The Top 50 Best K-Pop Songs of 2024 (50-41) + honourable mentions

Whilst unproductively and erratic posting schedules have become quite the hallmark of this blog over the past few years, 2024 dare I say reached levels of barren that even I wouldn’t have imagined. With only two or three posts over the course of the past twelve months, KBopped in many ways could have been considered as good as dead.

And whilst I do attribute much of that to my own laziness and inability to finish half written posts, it’s also been the first year since 2018 where I’ve felt a notable disconnect from K-pop. Enamoured by the revival of the western pop scene and my own tastes and preferences naturally changing with age, my interest and overall enjoyment of the industry and its output dwindled quite notably. Add to that the many horrific controversies that plagued both the industry and the country, it honestly was quite hard to really gather the kind of enthusiasm that powered me in the past.

But, enough of my mopey demeanour. What we’re here for is a celebration of what, in all honesty, are some truly great tracks. Whilst I had initially thought little of this year’s slate of releases, it’s actually been quite strong! While the general quality of releases across the board might not have connected with me as strongly as previous years, we had some very high high’s and some real growers. The holiday period also gave me some great time to also catch up on many tracks that had slipped through the cracks over the course of the year. And in the end, I’ve found 50 very solid tracks that I really think are the best k-pop had to offer this year – and if not, they’re certainly my favourite.

If you want to check out my rankings for other years:

But before we get to the main list, here are some notable honourable mentions that nearly made the list:

BOYNEXTDOOR – Earth, Wind & Fire -> An eccentric blast of quirky pop with hooks for days

IVE – Accendio -> Magnetic production choices coupled with a great stuttering hook

Seola – Without U -> Uncomplicated classic pop songwriting

Seventeen – Love, Money, Fame (feat.Dj Khaled) -> Massive grower that gives me 2018 nostalgia

WHIB – Rush of Joy -> A strong example of an upbeat, breezy boy group track

50. The Wind – Hello, My First Love

Ever since their debut (and amazing set of releases) last year, The Wind have been excellent purveyors of a highly melodic sound typically reserved for girl groups. And while Hello, My First Love might push the edges of being too saccharine for its own good, it ends up as yet another solid addition to the group’s discography.

49. Waker – Atlantis

The kind of song that could soundtrack melancholic running montages by the sunset, Atlantis melds feel good melodies with an exciting pop rock instrumental to deliver a great under the radar release from boy group Waker. If you liked this, make sure to check out the ever better Dash from the album.

48. tripleS – Girls Never Die

tripleS never fail with a “la la la” hook and Girls Never Die is no exception. Sure it has its quieter moments but by the time that deliciously addictive hook rolls around, you’ll no doubt be begging for more.

47. Enhypen – Brought The Heat Back

Powered by a deliriously energetic roller rink ready instrumental, Brought The Heat Back harkens back to a different retro soundscape from the masses whilst still firmly planting itself into modern trends. The result? A track so good it propelled itself from b-side to single status.

46. Hello Gloom – Mamacita

In many ways a re-interpretation of Troye Sivan’s immense Rush from last year, Mamacita pulses with deep house goodness form its opening seconds and never lets up. Its energy is dangerously infectious and to be honest, if you’re going to be inspired, you can’t do worse than one of the best pop songs of the past few years.

45. Riize – 9 Days

Riize had an incredible track run this year and 9 Days stands as a great example of the groups innate ability to deliver simple yet undeniably magnetic efforts. While the chanted hook elicits some rambunctious, yet slightly cloying fun, the sleek pre-chorus, gorgeously melodic post-chorus and near transcendental climax absolutely steal the show.

44. Dreamcatcher – Justice

Dreamcatcher rarely put a foot wrong and for much of Justice, I thought we were getting one of their absolute best. And though the hair raising riffs and gargantuan climax do in fact reach that level and beyond, the stuttered production of the hook unfortunately bumps this down a few spots. A few tweaks could have easily made this place within the top 20.

43. Drippin – Beautiful Maze

Buoyed by a bouncy pop beat and wonderfully addictive serpentine hook, Beautiful Maze is the kind of pop song that doesn’t do much on first listen but creeps up on you in the best way. It’s a bag full of subtle goodies with that extended outro especially being quite fantastic.

42. Kiss of Life – Midas Touch

Few groups possess the kind of innate magnetism of Kiss of Life, and a song like Midas Touch makes the absolute most of this. From the jagged electronics that overpower the production to the divine yet potent vocal performance, this really is the full package. If Max Martin ever produced a K-pop song, I’d like to think this is what It would sound like.

41. ALL(H)OURS – Shock

The term “noise music” has picked up a pretty bad rep within k-pop circles over the past few years and while I too (for the most part) agree, I also know that if done well, the results can be quite thrilling. Enter ALL(H)OURS’ ACE-esque banger Shock, which slaps you from its opening seconds with a flurry of electronics and thumping bass before round housing you right in the face with an even more aggressive hook. If you’re going to go hard, you might as well go all the way.