2023 has been quite an adventurous year when it comes to K-pop. From sultry R&B numbers to funky pop tracks, there was a lot of variety in music and lyrics alike. While some songs received recognition over a viral social media run, some were highly anticipated by the fans and music connoisseurs alike. 2023 saw much awaited debuts and comebacks by BTS members, new chapters unfold in Ateez and TXT’s musical universes, girl groups like Le Sserafim, Fifty Fifty deviating from traditional paths to find success and fame in social media trends, among others. Let’s take a look at some of the top K-pop songs released in 2023.
BEST OF 2023: From BTS Jungkook to NewJeans, SEVENTEEN to AKMU, 20 Korean lead songs that caught our attention
1. BTS JUNGKOOK – STANDING NEXT TO YOU
BTS’ youngest member Jungkook has always shown an interest towards R&B music and with his solo album, he puts out a stunning discography on display. ‘Standing Next to You’ is a smooth R&B echoing the trendy music from the early 2000s. Bringing back yesteryear’s musical magic with a dash of his own charms, Jungkook puts forth a brilliant display of his artistry. The singer has truly carved an identity for himself that goes beyond just being a member of BTS.
BTS’ V aka Kim Taehyung has been in the spotlight for his deep voice since his debut days with BTS. His voice is suitable for songs that demand a sultry intensity, for songs that call for buttery smooth vocals. He has released solo tracks earlier. But his debut is truly artfully curated to highlight his vocals and music making genius. ‘Slow Dancing’ is a sultry smooth retro jazz number. Imagine a cozily lit room and you’re dancing to this track!
BTS’ SUGA has always strived to speak his heart when making music. From talking about politics to self-love to calling out hypocrisy, the multi-hyphenate has never shied away from the truth. He practises what he preaches. With ‘Haegeum’, the artist transforms into Agust D, his musical alter ego. Like his mononymous debut Agust D EP, Suga incorporates traditional Korean music into modern tunes, thus presenting a symphonic mesh of music and lyrics.
Jimin of BTS has an angelic voice that calls for a smooth track. With his debut EP, he cements his image as a musician who can be versatile. ‘Like Crazy’ is a track which highlights Jimin’s breathy soft vocals and also gives a testament to his identity as a musician beyond being just a member of BTS.
LeSserafim have been in the news since their debut for their unique group name, and the legacy they have to shoulder. This rookie girl group released their first English language track ‘Perfect Night’ as a promotional single for Overwatch 2. The song’s core message is that company is more important than the journey – even a dull moment can become a fun one if you have the right people around you. While it is a K-pop song, we also find heavy traces of 2-step garage genre interspersed in the song.
Taemin is one of the soloists who has had a complete change from his identity as a group member. In his solo career, Taemin has given quite a few notable hits like ‘Move’ and the latest addition to that is ‘Guilty’. This number holds a classic Taemin touch with sensuous vocals, visuals and a performance that will captivate the viewers. We all have been guilty of thinking of switching our bias after watching Taemin in ‘Guilty’, haven’t we?
Even if you aren’t a listener of K-pop music, there are chances you came across “Darumdarida” ringing across social media. The short section which had taken social media by storm for a while is from SEVENTEEN’s ‘Super’. Employing the idea of Son Oh Gong, a mythological revel figure, the track speaks about pride over oneself and one’s hard work to scale new heights. The track incorporates modern music and traditional Korean music, thus serving an energetic concoction of foot thumping beats and a joyous vibe.
One simply can’t forget to mention NewJeans when one is talking about girl groups. This rookie girl group has been making headlines since they made their debut. Their songs have themes like crush, first love, basically all romcom wrapped into a delicious lyrical treat. ‘Super Shy’ by NewJeans is a simple track featuring dance pop beats with a touch of 2000s pop vibe. The song sports an urban feel while at the same time echoing a nostalgia of the 2000s.
Trust ATEEZ to present a new flavour with each comeback. Since their debut, the group has only improved from their prior performances. ‘Bouncy’ is a track in classic ATEEZ fashion. It boasts of stretched beats and a mesh of genres. There is an unabashed attitude in the song that works its way from the artist to the listener, forming an instant connection. The song makes you want to delve more into their musical history and revisit their past hits.
Monsta X is one of those groups which always bring a new flair in their music with each comeback. Despite sticking to hip hop and rap beats, there is always a breath of fresh air present in their music. ‘Beautiful Liar’ is one of those songs. Prior to the group’s hiatus for military enlistment, the boys made sure they left fans with a savoury indulgence.
One can’t simply forget ‘Cupid’ when talking about some of the best hits of 2023. Fifty Fifty’s ‘Cupid’ reached the ends of K-pop fans and non-fans alike. ‘Cupid’ is a true blue bubble-gum pop track which sports a sweet confession to a crush. The song also inspired music studios to release sped up versions of the songs which can be used to go viral on micro video sharing platforms. The song has a Korean and an English version, of which the English one was present on every social media page imaginable – whether it is K-pop or not. Having an English version of Korean songs is not a new trend but Fifty Fifty’s resounding success with this track garnered quite a lot of attention across the globe.
EXO’s Kai has had a successful career as a soloist and ‘Rover’ adds to that list. Despite the song being adapted from an English track, Kai adds his own touch to the track. Its hook step took the social media by storm and was performed by artists, influencers and fans alike. The song boasts of tap-dance like beats in the pre-chorus which sets the stage for the regulated beat chorus.
SOMI is undoubtedly one of the most formidable K-pop soloists in the current times. Most of her songs are what you would call ‘the life of the party’ given the way each track is a jubilant celebration of love and life. Her track ‘Fast Forward’ is no different. It is a question to one’s lover as to how long it will take for the couple to unite. The song features a mix of Korean and English lyrics, with English words predominating the chorus. If gives
MAMAMOO’s Hwasa is one of those powerhouse female musicians in the industry who has never shied away from speaking and singing her heart out. For ‘Chilli’ she joined hands with Street Woman Fighter to release the track. Pairing rap and hip hop beats with boom bap, Hwasa eases into genres she is accustomed to and yet presents a new side to her musical forte.
Jinyoung debuted as a soloist with a five-track EP titled Chapter 0: WITH. With the lead track ‘Cotton Candy’, Jinyoung moves on to expressing love. His vocals are like butter on hot toast. The song has your attention from the moment it begins. The retro jazz instrumental paired with reverbs in the chorus whip up a delectable track. The candied lyrics, ‘The sweetness of thе moment makes me promise tomorrow / I feel like I can’t escape’ can make anyone fall in love instantly. Jinyoung takes the divine emotions of love and drizzles them with a delectable caramel syrup of his singing.
AKMU are one of those musical duos who would pluck on the oddest ideas and give you a stellar mix of music and lyrics. Their track ‘Love Lee’ is a fun mix of rhythmic acoustic beats. The duo calls this song as a gift to their fans as gratitude for the support and also to show AKMU’s growth at understanding themselves better as musicians. The song’s title ‘Love Lee’ is a pun on ‘lovely’ where they added their surname ‘Lee’ instead of ‘-ly’.
2023 has been a surprising year when it comes to TXT’s music. The quintet graduated from one theme and moved on to the next showcasing their maturity in terms of music, the lyrical quality and also an overall growth as artists. ‘Sugar Rush Ride’ is a sugary sweet track addled with a heady sugar rush in the form of a catchy chorus.
KARD is one of those groups whose music is replete with experimental energy. The most odd of ideas would make sense once KARD puts their spin to the track. One such is ‘ICKY’. Just from the title, one would think it is about an itch feeling, but one is in for a surprise once the song begins. ‘ICKY’ employs stretched out trap beats with a foot tapping chorus. One can say that this song is truly a reflection of the artistry and bold moves KARD is synonymous with.
19. IVE – I AM
IVE’s ‘I Am’ is one of those dance pops that is a burst of energy from the start to the finish. The song sends out a strong message of support to realizing and accepting one’s true self. The song comes from IVE’s first ever studio album and promises the world that IVE is here to create an identity of their own and that they are not shy to own up to their true selves.
Fans of K-R&B are no strangers to BIBI. Those who were yet to be introduced to her, might have come across her talent in K-dramas like The Worst of Evil. If you like BIBI, then you must listen to ‘Hongdae R&B’. The song has somewhat of a stream of consciousness approach followed by buttery smooth R&B beats. It resonates with the eccentric experimentalist style that BIBI is synonymous with, as a musician.
Also Read: BTS’ Jungkook unleashes ‘main popstar’ vibes in teaser of retro funk track ‘Standing Next To You’, watch
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