There were surprises big and small, but K-Pop itself was putting out some of its best releases in years in 2020, despite the raging dumpster fire of the year it's been. Sure, it was a big year in different ways, but in a year where I made myself listen to a hell of a lot more music than I normally do, I'm delighted to say that it was worth it a thousand times over.

This is the first of three lists - I'll be ranking my 10 favourite albums, 25 favourite b-sides and 50 (yes, 50!) title tracks that were released this year. The ground rules aren't set in stone, but just know that everything in these lists is my opinion and I can't listen to everything (as much as I would love to). My taste is going to be different than yours, and that's okay - if anything, I hope you can find some recommendations in these lists for new songs, albums and artists that you never knew you needed.

Also, if you'd like to consume my year-end lists in playlist form rather than having to go through articles, I've made playlists for them all on Spotify should you want to give them a listen. I'll be linking each playlist in its corresponding article, so here's the playlist of my favourite albums from this year! (I only included title tracks, because if I put the whole albums in there, not only would ranking be messy, but we'd be there forever.)

In terms of honourable mentions, here's what I've got this year:

• NCT 2020 (엔시티 2020) - Resonance Pt.2
• NCT Dream (엔시티 드림) - Reload
• EVERGLOW (에버글로우) - -77.82 X -78.29
• Hwasa (화사) - María
• Alexa (알렉사) - Decoherence
• April (에이프릴) - Da Capo

With all of that out of the way, let's start things off by looking at the 10 albums that really grabbed me this year!

10. DAY6 (데이식스) - THE BOOK OF US: DEMON

While I've definitely listened to a selection of their title tracks in the past, I've never fully taken the dive into DAY6's wider discography, despite many people saying it's one of the best in K-Pop. But after being intrigued by the darker themes and concepts surrounding their previous comeback, I sat down to listen to both "Zombie" and The Book of Us: Demon as an album, and... Wow, y'all weren't kidding. It's safe to say that the hype is 100% real - not only does this album have its shockingly poignant points given the year 2020 has been, but it's also got ones of raw power and energy that completely blew me away. Seriously, that chorus in "Love Me or Leave Me" is one of the best this year, and "Stop" was just the raggedy, razor-sharp cut I needed from an album like this one. "Afraid" also made me cry, so there's that.

If you've never listened to DAY6, I'm not the best person to tell you where to start. But hell, if you're looking for a superb pop-rock album with some insane high points and incredibly moving lyrics, The Book of Us: Demon is a fantastic choice. I'll definitely be keeping more of a close eye on DAY6's discography going forward, because if all their music really is this high quality, then I definitely need more of that in my life.

9. KARD (카드) - RED MOON

This is an album I won't dwell too long on, since I did actually review it on the blog earlier this year (shocker, I know!). But I'll say this - nearly a year on since its release, Red Moon is still my favourite KARD EP. It's tight, it's catchy, and when I tell you this would set your speakers on fire, I mean it; this is KARD at their most powerful, churning out banger after banger after banger. The unit b-sides showcase a surprising amount of versatility, and while the mixing and production can sometimes let them down, this is an album that defines KARD's concept and image as a whole. It's still on repeat for me, and it should be for you too!

8. BTS (방탄소년단) - MAP OF THE SOUL: 7

What else is there to be said about BTS that hasn't already been said? Dynamite's been in the Hot 100 for weeks now (it's still going at the time of writing this), and they've gained an unprecedented level of popularity whilst breaking pretty much every record out there. If you think about it, Map of the Soul:7 was the album that really started their skyrocketing growth this year, and looking back on it, I can see why. 

Sure, it's got its dull moments - the Persona songs tacked onto the beginning to boost the streaming numbers make it run overly long, and there are still some songs here I really don't like (looking at you, "Respect") - but by god, when it's good, it's good. "ON" has the exact kind of raucous energy I adore from BTS, the member b-sides like "Filter" and "Moon" are incredibly memorable and fun, and once again, the sheer amount of variety on offer here is staggering. "Louder than bombs", "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)" and of course "UGH!" are absolute standouts not just from this album, but BTS' discography for me.

When I heard the final chorus of "ON" for the first time, I got incredibly hyped for this album, and it turns out I was very much right to be. By the small chance you haven't listened to this yet, do yourself a favour and go do so. While it's got its flaws, there is bound to be something here that you'll enjoy, whether you enjoy K-Pop or not.

7. BLACKPINK (블랙핑크) - THE ALBUM

It turns out BTS wasn't the only internationally popular group to release a full album this year - we finally, FINALLY got somewhat of a full-length project from BLACKPINK. And while expectations were tampered a bit seeing only eight tracks on the record itself, I really do believe that THE ALBUM was worth the wait. In this case, it really is a case of quality over quantity, because while there's only eight songs here, most of them are excellent. Sure, there are some minor duds - even though I'm more of a fan than "Ice Cream" than most - but this album really does have some of Blackpink's all-time best. Take one listen to "Pretty Savage" and "Lovesick Girls" and you'll see what I mean. I also didn't know I needed to have the girls take on a creepy concept, but by god, turns out "Crazy Over You" was exactly what I wanted from them this year.

Just like MOTS:7, there's a very small chance you haven't heard this, but if you haven't, you're severely missing out. THE ALBUM really ended up being worth the wait for me, and I can only sincerely hope it shows signs of the direction Blackpink are going in moving forward - we're in for one hell of a ride if that's the case.

6. MAMAMOO (마마무) - TRAVEL

Now, if you know me, you probably knew that this album was going to end up here. MAMAMOO are my ult girl group, I'm a hardcore MooMoo, and I'm very rarely disappointed with their music. But even though I may have rose-tinted glasses on sometimes, I really do feel like Travel is deserving of its spot here, personal bias aside. 

While it's not the trend-setting phenomenon "HIP" turned out to be, "AYA" is the return of fiery, confident MAMAMOO from the likes of "Egotistic" that I've so sorely been missing. The album itself isn't light on variety either - "Diamond" is a bit clumsy yet ridiculously sexy, "Chuck" is catchy and memorable as hell with its unique genre fusions, and "Dingga" is the fun retro throwback MAMAMOO have always excelled at. They're in their comfort zone here, but they still shine and manage to excel with what they've got. It's a really nice little album, and while it's not a standout in their discography, it's absolutely still worth your time if you need something fun to cheer you up heading into the new year.

5. DREAMCATCHER (드림캐쳐) - DYSTOPIA: THE TREE OF LANGUAGE

Dreamcatcher have been a hallmark of quality for many people in the K-Pop industry since their re-debut in 2017, and with the release of their first full-length album this year, it's easy to understand why. Not only are the girls incredible performers (even when they're missing a member), but their edgier, rock-inspired concept stands out from the crowd and really makes an impact. That doesn't mean they don't go outside of their comfort zone every now and again, though! While there are some more familiar songs like "Tension" and the amazing title track "Scream" that showcase their well-known rocky side, Leez and Ollounder hit the experimentation jackpot here. There's jazz, EDM, pop, funk and even some metal influences scattered throughout the album, which means you're not going to be bored for a single second listening to what's on offer here. 

If you're looking for talent, variety and excellent music in general, Dreamcatcher should be your group of choice every time. I've been a fan of them since debut, and The Tree of Language absolutely blew my expectations out of the water - it's an excellent album from an excellent group who are worthy of every ounce of hype they've had surrounding them.

4. TWICE (트와이스) - MORE & MORE

Yyyyyeah, this isn't going to be the TWICE album most people put on their year-end lists, but hear me out. 

While Eyes Wide Open was a good album, sure, and I enjoyed the retro throwback tracks for what they were - the title track was great, and songs like "Shot Clock, "Go Hard" and "Hell In Heaven" really stand out - there's something about More & More that keeps me coming back for... well, more! It just feels like a tighter, more well thought-out album to me, and not once was I bored going through its tracklist for the first time. I still feel like the title track got way more hate than what it deserved, and honestly, the b-sides here are some of my favourite this year! "Oxygen" and especially "Shadow" are excellent examples of what TWICE can do, and just how close to pop perfection they can come. 

It may be the underdog of their releases this year, but please don't forget about More & More. It's an excellent album from the girls that really solidifies their growth as a group, and one that relentlessly hooked me from the first listen and hasn't let go.

3. ATEEZ (에이티즈) - ZERO: FEVER EP.1

Going back to albums that you probably could've expected to be on this list, it's not a surprise to anyone that ATEEZ are near the top of my list again this year. I've said it before and I'll say it again - their discography is one of the best K-Pop has seen in a while, and it's absolutely one of the best of the 4th gen so far. However, with the end of the Treasure series, I'd be remiss to say I wasn't nervous to see where they would go next; how would their sound change to match any new concepts they tried their hand with?

Well, it turns out I should have had more faith in them, because I mean it with my whole heart when I say this is ATEEZ's best album. It would have topped my list in any other year. I don't quite think I realised how refreshing it would be when Leez and Ollounder changed up their sound for these boys ever so slightly, and even though "THANXX" is the ATEEZ title track I know and dearly love, "Inception" has slowly become one of my most listened-to songs this year. It's grand, it's sweeping, and it's got this gorgeously poignant sense of emotionality and drama that grabs you by the heart strings and never lets go. That bridge is angelic.

The other b-sides are no slouch, either; "To The Beat" is the best non-NCT NCT song we've got this year, "Good Lil Boy" has the exact kind of upbeat energy ATEEZ excel at delivering, and "Fever" feels like the perfect way to start a new chapter in this group's discography. And man, I would be lying if I said that "One Day At a Time" didn't make me cry like a baby upon first listen, because it did. This year has been rough, and if there's anyone who can sell a convincing "it'll all be okay" song, it's ATEEZ. Where the hell are my tissues?!

Fever is a thrill from start to finish, and it has on the edge of my goddamn seat to see where ATEEZ go with their music from here. It honestly feels like they levelled up moving from the Treasure series from this one, and I don't quite know how they can improve. I know they'll keep finding new ways to absolutely blow me away, but until then, this album is an absolute gem that you should have already heard and fallen in love with. If you haven't, do yourself a favour and treat yourself by giving it a listen - it's incredible, and I really do mean that.

2. ITZY (있지) - IT'Z ME

It's all well and good talking about a group who I already know and love, but what about when a group takes me by surprise? What about when a group or artist releases a project that I didn't expect to love, but suddenly it's at the top of my Spotify library? That is exactly what happened early this year when ITZY released IT'z ME, which is hands-down their best project yet, and one of the best albums to come out of 2020. 

Iconic is an interesting word. Arguably, it's one that gets thrown around a lot, and overused even more so. However, if you're going to ask me what I'd consider an iconic comeback from this year, it's got to be "Wannabe" - Ryujin's intro alone has been the defining moment of K-Pop in 2020 for me in 2020. "Wannabe" itself is a powerhouse of a song, with Galactika thankfully righting their wrongs from "DALLA DALLA" and giving ITZY a strong and energetic but deliciously fun title track. It's my most listened to song of the year, and for damn good reason!

And the b-sides. MY GOD, THE B-SIDES. "24HRS" shows that Sophie really needs to produce more K-Pop, "I DON'T WANNA DANCE" will be stuck in your head for weeks, and "TING TING TING" is pretty much my perfect song. It's everything I've ever wanted from an EDM/K-Pop fusion, and is one of the single best songs to get released this year. This album is an absolute showstopper from start to finish, with little to no exceptions. It's the best kind of rollercoaster.

While I was initially doubtful of ITZY given how JYP were handling them and their discography, IT'z ME has proven that I am, in fact, a dumbass and should have known better. This is one of my favourite K-Pop albums ever, not just from 2020, and you are honestly doing yourself a disservice if you haven't heard it. Sure, I didn't enjoy Not Shy as much, but I'm okay with this being a flash in the pan. It was the perfect way to end the IT'z series, and I pretty much want this album's cover art printed on my gravestone, thanks.

But what beat it? I did say that 2020 was an incredible year for music, and I meant that. But what could beat an album as good as IT'z ME? Well, while some may consider this cheating, I... honestly don't really care.

Because I need to scream about K/DA for a hot minute. 

1. K/DA - ALL OUT

Is this cheating? Maybe. But damn it, K/DA were made to be a K-Pop group. That's been Riot's intention with them from day one. Call it what you will, but there is a space for this kind of thing when you do it right. 

But what I didn't expect was for the music to be this good, because gUYS. GUYS. THIS IS IT.

I'll be honest, I had little to no expectations from this album. I didn't really expect it to be good, or stand out; I just thought it would be a pretty average pop album to promote K/DA and the whole idea of a virtual K-Pop group. And looking back on it, maybe I was wrong to think that. "POP/STARS" did take over the internet for a while after its release, and I did like it a lot when I reviewed it on here initially. So sure, I could've expected this album to be at least okay, but I DID NOT EXPECT IT TO BE THIS GOOD.

Where do I start? Well, you could start with the fact that Riot decided to give each member of K/DA their own song on this album, to better show what they're about and flesh out their personalities, if you will. "The Baddest" belongs to Akali, "Villain" belongs to Evelyn, "Drum Go Dum" is Kai'sa's and "I'll Show You" is Ahri's. Trust me when I say that every single one of these songs is incredible. I'm not going to try and dance around the fact that they're produced by Bekuh Boom, who is a... shitty person, to put it lightly. But goddammit, let's separate art from artist just this once and appreciate the amazing music on offer here. 

While it didn't sit right with me initially, "The Baddest" is slick as hell, and works way better as an intro to the album. "Drum Go Dum" has some of the most intense production I've heard all year, and would be incredible in a car or something of the sort. "I'll Show You", while it may seem like a generic pop song at first, is a stunning synthpop anthem with enough glitter and pizzazz for at least seven bath bombs. 

And "Villain"? Don't start me on "Villain". We'll be here all day. I have precisely five words: holy shit, yes. MORE PLEASE.

Let's not forget about the title track, "MORE". I'm sure it doesn't quite stack up to "POP/STARS" for many, but for me? It's better. It's probably not as wild, wacky or out-there as its predecessor, but if anything, it seems like Riot really know what they want to do with K/DA, and the music is backing that up. It hits hard, the chorus is earwormy and incredibly catchy, and it's the exact kind of spectacle I love in K-Pop.

I haven't even talked about the vocal performances! Soyeon and Miyeon return as Akali and Ahri respectively, at least for a few of the songs, and they absolutely kill it - Soyeon especially, which should be no surprise. But hey, the non-K-Pop performers are great too, with Madison Beer's beautiful vocal timbre suiting Evelyn perfectly, and Wolftyla honestly making a really great fit for Kai'Sa. And y'know, there's also a TWICE feature on this album with some of the best vocal production they've had in years. No big deal.

I could yell about this album all day, but I'll leave it at this: if this is the kind of effort Riot are going to be putting into K/DA going forward, consider me a hardcore BLADE. This was a fucking incredible album from start to finish, and I am now unironically hoping for a full-length album. It's the best thing I've heard all year, and in a year like 2020, that is an insanely high amount of praise to heap onto anyone or anything. 

Now, excuse me while I go blast "Villain" for the 14th time today.

R.TEE X ANDA (안다) - WHAT YOU WAITING FOR (뭘 기다기고 있어)

When it comes to subunits of popular groups, Block B Bastarz have always been one of my favourites. "Conduct Zero" was downright fucking fantastic, and "Make It Rain" was arguably even better - they're big, bombastic hip-hop fuelled songs that blew me away on first listen. I still listen to them, they're phenomenal. But it was clear from the teasers for their recent comeback that they were going to be trying something new, and a little more subdued. Not going to lie, I was worried, but out of the two songs they released, "Help Me" stands out the most. That's not to say I don't like "From Seoul" - I just wouldn't have a lot to say on it. 

Between the two title tracks, "Help Me" has more of a traditional Bastarz sound. But just like the teasers indicated, it's heading in a very different direction sound-wise. It's still got hints of that bombast that we've had in the past with those booming synths and blocky violin chords, but there's something a little darker here than before - the bass guitar gives a great melodic lift (and a LOT of groove), but it's surrounded by very echoey 808 bass and subtle acoustic guitar notes to give a slower, darker vibe. The song very much switches between these two moods, going from bombast back to funky a number of times.

Even if I'm not a fan of that clunky trap section in the middle, the members themselves give great vocal performances that put the song's darker concept on display. Hell, their performances in the music video are great too. Now THAT was certainly fun to watch. If you're not good with blood I wouldn't recommend watching it, but this dark, almost action film-like concept really suits Bastarz well!

And nowhere is that darker concept more evident than in the lyrics, which... yeah, they're certainly weird. Whoever these lyrics are following is certainly a bit of a tormented soul, who's either stuck in a back and forth relationship, or - as the lyrics in the choruses suggest - may be doing some harm to their relationship thanks to alcohol or something of the sort. The back-and-forth in the lyrics certainly comes off as uneasy, but lyrics like this aren't seen in K-Pop all too often. They're certainly unique, and probably the most memorable part of the song when you take the time to find a good translation.

Lend me your body tonight, tonight I'm fucked up
I'm gonna sleep holding you
[...]
Can you come to me tonight? Help me, baby

Even though we didn't get too many music show stages, we did get a dance practice for the song.

And to be honest, it's nothing really to write home about. There's certainly some interesting moments - those staggered movements in the second verse look fantastic - but all in all, it's a fairly run of the mill choreography for the boys. It's the sort of thing they could probably do in their sleep at this point. But hey, it definitely suits the slower vibe of the song well! It's just not as complex or eye-catching as some other routines out there.

All in all, I do feel like this will be a comeback I'll end up forgetting about down the line. Yes, the song's got an interesting theme overall, the dance is okay, and the MV is pretty damn great, but it's just not... overly memorable, if you know what I mean. The annoying part is, I can't really figure out why. I am glad to see Bastarz experimenting a bit though, and I'm definitely excited to see what they do in the future. 

BTS (방탄소년단) FT. HALSEY - BOY WITH LUV (작은 것들은 위한 시)

Welp, I knew I was going to have to talk about BTS on this blog at some point... May as well do it now!

I shouldn't need to explain to you who BTS are at this point. Even if you're not a K-Pop fan, the chances are that you know who they are. And I'm going to be completely honest - I was a big naysayer of BTS for a while. As controversial as it may be for me to say this, their releases from "Boy With Luv" onward just... disappointed me. I adored them when they debuted - "N.O." is one of my favourite K-Pop songs ever for its lyrics alone - and I loved the hard hip-hop sound they were going for. But for a while, it felt like they were making music that just... didn't appeal to me in any way. However, when "Not Today" came out, I had a bit of hope again. And not gonna lie, most of BTS's songs that have been popular in the west have been... iffy, if I'm being honest. I don't feel like "DNA" does anything to stand out, and I ended up hearing "Fake Love" enough that it eventually irritated me. But I admittedly loved "Idol", and was excited to see what they'd do next.

And then they released "Boy With Luv", and... I didn't like it. Yeah, this song is a massive grower. If you don't like it initially, just let it take its time. Don't think about it too much, and just try to enjoy it. That's what songs like this are for! It's very much a laid-back, breezy summer song with TONS of energy and colour. The funky guitar melodies, the cymbal-heavy drum line, the tambourine as part of the pre-choruses... It's one hell of an entertaining song. And it's honestly a breath of fresh air to see BTS having so much fun - it's one of the reasons I ended up liking "Idol" so much. And yeah, Halsey doesn't really contribute much, but I feel like she did all she needed to here. BTS are so big at this point that this was bound to do well regardless of whether or not they had a guest star. The members have enough charisma and versatility to pull this concept off well - it hasn't hit for me in the past, but there's something about "Boy With Luv"'s colour and vivacity that just nails it. Admittedly, I didn't like Suga's rap, but that's the only part of the song I didn't like. The rest of it is upbeat, melodic, and perfect to scream in a car. Trust me, I've done it. It's great.

Admittedly, the lyrics aren't anything too special. They're standard pop song fare, all about being in love and how happy you are whilst in a relationship. RM's rap is admittedly the exception, because that has some downright gorgeous fucking lyrics that might be some of my favourite of the year so far. But yeah, the rest of it is fairly standard, but I'm not too bothered by it. For a song as casual and laid-back as this, the lyrics don't need to be overly complicated - they do their job perfectly fine. 👌

But your pain is my pain - when I realized that
I vowed to myself, with the wings of Icarus you gave me
Not toward the sun but toward you, let me fly

Of course, we have a dance practice to look at here, too. And since it's BTS we're dealing with, you KNOW it's going to at least be good.

And yeah, it is! Considering how laid-back the song is, it's hardly going to be as intense as some of BTS' other choreos - but it's really damn pleasant to watch regardless. There are a few little details in the positioning and movements of the members that really stood out to me, like the gentle little hops that are scarily in sync, or the alternation of members moving up and down. It's a very satisfying choreogaphy, and really lets BTS show off just how much raw charisma they actually have. (And it may be because he's my bias, but goddammit Jimin looked amazing this comeback thank you very much.)

While "Boy With Luv" certainly wasn't my favourite song when I first heard it, it's grown on me an AWFUL lot and I really do appreciate it now. Hell, I even managed to find and buy the album in a shop! A K-Pop album! In a shop! In Ireland! What timeline are we in?!

The best one, clearly. LET'S HAVE THIS BE A THING MORE OFTEN SO I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SHIPPING ALL THE TIME THANK YOU.

TIFFANY YOUNG - LIPS ON LIPS

I don't really know what to say about Tiffany's solo career at this point. Time and time again, she'll release a new solo, I'll get my hopes up thinking that she'll finally release something I like, and I immediately have my hopes dashed when I listen to the song. "Lips On Lips" is no different.

I want to like what Tiffany is doing, I really do. She's a great performer. She's got a unique voice, good dancing and a boatload of stage presence. But... goddamn, her music is not showing that. At all. My main problem with "Lips On Lips" is the fact that it's unoriginal. Now, of course songs are going to sound similar every now and again, but who decided it was a good idea to give Tiffany a clunky, autotune-ridden ripoff of Maroon 5's "Girls Like You"?! That is NOT a flattering concept for her. The autotune is so thick at some parts of the choruses that it sounds like she's off-tune. That's nooooot good. Whoever she's working with on her vocal production needs to fix that.

Hell, whoever she's working with on her production needs to fix what they're doing period. To say this song is blocky is an understatement. The melody is repetitive to a point where it starts to tire before the end of the song, and that's not a good thing coming from me. I can normally put up with the most repetitive of songs, whether it be in pop or K-Pop. But "Lips On Lips" just... overdoes it in that regard. It feels rushed, both in melody and production. The filtered, overly condensed violin plucks and completely unneeded trap snares and blaring synths do NOT help either.

Nothing about this song sounds balanced. It's like every element of the song is trying to compete to get your attention by being as loud and irritating as possible. It tries to come off as sweet and melodic, but it ends up being the exact opposite. It's grating. And just like how the melody was repetitive, the lyrics are too. I understand that that's normal for pop songs, but I think it's exacerbated by how repetitive that melody line is. They're pretty inoffensive on their own, but with that melody they become a pain to listen to.

Only one I choose, ride or die with you
Trust I speak the truth, darling, I get weak when you
Put your lips on my lips, when they're touching like this, no, they don't ever lie

I'm now at the point where I think I'm going to stop reviewing Tiffany's solo releases on this blog. At the time of writing, she's recently released "Magnetic Moon", and it's not much better. I'm sorry, Tiffany. I DESPERATELY want to like what she's doing, but she's just making all the wrong moves with her solo music so far. Unless she drastically improves, I won't be reviewing her music here in the future. Not if it's as bad as "Lips On Lips". Sorry.

KEY (키), SOYEON (소연) - I WANNA BE

And now, for a solo effort that is fantastic in just about every way.

People REALLY need to stop sleeping on Key's solo stuff. I feel like people only pay attention to him when he's a part of SHINee, and even then, I feel he gets overlooked. When he released his solo album "Face" last year, I had no clue it came out - so much so that I didn't even know that "I Wanna Be" was the title track from the repackage! I thought it was just a mini album or single!

And that's a crying shame, because this might just be one of my favourite songs of the year so far. If I had to describe "I Wanna Be" in one word, it's anthemic. This song has such a fantastic sense of presence and atmosphere to it, and that atmosphere is one of absolute joy. The instrumental is downright magical in places with those synths chords and snapping percussion beats, and it never clashes against the more dance-influenced choruses - or the drop. The drop in this song may feel a little out of place initially, but when that ending comes around, it is stunning. The way the drop layers over the instrumental and Key's adlibs is enough to give me chills - and that it does! "I Wanna Be" is the kind of song that took me so much by surprise when I first listened to it that I immediately listened to it again. It's THAT good. It's breezy, it's uplifting, and it's a very cheerful and enthusiastic punch to the gut. To say it took me by surprise is an understatement.

That goes without mentioning the performers themselves. As I've mentioned, Key is being slept on, and that applies to his skills as a performer as well as his music. He's got a very magnetic presence behind the microphone, and he really pulls you into what he's singing immediately. Then there's the fact that Soyeon is on this song, which... she doesn't need any explaining at this point. She's one of the best (if not the best) female idol rappers in K-Pop right now, she's got her own precedent. And she unsurprisingly kills it here too. Her rap section may be short, but it's effective and impactful regardless.

The lyrics, too, are a nice surprise. In case you aren't aware, this is the last song Key released before his military enlistment. When you take that into account, the lyrics are probably enough to make any long-term Shawol tear up a little - hell, I got a little misty-eyed reading them once that final drop kicked in! They've got a celebratory mood that's tinged with the sadness of parting from someone you care about - but they're celebratory because you know you'll eventually get to see them again. They're just as genuine as the song itself, and they're a breath of (very welcome) fresh air.

Think of me when you're feeling alone
Even before this song ends
Always inside your heart, I wanna be

Unfortunately, apart from some edited fancams, we don't really have a proper look into the choreography for this song. I've seen bits of it here and there, but not enough for me to give my full opinion on it. I don't feel like I'd be giving an opinion that's fair, since I kinda like to see the whole picture before commenting. Regardless, "I Wanna Be" is a goddamn fantastic song that deserves way more appreciation than what it got. I can bet right now this is going to be on my favourites list at the end of the year. It's brilliant, and I hope that we get music of this quality once Key returns, too. 😊

CHERRY BULLET (체리블렛) - Q&A

Wanna know what one of my favourite things about K-Pop is? DEBUTS. I love seeing a brand new group with a shitton of potential come out of nowhere - it's probably why I like so many rookie groups. And while Everglow may still hold the title for the best rookie this year in my opinion, Cherry Bullet are another girl group who managed to thoroughly impress me with their debut.

When I heard that Cherry Bullet's concept as such was going to be video game-based, I was worried. I wondered if it was going to be stereotypical, or if it was even going to catch my attention at all. I didn't want it to just be superficial - and y'know what, they fucking nailed it. "Q&A" suits this video game concept incredibly well, thanks to the electronic synths scattered throughout the instrumental, as well as some of the phasers and effects that are used throughout. It sounds very retro and gamey, for lack of a better word, and it's as if chiptune and tropical house had a baby. A very pleasing, delightful baby. Weird metaphors or no, the song is good. It's catchy, and WILL get stuck in your head, it's bright, it's uplifting, and it's cute without feeling over-the-top or cheesy. It just feels like a genuinely bright debut, full of potential and excitement.

And that's particularly apt with Cherry Bullet, since some of these girls have pipes. Seriously, they can SING - Bora and Haeyoon are the obvious standouts here. The melody in "Q&A" is very litled and hard to sing in places, and yet these girls sound like they could do in their sleep. Hitting high notes is one thing, but doing it well is a completely different can of worms. And yet, each of the members has a very distinctive sound to her voice that sets everyone apart, and while I feel like some of the rap sections could have been a bit better, the harmonies and vocals really do make up for it in my opinion. I bet these girls would be amazing live - I'd LOVE to see the energy they bring. Speaking of energy, the lyrics are full of the energy you'd expect from a debut like this one. They're very much about love whilst being playful and cheery, and they get the job done just fine.

I act like I'm not interested
I keep beating around the bush
I'm playing hard to get, it's how I play my love games

So everything's looking pretty damn good so far - what about the dance?

Turns out it's pretty great too! The biggest thing about it is how the choreographer obviously took advantage of the number of people on stage at the one time. There are a lot of groups out there with members in the double digits, but very few of them use each member effectively in their choreography. Cherry Bullet are a fantastic example of this. Every member plays a part in the choreography (which unfortunately cannot be said about the song's line distribution... ouch), and the girls are very well in-sync to match. Combined with some of the more intricate elements going on here, it's a very pleasing choreography to watch. The girls each bring their own energy and vibe to the choreo, and even though I have no idea how Bora is dancing in those shoes, they all kill it.

Cherry Bullet have so much potential, it's astounding. If FNC can keep it up and actually give these girls some proper momentum, we might have another big rookie girl group. And I really hope that's the case, because they deserve it! They really could become something great, and I have every faith that they will.

Hopefully they don't become TOO good though, because I stan way too many groups as it is. It's getting ridiculous at this point. Seriously. Cherry Bullet, I love you, and I want you to do well, but if I end up buying all your albums, then we'll have a problem. My wallet can't take much more at this point...

TAEYEON (태연) - FOUR SEASONS (사계)

What else can really be said about Taeyeon at this point? Her solos have all done incredibly well, each being more successful than the last. But with "Four Seasons", Taeyeon seemed to knock it out of the park for most people. The song was hugely successful for weeks on end, and to be honest, when you dig a bit deeper into it, you begin to see why.

"Four Seasons" is Taeyeon doing what Taeyeon does best - lyrically complex songs with a tinge of emotion that only she can really add. The instrumental is lavish and very unique, even if I do feel like the percussion line is a little overblown at times. It never overshadows Taeyeon's voice, which is a huge thing. If you overshadow the performer, that's a problem, and it's a problem "Four Seasons" thankfully never has. The muted guitar lines keep the pace steady as well, and the interchanging lyrics in the choruses keep the song feeling fresh and interesting. It's got a very interested, slightly stilted melody - it's paced very uniquely, and it makes the entire song very memorable and strangely catchy. The quality is high, and the memorability is high as a result.

The lyrics themselves are probably my favourite aspect of the song outside of Taeyeon herself, who gives a great performance as always. She's always so emotionally charged when she sings, I love it. But the lyrics here are referencing a breakup, and how tired and stale the now-ended relationship became. I love how they've got the slightest tinge of sarcasm and scorn to them in places, since it helps the song border on the edge of being a flippant kiss-off, and yet stops it before it crosses that border and allows for a bit more reflection and contemplation. They're deep, to put it lightly. And when they do have that scornful tinge to them, they're admittedly really entertaining! I kinda just want to see Taeyeon do a completely savage break-up song some time - I feel like she'd excel at it.

The four seasons come and go
I gave you my winter, I gave you my summer
You were my whole world, but I'm letting you go
Did I really love you?

While I may not like it as much as some of her other solo releases, "Four Seasons" is still a solid solo from Taeyeon that really shows her versatility. She's had a fair amount of success so far this year, and long may it last! She's one of the best in the business, and "Four Seasons" only serves to highlight her strengths.

TXT (투모로우바이투게더) - CROWN (어느날 머리에서 뿔이 자랐다)

So, I sung the praises of Cherry Bullet earlier on - what about TXT? Arguably the biggest debut this year in terms of sheer popularity, TXT were kinda destined to be successful from the get go. Say what you will about them being under the same label as BTS, I'm going to review their debut like I would review any other group. (I do kind of feel like they were destined to be successful no matter how good or bad their debut was anyway, but that's a debate for another day.)

At first, I really wasn't sure what to think of "Crown". The bouncy synths are certainly inviting upon a first listen, and the morse code certainly piqued my interest. Which, for the record, it spells out "CROWN" and I find that insanely adorable. Cryptic messages aside, the song's pretty standard fare for a boy group - you've got trap percussion in abundance, you've got the upbeat energy of a debut, and you've got a pretty nice progression with some of those synths and vocal samples. But at times, the song can end up feeling a little overcrowded, especially in the choruses. It's hard to know what to focus on because you've got so many elements overlapping at once. I'd certainly prefer listening to a song that's too busy rather than one that's undercooked, but it's just something I noticed. 

But honestly, the song itself has grown on me. What hasn't grown on me is the lyrics. Now, I'm a particular fan of creepier concepts in K-Pop - hell, I'm a massive Insomnia. So to start reading the lyrics and have the hints at a possible tormented love story going on here? I was enthralled. I wanted to know where they were going to take this - would this be the unique little detail that would give TXT's debut a real spark? But nope. As soon as you reach the first chorus, we're back to being lovey dovey and talking about how the other person in the relationship makes having the pain of having a (metaphorical) horn on your head go away. I wasn't massively disappointed or anything, but I couldn't help but think about what could've been. There could've been something really damn unique and creative here, and I feel like the idea was just thrown out when the lyricists didn't want to put the work into fleshing it out. It's sad. But apart from that, the lyrics are fine. They're nothing too special, there's some nice imagery here and there, but they're just fine.

Are you my salvation who found me deserted
Are your wings [in] the same pain like me
There's a horn rising up on my head, but I love it
You become my crown

Dance-wise though, I went into this with VERY high expectations. It's BigHit, they're known for making very hard and complex dances. But "Crown" might have one of my new favourite routines - simply thanks to its creativity.

There are moves here which you will probably never see in another group's choreography. They're so goddamn unique and stylish, and one after the other they continued to blow me away. The position, the staggered movements of the members, the playing with levels, the formations... all of it is a fucking feast for the eyes. That's helped by the fact that all 5 members are superb dancers, which, again, is no surprise coming out of BigHit. Regardless, this is one of my favourite choreographies of the year, and I really hope TXT carries this high standard into the future when it comes to dance. This is amazing!

All in all, "Crown" was a good debut. It's certainly not a new favourite for me or anything like that, but it was a strong debut as a whole. Where they go in the future will be interesting, though, and it's something I intend to keep a close eye on. Regardless, hopefully the boys can overcome the myriad of bad luck and health problems they seem to be facing and successfully come back later this year - seeing a rookie group be so heavily affected by health concerns this early on is heartbreaking, whether you like them or not. Fingers crossed!

DIA (다이야) - WOOWA (우와)

Okay, so, we immediately go from one of my new favourite dances to one of my new favourite songs.

If you've never listened to "Woowa" before - which I suspect many of you haven't, because this song is criminally underrated - SIT THE FUCK DOWN AND LISTEN UP. DIA are about to show you how to do 90s-inspired dance-pop.

First off, I feel like I need to highlight my favourite (and the best) element in "Woowa" - THAT BOUNCY SYNTH. I honest to God wasn't sure what to expect going into this, because I've never paid DIA much attention. But holy shit, that synth. I nearly fell out of my goddamn chair. It's big, it's brash, and it smacks you across the face with nostalgia in a way not many songs can. When "Woowa" gets going, it's a monster of a song. The choruses are huge, the instrumental and melody are infernally catchy, and that synth keeps on coming back around to bring it all together. I'd be lying if I said I liked that strange flute-driven section right after the first chorus, though; it does feel a little jarring and out of place. But the rest of what's on offer here is an absolute banger, and really deserves a hell of a lot more love than what it got. I mean, JUST LISTEN TO IT. Please. I'm begging you.

I sure as hell wish the lyrics were as interesting as the song, though. They're standard girl group fare in every way possible - being uncontrollably in love with someone, and wanting them to actually say something and possibly kickstart a relationship. It's nothing you haven't heard 20 times before. It's just a shame, since the song itself is so explosive and full of potential. The lyrics very well could have been the same, and they just... aren't. Not to me, anyway. 😔

You don't have to do anything
You could just stand there
What else do I need?
I just want to look at you in front of me

And unfortunately... The dance isn't much better. Not by a long shot.

Yeah, this is a disappointment in about every way possible. I was maybe hoping we'd at least get something interesting and retro to match the style of the song - you know, some wacking maybe? That'd be nice. But no - instead, we get a really sluggish, unfitting routine. I don't know who came up with that main point dance, but it is NOT good. It looks uncomfortable to do, the girls are barely moving, and it really just... doesn't work. This is a really boring routine overall, honestly. There were MOUNTAINS of potential here, and not a single bit of it was capitalized upon. And that makes me sad. There are probably fan-made choreographies out there that are better than this, honestly - and that says a lot.

Now I'm possibly starting to see why this song got so overlooked - the lyrics and the dance are just... not very good, or interesting, for that matter. It's a major disappointment, especially when the song is THIS killer. MBK have always had a bit of a... rocky history, so to see such a good song pretty much wasted breaks my heart. Please, if you haven't heard this before, go listen to it. The elements surrounding the song may not be anything special, but the song itself? It's one of my favourites of the year so far. Let's hope MBK steps it up a bit for DIA's next comeback, because if they keep this sound, and improve the dance and lyrics? Pretty sure I'd lose my damn mind.

PARK BOM (박봄), SANDARA PARK (산다라박) - SPRING (봄)

Lastly, we have the song I'm probably the most nervous to talk about.

Back in 2013, when I first discovered what K-Pop even was, 2NE1 were one of the first groups who really blew me away. "I Am The Best" was one of those videos that showed me that there was something for me, that there was a group and concept that I legitimately enjoyed and wanted to see more of. So I, like everyone else, cried a LOT when YG fucked them over. I'm still admittedly upset about it to this day, regardless of if BLACKPINK have begun to fill that 2NE1-shaped hole in my heart. It'll never quite be full, not with how 2NE1 ended.

But the members have tried to at least be active after they left YG - Minzy's solos have been... hit and miss, though. So when it was announced that Bom was finally going to be re-debuting solo under her new agency, and Dara was going to feature on the song, I was both elated and terrified. After the hate that Bom had received, and the "controversies" she'd been thrust into, her comeback was one I was worried about. Nobody had a clue how Korea was going to react. But y'know what? It went down really well - she nearly even won on a music show or two. And with a song like "Spring", I'm not necessarily surprised.

This song is an empowerment anthem at its finest - it's pretty simplistic, but in a way that comes across as elegant and beautiful. The tempo is slow, the instruments are organic, and the melodic swells are perfectly timed. It really does give off an essence of grandeur, which - for someone as experienced as Bom - is very well-fitting. But it's the lyrics that REALLY steal the show here. These lyrics hit home, mainly because I feel like they're touching on depression. And they touch on it a LOT. If you've experienced it, you'll know that from reading them straight away. They're incredibly sincere, especially given all the controversy and hot water Bom found herself in back in 2014. And yet, as depressed as these lyrics may be, there's a ray of hope permeating throughout them. And THAT is what makes me emotional. She may have basically been public enemy number one for a number of years in Korea - simply for trying to treat her own mental illness - but "Spring" shows us that she's finally ready to step back into the spotlight and prove everyone wrong. For a comeback song like this, they couldn't be any more fitting.

I feel like I am alone, tied to you
I think I'll be forgotten this way
The times when I'm awake, I'm suffering, always

Since this is a ballad, there's no real choreography to speak of here - it's more of a Mariah Carey-esque saunter about the stage. Which I'm okay with - a song like this is certainly befitting of that. To say "Spring" is a triumphant return for Bommie would... probably be the understatement of the century, let's be real. She's certainly come back with a bang, and I know for a fact every single Blackjack is right behind her, cheering her on. Long may this last, because getting to hear her voice again was a fucking delight. 😊

•••••

...well that only took about two months to finish.

[gif source]

ALL THE SOURCES FOR THE ENGLISH LYRICS I USED IN THIS REVIEW:

What You Waiting For (뭘 기다리고 있어)

Boy With Luv (작은 것들은 위한 시)

I Wanna Be

Q&A

Four Seasons (사계)

Crown (어느날 머리에서 뿔이 자랐다)

Woowa (우와)

Spring (봄)

Border with pink and white flowers from PNGTree