The Top 100 K-pop Songs of 2023 (Title Tracks and B-sides) – (10-1)

10. Perfume – NCT DOJAEJUNG

The problem with many atmospheric K-pop songs is that they often do not provide a strong melodic backbone to capitalize on the atmosphere created through the production. ‘Perfume’ sports no such problem, succeeding in sensually seducing the listener with its siren-like vocals and intoxicating melodies that are simultaneously lifted by the propulsing instrumental. 

9. Higher – n.SSign

‘Higher’ utterly succeeds in being a grand vocal showcase that is absolutely unbecoming of a rookie. The song’s emotional nuances are captured through the excellent vocal delivery by all the members, and its melodies, in turn, are boosted because of this. This results into a memorable final product that will be able to stand the test of time. 

8. Turn it off – NINE.i

Burgeoning the most innovative and outlandish piece of K-pop production of 2023, ‘Turn it off’ is a sheer sensory assault- to the point that one can argue that it is too overpowering. That was my first impression, as at times, the vocals are almost drowned. However, given more listens, even though the latter still remains true, it is still an excellent piece of art as its hooks are more potent than I expected.

7. Get A Guitar – RIIZE

‘Get A Guitar’ is the very definition of an earworm. This can be a good or a bad thing, but time has shown its melodies’ enduring longevity. It plays with the beat and rhythm skillfully and tastefully, and the vocal arrangement is extremely commendable, giving it a level of sheen unexpected for a rookie group. 

6. MOVE – T5 (TREASURE)

‘Move’ is a triumphant return to the sexy concept that is tastefully executed in every sense of the word, sporting a ridiculously groovy beat that will remain iconic for the years to come. With ‘Move’, TREASURE has officially become one of my favorite K-pop boy groups. Junkyu is a musical genius, and I will gladly await his future creations. 

5. FIREWORK – &TEAM

‘FIREWORK’ is the crowning jewel of HYBE’s 2023 output. Everything that one would criticize about the music of HYBE- excessive vocal filters, autotune- all works in Firework, thanks to its full commitment to its motif of loss and youth through its melodies and the raw vocal delivery of the &Team members that forcefully remains apparent through the HYBE corporate sheen. It imbues a sense of nostalgia, loss, and longing quite like no other.

4. Jelly Pop – Boys Planet

Some songs composed for survival shows are just too good to be true. Boys Planet’s ‘Jelly Pop’ asserts its dominance with a confident and high-quality vocal performance to match its relentlessly catchy melodies. It is wonderfully written, seamlessly incorporating its interplay of melodic phrases with more spoken-word deliveries that feels fulfilled in its potential.

3. O(Circle) – ONEW

There is no other K-pop song that sounds quite like Onew’s ‘O(Circle)’. While most K-pop songs tackle more ‘relatable’ themes like love (which is perfectly fine in its own right), Onew instead contemplates on life’s bigger questions and its cyclical nature of it all- matched by its production that quite literally, sounds like it is ‘searching’ constantly- only to end abruptly, because that is what life is, isn’t it?

2. I AM – IVE

‘I AM’ is 2023’s defining K-pop empowerment anthem. It surges and builds with unmatched confidence that simultaneously allows an emotional undercurrent to seep through, most apparent in its memorable pre-chorus. It embraces the beauty of being in touch with one’s humanity, dreams, aspirations, spearheaded with a thoroughly convincing vocal delivery, sleek production, and a climax that will go down in K-pop history.

1. Back to ZEROBASE – ZEROBASEONE

At first listen, I immediately knew that this was going to be my top song of 2023. ‘Back to ZEROBASE’ simply captivates with its production’s sheer dynamism and cathartically emotive vocal delivery, bringing a satisfying rush of euphoria quite like no other song out there. This is beauty in a song.

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Thank you for reading, and may 2024 be another fruitful year for K-pop!