Now that 2016 is officially over, we can look back on last year’s music releases and gush about our favorites. In this list of the top ten K-Pop releases of 2016, I’m judging by personal opinion, not the number of views each video got, and I don’t list the same band twice or list a subgroup of the band if I’ve already used one of their songs. I’m a far cry from a music expert, but you might discover some amazing new artists or songs that you missed the first time!
1. BTS: Blood, Sweat, & Tears
Currently sitting at 81,658, 457 views, BTS broke records with this song and earned multiple awards, including 2016 Artist of the Year at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. They deserved it, too – the song itself as well as the music video are unique, and the dancing is amazing. All of the teasers for this comeback were off the charts, and the album did not disappoint!
2. FTIsland: Take Me Now
FTIsland isn’t quite as well known as the others on the list, but it’s my all-time favorite Korean band. Rock music is considered a risky business in Korea, but FTIsland is pounding out a road for future rock artists to take: they even trended on France’s Twitter for hours after KCON 2016, surprising K-pop fans who thought they would be the most disappointing set by quickly becoming the most engaging. This song is a great example of their style!
3. VIXX: Dynamite
VIXX is composed of amazing dancers, and this music video showcases that brilliantly. At points in the music video (most notably at the end), the fog is used as a tool in the dance – the choreography is literally designed with the fog in mind, so that it will swirl around the dancers in a specific way. The blend of rapping and singing is great as well, and the set is incredibly colorful. To top it all off, Dynamite has a great beat to it – it definitely qualifies as pop! It’s incredibly addictive, and I’ve been listening to it since its release in mid-April.
4. EXO: Monster
Monster has a much darker concept and sound than any of EXO’s previous songs, but it works incredibly well for them. Once again, their dancing is unique and mesmerizing (although someone really should have thought twice about the creepy chain earring that runs from Baekhyun’s ear to his nose). Regardless of the creepy earring, the song is ridiculously addictive and runs just shy of 95,332,000 views.
5. Akdong Musician: Re-Bye
Re-Bye has a lot of R&B and jazz influences, making for a beautiful song. The music video just adds to it – Akdong Musician always has at least a little bit of silliness in each of their music videos, making them just as enjoyable to watch as they are to listen to.
6. BAP: Feel So Good
With its bright colors, adorable lyrics, and the hilarious antics of the members throughout the music video, “Feel So Good” is a nice break from what has become BAP’s usual serving of dark color tones and death. While I enjoy their usual songs as much as anyone else, it’s nice to see BAP take a couple steps outside of the usual. It’s the type of addictive, peppy song that makes you feel better at the end of an awful day.
7. Seventeen: Very Nice
“Very Nice” is incredibly addictive. I’m not even 100% sure what it is – the suspenders? The dancing? The brass instruments in the background? The rapping? I have no idea, but this song is mesmerizing. It’s full of pastels and colors true to traditional K-Pop style; just be prepared for it to move into your head permanently once you’ve listened to it.
8: Amber: Borders
This song is technically in English, but it was released in Korea, so I’m counting it. Amber is a Korean-American singer and rapper who has become famous as part of the Korean band F(x). This song is a single of hers, and she has had a hand in making everything you see in it; she wrote the lyrics and the music, and she directed the music video. This song isn’t your average surface-level song about relationships ending or beginning; it deals with some heavy themes, including anorexia and suicidal tendencies. Amber is incredibly talented, this song is incredible, and I won’t accept any other opinions (and if Amber is magically reading this, please be my friend?).
9. Chanyeol and Punch: Stay With Me
“Stay With Me” is an official sound track for the Kdrama Goblin, but although Chanyeol and Punch don’t regularly sing together, their voices work together wonderfully. The blend of rapping and ballad is addicting, especially with the near-constant, soft guitar in the background to tie it together. I could listen to this song on repeat for hours and not get bored. Chanyeol is a member of EXO, but I included it since this was an individual collaboration with another artist.
10: BTOB: I’ll Be Your Man
“I’ll Be Your Man” has a good mix of rap and traditional singing, and all of BTOB’s vocalists are incredibly strong. Changsub has a great set of lungs, and sometimes I wonder if Ilhoon even breathes when he raps. I’m not quite sure why Minhyuk ends up hanging by his ankles in the video, but the song itself is done incredibly well.