#taemin and snakes is my two favorite beings combined

[youngshiney]

My Top 20 of 2020

Its the end of the year so here’s my obligatory top 20 songs that came out this year. These are in no particular order; I honestly probably couldn’t rank them if I tried since these are all songs I absolutely loved this year. Under the cut since I’m putting my explanations

1.) Criminal- Taemin: out of the three songs for this Never Gonna Dance Again era, I think Criminal is my favorite. The music video aesthetic is really interesting, and the song itself is a lot of fun to listen to. I think of the 3 titles I listen to this one the most often.

2.) Mmmh- Kai: I’ve been waiting for this for a while now and it was everything I imagined it would be and more. Everything about this album and song were incredible. Every song is really fantastic and they all flow into each other well, the album film was so well done and honestly did look like a movie. The film really captured his strengths as a performer as well as the key vibes of the songs. The actual mv was beautiful and it was nice to see his own style while also shouting out to EXO with his powers and the inclusion of Xiumin and D.O.’s badges at the end.

3.) Ice Age- MCND: This is one of my favorite debuts ever and easily my favorite boy group debut of this year; I honestly can’t think of a debut song that makes me this happy. It’s a fun song with a decent set and design which is all a debut should consist of imo (anything like an overarching storyline like EXO is just a bonus). Also for a debut, the song is decently balanced distribution wise which is really nice to see. 

4.) La Di Da- Everglow: Everglow has had really consistently well done comebacks and they just keep getting better and better. Adios was a great song, Dun Dun was really fun to listen to and had nice visuals, and La Di Da is both of those things combined. Its a standout song.

5.) Do Or Die- AleXa: This was the first AleXa song I ever heard, and it’s one of my favorites. The song alone is really catchy and has a lot of elements in it that I like, especially the chorus. The music video is really interesting to watch with the concept and storyline.

6.) 1 Billion Views- EXO SC: I love EXO-SC and I especially love this song. I think it matches Chanyeol and Sehun’s styles well (considering they wrote it and the rest of the album) and it’s a lot of fun overall. The pre-chorus/chorus is really catchy, the lady featured does a great job, and the music video is really pleasing to watch. 

7.) 100 Ways- Jackson Wang: 100 Ways is a really satisfying progression of Jackson’s music career and a true example of him finding his own style. The song itself is nice and catchy, but the true standout part is the music video with its gorgeous visuals and interesting story.

8.) I’m in Trouble- Nu’est: I really love everything about I’m in Trouble, but my favorite part is the music video. I love story concepts so any MV with a plot is right up my alley and this is no exception. I loved the visuals of each member and the intrigue as they come together. It was so well executed.

9.) Lit- Lay Zhang: Similarly to 100 Ways, Lit is a well crafted song that shows off Yixing’s talents and style. The music video is even more impressive with its visuals and concept. In fact of all his music videos, I think this is probably the most impressive yet.

10.) Summer Breeze- SF9: Summer Breeze is one of my favorite songs and it just makes me so happy every single time I hear it. I also really like the visuals of the music video, especially in the bar scenes. That style of architecture and design is one of my favorite aesthetics. 

11.) Howling- Victon: Victon is a really fantastic group, and Howling is hands down my favorite song from them. I think the way the vocals lead into each other and the soft verses leading to the choruses and not to mention Hanse’s rapping all make for a fantastic song. 

12.) Open Mind- Wonho: This is something I really have been waiting for for a while now. I never stopped hoping that he’d come back in whatever way he could and Hoseok really did not disappoint. His vocals were one of my favorite parts of his performances alongside his dancing and this debut gave us both of those. The lyrics aren’t particularly interesting or meaningful, at least not to me for this song, but I hope he gets to find his songwriting groove as he continues especially since Neol Hada and From Zero are two of my favorite songs ever. Also the music video had nice visuals and the snakes gave me major Want by Taemin vibes; the only thing I kinda wish was that he had covered up a little more because I worry people will only see him for his muscles and not his talents, but that being said he did always choose to dress fairly revealing in MX so if it was his choice then who am I to go against that.

13.) Boca- Dreamcatcher: I really love Dreamcatcher and I think they may be one of the most unique girl groups right now. Their sound is a lot different from anyone else I’ve heard, and their music videos always have really interesting visuals and storylines. Boca continues that trend and I can only anticipate what they’ll do next especially since Handong is back from China. 

14.) Alien- Lee Suhyun: I first saw Suhyun in a web show called Part Time Idol and I instantly liked her. I think she has really nice vocals and a cute style which Alien showcased. Alien was the perfect song for her; I can’t think of a better debut for her.

15.) Stay Tonight- Chungha: Chungha is an amazing soloist and I really, really enjoy every comeback from her. Her songs this year were all fantastic but Stay Tonight really hit me and stuck with me hence why it’s here.

16.) Star/Voice- Loona: Star is one of my favorite bsides from Loona and is so much fun to listen to. Loona’s strength is that they have incredible bsides and this is no exception. The english and Korean versions are both good, and I like them a lot. 

17.) To Be or Not To Be- Oneus: Oneus is one of the best fourth gen groups and that’s a fact. Their songs are really fun to listen to, but what makes them great is their music videos. Most, if not all, have interesting storylines that draw viewers in and TBONTB is the best example. It picks up the vampire storyline that Twilight starts and is heavily explored in Come Back Home, and it just brings it to a whole new level. The visuals are incredible, the choreo is awesome, and of course I really love the concept and story. 

18.) Yours- Chanyeol: There’s nothing much to say about this song beyond how pleasant it is to listen to and that the simplicity of it and the MV are very refreshing. I have to give a special shoutout to Lee Hi because her vocals fit the track so well and blended very nicely with Chanyeol’s.

19.) Gunshot- KARD: KARD is one of my favorite groups ever. They all work really well together, and I’m always impressed with their discography. Gunshot is especially amazing from its message and lyrics to the catchy chorus to the visuals of the mv. Everything about this comeback is perfectly KARD. 

20.) What Do I Call You- Taeyeon: I’ve really gotten into Taeyeon this year and I think of all her songs in 2020, this one is my favorite. The aesthetic of the music video is really nice, especially in the scenes where she’s with the scientists and the flowers are all over the floor. I also really love her vocals and the plot of the song/mv are very relatable.

Honorable Mentions: 

#GirlsSpkOut- Taeyeon

What You Waiting For- Somi

Pporappippam- Sunmi

Nanana- MCND

So Bad- StayC

Thanxx- Ateez

Losing You- Wonho

Wednesday- #GUN

Take It Off- Wooks

DawnDiDiDawn- Dawn