My Top 10 K-pop Singles of 2023

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

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 Love My Body

Owned by P Nation

HWASA

NO.9

Google Images

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.

Gonna Be Alright

Owned Jellyfish Entertainment

RealVIXX

NO.8

Google Images

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.

Nobody

Owned by Cube, SM & Starship

M:USB 뮤스비

NO.7

Google Images

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.

Effortless

Owned by Beat Interactive

Official A.C.E

NO.6

Google Images

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.

Golden Hour

Owned by SM Entertainment

SMTOWN

NO.5

Google Images

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.

Better Things

Owned by SM Entertainment

SMTOWN

NO.4

Google Images

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

Psycho

Owned by Pledis Entertainment

HYBE LABELS

NO.3

Google Images

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.

도약 (跳躍; Fly Away)

Owned by Wolfburn

BXB

NO.2

Google Images

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.

With UNIVERSE

Owned by Cube Entertainment

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

NO.1

Google Images

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.

Ponytail

Owned by AOMG

AOMGOFFICIAL

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. 

I look forward to what 2024 brings.

What were your favourite singles of 2023?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye

PENTAGON - IN:VITE U

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

IN:VITE U is PENTAGON'S twelfth mini album.

On the 30th of December 2021, the Track List was released.

On the 4th of January 2022, the Nouveau Concept Image 1 were released.

On the 5th of January 2022, the Nouveau Concept Image #2 were released.

On the 6th of January 2022, the Nouveau Concept Image #3 were released.

On the 11th of January 2022, the Flare Concept Image 1 were released.

On the 12th of January 2022, the Flare Concept Image 2 were released.

On the 13th of January 2022, the Flare Concept Image 3 were released.

On the 17th of January 2022, the IN:VITE U Audio Snippet was released.

Owned by Cube Entertainment

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

On the 18th of January 2022, the Feelin' Like M/V #1 was released.

Owned by Cube Entertainment

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

On the 20th of January 2022, the Feelin' Like M/V Teaser #2 was released.

Owned by Cube Entertainment

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

On the 24th of January 2022, the Feelin' Like M/V was released, along with the digital release of the IN:VITE U album

Owned by Cube Entertainment

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

On the 25th of January 2022, the IN:VITE U album was released physically.

IN:VITE U marks the first album with Jinho, since the completion of his military service, and the first without Hui due to his military enlistment starting..

According to Hanteo, IN:VITE U sold 76,996 copies in it's first week of release, making it PENTAGON's highest first-week sales yet, breaking their previous record with their mini album Love or Take.

IN:VITE U topped the Circle Album's Chart within the month of it's release, making it PENTAGON's first No.1 album in South Korea.

Feelin' Like won PENTAGON 1 music show trophy, winning on Music Bank.

Kino, Jinho and Wooseok co-wrote on the lyrics for title track Feelin' Like.

Wooseok and Shinwon wrote the lyrics for 한탕 (One Shot), with Wooseok and Shinwon also co-composing on the track.

Wooseok wrote the lyrics for The Game and Bad, with Wooseok also co-composing on the tracks.

Kino and Wooseok co-wrote on the lyrics for Call My Name, with Kino also co-composing on the track.

Kino and Wooseok wrote the lyrics for 관람차 (Sparkling Night), with Kino also co-composing on the track.

IN:VITE U peaked at No.1 on the Circle Album's Chart and No.16 on the Oricon Album's Chart.

Circle sales = 102,281+

Oricon Sales = 1,376+

Giving the album so far a total of 103,657+ in physical sales.

*YouTube views correct at time of writing post*

The M/V for Feelin' Like has so far gained 32,211,929 million views, with the views still increasing.

IN:VITE U was released in 2 versions: Nouveau and Flare.

Both versions are set out in a gift box style case and comes with the Cd, photo book, lyric paper, name tag, random poster, random photo card and a random selfie photo card.

Photo books for both versions are different as are the album covers, with Nouveau being black and Flare being white.

Track List:

Feelin Like'

한탕 (One Shot)

The Game

Call My Name

관람차 (Sparkling Night)

Bad

I have the Nouveau version and I love how it's all packaged, it gives off a luxury and high end vibe, it's definitely one of my favourite in the way it's packaged.

The photo book was one of the main reasons I wanted to get my hands on this version first, I love it, it's like a high end fashion magazine, it's really simplicity at it's best.

The album itself is amazing, this album from start to finish is a masterpiece, if Girls' Generation hadn't made their comeback last year, then this album would have been my No.1 album of 2022. Seeing the songs live too made it even more of a masterpiece for me, I definitely look forward to their next album.

I only need to look at the Feelin' Like title and I automatically get the melody in my head, this is definitely one of my favourite title tracks from PENTAGON. For me this is one of those songs that never fails to get me singing and dancing along.

Feelin' Like

KBS WORLD TV

Are you ready? I love how 한탕 (One Shot) starts because it sounds like it's going to be a completely different song, then the beat kicks in. I love how well their voices sit within the melody, it blends together perfectly.

한탕 (One Shot)

키노결kinogyul

I can't put into words how truly perfect and mesmerising The Game is, if PENTAGON want me to play, I willingly volunteer and accept. From the operatic start, this song takes you on a ride that you never want to get off. I think vocally this was the song that really blew me away, this song made me think move over Hui, Jinho is here.

The Game

Jendukie

I have a love/hate relationship with Call My Name, it's my favourite track on the album, but it taunts me because it's always stuck in my head. Last year at the MIK Festival, I got to see them perform it live and even with 18 songs after it, walking back to our hotel, all I kept singing was Call My Name. You may also recognise parts of the song and that's because PENTAGON sampled Blackstreet's No Diggity. I really recommend this track, you won't be disappointed.

Call My Name

키노결kinogyul

I love how bright and upbeat 관람차 (Sparkling Night) sounds, I love the melody, the song itself sounds so magical and mystical. The vocals and raps just add that extra spark to it.

관람차 (Sparkling Night)

Mnet K-POP

The melody at the start of Bad is stunning and I love the vocals and the raps, they fit so perfectly together, I don't think I ever stop being in awe of their rapping and vocal skills.

Bad

키노결kinogyul

It's now been a year since PENTAGON released this album and I still can't get over how amazing it is, it's still one of my go to albums, and if you're not familiar with PENTAGON, I suggest you give this album a try.

I definitely thank my friend Mary for continuing to push their music and content on me, because otherwise, I would have missed out on a masterpiece.

I hope we don't have to wait much longer for a new album, but I guess you can't rush talent and perfection.

Were you a fan of IN:VITE U?

Do you have a physical copy?

Which version(s) did you get?

What were your thoughts on Feelin' Like as the title track?

Do you have a favourite track from the album?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye