The Top 100 K-Pop Songs of 2020 (90 – 81)

It’s time to countdown my top 100 songs of 2020! 10 songs, everyday, for the next 10 days. The rules for the countdown are as follows:

To be eligible for this list, the song must have been released between the 1st of January 2020 and 15th December 2020.
Song must be paired with a full music video and be promoted to some extent.
Performance video’s (Gfriend’s Labyrinth and ONF’s New World) will unfortunately not be considered for the singles list and will make their appearance in the Top 100 B-sides of the year list.
Songs must be by a Korean artist and be in either Korean or English (Japanese / Chinese singles will get their own seperate countdown)
And finally, this is all just my opinion. There is much bias to be found and if you’re unhappy with any of the placements, just remember that this is not meant to be a purely objective list.

90. NCT 127 – Punch (review)

NCT 127 have always been at the forefront of K-pop experimentation but with Punch they proved that they couldn’t care less about current trends. The track is as far from modern kpop as you could expect, combining an almost endless number of instrumental and vocal samples into one ever-morphing beast.

89. Onewe – End of Spring (review)

After delivering a number of (very solid) ballads and mid-tempo’s, Onewe came roaring back with the edm infused End of Spring. It’s as festival ready as you can get, powering forward on a very Avicii -esque instrumental to create one of those party starting bangers.

*The rock version is also fantastic!

88. Victon– Howling (review)

Victon’s full group return heralded both commercial and musical success and with a song like Howling it is much deserved. It’s easily the strongest the group have ever sounded, propelled forward by that stunner of a hook.

87. Everglow – Dun Dun (review)

2020 saw Everglow move from strength to strength and that transformation began with the bombastic Dun Dun. It’s a track that borrows from many loud girl group singles but carves out its own image with those middle eastern influences and mammoth drop.

86. ONF – Sukhumvit Swimming (review)

A quirky left turn for one of my favourite groups, Sukhumvit Swimming capitalised on the more goofy personalities present within the group to create a track that feels both goofy yet absolutely vital. The reggae influenced groove is an absolute treat but that anthemic synth loop more than carries the whole package. It’s just an overall great time.

85. ATEEZ – Inception (review)

A fantastic example of what moody edm can be, Inception is yet another triumph for ATEEZ. Melding an addictive electro trap instrumental with a soaring melody, the track covers new ground whilst still harkening back to the anthemic sound the group built their name on. It might not be one of my favourite ATEEZ tracks, but good ATEEZ is better than most other groups best work.

84. Golden Child – Without You (review)

A much more sparse and moody offering than we’re used to from Golden Child, Without You succeeds thanks to a fantastic arrangement that makes perfect use of empty space to create a haunting atmosphere that enhances the groups desperate sounding vocals to even greater heights. One of the most hypnotic singles of the year.

83. Dongkiz I:KAN – Y.O.U (review)

An enjoyable sub-unit release by Dongkiz I:KAN, Y.O.U harkens back to the 90’s with a great mix of new jack swing and retro synths. It’s a sound that fits right within my wheelhouse and is home to a number of hooks that will leave you hitting the replay button over and over again.

82. Stray Kids – Blueprint (review)

I’m a sucker for laid back guitar driven pop and Stray Kids’ attempt at such a track is as good as it can get. Blueprint gets alot right, moving along at a brisk pace whilst still incorporating some equally enjoyable deviations that perfectly compliment the breezy hook.

81. Jeong Sewoon – Say Yes (review)

I’ve always wanted Jeong Sewoon to tackle and upbeat single and with Say Yes he finally came around to a more joyous sound for a single that exemplifies the joys of K-pop summer. Sewoon’s gorgeous vocals fit right in to the more breezy summer template and help transform the hook into something really special.