#top kpop of 2022

[yonghoontual]

@yonghoontual 's Favorite K-Releases of 2022 as Event Posters ♡ January-Edition ♡

[lesbianseulgis]

LESBIANSEULGIS 2022 top picks!

[gfwooyo]

what songs would you recommend to someone who wants to know what kind of music ateez makes?

ooooh okay this is a hard question bc their discography is SO diverse I feel like they really experiment with everything but this chart (missing their latest album) is a super helpful starting place if you know what kinda vibe you prefer

but my PERSONAL favorites that also show their range are inception, hala hala, turbulence, halazia, promise, take me home, be with you, cyberpunk, mist, guerrilla, eternal sunshine, answer, the real, django, fever, and outlaw (also shout out to silver light, youth, it's you, and crazy form from their most recent album. also everything if u like ballads and matz if u like hip hop) (it's killing me not listing more songs like it's actually painful they're soooooo good)

they're def more known for their anthemic songs and their performances but they have suuuuch a varied discography I feel like everyone could find something they like! also this flow chart is cool if u don't like that other chart

it's missing halazia and the world series but it covers the majority!! and then finally this tiktok is a cool way to quickly see but just know even this barely scratches the surface

sorry I couldn't give u a simpler answer and info dumped but thank u for giving me the opportunity 🫂

ps. HIGHLY recommend looking for performances when u find a song u like bc they're so fucking good. mvs too if it's a title track

[seospicybin]

SEOSPICY’S TOP POSTS IN 2022

Author's note: Thank you everyone for reading, liking, reblogging and sharing my writings. I appreciate all of the feedbacks you sent through asks and messages. Thank you for a wonderful year! (Ps. It comes as a no surprise to me that 4 out of 5 are Bangchan fics.)

#5

GLASS.

Han x reader. (s)

Author's note: Just Jisung being a pervy neighbor :)

Content warning: Infidelity.

People should fall in love with their eyes closed.

But Han falls in love with his eyes wide open, through the looking glass.

After traveling to a few countries for his photography exhibitions, he decided to get back and got someplace to settle for a little while until new ideas struck his head and the cycle starts all over again.

When his eyes first landed on you, it was accidental.

He went out to the balcony one morning, trying to capture a picture of the gargoyle of the building. He took a few shots then dragged his camera while kept looking through the viewer and eventually found you.

He looked through the window and saw you were staring at your own reflection in the mirror while sitting on a stool and gracefully combing your hair with so much care.

It wasn't every day he saw women brushing their hair yet it also wasn't something as extraordinary as jumping off a plane for skydiving but peculiarly, he found it very interesting.

He took a few pictures of you just sitting against your vanity, combing your hair, and once in a while raking it with your fingers.

Then you put the hairbrush down and just stared at your own reflection like you haven't seen it for a long, long time.

You were looking for something in the reflection of yourself as it looks back at you.

Then from out of nowhere, another person entered the frame. A man came behind you and put his hands around your shoulders.

You talked to each other through the reflection in the mirror then he kissed the top of your head before left.

The smile that you put on your face for him faded like the day turned to night.

And you faced your reflection again with eyes that were still searching for something in it.

-

Han couldn't help himself.

Not when your apartment was right across from him and he could see everything like your life is a living miniature except that he couldn't play with the person in it.

In the morning, he woke up around 7 because he knew you would wake up around that time.

He had put on a tripod for his camera that was set just behind the window of his balcony.

As he waited for the coffee machine to finish, he looked through the camera with squinted eyes.

You were awake but didn't get up from your bed yet.

You had one hand under your head and your eyes were looking at the void of your bedroom, out of your head, out of this world.

He always took this moment to adore you, how you looked so beautiful by just being awake.

Then your boyfriend came into the frame again, shattering your bubble of thoughts and saying bye to you for he was going to work or whatever business he has to do outside, Han couldn't care less.

Having him out of the house felt like his least favorite movie character was absent from the scene, it was when Han felt the most triumphant.

That was because he can have you for himself.

See the full post

958 notes - Posted August 1, 2022

#4

STARS ALIGNED.

PART I

Bangchan x reader. (s,f)

Chapters: Part II / Part III / Final

Author's Note: Advance warning! Prepare your delulu ass and embrace the cuteness, like it or not.

Chan was deep in his thoughts when the elevator dinged open, or he was too sleepy to barely function.

He waited until the door slid open to get in, then pushed the button to his apartment floor, when the elevator was about to slide shut, he saw someone coming his way.

Chan hurriedly pushed any button to halt the elevator door from closing as he watched you half-jogged into the elevator, carrying a coat and bag in one hand.

"Thank you," you muttered when you got in, then stood on the opposite corner as the elevator began riding up the building. Chan rubbed his eyes to take a look at you, he glanced at you, up and down.

You were wearing a skin-tight dress in the color he likes so much, black. The dress dipped low at the cleavage and hung low, right on the mid-thighs, Chan guessed that you must have been coming back from a night out.

Then you bent over to fix the strap of your shoes, and Chan's eyes flicked to the exposed skin on the back of your thighs, then down to where your hands worked open the straps, then strapped it back again, properly.

You yelped when you almost tripped, and Chan was ready to help you, but fortunately, you gripped the handlebar on time.

Chan almost forgot that he was in the elevator and his floor was one level away, stood up and looked straight ahead.

The elevator dinged again, signaling that it had arrived on his floor, and Chan caught a whiff of your nice-smelling perfume when he walked past you.

Chan didn't want to creep on you, but he was also curious about which floor you lived on.

When he looked back though, you were also getting out of the elevator and were walking behind him, but went in the opposite direction of the hall that leads to the other unit on his floor.

You walked up to the door and unlocked it. And that was the first time Chan saw the neighbor of his new apartment.

He got excited thinking that this wouldn't be the last time he saw you if you're neighbors.

-

"This is a really nice apartment," Jeongin beamed as he looked around Chan's new and still lack of furniture apartment.

Chan poured a glass of juice for himself and then took a canned soda for Jeongin, "I should thank you for telling me about it," he said, then handed Jeongin his drink.

Jeongin popped open the soda, "it was actually my aunt, she recommended it to me," he replied, then gulped his drink.

He gasped after he swallowed the drink and then sat on the sofa, "she lives in the next unit, by the way," he informed.

Chan thought he misheard him, so he didn't think about it that much. "I planned on giving this to my little cousin," he muttered while holding a paper bag, "but they're not at home right now," he sighed.

Jeongin placed the paper bag on the glass table, "can you give it to them instead?"

"Huh? Me?" He asked in utter confusion.

Jeongin nodded, "my aunt knows all of you," he assured him, "she'll recognize you,"

Chan pursed his lips, "but is your aunt really living in the next unit?" Jeongin nodded again as he sipped his carbonated drink.

"Why?" He asked.

"I've seen the person who lives in the next unit, and I don't think it's your aunt," he explained.

See the full post

971 notes - Posted May 12, 2022

#3

HAVEN.

Bangchan x reader. (s,f)

Author's note: I am aware that I haven't written a Bangchan fic that is heavy on the fluff side, so here you go!

"I'm really, really, really sorry," Chan muttered the moment he got out of the elevator.

He saw you were sitting on your suitcase, next to the door of his apartment, reading a book.

"I was working on something, and I lost track of time," he explained, then punched in the pass code to unlock the door, "I'm sorry for making you wait for hours," he apologized again.

When the door beeped open, he swung the door wide to let you in.

"It's okay, it's about time I finish this book anyway," you assured him.

He let you get in first then helped you by dragging your suitcases inside.

"If it wasn't because my mom kept calling me, I'd have forgotten about it. I am so sorry," he apologized for the umpteenth time.

You softly laughed at him, "it's okay, Chris!"

He heavily sighed then turned the lights on, "Still, I feel so bad! I made you wait for more than two hours!"

"It's okay, Chris! It's all good now," you comforted him.

Then it got quiet, you looked into each other and realized you haven't really properly greeted each other.

"It feels weird isn't it?" You asked him with eyebrows raised, "we haven't met in years, and here we are," you added.

He nodded with a grin that made his dimples prominent.

You went in for a hug and he returned the hug by looping an arm around you, rubbing your back a few times before pulling away.

"How are you, Chris?" You asked him.

He sucked air through his teeth, then smiled, "I think I'm good," he answered.

"How about you?" He asked.

"I'm doing good," you replied, "and thank you for letting me stay in your apartment,"

"Oh please, letting an old friend stay for a week is nothing," he said then crossed his arms on his chest.

"I'm not like... intruding your private space, right?"

He quickly shook his head, "No, I rarely stay at home anyway," he said the pulled the handle of your suitcase.

"Your room is this way," he led you to the guest room and pushed the door open

"As you see, I haven't really bought much furniture for the house, but I hope the bed is comfortable enough for you," he explained, then set your suitcase next to the dresser.

"This is more than enough," you sauntered to the empty table facing the window and put down your bags on it, you peeked through the curtains to see the view and sighed at how beautiful the afternoon sky was.

"But do tell me if you need anything," he added, leaning one side of his body against the door frame.

You nodded at him, "sure, will do," you replied.

"I'll leave you to tidy up," he said then left the room.

See the full post

1,161 notes - Posted February 26, 2022

#2

THINNING.

Bangchan x reader. (s,f)

Author's note: No angst this time. Just a good ole friends to lovers fluff! :)

"I'm so busy I don't have time to be sad about my break-up!" You said as you fixed your eye make-up with the visor down while Chan was driving your car.

"Or maybe because it's your second break-up in this month alone, you're probably immune to it," Chan playfully remarked.

You pinched his arm but because of his firm biceps, you could only pinch just enough skin and inflicted a little pain.

"Ouch!" He yelped.

"Oh, shut up! It's not even that hurt!" You sneered at him and continued fixing your make-up.

You leaned in close to him as the car arrived at the destination.

"How's my make-up?" You asked, batting your eyelashes at him.

He went to examine it with a laser focus and tapped your cheek, "You look horrible!"

You lightly punched him on the chest now, but he also got a nice firm pec there.

"How do you have muscles everywhere?" You nagged with so much frustration while he could only laugh.

The club was in full swing when you arrived. Chan doesn't like going to this kind of place, but since you were the one who insisted on him going, he had no choice but to surrender. It was that or you dragged him there yourself.

"This is my friend, Chan!" You introduced him to your friends from university and took the tequila shot on the table, gulped it down your throat.

You gasped as the alcohol burned down your throat.

Your friends stared at you and they were probably pissed because it was supposed to be girls' night out. No bros allowed.

"I know, I know. But he's leaving tomorrow," you quickly explained to them, "so I thought why not celebrate two things at once!"

You grabbed the drink in your friend's hand and took a little sip.

Yet your friends still stared at you, "oh come on!" You stomped your foot on the floor.

"Cute me some slack!" You whined, "he'll be away for three months!"

But it seemed like they doubted your words.

"It's not that," one of your friends finally spoke up.

"Are you sure he's just a friend?" The other chimed in, while the rest gulped at how blunt her question was.

You sighed and gave your friend her drink back, "Look!" You began speaking.

You pulled Chan by his elbow to your side and linked your arm with his, "you can be friends with anyone with dicks and not hop on them, okay?" You sneered.

"You guys should know that better!" You rolled your eyes at them, slightly annoyed.

Chan let out a dry laugh, he agreed with the point you tried to utter but not so much with how your word it.

"We're just friends. And we've been friends for like..." you glanced at him and tried to get a hint of the answer.

"We're just friends!" Chan stated, putting an end to the conversation and the doubts your friends have about you and him.

See the full post

1,388 notes - Posted July 16, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

THREE OF A KIND.

PART I

Bangchan x reader x Hyunjin. (s)

Chapters: Part II / PART III

Author's note: pls let me know if they should do it again!

"Let's play a game!" Chan announced, grinning from ear to ear that his dimples sunken in his cheeks.

With his red cheeks and silly laughs, you were sure he was slightly drunk. You turned your head to the other side to look at Hyunjin and exchanged a knowing glance.

"Is he drunk?" You whispered.

Hyunjin giggled, "I think so," he whispered back and took a sip of his drink.

The three of you were sitting on the sofa, facing the table that was filled with an array of snacks and a few cans of drinks from juice to the half-empty bottle of liquor.

You were surprised to have them visiting your place for a spontaneous little get-together that led to you pulling out the bottle of rum you have in your alcohol stash.

"I'm pretty sure I put a lot more coke than the rum," you said to Hyunjin.

Hyunjin shrugged, he took a bag of chips from the table, "you know he's bad at drinking," he commented, then shoves chips into your mouth in which you voluntarily took and ate.

Chan scooted close to you on the sofa, "Come on! Let's play!" He announced again, along with a toddler-like whine.

When you were about to speak, Hyunjin fed you with more potato chips which you reluctantly took and ate again. You glared at Hyunjin, and he responded with a giggle.

"What are we going to play, Hyung?" Hyunjin asked, put down the bag of chips then dusted off the food crumbs on his lap.

Chan pulled out something from behind him and made it seem like a magic trick, you chuckled at how silly he looked when he did that.

He slammed the thing and took it out of the box that turned out to be a deck of cards.

"Have you been hiding it behind you the whole time?" You asked him.

Chan laughed, he pushed his curly dark hair to the back and took the deck of cards in his hands, "I always come prepared," he said.

"Hyung, you haven't told us what we are going to play," he reminded him of his unanswered question.

Chan held up his hand, "We're going to play suck and blow,"

"Oh!" You exclaimed at the mention of the game name you haven't played since your last college party.

"You know it?" Hyunjin asked from behind you.

You nodded because the answer was obvious, "yes,"

"How do you play it?" He asked.

At first, you thought he asked you that to make sure you knew, but it was actually the other way around.

"You don't know?" You asked him back.

He shook his head.

"I'll give these cards a good shuffle while you explain how the game works to Hyunjin," Chan said, then began shuffling the cards even though it was no use to do that.

See the full post

1,606 notes - Posted January 15, 2022

Check all of my writings on my MASTERLIST!

[clnlbt]

TOP 20 KPOP SONGS 2022 (July-December) PART 1

SOLO FEMALE ARTIST

1. BIBI - Animal Farm

2. Seulgi - 28 Reasons

3. BIBI - BIBI Vengeance

4. AleXa - Black in Vogue

5. Apoki - West Swing

6. YooA - Selfish

7. Seori - Cinderella

8. Chungha - Sparkling

9. Hyolyn - No Thanks

10. BIBI - Jotto

11. Hwasa - just talking to myself

12. Cocona - Twinkle

13. Park Bom - Remembered

14. Jo Yuri - Loveable

15. Moonbyul - Present

16. Jamie - 3D Woman

17. Youha - Last Dance

18. Hwasa - Grey Christmas

19. Moonbyul - Comma

20. Adora - Magical Symphony

Honorable Mention :

BoA - Forgive Me

SOLO MALE ARTIST

1. Lee Changsub - Surrender

2. Ten - Birthday

3. DPR Ian - Calico

4. Leo - Losing Game

5. Kino - Pose

6. Key - Gasoline

7. Colde - Cat

8. Zico - Seoul Drift

9. Wang Jackson - Cruel

10. Ash Island - Melody

11. Gemini - Do Me Right

12. Ha Sung Woon - Focus

13. Mark Tuan - imysm

14. Vernon - Black Eye

15. Zico - Freak

16. Jin - The Astronaut

17. Wang Jackson - Come Alive

18. Gemini - Hola

19. KB(OnlyOneOf) - be free

20. GSoul - Everytime

Honorable Mentions :

Seo Actor - Sand Castle

Mark Tuan - far away

JayB - go UP

Rain - Domestic

DUET/COLLABORATION

1. Apink Chobom - Copycat

2. Loco x Hwasa - Somebody !

3. Zico x Zior Park - Noctural Animals

4. Zico x Homies - New Thing

5. BIBI x Yoonmirae - Law

6. J.Y Park x Gaeko - GrooveBack

7. Crush x J.Hope - Rush Hour

8. Mamamoo+ x Big Naughty - Better

9. Chanmina x Ash Island - Don't go

10. Maytree - Carol of the bells

11. RM x Youjeen - Wild Flower

12. Yesung x Solar - After Love

13. 10cm x Big Naughty - Just 10 centimeters

14. Ravi x Wheein - Bye

15. GroovyRoom x Gemini x Mirani - Rollin

16. The Attire x Woosung - Sricacha

17. Wheein x Colde - Sunny Shower

18. SMTown - Hot & Cold

19. Gemini x Big Naughty - 1,2,3

20. Kim Na Young x Jungkey - I can't sleep

[slimim2000]

My top 20 kpop songs from October 2022:

.

20: Generation - tripleS

19: Underwater - KWON EUN BI

18: Blank - JO YURI

17: Simulation - KWON EUN BI

16: Same But Different - LEE CHAE YEON

15: CASE 143 - Stray Kids

14: No Celestial - LE SSERAFIM

13: Some Love - DREAMCATCHER

12: Dead Man Running - SEULGI

11: Rainy Day - DREAMCATCHER

10: Crown - SEULGI

9: Lovable - JO YURI

8: HUSH RUSH - LEE CHAE YEON

7: Tick Tick Boom - CLASS:y

6: Impurities - LE SSERAFIM

5: Youth - KIHYUN

4: Sweet Sorrow of Mother - BIBI

.

3: 28 Reasons - SEULGI

- listen. This song is just everything I wanted for seulgi’s solo debut. The vibe of the song fits her voice so incredibly well and the entire concept is just so cool. She’s one of the very few people in the industry rn that can pull off a song like this. The way it’s so stripped back really allows her vocals to shine. Rv honestly never disappoint. This entire EP was amazing -

.

2: ANTIFRAGILE - LE SSERAFIM

- dare I say,,, soty… honestly, antifragile is iconic, so incredibly catchy and also really refreshing with its soundscape compared to the current industry. This song is a big slay and deserves all the praise -

.

1: Anywhere But Home - SEULGI

- I fell in love with this song on first listen and just never fell out of love. It’s become sort of a comfort song for me and it never fails to make me feel nice and warm inside. Also just on a technical standpoint this song has such a good vibe. Idk how to express all the love for this song the is compressed in my body, but be assured it’s in there -

[yj-98]

hiii <3 tagged by @boudicca to list 5 songs i’ve been into lately <3 but like weeks ago i just have a bad memory 🫶 ty<33

de selby (part 2) - hozier

groove is in the heart - deee-lite

the great pretender - freddie mercury

the agency group - alvvays

superstar - jamelia

tagging @minhkhoakhan (ur gonna get tagged in every tag game i do <3 brace yourself) @gretaghostgirl @spiiderpunk @burritowitch @anthyies @lesbiananitafite if u want <3

[chearyeongs]

my top comebacks of 2022

honorable mentions: dice - nmixx, after like - ive, 28 reasons - seulgi, cheshire - itzy, and step back - GOT the beat

[apencilandpen]

top tracks of 2022, second half:

Cyberpunk - ATEEZ - 07/29/22

[lottieurl]

hallelujah they counted most of november

[loonarii]

My Top 15 Kpop Songs of 2022

(15) 'Tank' - NMIXX

I have disliked many NMIXX songs this year, but 'Tank' was not one of them. It's gloriously weird, and is the perfect earworm. You will almost certainly hate it upon first listen, but within hours of hearing it, it will echo in your mind until it's all you think about.

(13) 'After LIKE' - IVE

I did this song SO DIRTY in my review. I thought its sampling and speed would be its downfall, but here we are, with it at number 14. This song can only be described as glorious - it's the midpoint between third generation and fourth generation, it’s the culmination of all of IVE’s work so far, it’s the epitome of kpop. And yet, it’s only at 14. That shows how good 2022 kpop has been.

(14) 'Blue Flame' - Le Sserafim

The first of many Le Sserafim entries on my list, ‘Blue Flame’ playfully shows off the group's undeniable potential. It’s lilting and mesmerising, low key and relaxed, and the girls’ vocals dance around the beat with pseudo–naivety.

(12) 'Still Life' - RM

RM’s ‘Indigo’ album is pure magic, but ‘Still Life’ has stuck with me more than any other track. The song’s defiant euphoria is delicious, and Namjoon’s ‘don’t give a fuck’ attitude works so well. This song laughs in your face, and then pulls you onto the dance floor. It’s a reminder to take life less seriously, a message that many of us, including myself, need to hear.

(11) 'Impurities' - Le Sserafim

‘Impurities’ is ‘Blue Flame’ at 1000%. The whimsy and delicacy are even more so, and the whole song is like falling into another dimension. It’s like an acid trip in the best way. Chaewon shines on this song, demonstrating a softer side to her we don’t usually get to see.

(10) 'Generation' - TripleS AAA

The immediacy of ‘Generation’ has consumed all my thoughts. I don’t care if the lyrics are meaningless, because this song is pure, addictive joy. It immediately brings a smile to the face - and it demands you dance. It’s a small pocket of teenage perfection.

(9) 'Cookie' - NewJeans

I know it’s problematic, I know it’s kind of odd, I know, but I can’t help loving this song. ‘Cookie’ is constructed perfectly, and keeps you unbelievably hooked, despite its minimalistic sound. NewJeans never miss.

(8) 'DM' - fromis_9

We forgot about ‘DM’ too quickly. While this song reinvents nothing and explores no new territory, it does pop to the highest degree. It’s a feast for your ears from the first to the last second. I literally have no critiques, it’s a flawless pop song.

(7) 'ANTIFRAGILE' - Le Sserafim

OH MY GOD. Everything about this song makes me ascend to another plane of existence. The languid vocals, the squeaky beat, the CHORUS, the dance, EVERYTHING. Chaewon is the beating heart of this song, but it's Kazuha that ties everything together into one of the greatest girl pop songs of the fourth generation. It shouldn’t work as well as it does, but I’m not complaining.

(6) 'Heart Burn' - Sunmi

This song has been on my mind since release. I don’t even truly know why I love it so much - sonically and vocally it isn’t insanely unique, but somehow the whole package forms a song that is utter perfection. Sunmi is an enchantress on this track.

(5) 'Glitch' - Kwon Eunbi

The 8-bit production, Eunbi’s soft vocals, the reinvented anti drop, the thrumming bass - this song is a recipe for perfection. Every risk it takes pays off to the point where they aren’t even risks anymore, just the perfect choice for the song. The UK garage sound works wonderfully with Eunbi, and I pray she returns to it. And fuck me the final chorus of the song is pure, divine magic.

(4) 'Anywhere But Home' - Seulgi

The entirety of Seulgi’s ‘28 Reasons’ album is artistically flawless, but ‘Anywhere But Home’ has something the other tracks don’t. It operates within the space between melancholic and exhilarated, between desperate and careless, and it works so well. Let’s not leave this masterpiece in this year, it has the longevity to keep it afloat for many years to come.

(3) 'Forever 1' - Girls' Generation

It is physically impossible to listen to this song and not dance. Its energy is indescribable - it’s a celebration of SNSD’s legacy, and even if you are a new fan of them like myself, it makes you feel like you were there in 2007 when ‘Into The New World’ changed the industry forever.  Girls’ Generation are beyond iconic, and this song solidified what we already knew - SNSD are the queens of kpop.

(2) 'Hype Boy' - NewJeans

One night, all the stars and planets aligned in a once in a lifetime event, and on that night, one of the greatest songs of all time was created. ‘Hype Boy’ is an instant classic. It’s timeless, it’s playful, it’s the most familiar song to ever exist, it’s A FUCKING LIFESTYLE. And yet, it’s at number two. What sort of god given instant smash hit could possibly beat out fucking ‘Hype Boy’? What kind of group could even do that? Who else, but NewJeans themselves.

(1) 'Attention' - NewJeans

I clearly remember the first time I heard this song -  it was like 5pm and I opened youtube, only to see a new music video on HYBE’s channel from a group I didn’t recognise. I clicked, and watched it, and instantly I fell in love. I listened to it on repeat, and then spent the rest of the evening desperately searching for the little information about this group that was available. I checked spotify every day for when this song would be uploaded, and when it blew up about a week later I couldn’t be happier. ‘Attention’ has it all. The production, the vocals, the originality, it’s all unbelievably good. Within a week NewJeans became my favourite fourth generation group, and every day they rival Twice to be my ults. NewJeans are my rookies of the year, and their debut album is literally my favourite kpop album of all time. Their first comeback is only around the corner, and I can’t even imagine the hits on that album. Congratulations NewJeans, you’ve stolen my heart along with the hearts of the entire kpop listening community. I can’t wait to see what you do in 2023.

[yonghoontual]

Yonghoontual's favorite Releases of 2022 Part 3

Now it's time for the beloved b-sides. Doing things a bit different for this one because I have way too many favs: Every artist is only gonna be on this list once (which is very hard for me lmao). Instead I'm going to put the other contenders for a place on this list by the same artist in brackets at the end of every placing. Ok, let's do it!

Trigger_ by Onewe (Orbit_)

The Game by Pentagon (Sparkling Night)

In My Dreams by Red Velvet (Bye Bye)

Cool (Your Rainbow) by Nmixx

Royal by Ive (My Satisfaction)

Blue Flame by Le Sserafim (Impurities)

Tell Me by Fifty Fifty

Moon Prism by Rocket Punch

Escape Room by fromis_9

Locked Inside a Door by Dreamcatcher

Villain by Girls Generation

Basics by Twice

Same Same by Stayc (Young Luv)

Snowy by Itzy

i by Lightsum

Pretty Psycho by Purple Kiss

overlap (1/1) by Billlie

Shelter by E'LAST (Nightmare)

Natural by Pixy

Night Fog by Highlight

Eden by Oh my Girl

Drown in Love by Cix

Break Down by Kard

La Luna by Ichillin'

The Song of Dann (Promise) by Kingdom (Appetite)

Dance with me by BTOB

Oscar by Apink Chobom

Change by g-idle

Love Love Love by Viviz

Stawberry Cake by Xdinary Heroes

[lowqteentopgifs]

NIEL | A to Z

[maximura]

MAXSIX: TOP 22 SONGS OF 2022

Hi tumblr! Wishing you all a Happy New Year in 2023. Things have been absolutely crazy busy down here so I haven’t posted much lately but I hope you’re all safe, healthy and will have a successful year ahead. I thought KPOP gave us an absolutely amazing year of music actually. It was truly the year of the Girl Group and even though I love boy groups more, I have zero complaints. Here’s my Top 22 songs. 

22. That Feeling When by Enhypen. This song is just so comforting for me. I put it on when I’ve had an awful week. It sounds like a walk in the park on a sunny day. The structure, tempo and instrumentation sounds very very similar to Post Malone’s Circles but much softer and less traumatised.  I appreciate that they consistently put out albums with fully-formed songs on them. I don’t think they will ever be my bias group because I just don’t really vibe with them. I don’t understand their identity or personality (as a group). I don’t understand what part of the market they are aiming for. But they are just new so they have time to figure that out. 

21. BTBT by B.I. Oh Kim Hanbin, we meet again, under very very different circumstances this time. It’s been nearly EIGHT YEARS since Ikon debuted and excuse me while I ride this wave of memory and nostalgia for a minute. I’m always proud of how he came back. I wanted to include Illa Illa but that was last year. There’s something so fluid, calm and content about his material now. It’s a lot like the flow of water and I’m sure there’s a whole paragraph about symbolism and rebirth and change in here somewhere but ain’t nobody got time for my essay on him (me included). 

20. Antifragile by LE SSERAFIM. I only checked out this group because I really think Bangs (Chaewon) is a big star and would be an IT Girl if Wonyoung did not already exist. I like Fearlesss and Sour Grapes too but I won’t lie, I am really in my Trash-GG-Pop era and Antifragile is so weird but so catchy. I like the use of these lesser-heard chords and it honestly sounds so enjoyably wrong. Fearless is the more stylish song but sometimes you’d rather wear a fur jacket than black suit, you know? They’re off to a good start but the reason they’re this low on my list is because I cannot really love them yet? There’s no gateway bias for me into LS. Excited for their future output though. 

19. INVU by Taeyeon. She is one of those cases where I truly have to separate the artist from the art to enjoy it. Her voice is just beautiful here and this song is so lush and gorgeous. I really like the bittersweet nature of INVU and the emotion she was able to bring to it. She really connects with the audience and I think it’s why she remains so successful and popular. The rest of her personality? I will not comment on. 

18. Shut Down by Blackpink. Sorry I ended up liking this trash. I know I am already contractually obligated to support all Australians in KPOP but sometimes the Garbage lady did well and needs to be promoted to Garbage Boss. It was a toss up between this and Pink Venom but this won because the Lisa verses bothered me less here. Jennie was always their better rapper anyways and for those who disagree, you are 100% entitled to your (wrong) opinion. 

17. Feel My Rhythm/In My Dreams by Red Velvet. For me, they will never top Bad Boy and Psycho but I enjoyed the classic sampling of Bach in FMR. I’m including both in this because they are so similar and I often listen to them together when I want to be in this very particular mood. They’re just both so pretty and soothing to me and that’s all there is to this comment. Great gowns, beautiful gowns etc. 

16. Ballroom Extravaganza by DPR Ian. The contractual obligation to support all Australians continues. He has some absolutely devastating material to be honest. He writes things that take me back to my disastrous uni years; when I thought I was living in a Hole album but truthfully, I just needed therapy and a good night’s sleep. He’s my Breakdown OST man. If you vibed with anything I just wrote there, you need Christian Yu in your life. I don’t listen to him often because I don’t like revisiting my breakdown eras but the music is very very good. He’s like the music version of Sicario, which is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen but never ever want to see again. 

15. After Like by IVE. It’s just so cute. That’s all. It’s just fun and cute and you can listen to it without any kind of stress or expectation. The sample from Gloria Gaynor had me wondering how rich their management is because damm, not even BTS sampled something this famous. This one is particularly good to have on when you’re getting ready to go out. 

14. Young Luv StayC. This was a song that I instantly understood and connected with. I always thought of this as the sister version of TXT’s Loser = Lover, which was actually my most played KPOP song of 2022, even though it was released August 2021. Sentimental rock songs are just my thing I guess. I really love the tempo of these pop-rock songs and it’s crazy to me that StayC and TXT do the genre SO well but don’t lean more heavily into it. This constant need for re-invention is not always necessary. Sometimes I wish groups could figure out what they do best and stick with it. Not everyone can be Seventeen. 

13. Muddy Water by Stray Kids. This is my favourite Skz song this year and if they don’t play this when I see them live, I will protest loudly and annoyingly. Changbin usually has my favourite verse in every single Skz song but it’s all Felix MVP for this one because I always prefer deeper-rap to chipmunk. Hyunjin’s lower register is so nice to listen to and I’m so frustrated they don’t use it more often. Jisung is flawless as usual and I sit here patiently waiting for him to drop his (likely) psychological Jixtape. No clown music please, give me all the shadows of your mind Han Jisung. 

12. Ash by Seventeen. What a surprise and revelation this song was, tacked to the end of the album like a “Oh yeah we’ll just put one of our best songs here like an afterthought”. This is Vernon’s song and his rap verse is one of the BEST I have heard all year. It is just flawless in its tone, pace and delivery. He’s a really good example of knowing what he does well and perfecting it over time. Black Eye just came out and I absolutely adore his voice on it. He’s just such a revelation and I hope there is more solo material from him in the future. I didn’t think Seventeen could do anything to surprise me anymore but they do it every time. What a group. 

11. HOT by Seventeen. This was the song that got me back into the fandom, after Mansae (seven years ago!) I love the intro. Definitely one of the best intros I’ve heard in a long time because it set the tone immediately. This song always gives me a big hit of energy when it plays, kinda of like taking a sip of Red Bull. I have to just talk about how crazy talented the video editers were. The amount of work that went into the HOT mv blows my mind every day. Whenever I sit and watch it, my head can’t compute that humans put this together. 

10. Guerrilla by ATEEZ. The most surprising song for me this year. It was at once the most expected thing from Ateez and so damm unexpected. I didn’t think any group would lean this hard into this genre because Korean versions of anything but pop is always a diluted Hello-Kitty version. I feel like it announced them in a Big Way and I love watching them riding this wave. Every time I listen to them I thank the Universe that they managed to get Jongho in the line up. I think this needed to be their title track (for the impact) but the album absolutely had even better songs on it.

9. Cheers by Seventeen. The confidence and arrogance and cockiness involved here was so tasty to witness. Also: Seungcheol ass. Yeah, I play this one a lot and whenever I blast it driving, my lil Kompressor thinks he’s a Nissan GTR in Tokyo Drift. 

8. Wildfire by Monsta X. I know the bare minimum about this group so I had the lowest of expectations but the longevity of this song on my playlist truly surprised me. It’s a slutty club jam with torment and a narrative that I totally understand. I have always maintained that the writing, production and depth of this song is what ‘Red Lights’ was striving to be. I think you need to have lived through some shit to bring the necessary conviction to songs like this. Do I feel that Chan has been through a soul destroying toxic relationship? No. Do I believe Hyungwon has one every Sunday? Absolutely. I pray every day for him to release a solo version of this. 

7. Attention by New Jeans. The first thing I heard from them and man, what an introduction. A total breath of fresh air in the age of mash-up noize songs. It took me a long time to figure out what I really like about them and it’s the minimalism. KPOP is so crazy and OTT where More is More so when you get something stripped back like this, it seems new. 

6. Cyberpunk by Ateez. The World: Movement was one of the most solid albums released this year and it absolutely blows my mind whenever end of year lists don’t at least acknowledge how cohesive it is and how TIGHT that production was, like damm, they really kept only the choice cuts. I love the journey of Cyberpunk because when it started, my brain just went: Bladerunner 2049 Club Jam. The Hongjoong-Mingi rap though, worth buying the entire album for. They just never disappoint me. If you see Song Mingi today, please tell him that I love him. 

5. Hype Boy by New Jeans. This song reminds me SO much of 2nd Gen SM girl groups. It reminds me of S.E.S, who were the first Kpop group that I knew about and loved. This is just a very very good and well written song. There’s really nothing else to it. When the music is so solid, there doesn’t need to be anything else added to the equation. By sounding 2nd Gen, they’ve managed to make groups like Itzy and NMIXX sound so dated and messy in comparison. 

4. Run BTS by BTS. Well well well. And look what we have here. It took years of utterly whelming material for me to get something like this from them again. This is so fun, memorable, catchy and full of the attitude and personality I think they kinda lost along their way to infamy. It sounds like 2nd Grade lost all its baby fat and graduated from college with $3 in its pocket. If you think I sound like an old person then get off my lawn. 

3. Ring by TXT. Kang Taehyun is my favourite boy on this entire list and this song is his (feat. Yeonjun’s rap, which is one of his best imo). It’s cute but not saccharine. It’s simple without being one of those superficial filler songs on an album. It’s lighthearted but performed seriously well. Anyways, Kang Taehyun is my favourite boy. Did I tell you how Taehyun is my favourite boy. No? Well he is my favourite boy. Ok. That is that all.

2. Ditto by New Jeans. Australians in KPOP always outsell but an Australian-Vietnamese Girl in KPOP? Represent, Pham Hanni. This song and the MVs were like a shot of Nostalgia Cocaine straight into my veins. It hit really hard in a way I was not expecting and I was thinking about all the friends from school that I don’t see anymore. I hope they continue to provide to us with great, well written (age appropriate) music. I have my own issues with their management and can only hope good things for them in the future. This just came out like 5 minutes ago and I already love it. 

1. Love Dive by IVE. Even if I didn’t like this song (which I do), I can comfortable give it the title of Song of the Year. This is the perfect representation of them as a concept: high teen, unattainable but not intimidating, cool but not in a way that alienates kids who grew up unpopular. The minimalistic structure and tight production of this song is 10/10 but the things that truly made it for me are the ethereal angel vocals and that beat pause before the chorus at the end. The choices......they are flawless. Future Classic already. 

[starlightkun]

wait why do so many people hate my girl favorite

[shadowetienne]

Etienne’s Top Fives of 2022: Kpop Edition - Rookies

Getting started with my top fives for 2022 with Kpop rookie groups that I really enjoyed this year. If you want to see what other lists are in store, you can find that linked in my about me section (along with ones for previous years).

For the rookies list in Kpop, I’m not counting unit groups from inside a pre-existing group (those get lumped in to the body of work for their groups). This list also does not include redebuts (where all members are redebuting) because the ones of those that made my list were established enough that I thought that they fit better elsewhere. To be clear, I’m using Rookies to mean “groups that had their debut during the 2022 calendar year.”

The list (with representative MVs) can be found after the cut!

This wasn’t a year where I have a huge huge list of rookie groups, but some of the ones that caught my attention really caught my attention and could probably make a go for my top 5s lists in non rookie categories honestly. So I’d say it’s been a pretty good year for rookie groups overall.

Here’s a shoutout to the groups that made my preliminary list (this is in order of when I encountered them and lists their debut year MVs that I watched and enjoyed): ILY:1 (“Love in Bloom” / “Que Sera Sera��), CLASS:y (“Shut Down”), TrendZ (“Who” / “Clique”), Tan (“Walking on the Moon”), Irris (“Wanna Know”), and CSR (“Pop? Pop!”)

Special Mention (but these are actually Jpop rookies): &Team

“Under the Skin” https://youtu.be/0utfT0nbuTA

“Scent of You” https://youtu.be/69IT-53ULZA

(MVs for these only linked because of embeded video limits, though tumblr might have changed the number on those since last time I was paying attention.)

I really enjoyed &Team’s debut (and I was pre-invested because of the I-land competitors that I was excited to see debut). Overall, I’ve liked their music so far (though there’s not a lot of it), and they are good performers that I can tell I’m going to enjoy continuing to watch. They weren’t in contention for this main part of the list because they are technically Jpop and slated as such, though debuted through Hybe, but I felt remiss leaving them out entirely.

Biases: Nicholas, EJ, Yuma

5) Younite

I was excited for Younite because I was happy to Eunsang getting his proper debut in a group that will hopefully last pretty well. I was fond of him in PDX101 and X1, and I was really hoping that he would get a proper chance to actually get a debut that wouldn’t be mired in problems (and all the downsides of competition shows). I’ve really enjoyed Younite’s cuter/brighter concepts so far, and they seem to mesh pretty well as a group, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next!

Biases: Eunsang, Eunho

4) Kep1er

I had complicated feelings about this group going in. Yujin is one of my CLC biases, and her going on GP999 was sort of the moment where I knew for absolute sure that CLC was coming to an end, but I also really like Yujin, and really liked Xiaoting already from Chinese competition programs that she’d been on, and was curious about other people on the show. I didn’t watch GP999 (just some of the performances with people I was already interested in), but when Yujin and Xiaoting both made it into the group, I checked out Kep1er’s stuff, hopeful that they’d do well for themselves. I’ve been happy with their music and enjoying their stuff overall so far! So at least I’m glad that it looks like this is providing a strong path forward for Yujin and the others.

Biases: Yujin, Xiaoting, Bahiyyih 

3) NewJeans

Here’s another group where I went in nervous, but for a completely different reason. They’re so young! I do appreciate that their concepts and styling have been geared to their age and from what I’ve seen of their behind the scenes stuff, they seem comfortable and allowed to act their age. I really like their songs, and they’ve got incredible voices, especially for how young they are they are so stable. They’ve also got good choreos, and a lot of stage presence. This group is going places. I appreciate that they really seem to have good group dynamics. I’ve liked every song that they’ve released so far, except “Cookie.” But so far, “Hype Boy” (above) has probably been my favorite, though their new release “Ditto” is giving it a run for its money on that front. This is definitely a group that I look at and go “babies” though. I look forward to watching them grow up more and accomplish new things, and I’m pretty sure that I’m going to be so proud of them!

Biases: Haerin, Danielle

2) Tempest

This is a group that I was so excited for! I loved Hanbin on I-land, and I’ve loved LEW and Hyeongseop since they were on PD101S2. This group 100% came through with a bright, strong, very them sound from the start. They’re fun to watch, great performers, and have for me a no skip discography so far (very rare for me). I dithered between “Bad News,” “Taste the Feeling,” and “Can’t Stop Shining“ (above) for their representative song because all three really represent for me the sound of Tempest that I enjoy so much. I’m really excited to see where this group goes as they keep making more music!

Biases: Hyuk, Hyeongseop, LEW, Hanbin

1) Le Sserafim

I have been looking forward to Yunjin’s debut for so long! And Le Sserafim absolutely nailed it this year for me. I love their sound! I love the way they work their voices together! I’ve really enjoyed their behind the scenes stuff and group dynamics. They had a rough start with controversies and losing a member to them, but they’ve come through strong and with an excellent sound. I absolutely think that they’re just going to keep getting better. I love how they’ve at times incorporated Yunjin’s opera training and Kazuha’s ballet training into their performances and overall body of work. I love that they’ve already got members involved in songwriting. Yunjin’s self composed song “Raise y_our glass” that they made basically a little MV for is spectacular (https://youtu.be/7hBf9Fxsg6M). I’m looking forward to what they do next as a group!

Biases: Yunjin, Kazuha