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A few years ago, many of K-pop’s best tracks were buried as b-sides. This year was different, with most of my favorite music promoted as title tracks. I certainly prefer this approach. After all, great songs should be paired with great visuals/choreo whenever possible. However, it made for a slightly less prolific slate of “buried treasure” posts in 2024.
This countdown encompasses any track that didn’t receive a full music video. This includes album tracks, as well as songs that may have been performed but never actively promoted. It also includes Japanese b-sides from Korean acts. Just like the Top 50 Singles list, all songs here were released between December 1st, 2023 and November 30th, 2024.
MAKE SURE TO EXPLORE SONGS 40-21 FIRST
20. BOYNEXTDOOR – OUR
I was not convinced by this song on first listen because laidback trap pop is not usually my thing. But it turns out to be the perfect showcase for BOYNEXTDOOR’s colorful personality and has become one of the year’s most enduring tracks.
19. FANTASY BOYS – MAKE SUNSHINE
This is just classic summertime K-pop — archetypical in its ability to fulfill all expectations for the genre. It may not be the most original thing ever recorded, but I have such a soft spot in my heart for this exact style of effusive pop song. (full review)
18. TXT – I’LL SEE YOU THERE TOMORROW
So many acts dabbled in this subdued, blippy-bloopy house music this year, but this song is my favorite example of the sound. The melodies are so sticky (if a bit repetitive) and the beat kicks up a strangely addictive groove. (full review)
17. TAEMIN – CRUSH
This is Taemin doing what he does best, his slippery vocals perched over an engaging funk rhythm that spins into a punchy chorus. He can cast these bangers off in his sleep, but we can always do with more. (full review)
16. NMIXX – RUN FOR ROSES
I’d been casually watching NMIXX for some time, but Run For Roses made me sit up and truly take notice. The country influences are interesting, but it’s the girls’ vocals that truly steal the show. (full review)
15. TWS – COMMA,
It’s only a matter of time before TWS slide into Seventeen’s funk pop shoes, and Comma convinces me they have an exciting future in this genre. The bombastic late-song breakdown is quite thrilling. (full review)
14. DKB – TAEKWONDO
The chopped vocal loop that forges Taekwondo‘s main hook is one of the most idiosyncratic sounds I heard in K-pop all year and makes me want to immediately hit “replay.” This is not the style of song I tend to gravitate toward, but I find it so fascinating.
13. DRIPPIN – BLACK MIRROR
Woollim Entertainment continues their tradition of burying excellent material at the end of albums. Black Mirror is big and brash, taking cues from K-pop’s past and imbuing them with DRIPPIN’s youthful energy. (full review)
12. RIIZE – ONE KISS
One Kiss is quintessential boy band in the most primordial way. From its sentimental melodies to the sunny, singalong execution, it’s refreshing to hear such an open-hearted burst of unironic pop music. (full review)
11. TWS – YOU+ME=7942
That mathematical title gives me a headache, but its overstuffed nature turns out to be a great representation of the song’s wild sound. YOU+ME=7942 is an explosion of off-kilter hooks, growing more addictive each time you hear it.
10. THE WIND – HEART FLUTTERING
Those opening keys are so “2009-era Daishi Dance produced K-pop” I could almost collapse from joy. The song goes a full thirty seconds without even getting to its first verse and that old-school approach is so appreciated. When it does start moving, we’re treated to an ultra-sweet chorus that plays like pure bubblegum.
9. ZEROBASEONE – ROAD MOVIE
I find this to be the most surprising ZEROBASEONE track. I did not expect its theatrical, Broadway-level pre-chorus. I didn’t expect to love the chanted chorus and the way it seamlessly blends into verse two. It all feels delightfully off-kilter. (full review)
8. TWS – KEEP ON
While I don’t usually care for ballads, I do love a good, hearty pop/rock singalong. Keep On has plenty of heft, building toward exciting peaks and built from solid, sentimental melodies. (full review)
7. THE WIND – I DON’T THING
I’ll never be able to get over that typo of a title, but musically this is an ultra feel-good punch of power pop. I love those big synth riffs and explosive chorus. It was rare to hear a pop song this undeniably upbeat in 2024. (full review)
6. RIIZE – 9 DAYS
Though I initially found the song a bit generic, 9 Days went on to rule my summer playlist. It’s just so damn catchy and pinwheels toward a legitimately immense finale that makes for a great vocal showcase. (full review)
5. THE WIND – FRIENDSHIP
The Wind released stellar b-sides in 2024 and Friendship is my favorite. From its sparkling intro to the thumping dance beat to verse two’s irresistible guitar breakdown, the song bounds forward with such optimism and excitement. (full review)
4. SUNGKYU & WOOHYUN (INFINITE) – BEAUTIFUL
Inspirits finally got our long-awaited “Infinite V” sub-unit via an unexpected OST release. Beautiful brings together my two favorite voices in K-pop and gives them a propulsive dance track to showcase their brilliance. This is the sound I wanted to hear from Infinite’s 2023 return. I hope they realize how much fans love it. (full review)
3. TVXQ – T.R.H.M
I’m not kidding when I say this may be TVXQ’s best song in a decade. A duo this legendary befits music that’s equally as grand and sprawling. T.R.H.M offers an immense sound, blending electro funk with pummeling rock. It only grows bigger as it unfolds. (full review)
2. TWS – FIRST HOOKY
This song is just so addictive. The rubbery synth is pure 90’s hip-hop gold while the groove pulses with head-nodding funk. The group’s vocals have never sounded better, wrapping around the production with ease and finesse. The chorus is rhythmic yet melodic — a balance few 2024 songs pulled off this well. I could listen to this on a loop for hours. (full review)
1. BOYNEXTDOOR – SO LET’S GO SEE THE STARS
On first listen, So Let’s Go See The Stars may feel less ambitious than many of the other songs on this list, but its sweet melodicism and standout performance stood the test of time and became my favorite BOYNEXTDOOR song of the year. The track is immaculately produced, from the shimmering chorus to the beautiful ascending synth line that precedes verse two. Stars has genuine build, storytelling through structure in a way that satisfies in both a sonic and sentimental way. (full review)
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