Favourite K-pop Debuts of 2023

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

Google Images

Looking back on my favourite debuts, as you can see they were all male. I'm often told that I need to listen to more female groups and soloists but 2023 wasn't the year for me. It's not that I don't like female groups/soloists. I just lean more to the sound and music style of the male groups/soloists.

So let me share with you the 8 debuts I loved in 2023.

ZEROBASEONE

Google Images

ZEROBASEONE have to be my main favourite debut of 2023, their debut mini album was amazing, so much so that they appeared in my Top 20 K-pop Albums list for 2023.

Both their title tracks so far have been really good and catchy, as well as both of the mini albums really standing out.

In Bloom

Owned by WakeOne

Mnet K-POP

BOYNEXTDOOR

Google Images

BOYNEXTDOOR's debut was amazing, I loved their first release, especially their debut title track. Even without knowing who they were I was pulled into being a fan just from that song. I'm even more of a fan now, knowing that they have a member whose name is LeeHan.

One and Only

Owned by KOZ Entertainment

KBS WORLD TV

XIKERS

Googles Images

I decided to check out Xikers debut because they're from KQ, the home of ATEEZ, and I was glad I did. Not only was there title track really good, their whole album was amazing and I loved the intro track on the album, it's something I've not really heard before and really got you hyped for the rest of the album.

TRICKY HOUSE

Owned by KQ Entertainment

KBS WORLD TV

LUN8

Google Images

I came across LUN8 because I was looking up updates from the past I-Land contestants and came across that Sungchul had debuted with the stage name Ian in LUN8, so I checked them out. I was hooked straight away with their title track. Their debut mini album is also really good.

Wild Heart

Owned by Fantagio Entertainment

KBS WORLD TV

8TURN

Google Images

I came across 8TURN the same way as LUN8, and it was while I was looking up updates on any of the I-Land contestants. I was happy to see that even though Kyungmin had left Hybe Label Japan, where he was a confirmed member of &Team. He had finally made his debut with 8TURN.

Both their mini albums are really good, but for me I love their 2nd mini album more, it stands out so much.

Excel

Owned by MNH Entertainment

KBS WORLD TV

One Pact

Google Images

For someone that didn't watch Boys Planet, there were contestants that I saw snippets of and were intrigued to see more of. One of those contestants was Jay, I liked him from seeing his first performance on Boys Planet, I was gutted to see he didn't debut in ZEROBASEONE. But I'm glad in a way because it meant not only did we get to see him release a solo album, but also debut with One Pact. I was also a fan of Ciipher, so I was gutted to see them disband but glad that Tag is getting another chance as he's really talented.

I really liked One Pact's debut and can't see what's next for them.

Must Be Nice

Owned by Armada Entertainment

ARIRANG K-POP

Bang Yedam

Google Images

Bamg Yedam was one of the members of Treasure I knew and recognised before his departure from the group. So when I saw he had joined KINGDOM's company, I knew he would have more creative control with his music, than he did with YG. For me his solo debut mini album showcases why he left both YG and Treasure and if this is what we're going to get, I'm glad he made that decision. I loved his solo debut and can't wait to see more from him.

Only One

Owned by GF Entertainment

KBS WORLD TV

Shownu X Hyungwon

Google Images

As a MONBEBE, I was not only glad to see Shownu return from his military enlistment, but also see both he and Hyungwon debut as a unit. Hyunwon is such an underrated member of MONSTA X, and I think this unit debut shows that. They're definitely one of my favourite units.

Love Me A Little

Owned by Starship Entertainment

Mnet K-POP

So there was my favourite debuts of 2023, I look forward to see what debuts 2024 brings as well as more releases from Bang Yedam and the groups mentioned in this post.

Who were some of your favourite debuts in 2023?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye

MONSTA X - The Dreaming

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

The Dreaming is MOSNTA X's 2nd full length English album.

On the 10th of September 2021, the M/V for single One Day was released.

Owned by Starship Entertainment & Epic Records

MONSTA X

On the 21st of October 2021, their 2nd full length English album The Dreaming was announced.

On the 10th of December 2021, the M/V for You Problem was released, along with the physical and digital release of The Dreaming.

Owned by Starship Entertainment & Epic Records

MONSTA X

The Dreaming debuted at Number 21 on the Billboard 200 chart with 34,100 album-equivalent units, including 29,500 pure album sales on it's first week. It is MONSTA X's 2nd entry on the chart, it also succeeded in charting on the chart for 2 weeks in a row.

The Dreaming peaked at No.64 on the Official UK Albums Chart and No.21 on the Billboard 200 Chart.

US Sales = 29,500+

*YouTube views correct at time of writing post

The M/V for One Day has so far gained 12,505,546 million views, with the views still continuing to increase, and the M/V for You Problem has gained 5,967,179 million views, with the views also still continuing to increase.

The Dreaming was released with 11 versions: 4 Deluxe Editions, 1 Standard Edition and 6 Member Editions.

The Deluxe Editions are set as a paperback book style case and comes with the Cd, photo book, lyric booklet, sticker sheet, poster and 2 photo cards.

The Standard Edition is set out like a jewel case and comes with the Cd, booklet, poster and photo card.

The Member Editions are set out like a jewel case and come with the Cd, booklet, member poster and a photo card.

All the photo books are the same depending on the versions.

Track List:

One Day

You Problem

Tied To Your Body

Whispers In The Dark

Blame Me

Secrets

About Last Night

Better

Blow Your Mind

The Dreaming

  

I have version 3 of the Deluxe Edition and I picked it based on the fact that I love the album cover. I love the photo book, the pictures are stunning and I love that the colour layout fits throughout the albums concept and layout.

I've come to love that MONSTA X shows of a different vibe and sound when it comes to their English releases, they tend to go for a more westernised sound compared to their iconic and unique Korean sound. I definitely like this album compared to their 1st English album, none of the songs on this album left me feeling a little uncomfortable. I love that this album while still have a sexy sound, it has a totally different sound and vibe from the first album.

I love One Day not only as the 1st single to be released, but also as the opener to the album as it's so chilled and the melody is bright and stunning. Their vocals are stunning against the melody.

One Day

MTV

I was in love with You Problem from the first listen, I always find myself singing along to this song whenever it plays. It's also one of those songs that never fails to make me dance along, it's so catchy.

You Problem

iners ln

If any song was going to give off a western sound it's Tied To Your Body, the lyrics and the melody make me think of something that I'd hear playing on the radio. It gives me vibes of something Ed Sheeran would release.

Tied To Your Body

rosevelt

Whispers In The Dark is one of my favourite songs from this album, I love the melody and the vocals and I couldn't imagine anyone other than MONSTA X singing this track. It's such a stunning track. Whenever I listen to this track it takes me right back to being in the cinema watching their The Dreaming movie.

Whispers In The Dark

Lee sizunii

Blame Me is another track I could totally hear being played on the radio stations, I love the melody and their vocal tones fit perfectly. I think this could be a perfect song to introduce non-Kpop fans to not only MONSTA X but ease them into the K-pop world.

Blame Me

Jyimina PJ

I love Secrets, I think if I'd come across this song without knowing who MONSTA X were, it would have made me a fan. I love the melody and their vocals, it's another of my favourites from this album.

Secrets

Mieramen Taro

I love the melody for About Last Night, parts of it remind me of another song but I can't quite remember what it is. This track never fails to get me dancing along and it's a shame it's not had any radio play as I think it would have many fans.

About Last Night

Lee sizunii

Better is one of those tracks that your foot automatically taps to and I don't think that I'll ever get over Hyungwon swearing. This song those is perfect for them all, especially I.M, Hyungwon and Minhyuk. I love their voices against the melody.

Better

Jyimina PJ

Blow Your Mind gives me Justin Timberlake vibes, I'd love to hear MONSTA X release more songs like this, it suits and fits them perfectly.

Blow Your Mind

Jyimina PJ

I have to say that The Dreaming is my main favourite track from this album, I love the melody, the vocals and the lyrics, this song is just stunning and full of emotional.

The Dreaming

rosevelt

I love that throughout this album there seems to be a retro vibe and I loved that they continued in the same direction as their first full English album, in that they focus more on vocals, than their usual MONSTA X style and vibe.

Were you a fan of The Dreaming?

Do you have a physical copy?

Which version(s) did you choose?

What were your thoughts on One Day and You Problem being released as singles?

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