The KultScene went over 10 years of great music and came up with 100 absolute best. Or at least, that's what we think. Here are our best K-pop songs of the 2010s.
Nice list! But of course, I have to mention the ones on the list by SHINee :)
13. “MOVE” BY TAEMIN, 2017
Many associations can come to mind when listening to “Move” or watching its music video —especially if you’re old enough to have known the golden era of Michael Jackson and Prince. And while such grandiose associations would actually be a compliment to Taemin, they don’t make “Move” less unique. Echoing the drums and basslines of new wave music from the 80’s, along with a sophisticated R&B-influenced melody, the song is an ode to the beauty of the human body (no gender in particular) in motion. But “Move” is not just a song; it’s a moment, a testament of an artist fulfilling a unique layer of his potential, in a way few others – if any – could do. With his magnetic aura shining through every detail of the song, the style with which Taemin leads it is just unmatchable.
10. “LUCIFER” BY SHINEE, 2010
SHINee’s “Lucifer” draws on the brief biblical story of the angel Lucifer, who met his demise through narcissism and pride. The BeBe Rexha-penned track compares an entrancing whisper to Lucifer and explores the feeling of being trapped in attraction. “Lucifer” effortlessly entwined SHINee’s signature sound and electro-dance. It’s confined geometric choreography and engrossing beat catapulted SHINee into their niche. The quintet explored the vastness of electro and its subgenres establishing them as prominent figures in the genre’s revival. Through “Lucifer,” SHINee set the tone for the decade’s releases challenging artists to push the boundaries of concepts, presentation and vocal colors.
4. “VIEW” BY SHINEE, 2015
SHINee re-envisioned dance music’s influence in K-pop with this LDN Noise produced track. The track consists of easy-going aura that aligns with the liberty displayed in its video as the quintet embark on mischievous adventures across Thailand. Tapping into garage house and retro subharmonics, “View” focuses on fluttery vocals with amusing adlibs against its deep, recurring beat. “View”’s legacy lies within its undeniably impressive vocal delivery and its ability of merging the elements we loved from their debut track “Replay” with the tensity they’ve developed since. “View” is a refreshing moment for the group, foreshadowing their continued exploration into retro-inspired releases.
