Hi everybody, and welcome to a new Something Different Sunday, in which I talk about, well, something DIFFERENT than books.
Last week, I listed my ten favorite songs of 2022, the non-kpop edition. Which means that today, it’s time for my ten favorite kpop songs of the year!
I fell in love with kpop a few years ago and though it’s a genre that meets a lot of prejudice, there are some talented artists and amazing songs out there that deserve the recognition. If you’re new to kpop, feel free to try some of the songs below – a lot of these are in English so they’re perfect for a kpop newbie 🙂 Though I didn’t listen to kpop as intensively in 2022 as previous years, I still have quite a few favorites I want to highlight.
So here are my favorites of the year!
THE ABSOLUTE FAVORITE:
Dreamcatcher – Maison
If there is one kpop band I LOVE LOVE LOVE and would recommend everyone to listen to, it’s Dreamcatcher. This k-pop girl group has rock/fantasy vibes and that combo is my weak spot for sure. Their vocals, their visuals, their choreo, it’s all just so good!
“Save my home in the jungle
Save my home in the polar
Protect my home
Please someone fight for us”
Stray Kids – Maniac
Another must-have in any Lindsey k-pop list is Stray Kids. They always have the best power songs that will get stuck in your head, hyping you up for days.
“Relax everyone, stop pretending to be normal
All of your smiles look weird
When the lock is released, we’re all the same”
PSY – That That (prod. & feat. SUGA of BTS)
Sometimes you just need an uber catchy, poppy, feel-good song, especially after the pandemic, and that’s exactly what That That delivered. Psy may be best know from his top hit Gangnam Style, but this is my favorite. And yes, the fact that it features my favorite BTS boy definitely doesn’t hurt.
“Been aching all over for
Gotta scratch the itch for
Them crowded streets
Gotta love this hustle and bustle”
Woosung – Phase Me
Woosung may be featured on my list twice, once as a solo artist and once with his band The Rose, but it’s so well deserved because this man’s voice is amazing. This all-English song is so catchy and unique and I love it.
“It don’t phase me
The thought of you out getting wasted
Calling somebody else, “Baby”
I don’t need your love anymore, mm”
(G)I-DLE – Tomboy
I can never say no to a good girl power song and Tomboy is definitely a great one in the genre.
“Why are you cranky, boy?
What’s all the frown on your face
Do you want a blond barbie doll?
It’s not here, I’m not a doll”
Oneus – Same Scent
Oneus is one of my favorite kpop bands, they have not yet released any single song I didn’t like. Same Scent is my favorite of 2022 because it’s such a sensual song and I love the choreo in the water.
“The wind, it keeps on blowing
It reminds me of your perfume in the air
And every time you breathe out
Oh, it makes me feel like I might go insane”
Eric Nam – Lost On Me
Eric Nam released a full English album at the very beginning of the year and the whole album has been on my repeat for pretty much all of January. This Lost On Me is just one of many hits from that album.
“Even though we’re not meant to be
All your words left a mark on me
Might still hurt but I hope you see
All your love wasn’t lost on me”
BlackPink – Tally
Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of BlackPink’s official singles (Pink Venom and Shut Down), I still really loved every other song on their new album. I just feel like they show their talents better. My favorite has to be the English Tally.
“Everybody tells me to play nice
Everybody judge, but lookin’ twice
But my body don’t belong to, nah-uh-uh, none of them though
And I’m not gonna change ’cause you say so”
The Rose – Cure
Like I said above, Woosung’s voice deserves to be on this list twice. I’m so happy The Rose made a comeback this year and the new album was full of hits. My favorite was not an official single, but it still deserves some love because it’s so healing and empowering.
“Over complicating simple things
All the good things come alive
Where’s the eye to the impulsive kings
Need to remedy our minds”
Jackson Wang – Cruel
This song caught my eye first with the masterpiece of a music video that reminded me of my favorite book series called Red Winter. The cinematography, the choreo, the music vibes… they all come together to create such a unique piece of art.
“This ain’t what you want
This is what you need
Wake up in the morning
Know just what you need”
Tell Me:
What were some of your favorite kpop songs of 2022?
Do we have any in common?
Kpop is something I’ve never gotten into. To be honest, I haven’t really tried listening. I should. I’m glad there are so many songs you love in the category.
I fell in love with kpop a few years ago – I was watching a lot of anime at the time and somehow that lead to kpop and I loved it immediately. If you ever want to get into kpop, I hope you’ll find some artists and songs to love too 🙂
Maniac and Same Scent will be on my favorites list for sure! I am still getting my list together, but I can tell you that BTBT by B.I will be the top one. I am making all sorts of other lists leading up to my favorites over on my kpop channel if you are interested! https://www.youtube.com/@TheKpopKonverters
I’m happy to have found another book loving kpop friend!
Yay for Maniac and Same Scent! I’m looking forward to your full list 🙂