Hello ONTD
We are officially wrapping 2025 and that means the annual best Kpop songs of the year! If you’ve been here long enough you can track this list back to 2018! *whew!* but here’s 2024 list in case you missed it and that post has all previous years.
This year, I’m shaking things up a bit! I’ll be putting together a top 10 list for female releases and another for male releases, since listing over 40 songs is a bit overwhelming u__u. Honestly, I’ve also been drifting a little from K-pop lately, so I might have to pass the torch to someone else next year.
Here are the rules for the list:
• This list features only tracks with official music videos, including title tracks and B-sides.
• Only one song per group is included to keep things varied—this applies even if there are subunits or solo releases.
Note: If Yeji is on this list (which she is…), that means Itzy releases can’t be included. There are a few special cases with groups that share members (like GOT the Beat, SuperM, EL7UP), and also K-pop inspired or themed groups like Katseye/XG aren’t on this list either.
10. Rescene- Bloom
Absolutely adore the chorus of this song with those little “ah ah’s”. Reminiscing of “christian girl” kpop, a truly underrated girl group, i would recommend to check other tracks by them like Yo-yo and Glow Up that are excellent.
9.Yves – Soap ft. PinkPantheress
This was a great year for Yves, she went viral on tiktok, collaborated with PinkPantheress, got a ton of exposure and delivered some solid solid music. Sampling a song from Rebecca Black!? Her mind!
8. Stayc- Bebe
Im biased cause they’re one of my fave ggs and im a sucker for a little cvnty concept. I also love a song that starts right off the bat with a rap (See 9muses-Drama).
7. Blackpink- Jump
I know Like Jennie was probably in everyone’s top list and i agree, its a great song and a vibe but for me Jump is a tad more fun. Its a bit nostalgic? the sound brings me back to like high school, lol.
6.Yeji – Air
Giving the gays what they want, hair, moves, bops, looks and attitude.
5.BBGirls – Love 2
After losing their most popular member, BBGirls (formerly Brave Girls) came back as a trio to deliver probably one of their best songs. This retro, not so in your face nostalgic love song hits in the right place. A perfect dreamy pop song for a long rainy day drive.
4.Dayoung – Body
Out of all the WJSN members, i wasnt expecting this from Dayoung. She really took it upon herself while her group is in the dungeon, to go to LA network, compose and deliver. Queen!
3.Hearts2Hearts – Focus
SM seemed to drop the ball this year with bops for my Aespa girlies, cause they were too busy giving banger after banger (The chase!? Style?) to Hearts2Hearts. Focus is a refreshing, fun and the Thom Browne outfits are so so good.
2.AtHeart
These girls came out of nowhere with prob my fave debut this year, a simple yet effective song, Plot Twist delivers dreamy synths, nice clean vocals and overall just an excellent song.
1. NMIXX – Blue Valentine
I always thought back in the day LOONA was doing some very unique sonically, as well as Aespa with their distinct song and imma be honest, when NMIXX debuted i wasnt a fan but they’ve grown soooo much. They are the only girl group really doing some unique things both musically and visually. Blue Valentine really is the epitome of what they can do, cool transitions, synths, vocals, guitars, slowing down the song!? really impressed at what they pulled out this year and i hope they continue to top themselves cause this is GREAT music.
1.ARTMS – Icarus
Just like i mentioned back in their LOONA days, the girls of ARTMS keep delivering visuals and interesting musically concepts that IMO are not being done enough in kpop. A girlgroup in their own lane, doing music for the arts.
10.ONEWE – Maze
This song sounds very whimsical, a bit musical theatre, a bit KDRAMA OST? its just a feel good song.
9.CIX – Thunder
Imma get some heat but this was the superior Thunder release this year.
8.ATEEZ – In your Fantasy
This song is cool, its dark and sleek and to me it sounds a bit 2nd generation Kpop? maybe that’s why i enjoy it so much.
7. TXT – Love Language
This Tropi-house-ish song is prob one of TXT’s strongest releases yet. Perfect for the summer, with a playful beat, nice crips vocals and that little dreamy beep.
6.Stray Kids – Divine
I know Do It is the song to have on your list, but to me Divine is a bit more interesting. I do prefer more melodic songs, Divine is a right amount of melody,vocals and chaos.
5.JustB – Chest
Slightly reheating Sophie’s/Charli XCX’s nachos, JUSTB decided to push on the trendy sound of 2025 and deliver a cool experimental track with Chest.
4.Ten- Stunner
The vocals are on point and the song is simple yet very easy and sleek. Literally what i love in boy group/male releases.
3. Cravity – Lemonade Fever
This song is just funkyyyy and fun, what else can you ask for?
2.Kino- Dirty Boy
Oh yesss! I recommend the whole mini Everyone’s Guilty but No One is to blame, cause its very very good.
1.XLOV – 1&Only
XLOV came to the Kpop scene like a breath of fresh air, embracing their queerness and stepping out of the boygroup norm. 1&ONLY dipping flow washes over the listener, anchoring you with its buttery chorus.
Cooked this real quick at work, so if anything’s wonky, that’s why! 😛
Happy new year ONTD!