By Kai McMillian
As a person who has been a K-Pop fan since 2016, I have listened to thousands of K-Pop songs within the past eight years. I have heard some pure gems and some rotten apples when it comes to music and this list will mention five of these gems that I have found. These songs are perfect to show to new fans, or just to add to your playlist.
- Really by BLACKPINK
This song is the most underrated and the best song that Blackpink has ever made and nothing will change my mind. “Really” came out on June 15, 2018 on their second EP “Square Up”, same EP that the song “DDU-DU-DDU-DU” is on what became a chart topping worldwide mega hit. In my opinion, this song is extremely slept on and ignored and it hurts to see people miss out on this amazing song. “Really” talks about them wanting a more honest and reassuring relationship and needing more openness and communication. Throughout the song, the members talk about needing to know their partners intentions and struggling to connect with each other. Some of the lyrics include “If you really, really love me, then tell me, Say you can’t live one day without me, really, really, Say you want me, that you’re crazy about me really”, “Say that when you see the other girls, you don’t care at all”, and “But baby, F a love song, I need you to say it, say it”. This song is a pop/hip-hop mix with elements of rapping and rapping-esque flows mixed with its very upbeat, summer-y instrumental. The vocals, rap verses, and instrumental all combine perfectly with not one part sounding off or unpleasant in the slightest. This song is no doubt their best one to date and they have multiple songs that are hard to beat.
- Pied Piper by BTS
When it comes to BTS, the first thing you think about probably is “The biggest boy group in the world”, and they have earned that title fair and square. This song is just one example of why they deserve to be called this. With the amount of amazing songs BTS has, it was hard choosing a song from them. “Pied Piper” is on their fifth EP “LOVE YOURSELF 承 ‘Her’” that was released on September 18, 2017. Also on this album is the global massive hit “DNA” which is one of the songs that helped them explode in popularity worldwide. This song is about, well to put it blunt, get a life and stop being obsessed over BTS to the point you’re ruining yourself and your relationships. Now obviously they didn’t say it like that but the main point is that the members of BTS love and hold their fans closely to their hearts but also that they realize how intense they can be in terms of being fans. They realize that many of their fans would ignore their studies as they are focusing too much on the group and that they would sometimes damage relationships because, again, they are putting too much attention towards BTS instead of their own personal lives, also impacting their social life. The members want to make it clear that they love every single one of their fans but they want to make sure that their fans aren’t losing themselves and who they are. Some lyrics are “Stop, now stop watching and study for your test”, “Your parents and boss hate me”, “I know, you can’t help what you like, But stop, interpret the music video later”, and “You’re not being punished, Come here, I’m your paradise”. The song has a very mello, synth pop-esque melody that makes you feel good and it’s something you would want to just blast while cruising down a road. The melody mixed with their vocals, rapping, and harmonization just make this song a great chilling song even though the lyrics are pretty serious.
- Love Dive by IVE
There is a reason as to why this song became IVE’s third song with the highest music show wins (10 wins), right behind “Eleven” (13 wins) and “After Like” (14 wins). “Love Dive” became a massive hit in Asia, as it has won multiple South Korean music award show awards, went platinum in South Korea, and went onto the top ten on music charts in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and even going on the top 10 of the Billboard Global Chart (excluding the USA). This song came out on April 5, 2022 on the EP/single also called Love Dive. This song talks about diving into their desires and taking risks when it comes to love and how intense and irresistible a short lived but passionate love affair is. It is also about the rush you get when you’re with that person. The members urge people to essentially take that “love dive”. Some of the lyrics include “Yeah, it’s so bad, it’s good I need to see your heart”, “You into me, me into you, Hold your breath, love dive”, and “Come inside and see it for yoursеlf
You can come into the deepest part of my heart”. The instrumental is described to be “dark pop” as it has a pop melody but with deep and heavy bass and drums mixed with some synth in the pre chorus and the bridge with a very bassy and dramatic beat drop in the chorus. With a song this addictive, you will be diving into that replay button over and over again!
- Fancy by Twice
Although being released in the first four months of 2019, TWICE already made the song of the year and one of the biggest songs in kpop starting from its initial release. On April 22, 2019, TWICE released their seventh EP “Fancy You”, obviously, with “Fancy” being its title track. This song was and remains one of the most memorable and said by many, TWICE’s best song. It went mega viral in the kpop community and all over Asia, as it debuted at number three on South Korea’s Gaon Music Charts and K-Pop Hot 100. This song is described to be a “bouncy electro pop” track that utilizes synth throughout the whole song. I would also say it has a very summer-y feel. Not to mention, Jihyo’s iconic high note that changed lives. This track is very straightforward as it is basically them saying “I fancy you” to their lover. It is heavy on the topics of admiration that two people have for each other and that their love is as colorful as tropical skies, stars, and sunlight. Some of the lyrics are “You there, I fancy you, I don’t want just anyone, Hey, I love you (Love ya!)”, “I become cozy just by thinking, I will secretly hold you from behind and never let you go”, and “Shining most brightly in the dark universe, The star, the star, and your big star next to it”. This song is definitely the type of song that you will dance to with zero shame and as if people aren’t watching.
- Bad Boy by Red Velvet
This seductive, RnB track by the one and only Red Velvet guarantees it to be a song that will be remembered for as long K-Pop stays alive. Red Velvet is widely known for their powerhouse vocals, unskippable discography, and pure talent. This song is one of many that perfectly exudes this. The mellow RnB melody, tempting vocals, and intricate instrumental makes this song one of their best. Coming out on January 29, 2018 on the EP “The Perfect Red Velvet” they already made one of the best songs of the year. This song talks about waiting to be with someone even though you know that will cause trouble. They love and crave that rush you get from being with someone you know isn’t really right for you and is rebellious. Them knowing that they want to be with a “bad boy” is exciting to them. Some lyrics are “Every time I come around, ‘nother bad boy down”, “Put you ’round my finger, I’ma tell you what you wanna hear” and “I’m making you fall, I’m making you fall to your knees”. This song is just one of Red Velvet’s iconic songs and once you listen to this song, you will not be able to stop!
Although there are many songs that I wanted to add such as Ah Yeah by EXID, Wannabe by ITZY, Into The New World by Girls Generation, and more, these songs are just some that I deem as amazing for new K-Pop fans and people who are just looking for new music. I definitely recommend that you check out these songs listed and more from those artists!
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