Best K-Pop Songs of 2019 (So Far)
2019 is a great year for K-Pop. There are world tours happening, albums being released, and international eyes all on our favorite idols. The ‘Hallyu Wave’ seems to pick up more people with each passing day, and more and more people are becoming curious about the things that many already hold so close to them.
The Love Yourself Speak Yourself World Tour
At this point in 2019, 14 rookie groups have stepped up to the plate and released music; and many of Korea’s veteran groups have had their comebacks. Records on YouTube have been broken, and concerts are filling out internationally. K-Pop is expanding and it might never stop.
While there is more music to be released before the year is over, there is undoubtedly some amazing music that has already been released by rookie and veteran groups alike.
Below are the “Boba Culture’s Best K-Pop Songs of 2019 (so far).”
*These songs are not ranked or ordered in any way*
Boy With Luv - Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS)
Yes, you knew this song was going to be included, so why not make it the first one you see. Not only is this one of the most iconic BTS songs of all time, but it is already one of the best collaborations ever. Halsey is featured on ‘Boy With Luv,’ and it’s like she became the eighth member of Bangtan. Her vocals flowed nicely with the track, and she adds even more texture to the hook.
Breaking the 24 hour record for most views of a music video on YouTube, ‘Boy With Luv’ has smashed all expectations, and has charted well on the Billboard charts. It’s like with each title song BTS has, more and more recognition to their name comes about.
The song features one of the most 'Instagram quote worthy lines’ in any K-Pop song with: “Love is nothing stronger, than a boy with love.” Not only is the song very memorable for its lines, but the choreography is special as well. Both the visuals and choreography featured in the M/V reference older BTS projects. This brings the narrative throughout the Bangtan Universe even more full circle.
‘Boy With Luv’ is one of seven other songs featured on their ‘Map Of The Soul: Persona’ album, and it definitely has its own voice amongst other iconic songs.
Fancy - Twice
People seem to have a preconceived image of what they think Twice is supposed to look and sound like. While this “image” was at the front of many topics, ‘Fancy’ ended all of those conversations. On April 22, Twice put the doubters to shame as they released their most unique concept to date. Revered by many as the “Nation’s (Korea) Girl Group, Twice has proved that they can pull off a variety of looks.
‘Fancy’ is simply a song about liking somebody. Now this isn’t to different from some of the other songs in their discography, but the way it is presented makes it hard to look away. The M/V features individual concepts from each of the members, and the video takes a more abstract look at the stunning visuals that Twice has to offer.
The choreography is extremely intricate with memorable moves that people at their ‘TWICELIGHTS World Tour’ can do in the audience. Like many other Twice songs, the key point in the choreography stands out, as well as the hook of the song. It’s impossible to be sad while listening to a Twice song, and ‘Fancy’ is no exception as it has already become one of the best selling Twice songs ever.
‘Fancy You,’ the mini-album released by Twice features songs written by many of the members. Not only does this make the music featured even more special, but it allows fans to hear the creative minds inside the group. As Twice prepares to embark on their world tour, ‘Fancy’ will be at the forefront of the minds of Once.
Kill THis Love - Blackpink
Its impossible to talk about K-Pop in 2019 without mentioning Blackpink. 2019 is the year of the ‘Kill This Love’ mini-album, Blackpink In You Area World Tour, and the legendary Coachella set that BP performed. Blackpink is one of the most recognizable K-Pop groups today, and they have only been around since 2016. Off the heels of the wildly successful ‘Square Up’, Blackpink had high expectations with their next comeback. With all eyes on the girls, they came back with an even more powerful style.
‘Kill This Love’ is a song about “killing” a toxic love before it ends up consuming you. Its choreography is just as memorable as its music video. It features such strong visuals from all four of BP’s members. Jisoo, Rosé, Jennie, and Lisa make it very hard to look away when they are on screen. Not only does the song contain a very blunt message, but the production behind it pulls no punches.
Legendary YG Entertainment producers Teddy and R.Tee successfully crafted a song that feels like it’s in your face. When you combine its color schemes, visuals, lyrics, and production, ‘Kill This Love’ was a song made to make people turn up. With it being released right before their Coachella set, it’s easy to see why the song was produced the way it was.
We don’t have any inklings as to what might come next from Blackpink. However we do know that Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa are set to have solo debuts coming sometime soon. We can only speculate, but there’s no doubt that Blackpink will become even more of a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Dalla Dalla - Itzy
Monster rookies as they call them. Itzy blasted on to the scene in early 2019 with their hit song ‘Dalla Dalla.’ Over the course of about a month, Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryoung, and Yuna racked up a total of nine wins on Korean music programs. Not only did the song find success in Korea, but it also found success internationally as it topped out at number two on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart
Dalla Dalla (달라달라) literally translates to “different different.” Different is the exact word that comes to mind when thinking about this song. All the promotions for ‘Dalla Dalla’ were focused on the fact that Itzy is meant to be “different” from the rest. This track is an electro pop ride with hip-hop influences. The choreography to this song has been the subject of many covers on online, as many people can’t stay away from eye catching moves. The M/V also fits very nicely into the new color palette JYP has been featuring in many of their videos.
Itzy already has one of the most viewed K-Pop M/V’s of 2019, and Itzy already has their first hit with ‘Dalla Dalla.’ With reports of an Itzy comeback in the summer, fans can only hope that the girls will come back with something new, and something different.
Crown - TOMORROW x together (TXT)
The title song on one of the most solid debut albums from any rookie group, Crown by TXT is a song that needed to be included on this list. Coming from the illustrious Big Hit Entertainment, TXT is the junior group to none other than BTS. While these two groups should not be compared to each other, many had their eyes glued to what TXT would be releasing as they are Big Hit’s second boy group.
TXT did not disappoint. The hook is dangerously catchy, and the instrumental is so well done that it can be sung along with the actual words. The lyrics of ‘Crown’ surround itself on not being alone. While much of it is very abstract, it seems that TXT might be weaving a narrative similar to their senior group into their projects. Lyrics and video aside, TXT’s choreography is one of the most energetic choreo’s that I’ve ever seen. Every beat is accounted for, and TXT really understands the idea of dancing as a group. It is like watching a picture being painted with each move the quintet performs.
‘Crown’ seems like it is the birth of a new supergroup coming from Korea. In a few years TXT is going to be seen as a senior group, and with the legacy they are already paving for themselves, they are going to have a bright future.
Violeta - Iz*One
It’s very easy to see that Iz*One is on their way to become a record shattering K-Pop group. ‘La Vie en Rose’ was a massive success in the eyes of many, and the much anticipated title track of their second comeback pulled no punches. Think about a picture. Not just any picture, but an elaborate one that could be seen in a modern art gallery. That is exactly what can be used to describe the song ‘Violeta’ as a whole.
With each of the 12 members taken into account, Iz*One is able to create beautiful pictures by using their signature hand movements. ‘Violeta’ is a pop song that dabbles into the realm of a punchy deep house song. The color scheme used in the M/V add to the canvas like visuals Iz*One has shown off. Not only do the real life colors have the ability to stun fans around the world, but the song itself is actually about the beauty of a persons colors.
Iz*One is on their way to even more success. Heart*Iz (their album) had a massive opening week in terms of record sales. This is extremely impressive as they are a group who has been around for less than a year. ‘Violeta’ his one that needs to be heard, and with it, the world clearly hear the many colors of Iz*One.
Senorita - (G)-Idle
Coming off of the wildly successful “I Am” album released in 2018, (G)-Idle came back in 2019 with one of their most catchy tracks. Senorita is a song with one of the most memorable instrumentals in all of K-Pop. It centers on the melody of some latin-inspired brass, and it never lets listeners go until the song is over.
As with many songs on this list, ‘Senorita’ has found itself in many YouTube videos as many people try their hand at covering the choreography. Compared to many other (G)-Idle songs, ‘Senorita's’ choreo finds itself in a much more sleek and chic area. It’s smooth, similar to the way the trumpets sound in the instrumental.
‘Senorita’ was produced by (G)-Idle’s very own Jeon Soyeon. In fact, Soyeon went ahead and produced all the songs featured on (G)-Idle’s most recent comeback. While ‘Senorita’ might only be the group’s second title track, it’s certain that (G)-Idle will continue to find success as all of the members have individual talents.
Bon Bon Chocolat - Everglow
If there is any debut song from 2019 that made people’s jaws drop, without a doubt, it was ‘Bon Bon Chocolat’ from the rookie group—Everglow. Coming from Stone Music Entertainment, Everglow debuted in March of 2019 and took the K-Pop world by storm. Everglow is six member group, with members coming from a variety of different Korean survival singing competitions.
‘Bon Bon Chocolat’ is a song with strong Hip-Hop elements, and towards its’ end, even reaches into the realm of dubstep. The choreography for the track was created by the legendary Lia Kim; and the song was done as a collaboration with the decorated writer: Melanie Fontana.
Everglow is only just starting their journey as a group, but if one thing is for certain, they have already made one song that resonates with many people. It’s a fast paced roller coaster ride that feels like its going 100 mph until the next song comes on shuffle. ‘Bon Bon Chocolat’ might just be the beginning of something special. It truly is the Arrival Of Everglow.
Miroh - Stray Kids
Have you ever been to a rave before? Even if you haven’t, ‘Miroh’ by Stray Kids is a song that can make you feel like you are at one. Coming in as the 20th music video ‘Miroh’ has a very distinct voice amongst its predecessors. Scoring their first number one album on the Gaon Chart with “Clé 1: Miroh,” SKZ has successfully crafted one of the best K-Pop songs of 2019.
‘Miroh’ was produced by Stray Kids’ own 3Racha. Aside from this song itself, many Stays have pieced a storyline running through some of the SKZ music videos, and ‘Miroh’ is one that contains another piece to the puzzle. The MV is shot extremely cinematically with heavy focus on the “story” elements being presented.
The choreography of the song is very interesting as well, as it has an unconventional influence for a K-Pop song. While it was never confirmed by JYP or Stray Kids themselves, the Maori dance known as Haka appears ever so slightly throughout the songs’ choreo. This could be due to the fact that a few of the Stray Kids members are from Oceanic countries where the Haka is very prominent. This could also be because the song itself is a call for battle, and this is what the dance is meant to represent.
Superhuman - NCT 127
NCT 127 is quickly becoming one of the biggest K-Pop groups around the world. It would be a disservice if they were not included on this list. They are just beginning to wrap up their Neo City The Origin Tour all around North America, and they dropped ‘Superhuman,’ their latest comeback.
As K-Pop fans know, NCT stands for Neo Culture Technology. I feel as if ‘Superhuman’ is the perfect song to encapsulate who NCT 127 is. This song is the embodiment of the Neo Culture Technology. The M/V’s color palette is very futuristic, and the song uses synths in a very aggressive, yet melodic way.
I could go on and on about the different components that exist within the song, but seeing how much exposure NCT has been gaining over the past few months, it’s only appropriate to say that this song is going to push them even further. In the world of K-Pop where songs blend, and it’s hard for groups to stand out; NCT 127’s ‘Superhuman’ is one that gives 127 an even more nuanced voice amongst a world of content.
What’s Next For 2019?
The ten songs included on this list are representative of what K-Pop is now, and what will influence K-Pop down the road. 2019 is not even half way through, and fans around the world have already gotten to see/hear some amazing songs, albums, and music videos.
It’s reasonable to believe that many of the groups featured on this list will have another comeback before the end of the year. There are also many other K-Pop groups who have not released new music yet. Despite this, K-Pop fans will stay waiting until the day they do. New music seems to be coming out every week, and new groups debut monthly. What makes a song great is its ability to be memorable; and what makes a group great is their ability to move people. The truth is, we fans really don’t know what is next to come.
Time can only tell what the next step for K-Pop is, but with everything that has been released in 2019, it’s safe to say that the future is looking bright!
AJ