I can’t believe it’s been over three years since I made an official Top 50 list for this blog. I actually had one in the works at the end of 2021 (the last time I was super active here), but I never finished because I was moving and there was way too much happening. Since I’m making a fresh start this year – slightly delayed after getting sick AGAIN – I figured bringing the Top 50 back would be a good place to begin. Some of my tastes in K-pop have changed over the years, and some have remained the same as ever. I think that looking back at my favorite songs in 2023 is my opportunity to catch you up with who I am as a K-pop fan right now.
After I moved to Seoul, the way I consumed K-pop became very different from when I was in France, the States, and even in Busan. These days, I mostly listen to albums and attend concerts when I can. It’s a lot more about the music itself and then live events whenever possible. I hardly watch music videos beyond the first time, and I NEVER watch variety shows or interviews anymore. (I still like K-pop survival shows, though… because drama.) While I look at performance or dance videos from time to time, that tends to be in more in waves and not a constant throughout the year.
Since my habits have changed significantly, I changed my personal criteria for ranking my Top 50 releases this year. While all of the elements I usually consider remained the same – song, choreography, style, aesthetics, and level of interest – the way they’re weighted is a little different. This time, I mostly focused on the music and how engaged/interested I was in the release. Though it’s a little hard to convert my feelings into points or percentages, it kind of looked like this: music 40% (song 30% and how much/oftened I listened 10%), level of interest and engagement with the comeback/era 30%, choreography and performance 20%, and aesthetics 10%. If I had trouble ranking two songs, I chose the one that I felt was better in terms of music quality – unless there was definitive proof that I spent more time on the other one.
In past entries for this series, I’ve mostly used a semi-professional tone like an entertainment writer. But since I’ve been on hiatus and haven’t written anything for so long, I thought that I’d be a little more personal this time around. After all, a “Top 50” list is supposed to be pretty subjective anyway. I’ll still keep a little of that “reviewer” aspect, but I’ll also be sharing more of my own feelings and experiences than I normally do for these kinds of posts. This will be especially obvious in this first entry, which mostly consists of songs I had mixed feelings on but ultimately ended up liking. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
#50. EL7Z UP, “Cheeky”
OMG this group name… I type it wrong EVERY SINGLE TIME I was an avid follower of Queendom Puzzle, and I spent a lot of time watching it over the summer. Five of my picks ultimately made it into EL7Z UP (and I’m fine with the other two), so I was really pumped for their activities. However, I have to admit I was a little taken aback by “Cheeky.” Most of the EL7Z UP members became popular through performing powerful and mature concepts on Queendom Puzzle, so I thought they would go in that direction for their debut. I wasn’t expecting the upbeat and cute vibe that “Cheeky” had. I also felt it was very different from many of the original music that was produced for the show, both in terms of tone and quality. While I clearly wasn’t that sold on “Cheeky” initially, I gained much more appreciation for it as time went on. It definitely has some interesting elements that I like. The melody is pretty unique, and the strong bass running throughout the song gives it a distinct flair. On the visual side, the dancer in me is drawn to the intricate hand details of the key point choreography. It’s clearly tailor-made for social media challenges, but it’s also fun to learn. Though “Cheeky” is not my favorite song to come from Queendom Puzzle, I still think it’s a solid start for EL7Z UP.
#49. BABYMONSTER, “Batter Up”
Though BABYMONSTER didn’t officially debut until November, I felt like I was constantly hearing about them throughout 2023. Fans really kept the buzz going in those months following Last Evaluation. (Which, for the record, I didn’t watch since I guessed the ending before it even started). All of the internet talk definitely made me curious about what BABYMONSTER would be like. Based on their debut, I’d say things are looking pretty good for them. I find “Batter Up” to be a very typical YG release: attractive thudding beat, vocals and rap dripping with confidence, energy steadily building to a hyped up ending, etc. “Typical YG” is a bit of a double-edged sword, but let’s look at the positives first. I personally enjoy YG’s trademark sound, so I like the hip hop style and the “cool kid” vibes of “Batter Up.” BABYMONSTER definitely has the charisma and swag to succeed with this concept. The melody is also pretty catchy, and I’ve been listening to “Batter Up” fairly regularly since it came out. That being said, the reason it’s towards the bottom of my list is also because it follows the YG formula so closely. BABYMONSTER did very well with what they were given, but there also isn’t anything I haven’t seen or heard before – and I want to know more about their unique qualities. I can see the members have a lot of potential, so I look forward to subsequent releases.
#48. Monsta X, “Beautiful Liar”
I’ve been into Monsta X ever since I first discovered K-pop, and they’ve become near and dear to my heart. In fact, I’m pretty sure that they’ve made it onto my Top 50 list every year. (I actually feel a little emotional writing about them right now, since most of them are in the military.) In recent times, I’ve found that my reactions to Monsta X music have slightly changed. Their songs used to be exactly my style, and I would instantly fall in love. I still like their singles now, but I have to spend some time with them and let them grow on me. This was definitely the case with “Beautiful Liar.” In the beginning, I mostly heard it as an edgy pop rock song – which was fun and exciting, but not quite to my taste. After repeated listens, however, it made a much better impression. Back in the day, Monsta X had a very macho image and an aggressive sound. They sometimes did rock music, but mostly favored hip hop. As they grew older, they slowly matured into sexier sounds. When I thought about it, I realized “Beautiful Liar” blended Monsta X’s two concepts . It initially seems like it’s all energy with the powerful percussion and the searing electric guitar, but the smooth vocals and sensual chorus help balance things out. Once I figured that out that it was the best of both worlds, I enjoyed it a lot more.
#47. Kep1er, “Galileo”
As I’ve said many times before on this blog, I have a famously short attention span when it comes to K-pop. Somehow, it’s become even shorter in recent years. These days, I really do keep moving if I’m not feeling a song after the first listen. Of course, this can lead to situations where I initially dismiss a song… only to come back and find out I like it much better than I thought I did. However, Kep1er’s “Galileo” is one of those few times when I will openly admit it. I vaguely recall checking it out upon release, but I barely had any reactions or opinions about it. (I was having work troubles at the time, so maybe it was because of burnout.) A couple months later, I watched it again and asked myself how I could have passed over such a fun and charming song. Bright and bubbly tracks aren’t always my thing, but this one hits the spot for me. The vocals are appropriately sweet without getting too saccharine, and the melody makes me want to get up and dance along. After listening to “Galileo” more closely, I think it reminds me of girl group music that was popular back when I first got into K-pop – particularly the bouncy dance break that ultimately reeled me in. “Galileo” is on the lower end of this list because of my belated discovery, but it could have ended up much higher if there had been just a bit more time in 2023.
#46. PURPLE KISS, “Sweet Juice”
Recently, I’ve noticed that K-pop music videos have been focusing more on the idols’ appearances. Since K-pop has always placed a high emphasis on visuals, that’s not super surprising. However, that also means those high-concept music videos with interesting plotlines have largely fallen out of fashion – and it makes me a little sad. That’s why I appreciate groups like PURPLE KISS, who really go all in on their concepts. “Sweet Juice” definitely is one of my favorite music videos of 2023. Although the premise of the girls in a haunted hotel is simple in theory, it gives way to some impressive storytelling and world-building in a very short span of time. There are crazy amounts of eye-catching details, and I feel like I discover something new every time I watch it. As for the song itself, I really love its elegantly haunting sound. The melody is almost hypnotizing, and the violin and piano are standouts in the stellar arrangement. I really like PURPLE KISS because of how they skillfully balance all of (what I think are) the essential elements of K-pop. Not only are the music and aesthetics equally important, but they also work together and complement each other. In my opinion, this is what makes PURPLE KISS concept masters – and “Sweet Juice” is the perfect example.
#45. ZEROBASEONE, “Crush”
When I first got into K-pop, one of the things that I really liked about it was that some songs had unconventional structures. Some hit singles from idol groups of previous generations go all over the place, and I always enjoy that experience not knowing what to expect. This is another trend that seems to be on its way out, as Western pop’s influence and K-pop agencies’ desires to go global loom larger than ever. However, I like to think that ZEROBASEONE brought it back a little with “Crush.” When I listen to it, I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. It starts out with some smooth vocals, and then the first half of the chorus is basically all frantic rhythm mixed with passionate singing. (I know the sound of the cascading percussion is polarizing, but I personally LOVE it.) It repeats the cycle, slows things down for a gentle bridge, and then explodes into the final chorus. It’s such a wild ride, and I’m totally here for it. The choreography is also very enjoyable, with memorable and hard-hitting key points. I personally voted for Gunwook during Boys Planet – and I actually started regularly voting on survival shows because of him – so I was happy to see him take a prominent center moment. And of course, everyone’s visuals are stellar as always. All in all, “Crush”is a solid offering from ZEROBASEONE for their first comeback.
#44. ENHYPEN, “Bite Me”
Despite ENHYPEN’s popularity, I still don’t know them all that well. Back during their debut, I wanted to watch their survival show before truly checking them out… but I guess that ship has sailed after three years. Since I don’t regularly follow them, I only heard “Bite Me” completely by chance months after its release. I was riding in my friend’s car, and it happened to come up on her Spotify playlist. I immediately loved EVERYTHING about it – the sensual vibes, the dance-worthy beat, the memorable melody, the catchy chorus, and the members’ alluring voices. I also really like the choreography, especially the original version. I felt that the initial choice to use female dancers was quite daring, and it gave the comeback a very bold and mature feel that you don’t usually get from K-pop boy groups in their early twenties. “Bite Me” is ENHYPEN going all in on their vampire concept, and I’m here for it. (It occurs to me that I used to love shows like The Vampire Diaries when I was in MY early twenties, so maybe I’d be more into ENHYPEN if our ages were closer.) This comeback ended up in a lower spot on my list because of my overall lack of engagement with it and ENHYPEN in general… but if we were talking about the song alone, it would rank MUCH higher.
#43. The Boyz, “Watch It”
Over time, The Boyz have become known for two distinct and different concepts. “Watch It” aligns with the sexy and self-assured image that they’ve been working on in more recent years, since their time on Road to Kingdom and then Kingdom. It’s a very smooth and alluring number, contrasting verses layered with honey vocals and choruses with shorter staccato statements. While they’re technically warning listeners about falling for their charms, in reality each member is working over time to captivate his target. One standout example is Sunwoo’s soft and breathy “Yeah hi hello, my name is what you want it to [be].” (Obviously my personal favorite.) Pair the song with a choreography filled with direct and confident movements, and you can almost feel the confidence and charisma in the air. In my opinion, The Boyz have been getting better and better with every passing year. I spent a significant amount of time listening to their music throughout 2023, and all three of their comebacks ultimately made it onto my list. “Watch It” ended up the lowest ranked purely because it’s the newest, but there are still plenty of listens left before I get tired of it.
#42. TXT, “Sugar Rush Ride”
TXT is one of those groups that I personally feel very “middle of the road” about. They’re incredibly talented – that’s undeniable – but their music doesn’t always match my specific tastes. Sometimes I really enjoy their songs, and sometimes I have a more neutral reaction where I’m not really interested. Thankfully, “Sugar Rush Ride” lands in the former category. It definitely caught my attention and threw me for a loop. During the first listen, I thought that it was going to be a classic pop rock sounding song. (One thing I will say about TXT: whether I like their music or not, it’s always well-produced and sounds good.) Imagine my surprise when the chorus took a sudden sexy turn, highlighted by alluring whistles and soft gentle breaths. I was absolutely stunned, and seeing that sensual slow-down highlighted in the choreography really elevated its quality. I also really love the music video and its gorgeous island setting, which does an excellent job of portraying the themes of paradise and temptation. I didn’t spend a lot of time on “Sugar Rush Ride” when it first came out… but throughout the year, I always found myself going back for more.
#41. LIGHTSUM, “Honey or Spice”
Maybe it’s the Gemini in me, but I’m all about duality. I really love things that have unexpected sides and hidden charms. When LIGHTSUM first debuted with “Vanilla,” I liked how it was a fun pop song that was able to give me some surprises. 2023’s “Honey or Spice” tackles the same dual idea of sugary yet sassy, and (in my opinion) successfully takes it even further. The concept is literally in the song title, as the girls muse about how they’re able to be sweet or spicy depending on their whims. The verses are mostly smooth melodies – a literal take on the term “honey vocals” – while the punctuated beats in chorus pack a little more of a punch. Much like “Vanilla,” the choreography helps highlight that contrast by giving the members more confident and assured key points. (Anything that has shimmying and body rolls is a plus in my book.) I don’t know all of the LIGHTSUM members, but I think “Honey of Spice” is a great fit for the ones I’m familiar with. Especially Chowon, who has a very beautiful and lovely sounding voice but is often styled to look like more of a baddie. While I don’t follow LIGHTSUM that much compared to other groups, I am impressed by their ability to seamlessly balance and blend two contrasting concepts in one song. It’s what drew me to them in the first place, so I definitely hope they keep releasing music in this vein.
NOTES: All music videos are from YouTube. All images are teaser photos for a group or artist’s comeback unless indicated otherwise below*. Image credits go to: Apple Monster (EL7Z UP), BELIFT Lab (ENHYPEN)**, Big Hit Music (TXT)**, Cube Entertainment (LIGHTSUM), IST Entertainment (The Boyz), RBW Entertainment (PURPLE KISS), Starship Entertainment (Monsta X), WAKEONE Entertainment (Kep1er and ZEROBASEONE), and YG Entertainment (BABYMONSTER)
*The image of Kep1er is from when they were promoting Galileo on music shows. You can find the original on their X (Twitter) account here.
**BELIFT Lab and Big Hit Music are part of HYBE, which also distributes their music videos.
Featured image made by me using Canva.
Katherine Does K-POP 