The Top 100 K-Pop Songs of 2020 (70 – 61)

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.

70. Lucy – Flowering

A gorgeous debut single from one of Korea’s more unique bands, Flowering truly ushered in Lucy as a group to keep an eye out for. It’s gorgeous melody is nostalgic in the best way possible and is only improved by Sangyeob’s emotive vocals.

69. Wonho – Open Mind (review)

While Losing You was the entree, Open Mind was the main course, unveiling a structurally impressive and incredibly funky soundscape that fit Wonho like a tee.

68. SSAK3 – Beach Again (review)

One of the years best surprises, Beach Again brought together two of the industries biggest legends and “the nations mc” to create a true summer highlight. Rather than be a fun little throwback, Beach Again feels like an honest to goodness pop song with one hell of a chorus to boot.

67. A.C.E – Stand By You (review)

A gorgeous stadium ready ballad that showcased A.C.E’s underrated vocal line to great effect, Stand By You is a song that builds and crests at just the perfect times to musically convey the emotional heft of its lyrics. But the rousing climax is the real star of the show here.

66. BTS – Dynamite (review)

Arguably one of the biggest pop songs of the year, Dynamite overcame its initial pop jingle novelty with one of the catchiest hooks of the year. The disco laced groove is undoubtedly enjoyable and the climactic key change is enough to really get this one over the line. Sometimes you just gotta be *shinin through the city with a little funk and soul*.

65. Raiden x Chanyeol – Yours (feat. Lee Hi & Changmo)

A collaboration that actually made use of all its performers, Yours feels like a warm blanket on a cold night. It takes around a minute to get going but once that gorgeous layered melody and reggae inspired beat kick in, resistance is futille.

64. E’Last – Swear (review)

A debut that resembled a symphonic movement more than a pop song, Swear was an incredibly unique debut effort for rookies E’last. Rather than opt for a big bombastic chorus, the track floats along on a push and pull structure before just exploding in its final 30 seconds.

63. Oh My Girl – Nonstop (review)

While Oh My Girl’s 2020 output didn’t connect with me as strongly as past years, they experienced their most commercially successful year yet. And Nonstop was the single that really broke them into superstardom. And that ubiquity goes a long way in selling what I have come to realise is one of the years most fun and catchy singles.

62. Moon Jongup (feat. Yunhway) – Headache (review)

Another effortless throwback that only got better with each listen, Headache is home to one of those hooks that just worms its way into your head. The 90’s inspired funk beat is a treat but Jongup’s off-kilter vocal delivery really keeps you coming back for more. Ignore my initial review, this was one of my most played songs of the year.

61. Weeekly – Tag Me (@Me) (review)

A jubilant surf guitar kissed debut for one of the years most anticipated girl groups, Tag Me (@Me) acted as the perfect introduction for Weeekly into the K-pop landscape. It’s one of those tracks that knows exactly what it wants to be and does so with ease.