Last time I did a post like this for my favourite K-pop singles released, there were only 7 songs that I really loved, well that changed in 2023, and my post would be too long to include them all. So instead I'm going to share my top 10 singles of 2023, these are songs that were only digitally released and were a sole single, some may have later appeared on albums but they were released first as digital singles.
NO.10
Google Images
While I didn't listen to this as much as some other that were released, it had to have a place on my chart because it's such a memorable and catchy track. Not just that but Hwasa has been known to receive hateful comments because of her body shape, so knowing that PSY reached out to her specifically with this song makes me love it even more.
I was way too excited to see that VIXX was returning with a new single, while I was gutted that N would be absent from it, I still loved the song. I loved that it was a message to Starlight that no matter what was happening, it would be alright.
This was such a good collaboration. Soyeon, Winter and Liz blended well together, I'd happily see more collaborations from them in the future. It's a really catchy song, it reminds me of a different song at the chorus, but I just can't quite put my finger on it.
2023 saw 4 out of 5 members of A.C.E return from their military service, and to celebrate they released 4 singles. For me Effortless came out as my favourite and they released it in both English and Korean. I absolutely adore A.C.E so I can't wait for them to release and album and for Yuchan to return.
When I first heard this song I didn't think it was Mark, for me it's far from the NCT Mark that we know, that it makes me look forward to the day he gets to release his own solo album.
When this song released, I had it on repeat a lot, it's such a catchy song. It's one of those songs that it's easy to learn the lyrics to sing along to.
While this song isn't in Korean, it's being included because Jun is a K-pop idol, being a member of Seventeen. From the very first listen of this track, I was hooked. The melody and tempo suit Jun's voice and vocals perfectly
There's something about BXB, I always love their releases. Their vocals and raps always stand out, I'm just sad that they're seriously underrated. They deserve so much more recognition.
If you want a group that puts their all into what they do, as well as for their fans, then PENTAGON are that group. This song is stunning from the melody, to the vocals, to the raps, to the message. While most of the members have left Cube Entertainment and for now will do their own thing, I have no doubt that they will return together to release music as a group again. This is not them saying farewell, it's them saying see you soon.
I've been obsessed with this song since it got released. I absolutely love it, I had it on repeat that much that it was only right that this would be my No.1 single of 2023. I was in love with this song from the first beat of the melody, I listened to it that much that it didn't take me long to learn the lyrics for the chorus.
Other songs released in 2023 that I loved include Just B & Alexa with MBTI, Dino with Wait, NINE.i with Neverland, Forestella with Kool, JinJin with Wave in My Heart and Chanyeol with Good Enough. There were quite a few more too.
For me 2022 was a busy year of K-pop comebacks, every month was full with new releases, as well as debuts which, I've decided will have it's very own post. There were a few sad disbandments in 2022, with TRCNG finally announcing their disbandment, along with CLC and NU'EST, but I'm glad that members of TRCNG are re-debuting.
Today I want to share with you my favourite 15 albums of 2022, this took me a while to finalise as I had so many albums that were contenders, some albums were easy and I knew they would place within my top 15, but some took some deciding.
I would like you to please remember that this list is my own personal opinion and I know it won't reflect everyone else's, so please no hate and respect my decisions and opinion.
NO.15
Google Images
Coming in at No.15 we have ENHYPEN and their 3rd mini album Manifesto: Day 1.
For me this was definitely my favourite album of theirs in 2022, it really shows how they continue to grow and improve since competing on I-LAND
Coming in at No.14 we have AESPA with their 2nd mini album GIRLS.
I've been a fan of all their title tracks and I definitely prefer their 2nd mini album against their 1st, for me this mini album is full of amazing tracks and concluding it with their previous digital tracks was the icing on the cake for me.
Coming in at No.13 we have MIRAE and their 3rd mini album MARVELOUS, last year MIRAE appeared as one of my honourable mentions, this time they get to appear in my final line up. All their albums are really good and they've definitely been part of my favourite rookies. This album though was my favourite of theirs this year.
Coming in at No.12 we have Astro's Moonbin and Sanha with their 2nd mini album Refuge.
This album had to be included in my top 15 list as I couldn't stop listening to it, the title track WHO even appeared as my 5th most listened to track on my Spotify wrapped. Each track is catchy and memorable and definitely my favourite release of theirs so far.
Coming in at No.11 we have WEi with their 5th mini album Love Pt.2: Passion.
There's something for me with WEi doing dark and grungy style title tracks, Spray is definitely one of my favourite title tracks of theirs and of their 2 mini albums released in 2022, this one is definitely my favourite, I was hooked from the start of each track.
Coming in at No.10 we have Golden Child with their 6th mini album Aura.
Golden Child have never appeared in yearly album charts, and this time it's all thanks to seeing them live at MIK in London. I knew they were gearing up for a comeback when I went to see them live, so decided to check it out and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this album, I'll definitely be following them more from now on.
Coming in at No.9 we have Kim Yohan with his 1st solo mini album Illusion.
I absolutely love this album, and had it on repeat quite a few times, each track is amazing, it's one of those albums that when it finishes, you restart it.
Coming in at No.8 we have Chungha with her 2nd full album Bare & Rare Part 1.
I've known of Chungha since her solo debut, and I only really listened to her title tracks but because I was going to be seeing her live at the MIK Festival in London, I checked out this album as it was released just before and I loved it. Each track is amazing, I was obsessed with Sparkling and seeing it live put it on a whole new level. Whenever I hear Sparkling and California Dream, I get goosebumps and it takes me right back to MIK.
So far Minisode 2: Thursday's Child is one of my favourite TXT albums, for me it's right up there with The Dream Chapter: ETERNITY. For me TXT are one of the most versatile K-pop groups out there, for me there's nothing they can't do.
Coming in at Noo.6 with have TVXQ's Max Changmin with his 2nd mini album Devil.
I decided on a whim to watch Changmin's Devil M/V and I was hooked, so I took the plunge and listened to the album and for me it's a musical masterpiece. It's something I'd not heard before as a K-pop fan. From the first listen, I knew this album would be making and appearance in my top 15.
Coming in at No.5 we have Stray Kids with their 7th mini album MAXIDENT.
One of these days, Stray Kids will rank higher than No.5, and one think is for sure, is that Stray Kids are always consistent, they never fail to bring something new and push the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable in K-pop. This is why they're one of my favourite groups to watch and listen to.
This album from start to finish is aesthetically pleasing and is my favourite album from KINGDOM, they still remain to be one of my favourite rookie groups, and while I was gutted by Chiwoo's departure, I can't wait to see how much Hwon grows within the group.
Coming in at No.3 we have BTS with their anthology album PROOF.
I fought with myself on whether to include this album as part of top 15 because it's not necessarily a whole new album, but the choices of songs included as well as the Cd only of demo tracks meant I couldn't keep it out of my countdown. Each track takes you back in time and allows you to see their growth as a group.
Coming in at No.2 and just missing out on the top spot we have PENTAGON with their 12th mini album In:vite U.
This album is definitely one of my favourite albums released in 2022. and if you saw my top 15 for 2021, you'll know it's a big jump up my chart from that year. The more I listen to PENTAGON the more I fall in love with their music and they're amazing live too. I'm so glad my friend Mary kept pushing me to pay attention to them.
Coming in at No.1 we have Girls' Generation and their 7th full length album Forever 1.
I may be being bias with this one but for me this album was worth the 5 year wait and was the perfect way to celebrate their 15th anniversary, that being said 2023 is my very own 10 year anniversary for listening to both Girls' Generation and K-pop.
This album is just stunning and harbours all things Girls' Generation, showing that you can release new music while still keeping that original sound.
I hope we don't have to wait another 5 years to see them get back together again.
So there it is My Top 15 K-pop Albums of 2022, as always I'm super excited to see what music 2023 will bring.
I hope in 2023 we finally get to see APR Project officially debut and I hope we get to see more of the TRCNG members join them.
My January is already full of comebacks with VIXX releasing a new song, Moonbin & Sanha releasing a new mini album, as well as MONSTA X, NCT 127 and Tomorrow X together all having comebacks.
I also hope I get to go to more K-pop concerts this year with Mary, I just know I'm in for another K-pop filled year, especially with SuperM making a return as well as EXO coming back too.
.png)
