Manga and Anime Maniac

NO.19

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Coming in at No.19 we have BOYNEXTDOOR with their 2nd mini album How?

Like with Xikers, BOYNEXTDOOR were also one of my favourite rookies of 2023. I've loved all their releases so far, but this one is definitely my favourite. I love the B-sides on this album.

Earth, Wind & Fire

Owned by KOZ Entertainment

l i f e i s c o o l

NO.18

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Coming in at No.18 we have Bang&Jung&Yoo&Moon (B.A.P) with their Christmas special album Christmas With You..

This album really makes me feel Christmassy and it will definitely be an album I play each Christmas. I need to get my hands on a physical copy so I can share it on my blog in December.

Christmas With You

Owned by MA Entertainment

Snow

Owned by MA Entertainment

NO.17

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Coming in at No.17 we have The Boyz with their 9th mini album Trigger.

I've always loved their darker sounding songs and this is no different. If I remember correctly at their show in London, Eric said this album was hardcore and lit, which is the best description. I get Goosebumps whenever I listen to Bite Back as it takes me right back to seeing it live.

Trigger

Owned by IST Entertainment

THE BOYZ

Bite Back

Owned by IST Entertainment

THE BOYZ

NO.16

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Coming in at No.17 is Soo Young with her solo debut Japanese album Unstoppable.

I'm not surprised that this album is so good and it's definitely an expected release as Soo Young was initially meant to debut in Japan before she debuted in Girls' Generation. This album from start to finish is really catchy and I love her voice in each of the tracks.

Unstoppable

Owned by Avex

avex

C.A.L.M

ElyDha Subs

NO.15

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Coming in at No.15 we have ENHYPEN with their Repackaged album, Romance: Untold daydream.

I absolutely loved this album and I love their more mature sounding tracks, for me it shows that their allowing their music to grow with them. I love how different No Doubt and XO (Only If You Say Yes) are as title tracks.

No Doubt

Owned by Be:Lift

Brought The Heat Back

Owned by Be:Lift

NO.14

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Coming in at No.14 we have Bang&Jung&Yoo&Moon (B.A.P) with their return album Curtain Call.

I was over the moon when it was announced that B.A.P were returning and releasing a new album, watching their documentary made me cry and their album made me feel proud of their return. I get Goosebumps whenever I listen to this album because it reminds me of how much I love B.A.P and how much I've missed their voices together.

Gone

Owned by MA Entertainment

Farewell

Owned by MA Entertainment

NO.13

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Coming in at No.13 is (G)I-dle with their 2nd full album 2.

Super Lady was my most listened to song in 2024 on Spotify and I'm not surprised I loved Super Lady as the title track and all the B-side tracks were amazing. I had this album on repeat so much, just not more than some others.

Super Lady

Owned by Cube Entertainment

Revenge

Owned by Cube Entertainment

NO.12

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Coming in at No.12 we have ATEEZ with their 11th mini album Golden Hour Part.2.

I think for me musically, ATEEZ have had a really good year. Each release has really stood out and showcased different vibes and sounds.

Ice On My Teeth

Owned by KQ Entertainment

KQ ENTERTAINMENT

Selfish Waltz

NO.11

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Coming in at No.11 and just missing out on my top 10 is Stray Kids with their 1st mixtape album Hop.

This album is really good, not only do we get solo tracks from the members that they've been performing during their ongoing tour, but we also get 3 brand new tracks that are insanely catchy and stick in your head. They're never afraid to try new things while staying true to what they want to do.

Walkin' On Water

Owned by JYP Entertainment

U (Feat. TABLO)

NO.10

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Coming in at No.10 we have Kino with his 1st mini album If This Is Love, I Want A Refund.

This album is really good and really catchy. The album is mostly in English, which shows that he's trying to establish himself as a solo artist and create music different from PENTAGON. Out of all the PENTAGON solo releases in 2024, his is definitely my favourite.

Broken Heart

Owned by NAKED

KINO

Solo

Owned by NAKED

KINO

NO.9

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Coming in at No.9 we have Tzuyu with her solo debut mini album aboutTZU.

For me out of all of Twice's solo debuts, Tzuyu's is my favourite. All the tracks are really catchy and whenever I look as the track list each song pops into my head. I'll definitely be getting my hands on a physical copy. This album really allows her to shine as a vocalist, and it doesn't go above what she can do.

Run Away

Owned by JYP Entertainment

Lazy Baby (Feat. pH-1)

NO.8

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Coming in at No.8 we have NCT Dream with their 4th full length album Dreamscape.

From start to finish this album is amazing, it really gives off that NCT Dream sound and vibe. I got to hear a tiny snippet of title track When I'm With You at their London show, I knew we wouldn't get the full song but it still made it special. I also got to witness Rains In Heaven live.

When I'm With You

Owned by SM Entertainment

SMTOWN

i hate fruits

NO.7

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Coming in at No.7 we have Xdinary Heroes with their 5th mini album LIVE and FALL.

This album has seen Xdinary Heroes move up in my top albums chart, each track on this album really stand out. This is definitely my favourite release from them.

Night Before The End

Owned by JYP Entertainment

iNSTEAD (feat.YB Yoon Do Hyun)

Owned by JYP Entertainment

NO.6

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Coming in at No.6 and just missing out on my top 5 is Yuqi and her 1st mini album YUQ1.

I've had this album on repeat so many times, each track is different and really catchy. I've always loved her solo stuff so it was no surprise to me that I've loved this album from the first listen.

Freak

Owned by Cube Entertainment

Red Rover

Owned by Cube Entertainment

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

NO.5

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Coming in at No.5 we have Plave with their 2nd mini album Asterum: 134-1.

For someone who said they wouldn't get into any virtual group, I fell for Plave hard. I love this album and to say I only started listening to Plave in 2024, they were in my top 10 artists on my Spotify Wrapped. I can't wait for their comeback in February.

Way 4 Luv

Owned by VLAST

PLAVE 플레이브

Virtual Idol

Zaty Farhani

NO.4

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Coming in at No.4 and just missing out on my top 3 is NCT Dream with their 6th mini album Dream()scape.

I've been in love with this album since it's release in March and I think I can honestly say it's one of my favourite NCT Dream albums. While I'm gutted Carat Cake wasn't on their setlist. They still picked the songs that would make an impact at the concert.

Smoothie

Owned by SM Entertainment

SMTOWN

BOX

Zaty Farhani

Keeping with my countdown in 2023, I want to share with you some honourable mentions before heading into my Top 3 albums. These albums while not making my list were really good and were strong contenders.

Here are my honourable mentions.

BXB - Chapter 2: Wings

Owned by Wolfburn

BXB

Blitzers - LUNCH-BOX

Owned by Wuzo Entertainment

BLITZERS OFFICIAL

FTISLAND - Serious

Owned by FNC Entertainment

FTISLAND (FT아일랜드)

Hui - Whu Is Me: Complesx

Owned by Cube Entertainment

KARD - Where To Now: Part 1 Yellow Light

Owned by DSP Media

KARD

TRENDZ - Dreamlike

Owned by Interpark Music Plus

TRENDZ(트렌드지)

NO.3

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Coming in at No.3 is ATEEZ with their 10th mini album Golden Hour Part.1.

This is definitely one of my favourite albums of 2024, each track is different but still showcase that ATEEZ style. I'm in official countdown to their Manchester show which is in just over 2 weeks.

Work

Owned by KQ Entertainment

KQ ENTERTAINMENT

Shaboom

NO.2

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Coming in at No.2 is Stray Kids with their 9th mini album Ate.

This is a new peak for Stray Kids since their first appearance on my top albums list, they always tend to get top 5 and if it wasn't for my No.1 pick this would have been my No.1 album for 2024, but they were just pipped to the post. This album is amazing and definitely one of my favourites of theirs. I can't wait to see them live again this year and I can't wait to see them perform Stray Kids.

Chk Chk Boom

Owned by JYP Entertainment

Stray Kids

Owned by JYP Entertainment

Stray Kids

It's time.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!

NO.1

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Coming in at No.1 is Yuta with his solo debut mini album Depth.

While this album is in Japanese it's too good not to be included. This is by far my favourite NCT solo debut. Each track is amazing, there is no song that I want to skip, and even if you're not an NCT fan, I highly recommend checking out Yuta's album. This definitely was my favourite album to be released in 2024.

Off the Mask

Owned by SM Entertainment

SMTOWN

Save You

Prometheus

Bad Euphoria

Prometheus

So there you have it, that's my Top 20 K-pop Albums of 2024. I look forward to what the rest of 2025 brings, so far GFriend have reunited and GOT7 are releasing a new album this month and (G)I-dle's Minnie is releasing her first mini album. I look forward to see what groups debut this year and what solo debuts we may get. I also look forward to what new music we will get from the groups I love.

I have 2 K-pop concerts so far for this year, which is ATEEZ in Manchester at the end of the month an Stray Kids in London in July. I also have 2 normal shows with You Me At Six in March for their farewell tour and BUSTED vs McFly in September. I'm hoping for more K-pop concerts as we've decided to have another f**k it year to a certain extent.

2025 let's get it.

Who had your No.1 spot?

Which albums were your favourite in 2024?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye

Monday, 29 April 2024

BOYNEXTDOOR - Why..

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

BOYNEXTDOOR are a 6-member South Korean boy band formed by KOZ Entertainment, they made their debut in May 2023.

The members are:

Sungho

Google Images

Riwoo

Google Images

Jaehyun

Google Images

Taesan

Google Images

LeeHan

Google Images

Woonhak

Why.. is their 1st mini album.

On the 13th of August 2023, the Why.. Trailer Film was released.

Owned by KOZ Entertainment

On the 15th of August 2023, the Why.. WHY are you so..? Video was released.

Owned by KOZ Entertainment

On the 21st of August 2023, the Why.. Concept Film: Feeling MOODY video was released.

Owned by KOZ Entertainment

On the 23rd of August 2023, the Why.. Concept Film: DAZED and confused Video was released.

Owned KOZ Entertainment

On the 27th of August 2023, the Why.. Track Spoiler: MISSING POSTER was released.

Owned by KOZ Entertainment

On the 31st of August 2023, the 뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes) M/V Teaser was released.

Owned by KOZ Entertainment

On the 4th of September 2023, the 뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes) M/V was released, along with the physical and digital release of their 1st mini album Why..

Owned by KOZ Entertainment

뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes) won BOYNEXTDOOR 2 music show trophies, winning 1 on The Show and 1 on Show Champion.

Jaehyun, Taesan and Woonhak co-wrote on the lyrics for 돌아버리겠다 (But I Like You), Serenade, Crying, 뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes) and ABCDLOVE, with them also co-composing on 돌아버리겠다 (But I Like You), Crying, 뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes) and ABCDLOVE.

Taesan also co-composed on Serenade.

Why.. peaked at No.3 on the Circle Albums Chart, No.3 on the Oricon Albums Chart, No.65 on the UK Physical Albums Chart and No.3 on the Billboard World Albums Chart.

Circles Sales = 514,342+

Oricon Sales = 45,708+

Total Sales = 560,050+

*YouTube views correct at time of writing post*

The M/V for 뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes) has so far gained 34,752,960 million views, with the views continuing to increase.

Why.. was released in 8 versions: Dazed, Moody and 6 Letter versions.

Dazed and Moody are both set out in a box case and comes with the Cd, photobook, random postcard, folded poster, letter sticker sheet, film photo, random unit card and a random photo card.

The Letter versions are member based and are set out in an envelope case and comes with the Cd, stickers, folded lyrics poster, member based photo set and a random photo card.

All photobooks are different.

Track List

돌아버리겠다 (But I Like You)

One and Only

Serenade

Crying

뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes)

ABCDLOVE

I have Jaehyun's Letter version and I absolutely love the layout of the album, it's so cute. I've been hooked on BOYNEXTDOOR since their debut, I really liked their debut single, while I'm still not familiar with the members themselves, I really like and enjoy their music.

The album itself is really good, it's always good when a rookie group releases an album that's really catchy and makes you want to listen to it over and over again.

I really love the melody for 돌아버리겠다 (But I Like You). For me this song does not sound like it comes from a rookie group. Their vocal tones really fit perfectly with the melody as well as the tempo. I also love their vocals with the raps, it gives off a youthful feel and vibe.

돌아버리겠다 (But I Like You)

I was in love with One and Only from the very first listen, it's really fun and catchy. The chorus really got me hooked to both the song and the group. This is definitely the perfect track for them to debut with, it shows off their youthful and playful side, as well as showing that they have good vocal and rap skills.

One and Only

I love the guitar opening for Serenade, and I love how the tempo slows for this track, but it doesn't stop this track from being catchy.

Serenade

Crying is different from the previous tracks and has a different vibe, for me it gives off a more mature and serious vibe compared to the previous songs. Allowing them to show off their vocals and raps more. Also showing that they're a versatile group and won't stick to one genre or concept.

Crying

There something about the melody for 뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes) that sounds very reminiscent for me. This track was perfect for the title track as well as for their 1st comeback. It's slower than their debut but showcases how talented they are as a group.

뭣 갈아 (But Sometimes)