ONTD Original: The Best K-pop songs of 2023!

48.&TEAM – Dropkick
A feel-good song from &Team, with fresh crisp vocals and an upbeat tone to it. The song has positive lyrics, and it sounds like a song that will play after the “good guys” win some sort of sports tournament in a movie. This song was a surprise for me.

47.Chuu- Howl
The girl who defied her company and was the first LOONA girl to embark on her solo adventure, officially debut with “Howl’ the track is not what you were expecting from the “Heart Attack” singer. The song starts with an Imogen Heap-esque intro that then turns into a sweet pop song.

46. Sunmi- Stranger
Sunmi is no stranger (see what I did there?) to out of the box concepts, ‘Stranger” is probably her most ambitious corky project to date, a Frankenstein type of song that mixes an awkward almost playful chorus, to more serious melancholic verses. The music video itself is a masterpiece, not a lot of people enjoyed the song but we can all agree that the MV is stunning.

45.Yeeun- Cherry Coke
Now listen , I know this song isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and honestly I was expecting something more Hyuna inspired for the main rapper of CLC, but this is a solid solo effort. I might be a bit biased since shes one of my favorite idols and I think she has incredible stage presence. Also you can frequently find me quoting “Feeling bodacious”.

44. Narsha – Game ft. Verbal Jint
¼ of the Brown Eyed Girls came back with an unexpected bop. I can only describe GAME as a song you would hear at a gay club at the peak of the night, neon lights, drinks galore, and cute guys.Narsha chants “Im getting down on the dancefloor, ill make you sweat, make you sweat” while the beat pulses through the speakers. This song only made me crave a BEG comeback!

43.Fantasy Boys – Potential
Again, this boygroup I discovered by jumpin on the youtube recommendations. They had dual releases for this mini album, “Get it on” and “Potential” but the ladder is the best song out of both. A simple tropical beat accompanied of whistles make Potential one of the best releases of the year, in my opinion.

42. Itzy – None of my Business
Although ‘Cake was the official track of the Kill my Doubt mini album, and it’s a song I enjoy, I think “None of my business” is the more successful track out of both. The vocals slide gracefully on top of more melodic track and although both songs rely on repetition for their chorus, None of my Business is easier to listen to. Both great attempts but the B-side takes the cake.

41.Lee Chaeyeon- Knock
With one of the funnest choreographies of the year, Lee Chaeyeon demonstrates that she can stand on her own after what I believe was an awkward initial debut. Knock is dynamic, fun, and an easy to digest pop song. The highlight of the mini album for me was “I don’t wanna know” a Britney Spears inspire track reminiscent of “Work Bitch”. Impressive follow up to her debut.

40. Triple S – New Look
I am not going to lie and try to understand the marketing/promotion of this group, but I can recognize cool music. The girls from Triple S got some pretty cool releases this year, and although “Girls Capitalism” or “Rising” might be the song to grace some Best Of lists, for me New Look is the highlight of their Assemble mini album. A fun, fast track that delivers a dynamic beat.

39. From20 – Beat it
I wasn’t too familiar with From20, but I got one of his music videos recommended on youtube so I decided to check him out. His 2023 single “Beat it” was a great surprise, giving an 80s synth fantasy with slight influences from The Weekend, Beat it it’s a breath of fresh air, by the MVs you can tell he’s prob in a smaller agency but the talent is there, excited to see what else he puts out.

38. Infinite- New Emotions
A simple music video to pair up with the sleek,stylish song. This is the type of boy group releases that I enjoy, the chorus is somewhat understated compared to other boy group music, but that’s what makes this song so good. The song isn’t saturated by heavy sounds and that helps to appreciate the harmonies more. A great release from Infinite, and if you want to hear one of their best B-sides ever, the same mini album has the very underrated “Time Difference” one of my favorite kpop songs of 2023 overall.

37. Monsta X- Beautiful Liar
I believe this song flew under the radar for a few since it was released at the beginning of 2023, and since then the guys from Monsta X had more releases. “Beautiful Liar” is a dangerous, rock influenced track that builds up some mystery, with one of the best raps of the year.

36. Odd Eye Circle – Air Force One
What a name! Although I feel their B-side “Je Ne Sais Quoi” is the superior track of their mini album, Air Force One is a solid redebut for the once Loona members. Air Force One gives us a fast, slappy chorus wrapped in sultry verses. It is nice to see the Odd Eye Circle girls back together, cause honestly they were the best Loona sub-unit. Now if they can give us something like “Sweet Crazy Love” again (cause that English version was trash).

35.BB Girls – Lemonade
No one loves a success story more than I do, so I was very happy to know that Brave Girls decided to stay together and form BB Girls. Their title track under their new name “One more time” was a bit overlooked and so was the bside Lemonade. Lemonade almost sounds like the cousin of Chi Mat Ba Ram which was a huge hit for them, the girls look amazing in the music video and overall it’s a nice tropical summer song that no one knew existed.

34. Baekho- Elevator
With Wonho in the military, I needed a hot man in a slutty outfit to take his place, and that’s what Baekho did with Elevator. His initial solo debut “No Rules” wasn’t exactly what I wanted him to deliver as a soloist but he understood the assignment with Elevator. Crop tops, leather pants and hip thrusts. Is the song amazing? No! but its fun and he looked great so…. Call me biased (and a sl*t)!

33.Cignature – Smooth Sailing
I don’t usually gravitate to more cutesy songs and some of the summer releases tend to be a more Kidz Bop than just regular bop. Smooth Sailing starts like it might be a generic summer song, but then the chorus hits. Although the chorus might sound a bit cheerleader-ish the “lalalalala” part catches you instantly before the smooth sailing chant. A feel good, easy, breezy song.

32. Red Velvet – Chill Kill
“Chill Kill” is definitely a grower, a bit scared thinking this was going to be their last release as a group (Happy to announce they have a new comeback for 2024 to mark their 10 year anniversary). “Chill Kill” touches into their velvet sound, but i honestly think it has more of a red feeling, the chorus is a bit upbeat, and although i do enjoy the song, it didn’t fully cooked for my liking. Love my girls though!

31.Loossemble – Sensitive
5/12 of Loona decided to give us a corky song with “Sensitive”. Although I don’t find the song to be groundbreaking, I really enjoy the easiness of the melody and the catchy chorus, also, its nice to see all the members highlighted, something that it didn’t happen often when they were in Loona.

30. Tan- Heartbeat
With an already impressive debut in 2022 with “Du Du Du” Tan cements themselves as one of the most interesting and underrated boygroups IMO. “Heartbeat” is a song that doesn’t take any breaks, the production,visuals and dance moves are there, we need people to start streaming!

29. KEPLER – Galileo
“One plus one, equals I miss you too” was the part of the song that went viral and had Galileo in everyone’s radar (at least on kpop tiktok). The song doesn’t break the mold but after the awful We Fresh im glad they opted for something more familiar. Although I wish they would’ve kept the sound of their best track “MVSK”

28. Seventeen (BSS) – Fighting
This song sounds like old Seventeen, think of “Mansae” era, its fun, bright, highlights the amazing vocals of Dk, Hoshi and Seungkwan and its just a good time. It was definitely a great year for Seventeen as a group but BSS delivered the most dynamic single out of the group. Also that rap? amazing. Excited to see if the new year brings us other sub-units before enlistment.

27.Jessica – Beep Beep
Don’t come for me, but finally my girl releases something interesting! Her initial solo endevours in my opinion were forgettable old navy snoozefests. I know her voice is not for everyone since she tends to be a bit nasally. “Beep Beep” is fun, flirty, and overall a pretty nice song. Also if your friends who are not Kpop stans are looking for a sticky sweet song its perfect for them since its in English. I hope Successica follows this path when it comes to her future releases.

26. Kwon Eunbi – The Flash
This woman hasn’t released a bad song! And although “Underwater” wasn’t as strong as “Croquis” it was still a decent title track. She redeemed herself in my eyes with “The Flash”, the chorus is the highlight of this song a quick, fun and I really really enjoyed the music video (although Glitch is her coolest MV to date).

23. Kard – Icky
You don’t see Kpop songs being catered to sexually active adults, and that’s why I find Icky refreshing. Kard knows that their audience are a bit mature and that they’re highly popular in Latin America so you can tell they take heavy inspiration on regueton. Icky might be their best song to date, it’s a whole bop, the mv is cool and although I do find BMs rap a bit corny, overall the song works for me, it’s a damn good time. Icky icky icky ay ay ay

22.Nmixx – Rollercoaster
I feel like a lot of people slept on this song? Is it because it doesn’t have their signature mix of sounds? This f(x)-esque inspired track has a bit of “4 walls” or even SHINee’s “View” sprinkled on it and that’s what makes it so good. The chorus Is infectious and dancy, the vocals are there and overall it’s just a nice song to listen while you drive with the windows down. More of this Nmixx, also Lily has become one of my favorite idols ever.

21.Ateez – Bouncy
Im going to be honest, again don’t come for me. I haven’t really enjoyed an Ateez comeback since like Firework, since I used to find their releases a bit too noisy. “Bouncy” is still a bit noisy but it doesn’t sound as cluttered as other boy group releases tend to sound. The chorus is pretty catchy, I gotta give it to them for being so consistent with their releases and their sound.

20. Secret Number – Starlight
You might ask WHO!? Secret Number had to take over the magical star girl concept after WJSN ditched it. Starlight is such a simple, fun, sweet song, the drowned “Ah ah ah ah ah “ at the beginning of the song tell you that you’re about to experience something magical. Yes, the song is not the best song ever made but I find it incredibly charming.

19. Enhypen – Bite Me
I was a hugeeee fan of their really early releases and somehow they lost me on the way, but with their two most recent comebacks “bite me” and “sweet venom” they won me back. “Bite me” is definitely a more mature sound but its really good, the song feels like something from Vixx and that’s a compliment. Also props for the pair choreography, I love when groups actually use their backup dancers.

18. Billlie – EUNOIA
Another illegitimate kid of f(x), EUNOIA which means beautiful thinking, is a breezy funky synth dream. Obsessed how they pronounce Flip Flop. Overall their second best release (gingamingayo remains supreme), nice to see how the girls explore other sounds while keeping true to their essence.

17. Mijoo- Movie Star
Don’t you date ask me who, the breakout star of Lovelyz, who I thought was going to ditch the music scene, made her debut as a soloist. Again, just like Jessica’s voice, it’s a bit nasally but her solo endevour was beyond average. She was serving choreography, looks, grace, hair and “vocals”. Honestly this is what I expected Jisoo’s solo to sound like. She also released “Lonely Night” as a sub-unit called Juju Secret, and its amazing if you’re into city pop.

16. The Boyz – Watch it
One of my favorite boy group choruses of the year, sultry,sexy, dangerous, I really don’t know how to explain it but I love that chorus. The melodic pre-chorus drops into a more spoken chorus with a slight vocal fry, so so good. “Hi, hello my name is what you want it to” oh ok, yes please.

15. STAYC – Not like you
This hidden B-side is one of the best girl group b-sides this year. I did enjoy their title track “Bubble” even though I find it a bit juvenile, but Not Like You lets us hear their more mature song, and it makes me wishful of them to possibly return to their “So Bad” sound. The girls say “Thats why Im not like you” before a descending beat gets echoed by a “you you you”. Honestly one of their best songs.

14. SHINee – Juice
Imma be honest, this sounds like an NCT track and maybe that’s why I like it so much? If im being honest, I enjoy Key’s “Cool As” way better but it doesn’t have an official MV even though it was the promoted B-Side. JUICE is a fun mix of noise, melody and cheekiness. The hard music doesn’t drown their vocals and I like how playful is the “I think you like me, I think you like me, I think you likeeeeeeeeee me”. These guys can do no wrong when it comes to music tbh, even though this song doesn’t particularly feel like them.

13. Viviz – Untie
This is exactly what I wanted from Viviz, give grown women grown music! The whispery sexy chorus tied with that beat make Untie, one of VIVIZ’ best songs. I don’t want no Loveade, we already have plenty of groups to do cutesy concepts, we need groups to embrace a sexier side. Im happy they explore a more mature sound/look with their latest mini album Versus (that butt dance on Maniac? Amazing) so hopefully they keep delivering this type of music

12. IVE – Off the record
A small sample of Lovefool by The Cardigans!? Sold! Yes, “I am” might be the more popular choice for IVE but I do honestly love the easiness of “Off the record”, very very underrated.

11. Kai- Rover

10.Le Sserafim – Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife
When I heard the mini video they did with this song (the one in which they’re on a catwalk while a bunch of motorcycles are going around) I was hooked, sad they didn’t include it on any release until their latest mini album. The song wasn’t a 100% match but oh it was still very very good. Wish they included the “Im a mess” part one last time at the end, but overall, one of their best tracks. The reason this song is a little low on this list is because the song was soo good, they really beat it to the ground, playing it everywhere, with 1000 remixes and English versions, I was tired!!!!!

9. NCT DOJAEJUNG – Perfume
I’ve been saying throughout this list that I enjoy more melodic boy group sounds and perfume is the clear example of this. The vocals and harmonies are on point and the chorus doesn’t sound flat, it has nice verses, a nice bridge, and heavy drum beat underneath. There was a lot to choose from from NCT (as units or soloist attempts) but “Perfume” takes the cake as the best NCT song of 2023.

8.Blitzers- Macarena
Not going to write an essay about this song cause its so damn silly, but I cant help to really really enjoy it. A true dumb bop! (Sad they didn’t include the actual macarena choreography but oh well…).

7.(G)-IDLE – Queencard
Probably the song of 2023 in Korea, but not here,although this is probably my favorite music video of the year. They all looked so so good, they came in with the budget, the styling and they all looked stunning. Queencard is a fun, positive song, I do gotta say that some of the lyrics are a bit cringe and that’s why im not completely infatuated by the song. Either way, Queencard is fun, the chorus is damn catchy and they had the best MV of the year.

6. ZEROBASEONE- In Bloom
A boy group debut that’s not hard, edgy, and noisy? I was very surprised by this sweet melodic and contagious song. The fast but clear chorus that ends in the “Ohh oh ohhh ohhh” its sooo good, and one of my favorite choruses ever. The boys showed a lot of promise with this debut, and although their sophomore release was good, it wasn’t as brilliant as “In Bloom”.

5. Somi- Fast Forward
Somi said “Lets give the gays what they want” and she didn’t disappoint. Probably her best release to date, “Fast Forward” is a club banger with a random Katy Perry sample. Props to her to explore a more mature and sophisticated song and for enlisting queer dancers in high heels.

4.Stray Kids- S-Class
I said it last year, when Stray Kids debuted the music wasn’t for me and their releases had been mostly misses for me, but after Back Door I started paying attention. Last year I had Case 143 on my list and I said that I still found it kinda noisy but it was good noise? This year S-Class is a weird mix of noise with a gem of a chorus that I will probably never get out of my head “Im up above the world so high,ill be there shining day and night, they wonder how my spotlight is so bright” before dropping into noise music, but I don’t care! This song is so weird, because after the first chorus they drop into 90s RNB/Rap beat just to go back to that amazing pre-chorus. Well done Kids!

3.CSR- Shining Bright
Yes, this is my controversial pick. I said that cutesy, teeny music wasn’t for me, but since CSR debut, they haven’t had a bad track! Their debut was one of my favorite songs of that year and Shining Bright was no exception for 2023. A bright, positive, sunny, feel good song that highlights their amazing vocals. A mix of Gfriend and Lovelyz (two groups that I completely adored, so you know why CSR is on the top of this list). I am so excited to see what other music they bring out on 2024, cause I am a FAN!

2.The New Six – Kick it 4 Now
Who? You might ask, TNX have been active since 2022 but flying very under the radar. The group created off a survival show, dropped Kick it 4 Now on 2023 and it was probably the biggest surprise for me. The song sounds fresh, its fun and just a very easy enjoyable listen. They also had an English version that surprisingly doesn’t have any cringy lyrics. If you haven’t listened to it, please do, you won’t regret it.

Special Mentions
Fifty Fifty- Cupid
The song that took the world by storm with a very sad, sad ending. Such a shame how their story turned out. “Cupid” might be the song of the year but due to their circumstances Fifty Fifty are just getting a special mention. Surprisingly, I find the English version superior to the Korean version. An excellent crafted pop song, with an equally amazing mini album. Hopefully the girls find some justice and are able to continue their music dreams. (I’m not posting the MV).

Misamo – Do not Touch
FINALLY! My girls are going down the sexy route, how many cutesy concepts can these grown women do? Listen, I love Twice, but i was begging and waiting for them to do a more mature concept and Misamo delivered. Can this song be officially considered Kpop since its in Japanese? Maybe? Who knows, the thing is that “Do not touch” was a fresh surprise. Mina is my bias, and i always said that she had this allure and sophisticated easiness to her, so i believe this concept/song/mv fit her like a glove. I really hope they keep releasing more sexy concepts as trio, cause i do believe they do it pretty well.

Again, this year brings us a 3-way tie, cause I just cant make up my mind and these 3 songs were played over and over.

Drum Roll

1.Aespa- Better Things
My girls had an incredible year, releasing a bunch of fantastic title tracks but out of all of their releases I had to go with Better Things. I love Spicy, but Better Things was the PERFECT release for the summer. The tropical beats, the outfits, the amazing teasers, the music video, the vocals, and it also helped that I could sing the whole song since I don’t know Korean. Also if you haven’t checked out the Ariana Grande inspired “Thirsty”, I recommend it. Also, not going to lie, i kinda miss Kwangya and the AEs

1. New Jeans – ETA
Yes, sampling the Powerpuff Girls on “Super Shy” got me gagged, and i love that song, well the whole mini album, but i had to go with ETA for being a little more chaotic, having m*rder as a plot line in their MV (Triple H, who?!), for allegedly being entirely shot on an iPhone 14 (how come my videos don’t look like that?) and just for being hella fun. With their mini-album “Get Up” that has been at the top of every damn “Best of” list, NewJeans cement themselves are the girls to beat, they’re icons, legends and THEY ARE the moment. They have it all, the vocals, the styling, the dancing, the personality, the popularity, and the freshness that K-pop needs from time to time. Another great year, and a very bright future for them.

1. Purple Kiss – Sweet Juice
You might be like “WHAT?, OVER THIS AND THIS SONG?” well, yes! I said what I said! Sweet Juice is a little dangerous, dark, sexy and overall a breath of fresh air. I miss when girl groups dared to be more risque with their music and mvs. “Sweet Juice” is giving spooky, violins, looks, floor choreography and Miss Swan has probably one of the best and most interesting voice in K-pop, so y’all better stan!

And that’s a wrap! What were your favorite 2023 releases? What excites you about potential releases for 2024?
Also I apologize if there’s any….errors, English is my second language plus I only wrote and read this once lmao…