredibly competitive Billboard Hot 100. – Starr Bowenbank

• TWICE, "Scientist"

  In a banner year for TWICE that included two top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and their first-ever Hot 100 entry, “Scientist” demonstrated what the super girl group does best. With the feel-good glimmer of some of their best singles, “Scientist” instantly hooks the listener in with its bouncy synth beat and clever rhyme schemes. As TWICE’s international prospects continue to grow, “Scientist” proves the nonet still knows their sweet spots and can deliver the grandest of pop. – J.B.

• Jeon Somi, "Dumb Dumb"

  Considering that the K-pop community has watched Jeon Somi grow up in the spotlight, “Dumb Dumb,” a shiny pop confection that encompasses her signature brassy energy, marks a special moment for the star. With an addictive whistle hook, trap-infused breaks and Somi’s emotional vocal warbles—not to mention the final chorus that brings it all together for one final pop punch—”Dumb Dumb” is the sassy single that marks the arrival of an artist. – J.B.

• Atee*z, "Deja Vu"

  Atee*z has quickly risen with their undeniable brand of powerful, heavy hip-hop, and “Deja Vu” sees the group at their best. Rappers Hongjoong and Mingi change up their usual turned-up delivery on a second verse that shows a more subtle rap performance for the two. Coupled with the knocking beat and a slightly sinister vibe, the single pairs perfectly with Atee*z’s concept as K-pop’s time-traveling pirates and further shows why these underdogs cannot be overlooked.– J.B.

• Taeyeon, "Weekend"

  

  Already a K-pop legend, Taeyeon proved she still has tricks up her sleeve this year with “Weekend.” This minimalistic, disco-pop treat sees the Girls’ Generation diva deliver an effortlessly airy vocal performance that replaces her usual powerhouse belts with a more subdued delivery and even a rap section. Despite not being in her element, Taeyeon’s musicianship makes for one of the year’s best throwback tunes. – J.B.

• Seventeen, "Ready to Love"

  Leading the way to Seventeen’s first-ever entry on the Billboard 200 (this year’s Your Choice EP) was the single “Ready to Love.” Described as a plea to a friend, the 13-member boy band brings a fascinating juxtaposition, revealing their innermost desires to be more than friends over a buzzing, electro-pop production that surges and grows throughout the track. With “Ready to Love,” Seventeen shows how vulnerability can be empowering. – J.B.

• WOODZ, "Waiting"

  While the entirety of WOODZ’s Only Lovers Left EP points to his major crossover potential (with three English tracks to boot), the centerpiece is undoubtedly its final track, lead single “Waiting.” While the project tells the twists and turns of a love story, “Waiting” is the tragic-yet-fascinating conclusion that sees WOODZ move through stages of sadness, denial and obsession over a groovy, rhythmic rock-pop production befitting his rock star voice. – J.B.

• Younha, "Stardust"

  As famous as K-pop is for its bombastic creations, singer-songwriter Younha thrives in simplicity. “Stardust” doesn’t rely on melodramatic belting or key changes, but repeats a simple, beautiful chord progression that grows naturally within the song’s orchestral production. While “Stardust” undoubtedly stands as one of the best K-ballads of the year, it shines all the brighter for carrying such a captivating performance despite coming off so deceivingly simple. – J.B.

• fromis_9, "We Go"

  Opening with a tease of its addictive “come with me now” refrain, “We Go” starts as a promising pop single before growing into the absolute earworm that solidified fromis_9 as a girl group to watch in 2021. After going three-for-three with “Feel Good (Secret Code),” “We Go” and “Talk & Talk” over the past 15 months, fromis_9’s future looks all the more promising. We can only hope that more in the style of “We Go” are on the way. – J.B.

• AKMU & IU, "Nakka"

  In Korea, both IU and brother-sister folk duo AKMU are unbeatable chart forces. Bringing them together for “Nakka” was inevitably going to equal K-pop gold — but this left-field, synth-wavy collaboration finds the accomplished acts pushing their ambitions further. Despite the darker elements of trance and dissonant sound samples, “Nakka” ultimately shares a hopeful and comforting message, as the artists emphasize sticking with those you love even in their darkest moments. Toppling expectations, AKMU and IU don’t just pitch a curveball into their respective discographies, but into the K-pop industry as a whole on this refreshing collaboration. – J.B.

• CIX, "Cinema"

  

  Opening with a director shouting “ready and action,” CIX’s standout single “Cinema” is a production that deserves a full-length feature. Gorgeous synth-pop sets the scene for the experimental quintet, who opt to highlight uplifting and tender vocals instead of the more rap-focused performances that tend to be on trend among male K-pop acts. From the racing, guitar-led pre-chorus to each soaring belt from Jinyoung and Seunghun, “Cinema” is the kind of pop track one can revisit at any time of day or in any mood, making it as enduring as any classic Hollywood film. – J.B.

• Stray Kids, "Thunderous"

  While last year saw Stray Kids’ artistic breakthrough with some of 2020’s best K-pop albums and songs, “Thunderous” brought the formula to a new level. Opening with the mystifyingly fast rap stylings from rappers Changbin and Han that have become a signature style for SKZ, “Thunderous” seamlessly segues to a sleek, trumpeting chorus. Stray Kids know how all the pieces of their puzzle work together, allowing them to successfully experiment with the hip-hop/pop hybrid that has made them an international leader among boy bands. – J.B.

• Chancellor feat. Gaeko, "Midnight"

  While Chancellor isn’t necessarily new to the industry (he’s got more than a decade under his belt), the singer-producer starts a new chapter of his career with this sleek disco-pop track centered around a falsetto performance that would have made MJ smile. Throw in a breakdown that recalls the best work of Daft Punk, plus veteran rapper Gaeko on the second verse, and you have a track that can make the world’s biggest pop stars think, “I wish I had recorded this.” – J.B.

• NCT Dream, "Hot Sauce"

  With the release of their first full-length album Hot Sauce, NCT Dream truly made its mark on K-pop in 2021 (even hitting the Global 200 chart). While a relatively minimal song compared to past NCT Dream releases, the title track’s heavy use of chanting from the septet requires loads of charisma — and those personalities are on full display here to showcase why the NCT unit has become so beloved by fans around the world. Utilizing offbeat samples, unorthodox wordplay and stylistic changeups throughout each chorus, “Hot Sauce” represents the best of K-pop when it is ambitious and unafraid to infuse the personalities of its artists straight into the music itself. – J.B.

• BTS, "Butter"

  “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. – Mia Nazareno

• Heize, "Happen"

  As one of Korea’s most reliable R&B sirens, “Happen” sees Heize reinvent herself with the help of PSY’s P Nation record label. Her first single as a new signee, “Happen” lets Heize’s haunting voice dance over stark, acoustic guitars that transform into a full-fledged funk performance as she ponders how chance encounters can shape our lives. No matter which way the music moves, Heize’s poignant storytelling always remains at the center of the track; she’s an artist moving through music on her terms instead of being shaped or guided by outside forces. – J.B.

• ONEUS, "LUNA"

  ONEUS’ Blood Moon EP doesn’t open with the voices of the boy band, but instead with traditional Korean singer Choi Ye Lim, who broke out on a 2021 television competition with her combination of pansori folk music and rap-like storytelling. The celebration of classic and modern-day sounds continues with the EP’s single “LUNA,” with ONEUS perfecting the combination it first experimented with on “Lit” from 2019. Blending traditional instrumentation with dreamy synthesizers not only marks a bold artistic statement for the group, but sees them in a sweet spot that’s all the more impressive after experimenting with a slew of top-notch releases this year (including the rock-rap heavy-hitter “No Diggity,” the funky Michael Jackson–inspired single “Black Mirror” and the wild and wacky “Shut Up Crazy Hot”). – J.B.

• IU, "Lilac"

  Just when you think IU can’t outdo herself, the prolific singer-songwriter-producer strikes again. The title track to her fifth studio album, “Lilac,” is a simple, retro tune with lyrics that find the star giving a bittersweet farewell to her twenties while optimistically embracing her next decade. By utilizing a city-pop sound—a genre that represented a great hope about the future of Japan in the late ’70s and ’80s—and lyrics that hint at the tiniest cracks of insecurity (“Tell me I look pretty like the day we first met,” she sings), “Lilac” shows how IU makes introspective storytelling sound effortless. – J.B.

• aespa, “Next Level"

  aespa hit the ground running after releasing “Black Mamba,” but came back harder — and stronger — in 2021 with “Next Level.” Members Karina, NingNing, Winter and Giselle marry futuristic pop and hip-hop on the track and later splice it in two with a jazzy mid-song switch up, hinting at the sonic capabilities on their Billboard 200-charting debut EP, Savage. – S.B.

• Tomorrow X Together feat. Seori, "0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)"

  

  During such a frustrating year, particularly for young people, it’s fitting how punk and emo resurfaced in a major way. As a group who openly speaks about representing Generation Z, Tomorrow X Together channeled their familiar pop melodies and rap performances into the pop-punk space. With a rush of heavy percussion, TXT’s rawest vocal performance to date and a female perspective shared from featured singer Seori, “LOVESONG” didn’t sound like anything else in K-pop this year, but it still fit right into the global music conversation. Pop-punker Mod Sun was even moved to hop on a remix of the track (delivering new lines and an even heavier production) as were Korean rappers pH-1 and Woodie Gochild (on a more stripped back approach to the track).At its core, this is a love song — but with a raw and angsty delivery, it speaks to the times we’re in.

  Tomorrow X Together was first introduced to the world with their name symbolizing five individuals who “come together under one dream in hopes of building a better tomorrow.” As their careers grow, Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Huening Kai continue to build the case for representing a new generation of listeners who aren’t afraid to experiment, to be vulnerable and to be honest with even the toughest of emotions. “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)” speaks to how many of us are feeling in 2021 and the larger message Tomorrow X Together represents. – J.B.

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