My top 15 kpop songs of 2020
It's the last week of the year and that means I'll be counting down my favorite things in kpop and kdramas. There were so many good songs this year to the point I found hard to make a top 10 so I made a top 15 this year and it's never my intention but once again there's a lot of YG and SM in my list.
15.5. TREASURE- I LOVE YOU. 2020 marked the big debut of YG's new boygroup. Their first song Boy was ok but I love you was definitely my favorite of their songs so far. Just a fun dance song with the great rapping and vocals of the TREASURE members.
15. LEE SUHYUN-ALIEN. AKMU's Suhyun has such a beautiful voice that she can really sing anything but this song is just so much fun. The lyrics actually talks about an alien that comes to Earth.
14. Zico-Any song. This song was released in January so I almost forgot to add it to my list but it was yet another Zico hit on the korean charts. The song talks about just putting any song and dance to it so you can leave your boredom behind.
13. Aespa-Black mamba. SM surprised everyone by announcing a brand new four member girl group this year and they really came with a bang. This song has such a strong beat and amazing vocals (as expected of SM). The aesthetic of the MV is really something. The lyrics talk, in SM fashion, of the fantastical world they created for Aespa.
12. KAI-Mmmh. Kai made his much awaited debut with this r&b song and it's just so catchy. The MV is amazing. The special effects, the fashion, the choreo and of course Kai being Kai made this one of my favorite MVs of the year.
11. MINO-Runaway. I'm actually still a bit surprised this song didn't make the top spots of the korean charts because it is so damn good. Song Minho expressed so much in only 2:25 minutes. The beat is so interesting on this one but it's the lyrics and just his delivery that was a show itself.
10. BTS-Dynamite. The first few songs BTS released this year were just not my cup of tea but Dynamite was so good. Made me realize maybe their more pop-ish songs are the ones I enjoyed the most. This funky song about having fun just had me from the first listen and I especially loved Jimin's parts.
9. Taemin-IDEA. For me, 2020 was Taemin's year. He released two FULL albums with crazy good songs. IDEA was the title of his second album. Leaving out the kickass choreo, the song is just so strong. The beat is really something and BOA was featured in the chorus. The lyrics talk about someone being a Messiah, a dream, an idea that hurts you.
8. Red velvet Irene &Seulgi-Monster. Red Velvet had a rough 2020. They had to halt their activities because of Wendy's accident and then Irene had an scandal. However in the middle of it all Irene and Seulgi released a really fun song called Monster as a new subunit. The choreo, the artistic shots of the MV and the great beat made this a major debut.
7. BAEKHYUN- Candy. This is just the perfect R&B song. So catchy and filled with Baekhyun's beautiful vocals.
6. Chen-Hello. According to Spotify this was my most listened song of the year. Even if other songs got me more excited than this one I just keep coming back to this beautiful ballad by EXO's Chen. The song is about being unable to share your feelings with someone you love.
5. EXO SC ft. Gaeko- Fly Away. Chanyeol and Sehun made the lyrics of their first full album really personal and this song Fly Away is just such a joy to listen to even if the lyrics are bittersweet. They talk about trying to realize your dreams and being too old to blame your shortcomings on your age. Of course, Gaeko's vocals, who also was the main producer of the album, just take this song to a another level. As a Chanyeol biased his rapping on this one is just so good to listen to.
4. Super M- Tiger Inside. This song is everything I wanted from SuperM since their debut. Something different. Something fun. Lyrics that actually make sense. Amazing vocals and choreo. Mark and Taeyeong killing their verses. The song is about facing your fears head on.
3. Blackpink-How you like that. This song it's just such an anthem for people that are picking themselves up after a break up. Also I'm so obsessed with the second verse sang by Rosé.
2. WINNER-Remember. Song Minho wrote this beautiful ballad that marked the last WINNER comeback we'll have in a long while as two members enlisted. I've always liked WINNER's ballads but this one is so emotional to listen to every time. The lyrics goes like this "There’s no such thing as a “good” break-up. So I have to be a bad guy...Please don't forget me. Remember me".
1. Taemin-Criminal. From the first second of this song it just felt different. As I said before I've always liked Taemin as a solo artist. I think he just knows what suits him best in terms of music, singing and choreo. Of course performance wise the MV is mind blowing and the 80's retro sound paired with some modern beats make this song an interesting one. However it's Taemin's haunting vocals that really did it for me. I just keep listening to this song over and over and watching the MV. I definitely obsessed about Criminal's performances but also the dark lyrics. They talk about a dysfunctional relationship. Taemin has said it's about Stockholm Syndrom.
