But it appears on the Best Albums section of this round-up rather than the Best Songs section for a reason: the 12 other tracks from this release, connected by a running theme of light versus darkness, are just as strong. The rising soloist had a fantastic year releasing music that’s entrenched between dreamy bedroom pop and R&B, but “I’m good at goodbyes” was particularly emblematic of 2020’s general mood; the soft vocals on “I’m good at goodbyes” mirrored the loneliness we were all feeling as a lost spring transitioned into a lonely summer. Tags: kpop; kpop 2020; Hopkinz Veteran. “Oh that would be my first death I been always afraid of.”. Peppered with pangs of melancholy to root it in the grim reality of 2020, the track has feel-good guitar riffs and romantic lyrics of a “purple-hued night” to create the dreamy sonic getaway we all need even if we’re quarantined at home. 10) TWICE – Cry For Me. A successful pastiche of the ’80s that’s crafted by producer Ollipop, “LA DI DA” blends myriad influences: the layered cheerleader chants of Toni Basil's “Mickey,” the spunky girl power of Cyndi Lauper and the Go-Go's, the na-na-nas of Bananarama, and above all, the shimmering synth-pop sound that permeated the top half of that decade. By signing up you are agreeing to our, Let's Break Down Taylor Swift's New Album 'Evermore', Save on the cover price and get Free Issues, Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know now on politics, health and more, © 2021 TIME USA, LLC. “Cool” is a conceited celebration of self, though sometimes it just feels satisfying to flaunt what you got. Taemin’s solo music has always ventured to the dark side, but ever since “Move,” he’s peeled back layers of the human psyche that people often prefer keeping to themselves. DREAMCATCHER has taken an unconventional path and carved a niche with rock at the core of the group’s musical identity. The nine-member group combined retro influences from the ‘80s with its signature cheery sound for this lead single that is an instant earworm. One of the most emotionally impactful songs of the year is, ironically, delivered without any trace of emotion. Play on Spotify. K-pop was no exception, hitting its smaller and/or newer groups hard. It was the wrong year to be young and in love in 2020, but at least we had WOODZ to keep us company. EU Privacy Preferences, BILLBOARD is a registered trademark of Billboard IP Holdings, LLC. BEST OF 2020 MASTERPOST. Hwasa dropped her first solo project in 2019, and returned with a much more personal EP using her baptismal name as its title. -- R.M. TREASURE’s greatest strength is that they (correctly) understand flirting as both playful and serious, something summarized in the most evocative point dance this year: all 12 members staring straight-faced at the camera, bobbing their heads as they hold up finger hearts. Not to mention there’s plenty more to come. -- M.M. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -- L.S. “Destroy me more,” he says, as he embraces the alternate version of himself -- the Mr. Hyde to his Dr. Jekyll -- despite knowing full well that it might just be the beginning of the end. The track puts the singing of its members front and center, highlighting these six seasoned performers—Apink debuted in 2011—as they effortlessly command attention with their vocal prowess. In other words, the show went on. 2. Their story about a fateful connection written in the stars unreels in literal terms as they liken each other to celestial bodies, measuring their love in galactic proportions. Share. It’s delicate but not weak, breathy but not lacking substance—something like a gentle caress to the ear. Better known for their aggressive, anthemic bangers, the members of Monsta X here unleash a soft and sensual side as they teasingly sing some of K-pop’s most suggestive lyrics. 18. Let’s find out if your favorite song is in this chart. 12/23/2020 you can check out my other videos! Their story about a fateful connection written in the stars unreels in literal terms as they liken each other to celestial bodies, measuring their love in galactic proportions. In 2019, supergroup SuperM debuted to much pomp and circumstance—the act brought together seven of SM Entertainment’s star idols from the groups SHINee, EXO, NCT 127 and WayV. Like Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga, Twice were hip to electro bass lines this year in “I CAN’T STOP ME.” The girl group bask in the elastic, strobing synth that pulses under the glamorous nu-disco track, and it snaps into formation come the chorus. G-Friend – MAGO (G)IDLE – Oh My God. 3:11 0:30. Sorry, but the only story of impassioned love I need is from TREASURE. The Funky Bassline featured prominently in countless boy group releases, and while many acts were content with letting TFB do all the heavy lifting. Die erfolgreichsten Hits 2020 der Single-Charts in Deutschland. Even more notable is her lyrical prowess: this is the swan song of her relationship -- it’s painful and desperate and she clings to deceptive hope. -- L.S. “LA DI DA” melds these all together, with K-pop twists: a killing part punctuated by handclaps, a tempo-shifting rap section carried by leader E:U, and an earworm of a melody evocative of early ’10s K-pop -- a time when choruses were packed with hooky vocal melodies instead of hollow drops. His music always uses visual imagery as an extension, working in tandem with the music -- and as he looks around dazed and deranged, or beckons the danger closer, you get the feeling that he’s also appealing to the alter-ego inside of you. Day6 is not the only band in K-pop (the group is formed by musicians on the guitar, bass, keyboard and drums) but it has consistently produced some of the most stirring songs. The push-and-pull of any romance is often the most enticing yet stressful aspect of it all. What’s captivating about Twice is that even as they sing about inner turmoil, the words are expressed through sweet-toned voices and upbeat tunes—giving the listener a reassuring, revitalizing hug. While 2020 has been far from a banner year for K-pop, with the coronavirus pandemic impacting the industry through disbandments, canceled tours, and shelved comebacks, there have been enough pleasant surprises to keep fans plugged in. Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. Lee Jin Hyuk, “Bedlam” (Splash! The group’s demeanor is as spartan as the icy beat, and they amplify their bratty voices to assert their flawlessness. As she goes from describing pictures of endings that occur all across nature to talking about how this feels on a personal level, she emphasizes the gravity of her heartbreak against the weight of the cosmos: you may be a small speck in the grand scheme of things, but right now, your pain is valid. The song showcased a naughty side of the members through the lyrics. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Disco was pop music's flavor of choice around the world this year, but few pulled it off with as much sophistication as Sunmi. MY TOP 30 KPOP SONGS OF 2020. “Cool” is a conceited celebration of self, though sometimes it just feels satisfying to flaunt what you got. Think of “La Di Da” as the exhilarating theme song to a superhero movie. Thanks to a virtual flattening of borders, musical trends in the States now get reflected in. Everglow – LA DI DA. Belift Lab. Through unsettling sounds and an idyllic music video that devolves into something frightening, TXT lay bare a horror rarely spoken of: watching a friendship fade before your eyes. my top 10 kpop songs of 2020. This was a great year for soloists in K-pop, and no one was more honest with themselves than WOODZ. This mature message successfully connected with a large audience, and “Dumhdurum” became a knockout success in both Korea (topping all local music charts) and the, charts (tying for their longest-running hit on. -- M.M. One could readily claim SEVENTEEN have made their own “Cupid Shuffle,” but they’re aiming for something beyond mere dance instructional: this is a song for transforming every moment into a cause for celebration. All Rights Reserved. TREASURE, “I LOVE YOU” (THE FIRST STEP : CHAPTER TWO), Romeo and Juliet? Please attempt to sign up again. -- JEFF BENJAMIN, For their first comeback in two years, APRIL play the enchanting lead roles of a cosmic love drama, set to a lush production with synths that shine like gemstones. Ever since their cheerleader romp of a debut, they’ve encouraged uncompromising self-love by modeling it themselves -- their brand of girl crush is less the confident scoff of BLACKPINK’s “Look at you, now look at me” and more “Look to me, now look at you!” On “Wannabe,” they invite us again to dance, gilding a shapeshifting electro-pop beat and 2000s guitar-pop chugs with whimsical flourishes: flexatones, DJ scratches, the crank of a winding key. The range of songs provide accompaniment to every activity one might do in isolation: the hard-hitting title track, “One (Monster & Infinity),” and pre-release single (“100”) can heat up a solo dance party; the ballad (“Better Days”) about this “world full of uncertainty” can inspire a cathartic quarantine cry. Both Go Live and In Life offer a feast of dynamic hooks and festive vibes, but In Life has the slight upper hand in no small part because it introduced the lead single “Back Door”—a high-energy track brimming with pizzazz (and one of TIME’s 10 Best Songs of 2020). But “Dumhdurum” didn’t just leave a mark for its electronic production. As cohesive as it is musically, its magic lies in how perfectly it fits into the ethos of. A delicate bridge with jazzy piano riffs leads to the high-energy final chorus, not unlike the instrumental interludes of a musical. My Top Kpop Songs of September 2020. With elements of city pop and refreshing touches of flute, “pporappippam” delivers a story of both passion and optimism for the K-diva’s first proper love song released as a single. In spite of the track’s suave sound, the lyrics have SF9 practically begging their love interest for a chance, closing on the line “Hold me tight before it’s too late.” But even though it’s doubtful that they’ll get the girl, it doesn’t matter -- these good guys still won. And can you really blame those of us who do? Orpheus and Eurydice? Twice fight to keep cool, though it’s hard to notice when they nail such a spotless performance. It’s only fitting that one of the tallest boy groups in the K-pop industry excels in catwalk-ready K-pop. In our own whirlpools of flirting and call backs, IG-reels and missed messages, “BUMP BUMP” was comfortingly straightforward -- with WOODZ relaying what he wants, exactly how he wants it. “You won’t be able to escape/ Only dream of me,” they sing, and APRIL’s insistence to be your world makes the attraction of “LALALILALA” difficult to resist. Sweet tunes, dulcet harmonies and tender falsettos abound in songs that range from bouncy electro-pop jams (“Love U,” “Someone’s Someone”) to gentle, synth-infused ballads (“She’s the One,” “Misbehave”). Nine years into their career, Apink are still more than equipped to bring their A-Game, and that deserves larger recognition all in itself for the industry to pay equal attention to both its senior and developing artists. The Top 40 Pop Songs Of 2020 2020 In Review December 14, 2020 2:21 PM By Chris DeVille This column has reached the end of its seventh(!) Who among us doesn’t have an internet-damaged brain? --. Using the title as a metaphor -- to represent both the one-of-a-kind phenomenon they are and the 2010 movie where a ballerina makes the ultimate sacrifice for her art -- the superstar septet investigates their underlying anxieties until declaring they won’t let fear win over passion in the end. To be eligible for this top 50 list, songs… Stray Kids’ adherence to their “more is more” M.O. Twice fight to keep cool, though it’s hard to notice when they nail such a spotless performance. Throughout 13 tracks grounded in the artists’ rich vocals, they blend this rock sound with different influences including EDM (“Scream”), Latin (“Red Sun”) and R&B (“Daybreak”). It’s a full-fledged motion picture packed into just over three minutes to tell a rare, real-life story of one of the world’s biggest stars. ), While K-pop fans fell for Lee Jin Hyuk as a member of UP10TION and stand-out contestant on 2019's Produce X 101 singing competition, the singer-rapper proved his true rock star power this year with sophomore EP Splash! “You won’t be able to escape/ Only dream of me,” they sing, and APRIL’s insistence to be your world makes the attraction of “LALALILALA” difficult to resist. On “Back Door,” Stray Kids tighten their production without, exuberance, transforming their signature bombastic EDM into something more, Who among us doesn’t have an internet-damaged brain? , and above all, the shimmering synth-pop sound that permeated the top half of that decade. GFRIEND’s 2020 journey is also reflected in the structure of Walpurgis Night, through the inclusion of the group’s lead singles released in February (“Crossroads”) and July (“Apple”). As such, find 20 songs below that we loved in 2020, that brought us away from the worries of the world. The end of the year countdowns are finally here! Tweet. Dreamy, gloomy hip-hop soundscapes lay the backdrop for the chart-toppers to open up about their darkest fears: that they may one day fall out of love with music. Even more notable is her lyrical prowess: this is the swan song of her relationship -- it’s painful and desperate and she clings to deceptive hope. Later, they opt for collective unity: “If you feel me, turn this beat up.” They know the dancefloor is an oasis for enlivening self-expression, and they’ll drag you there by hand if they need to. The Funky Bassline featured prominently in countless boy group releases, and while many acts were content with letting TFB do all the heavy lifting, Stray Kids’ adherence to their “more is more” M.O. Moderator. Consider this an introduction to the many K-pop singles that dazzled us, impressed us, and moved us throughout the past 12 months. Day6’s “Zombie” zeroes in on feeling void of purpose—“Breathin’, but I’ve been dyin’ inside/ Nothin’ new and nothin’ feels right,” vocalist Young K opens in the English version—and its message is boosted by the singers’ monotonous tone and cyclical drum beats. Through these releases, many of our favorite artists experimented with their sounds, all while building deeper connections with an audience they could only interact with from a distance. Top 3 K-Pop Songs of December 2020 . Across the K-pop spectrum, some musical genres are more widespread than others. To be eligible for this top 50 list,… While K-pop fans fell for Lee Jin Hyuk as a member of UP10TION and stand-out contestant on 2019's, singing competition, the singer-rapper proved his true rock star power this year with sophomore EP. -- RYO MIYAUCHI, 16. This vocal timbre is at the center of Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 2, one of the most cohesive-sounding 2020 releases. -- in both the U.S. and South Korea -- throwback sounds were ubiquitous should. To dancefloors 10 Kpop songs of the tallest boy groups in the K-pop industry excels in catwalk-ready K-pop ( Wide. Bratty voices to assert their flawlessness Redlist Playlists popularity and just going by quality... So far ) into his world to Dance to his own rhythm their dance-pop... Arts-Themed “ kick it ” are jarring t just leave a mark for its electronic production, find 20 below... 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