22 K-Pop Songs You Should Listen to in 2022
Wildcats recommend their favorite Korean Pop tracks
By Morgan Shelley
Korean popular music—K-pop, if you’re fancy—has been taking the world by storm for a while now.
The Wonder Girls were the first South Korean musicians to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2008 with “Nobody,” BTS was the first K-pop group to perform on the Billboard Music Awards with “Fake Love” in 2018, Blackpink was the first all-women Korean act to perform at Coachella in 2019 and the list goes on and on. And the genre itself is still very young—it was introduced in 1992 when Seo Taiji and Boys debuted with “I Know.” The group is well-known for challenging South Korean censorship laws and essentially laying the foundation for what modern K-pop looks and sounds like today by combining elements of Korean and Western music, culture and language to create a new genre. (Fun fact: Their first album was self-titled and has sold 1.8 million copies in Korea. They are bigger than a big deal.) K-pop has only been around for 30 years and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
What does K-pop sound like? Well, it depends on who you ask and what artists they prefer. Like most modern music, it’s nearly impossible to label. Many K-pop songs are multilingual, have intense choreography routines, utilize multiple musical elements and have diverse cultural influences. And just because a group is a K-pop group doesn’t always mean all of the members are Korean: Twice (one of my favorite groups) has one Taiwanese member, three Japanese members and five Korean members. K-pop is all about destroying expectations and this is one of the primary reasons it is growing in popularity in the West.
Whether you’ve been meaning to get into K-pop for a while, you have no clue what it is or you’re just looking for some new music recommendations, this is the article for you.
Sunmi’s cover for “pporappippam.” Credit: ABYSS Company
1. “pporappippam” by SUNMI
Sunmi’s “pporappippam” (translation: purple night) has been one of my favorite songs from her catalog since its release in June 2020. Sunmi is a soloist who originally debuted as a member of the Wonder Girls in 2007 and began her solo career in 2017 with “Gashina.” (To learn more about Sunmi, check out my review of her first online concert.) “purple night” is a love letter to city pop and spins a tale of falling for someone on a purple night. It’s perfect for an evening drive in the summertime, and the music video is absolutely stunning.
Concept photo for Dreamcatcher’s “Dystopia: The Tree of Language.” Credit: Dreamcatcher Company
2&3. “Scream” and “Mayday” by Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatcher is a seven-member group that made their original debut as “MINX” in 2014 and re-debuted in 2017 with “Chase Me.” (Did you know that “Chase Me” charted at No. 19 on Billboard’s Best K-Pop Songs of 2017 Critics’ Picks list?) “Scream” (2020) floored K-pop stans around the world when its release unapologetically reminded us of what happens when we forget how to be kind to each other. “Mayday” (2018) is a nostalgic favorite of mine about running to find something once lost. Dreamcatcher has made a name for themselves as one of the only K-pop groups to consistently focus on rock and horror elements in their music, and although Handong was temporarily absent from the group when “Scream” and a few other projects were released, Dreamcatcher has never pulled a single punch.
Seventeen’s cover for “An Ode.” Credit: Pledis Entertainment
4&5. “Fear” and “Moonwalker” by SEVENTEEN
“This song is basically about a tragic bad boy who is warning their partner to get away from them because they’re just so bad (*shakes head*),” Kajnrig Khang ‘24 (Psychology, she/they) shared about Seventeen’s “Fear” (2019). “But it’s not done in a cringey way; it’s actually pretty cool and captures the gloominess of sad tragic bad boy.” Seventeen is a 13-member group (this is not a typo) that debuted in 2015 with “Adore U” and made history as the only rookie group with an album on Billboard’s 10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2015 list. They are also Kajnrig’s favorite group. “I love that they create each piece of their performance from scratch—each member is dedicated to contributing to writing lyrics/raps, producing songs, and making choreography. They’re super charismatic on stage and know how to excite their audiences.” And “Moonwalker” (2018) is one of the coolest jams in the land—it never fails to make me get up and dance.
Concept photo for Red Velvet’s “The ReVe Festival: Finale.” Credit: SM Entertainment
6&7. “Psycho” and “Sappy” by Red Velvet
Red Velvet is a household name—almost every K-pop fan I know adores at least one of their songs. They debuted as four in 2014 with “Happiness” and Yeri joined a year later, making them a five-member group known for their distinct musical styles, typically able to be categorized as “Red” (bright), “Velvet” (graceful) and “Red Velvet” (a combination of both styles). “‘Psycho’ captures the feeling of having a love so intense that you feel insane,” Khang said. “The vibes are of a 19th-century girlfriend who probably plays the violin. The instrumental is super dramatic but in a really impactful way that sounds pleasing to the ears.” “Sappy” released in January 2019 and “Psycho” came out in December of that same year. “Sappy” is a charming Japanese release that perfectly encompasses “Red” Red Velvet energy and always brightens my day with flashy instruments and pleasant vocal riffs.
Taemin’s cover for “Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1.” Credit: SM Entertainment
8. “Criminal” by Taemin
“Taemin is really iconic for sensual songs and this one isn’t an exception,” Khang explained regarding Taemin’s “Criminal” (2020). “The song describes someone experiencing pain when being physically intimate with their partner but finding that they are obsessed with that pain. Taemin’s choreography for this fits the vibe of the song very well, and it’s personally one of my favorites from him.” Taemin debuted as a member of SHINee (the “princes of K-Pop”) in 2008 and had his first solo release in 2014 with “Danger.”
Chanhyuk and Suhyun of Akdong Musician. Credit: YG Entertainment
9. “Happening” by AKMU
Need a song to help you unwind? Akmu’s got you covered! “This is a very chill song—it gives sitting by the window in the dark while it’s raining vibes,” shared Dori Denman ‘25 (Computer Science, she/her) about Akdong Musician’s “Happening” (2020). “I like this song because of that and because the bridge is amazing: the harmonies between Suhyun and Chanhyuk make my head feel empty (in a good way).” Akmu or Akdong Musician is a sibling duo with two members, Lee Suhyun and Lee Chanhyuk, that made their debut in 2014 with “200%,” “Give Love” and “Melted.” The duo is well-known for their lyricism and vocal talents.
Concept photo for Stayc’s “We Need Love.” Credit: High Up Entertainment
10&11. “Beautiful Monster” and “RUN2U” by STAYC
“I love all of Stayc’s music, but Beautiful Monster is a new type of genre that they tried and they nailed it!” Denman said. “I like this song because it’s sad but it has more of a pop tune to it. … The members’ voices blend together so nicely.” “Beautiful Monster” and “RUN2U” (2022) are two of my favorite Stayc songs because of how different they are and how well they highlight the group’s potential. (And I am biased: “Run2U” was my first introduction to them and I was blown away to put it lightly.) Stayc is a six-member group that debuted in 2020 with “So Bad.” They’ve only been together for two years and Stayc is already one of my favorite groups.
We’re about halfway through, so let’s take a brief break to discuss K-pop a bit more.
Like many things, K-pop is multifaceted. I was introduced to the genre by a friend in 2016 and immediately fell in love with it, but I was shocked and frankly disturbed by the xenophobia surrounding it. “Even if K-pop has gained some respect and traction in the U.S., I still have a lot of issues with how Western media portrays it,” Khang responded when asked about their thoughts on Western portrayals of K-pop in media. “Many people in Western media continue to mock not just K-pop, but all Asian performers and deem them as jokes or as manufactured singers even though in the West, many popular singers are manufactured as well.”
KaZong Vue ‘23 (Biochemistry and Critical Studies of Race & Ethnicity, she/her) shared similar concerns. “I think it isn’t portrayed as well as it could be. Multiple factors are involved like racism, sexism and nationalism, but I also think that K-pop has become something people are more open to in recent years.” Cultural appropriation, rigorous training systems and toxic beauty standards are a few other major challenges that have been associated with K-pop for a long time. But this doesn’t mean you should throw the baby out with the bath water, as they say. Vue continued to share some of the things she enjoys about K-pop. “There is so much beauty in K-pop concerts. The groups have banners, lightsticks and fun dancing on stage; how are you going to top that?”
If you can find your own groove and a few good friends who like to move at a similar tempo and rant occasionally, I think being a K-pop fan is a great experience.
Now let’s get back to the recommendations!
Concept photo for Stray Kids’ “I am YOU.” Credit: JYP Entertainment
12. “Get Cool” by Stray Kids
“This is the first Stray Kids song that I remember listening to—it kind of reminds me of Pentagon’s ‘Naughty Boy’ (which is also a cutesy, silly song). I like this song because it gives the vibe of being happy and carefree,” Denman shared about Stray Kids’ “Get Cool” (2018). Stray Kids is an eight-member group that made their debut in 2017 with “District 9.” They have made a name for themselves over the years with their bold, striking music (often called “noise music”) and have continued to destroy expectations—their latest album “MAXIDENT” sold over 3 million cumulative copies. They are the second Korean artists to achieve this after BTS.
Concept photo for Exid’s “X.” Credit: Sony Music Korea
13&14. “Fire” and “Night Rather Than Day” by EXID
Exid is a five-member group that made their debut with “Whoz That Girl” in 2012 and rose to viral popularity in 2014 with “Up & Down.” “Fire” (2022) is the group’s first independent release and shows the members at their best—confident, fiery and bold. Standing out has always been Exid’s thing and after 10 years as idols, they are doing it better than ever. I immediately fell head over sneakers for “Night Rather Than Day” (2017) when it was released because I had never heard a K-pop group go for jazz-pop before. The song will always have a special place in my heart.
Twice’s cover for “Feel Special.” Credit: JYP Entertainment
15. “Feel Special” by TWICE
“Feel Special” (2019) is one of my favorite Twice songs because it is both fun and sentimental—the lyrics describe how special it feels to have someone in your life who makes you feel important. It was released when Mina was on hiatus due to health concerns and this made the song even more memorable for fans. Twice is a nine-member group that debuted in 2015 with “Like Ooh-Ahh” and are well-known for their cute concepts. I could be here all day describing the multiple times they’ve gone viral and all of the awards they’ve received, but I’ll leave it at this: With 10 million cumulative album sales, they are one of the highest-selling K-pop groups of all time.
Yuju’s cover for “REC.” Credit: KONNECT Entertainment
16. “Play” by YUJU
Originally debuted as a member of Gfriend in 2015, Yuju made her solo debut this year with “Play.” The song spins a delicate tale lyrically and sonically that describes the end of a relationship and highlights Yuju’s vocal talents. (Fun fact: Yuju was the main vocalist of Gfriend. Is it obvious that I miss Gfriend? I miss Gfriend very much.) Ballads are a significant part of Korean music and culture and while “Play” doesn’t exactly follow the standard formula, it reminds me of the deeply emotional energy I experience while listening to ballads. And her modern spin on a traditional Hanbok continues to live in my mind rent free.
Concept photo for Pixy’s “Reborn.” Credit: Allart Entertainment
17. “Villain” by PIXY
Hot villain winter is here, folks. Pixy’s “Villain” (2022) is all about embracing every single part of yourself and becoming someone new. If you’re preparing for a night out or need a confidence boost, this is the song for you. Pixy is a five-member group that made their groundbreaking debut with “Wings” in 2021. They frequently dabble in horror concepts and their music always gets me excited. If there’s one group you want on your radar, it’s this one!
Concept photo for NewJeans’ “New Jeans.” Credit: ADOR
18. “Attention” by NewJeans
This list wouldn’t be complete without at least one NewJeans recommendation. “Attention” (2022) is the quintet’s debut song—it was a surprise release and garnered over 1.3 million YouTube views in 24 hours. You may be asking yourself, “Why does this matter?” Even the most popular K-pop acts release concept photos, highlight medleys and spoilers weeks before music releases. The member lineup for NewJeans hadn’t yet been released when they debuted. This is pure flexing behavior. “Attention” is a song that anyone can connect with—it plays on elements from the Y2K era while creating a fun, relaxed vibe. Honestly, I would have loved blasting this in the car at 12 as much as I do at 21.
Concept photo for Taeyeon’s “INVU.” Credit: SM Entertainment
19. “INVU” by TAEYEON
Taeyeon is recognized for her stunning voice as much as she is known for being the leader of Girls’ Generation, one of the most popular K-pop groups in the world. “INVU” (2022) describes the agony of loving someone so much it hurts while they shine just beyond your reach. If you’re a water or fire sign, there’s a good chance you know exactly what I’m describing. Girls’ Generation debuted in 2007 and Taeyeon had her first solo release in 2015 with “I”—since then, she has sold over 1 million physical albums and become one of the best-selling solo Korean artists. “INVU” is great for crying, dancing or both.
Concept photo for Vixx’s “Shangri-La.” Credit: Jellyfish Entertainment
20. “Shangri-La” by VIXX
Vixx is a five-member group that debuted in 2012 with “Super Hero” and has made a name for themselves as “concept idols.” I rarely compare songs to poems, but “Shangri-La” (2017) is the most beautiful poem I’ve ever heard in my life. (I highly recommend checking out the lyrics while you watch the video, they’re gorgeous!) The song is sonically pleasant and the music video, filled with aspects of Korean culture, is captivating—everything about “Shangri-La” reminds me of spring. It will never be easy for me to make just one Vixx recommendation, but this is a lovely place to begin.
Concept photo for Gwsn’s “the Keys.” Credit: The Wave Music
21. “BAZOOKA!” by GWSN
Are you awake? Are you dreaming? Who knows! GWSN’s “BAZOOKA!” (2020) is all about getting lost in the unknown while having fun. I can safely say that “BAZOOKA!” is a girl crush concept—a niche of K-pop that is hard to describe and easier to connect by association. (A few examples include Weki Meki’s “Crush,” Gugudan’s “The Boots,” etc. The concept tends to be sweet but it comes with a kick, or sometimes, a punch.) GWSN debuted in 2018 with “Puzzle Moon” and consists of seven members.
April’s cover for “the Ruby.” Credit: DSP Media
22. “Oh! my mistake” by APRIL
Last but certainly not least, we have April’s “Oh! my mistake” (2018). The first time I heard this song I felt like I was being transported to outer space. Sonically, the song is extremely versatile and constantly moving—it keeps you on your toes in the best way possible. If I had to describe it in one sentence, it would be this: “It’s not my fault that I’m pretty.” April was a six-member group that debuted in 2015 with “Dream Candy.”
