Maby's K-Pop 2021 Faves
Updated: Nov 23, 2021
2022 is fast approaching! We’ve celebrated, poured out tears, and busted out moves while signing our hearts out to our favorite songs. The year is about to wrap-up and we’re ready for more music!
Let’s take a look back at the songs that made our hearts bleed. Here are our top 10 picks (ranked in no particular order) in the past 10 months of 2021:
aespa - Next Level
Monster rookies aespa from SM Entertainment continues their complex and futuristic Kwangya musicality with a reimagined track from 2019’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.Next Level is an electronic synth-heavy hip hop dance track that will make you go with the rap flow and dance to the iconic ㄷ choreography.
NCT 127 - Sticker
Unique. Unconventional. These two words describe the entirety of NCT 127 and their music. The release of their title track Sticker broke the netizen’s minds with its unconventional song structure. First time KPop listeners might think that there are three songs combined in this hip hop R&B dance track. Nevertheless, this song will cling to you like a sticker.
Jeon Somi - Dumb Dumb
Jeon Somi comes back with her song, Dumb Dumb which is about a girl falling in love with her high school crush and proceeds to confess, but realized later on that the both of them were plying dumb for their mutual feelings. The song reflects a playful yet badass vibe like Somi's cheerful personality. This song will be a great addition to your “songs to sing in the shower” playlist.
SHINee - Atlantis
Following their studio album release after two and a half years, the kings came back with their repackage album title track, Atlantis. The funk electro pop song soars with the bass guitar slapping along the gorgeous synths and their powerful vocals. Atlantis’ musicality will make you feel the deep love of SHINee towards Shawols.
IU - Coin
South Korea’s top solo artist IU releases a funky and groovy pop song titled Coin for her fifth album, Lilac. For the first time since her debut, IU tried writing the rap part. As expected, IU plays the element effortlessly. This song (and concept video) is something new from the renowned soloist and she definitely won this one. Nicely done, queen!
Weeekly - After School
The 4th generation girl group Weeekly celebrates their 1st anniversary with a song titled After School that relates to schoolmates bonding as classes officially end for the day. This song paints an enjoyable melody that boasts the group’s charisma and bubbly personality. After School spreads a refreshing and playful feeling that makes them stand out among the dark heavy concepts that their fellow 4th gen groups have established.
Red Velvet - Queendom
Red Velvet comes back on their 7th year anniversary with their title song Queendom, which reminds us that we are queens and kings in our own lives and that we shine brighter when we are all together. The song shows off the quintet’s vocal expertise, harmonizing into a warm and comforting melody as if embracing their fans after more than a year of hiatus.
Seventeen - Rock with You
Seventeen releases their pop rock song Rock with You for their mini album, Attacca. The powerful vocal skills echoed through Rock with You still proves that the self-producing boy group can surprise their fans with their potential in any genre. For the first time since their debut, Seventeen promotes their album as 11 members, with Jun and The8 starting their activities in China.
AKMU - Nakka (ft. IU)
Sibling duo AKMU comes back with a collaboration album, led by their title song Nakka featuring IU. Inspired by the film The Greatest Showman, Nakka gives off an encouraging and comforting approach to the audience that promises to always accompany someone who is going through a hard time. To make the song more approachable for the public, the duo decided to include IU in the song.
Lee Hi - Only
On her 1st full album, Lee Hi releases a soft and touching ballad with lyrics that describe an everlasting love passing through the test of times. She delivers her sultry and soothing voice that will make you think of falling in love all over again.
What are your top 10 favorite KPop songs this year? Let us know your thoughts!
Listen to Maby's Best of 2021 playlist on Spotify: