Manga and Anime Maniac

NO.19

Google Images

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

HYBE LABELS

l i f e i s c o o l

NO.18

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

HYBE LABELS

Brought The Heat Back

Owned by Be:Lift

HYBE LABELS

NO.14

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

i hate fruits

NO.7

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

NO.5

Google images

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

Google Images

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

PENTAGON 펜타곤 (Official YouTube Channel)

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

Google Images

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

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, 14 November 2022

Girls Generation - Forever 1

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

Forever 1 is Girls Generation's 7th full length album.

On the 17th may 2022, SM Entertainment announced that Girls Generation would be releasing an album in August, to celebrate their 15th anniversary, their 1st release as a group in 5 years.

On the 27th of July 2022, the first set of Mr. Taxi Teaser Images were released.

On the 28th of July 2022, the 2nd set of Mr. Taxi Teaser Images were released.

On the 29th of July 2022, the 3rd and final set of Mr. Taxi Teaser Images were released.

On the 30th of July 2022, the Forever 1 Mood Sampler was released.

Owned by SM Entertainment

GIRLS' GENERATION

On the 31st of July 2022, the first set of Cosmic Festa Teaser Images were released.

On the 1st of August 2022, the 2nd set of Cosmic Festa Teaser Images were released.

On the 2nd of August 2022, the 3rd set of Cosmic Festa Teaser Images were released.

On the 3rd of August 2022, the final Cosmic Festa Teaser Images were released.

On the 4th of August 2022, the Forever 1 M/V Teaser 01 was released.

Owned by SM Entertainment

On the 5th of August 2022, the Forever 1 M/V Teaser 02 was released, along with the first Forever 1 Teaser Image, as well as the release of the M/V and the digital release of their 7th full album of the same name.

Owned by SM Entertainment

Owned by SM Entertainment

On the 6th of August 2022, the first set of Forever 1 Images were released.

On the 7th of August 2022, the final set of Forever 1 Images were released.

On the 8th of August 2022, the Forever 1 album was physically released.

On the 5th of August 2022, on both YouTube and TikTok, Girls Generation held a live event called "Girls Generation Forever 1 Countdown Live", to introduce the album and to commemorate their 15th anniversary with their fans.

Sooyoung and Tiffany co-wrote on the lyrics for Seventeen.

Sooyoung and Tiffany wrote the lyrics for Villain, with Tiffany also co-composing on the track.

Forever 1 peaked at No.2 on the Circle Albums Chart, No.9 on the Oricon Albums Chart, No.28 on the UK Digital Albums Chart and No.16 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart.

Circle Sales = 288,567+

Oricon Sales = 12,033+

Giving the album a total of 300,600+ in sales.

*YouTube views correct at time of writing post*

The M/V for Forever 1 has so far gained 49,057,158 million views, with the views continuing to increase on a daily basis.

Forever 1 was released in 2 versions: Standard and Deluxe.

The Standard version is set out like a paperback book case and comes with the Cd, photo book, random postcard, random folded poster and a random photo card.

The Deluxe version is set out in a box case and comes with the Cd, photo book, lyrics paper, sticker sheet, random ticket, random invitation card, a group photo card and a random photo card.

Photo books for both versions are different.

Track List:

Forever 1

Lucky Like That

Seventeen

Villain

You Better Run

Closer

Mood Lamp

완벽한 장면 (Summer Night)

Freedom

종이비행기 (Paper Plane)

Standard Version

Deluxe Version

As you can see and not surprisingly, I have both versions of the album, I love the layout for both versions, and I especially love the photo books for both versions, especially for the Deluxe version. The pictures, styling and colours are just stunning.

I mentioned above that there is a group photo card, which because I have mine in my phone case at the back of my phone, I forgot to take a picture.

The album itself for me, is well worth the 5 year wait, each track is catchy and embodies Girls Generation, what I love about Girls Generation is that they kept their sound and style pretty much the same throughout their career, following their own musical route rather than going with what is popular at the time, and this album is no different.

What's not to love about Forever 1, no matter how many times I listen to this song, it gives me goosebumps. I love how they included the music for Into the New World in the bridge, it connects their beginnings, especially after being away for 5 years. I love the line distribution, it's definitely one of my favourites. I will also admit that when I watched the M/V for the first time, I cried.

Forever 1

KBS WORLD TV

I love the melody and vocalization for Lucky Like That, for me throughout the song they all have their moment to shine, and I think it's a song that shows how they've all grown vocally. Also the melody is stunning, it's a song that always gets me singing along.

Lucky Like That

Seohyun's vocals at the start of Seventeen are stunning, and each of the members vocals fit the melody perfect. I love the contrast between the vocals and the raps, I love when we get to hear Hyoyeon rap. Out of all the tracks on this album, this gives me b-side nostalgic.

Seventeen

Puno Autopop

I've been in love with Villain since they teased it on their live countdown, I have to say it's definitely my favourite b-side on this album and it's still a track I listen to a lot. I love Yoona's rap, it's definitely one of the highlights for this track for me. I think I can honestly say too that this is overall my favourite GG b-side.

Villain

I can remember being conflicted when I first heard You Better Run, I didn't know if I liked the vocal to rap section in the verses, but the more I listened the more I fell in love with the song. I love how they said it was a continuation of Run Devil Run. For me this track reminds me of their I Got A Boy album, as I think it's a style that would have fit perfectly on that album.

You Better Run

Chaecado

Closer makes me think of their Lion Heart album, and this is one of the tracks that always gets me singing along to the chorus. I love all their vocals, they fit perfectly with the melody, and I love that we get Hyoyeon rapping again. Overall this track for all their vocal tones.

Closer

Puno Autopop

I love the melody and chorus for Mood Lamp, it's such a calming and relaxing song. Also again their harmonization is stunning.

Mood Lamp

For me 완벽한 장면 (Summer Night) has a similar vibe to Mood Lamp, the tempo is just increased a little. The style of this song also reminds me of something that would be on TTS' Dear Santa album, it has a slight wintery and christmassy feel to it.

완벽한 장면 (Summer Night)

Chaecado

I love Freedom, it's one of those songs that when I see the title, the chorus comes straight to mind. I love that they all stand out and that no-one outshines the rest. I love the melody for this track, it's perfect for all of their vocals.

Freedom

The melody for 종이비행기 (Paper Plane) is perfect, as is the track itself, it's another of my favourite tracks from this album. For me this song is not long enough, it ends way too quickly. For me, vocally, this is my favourite track, I feel that you can hear their emotion and sincerity in this song. It never fails at making me feel emotional.

종이비행기 (Paper Plane)