With the year coming to an end, it's time to revisit the last 12 months of kpop. So how delicious was it?
Really, 2015 was easily the best year for kpop since 2009. The hardest part wasn't finding great, iconic songs, but rather choosing which ones were the best. So here are Soyeon Friend's and my favorite kpop songs of the year (as well as a couple wankers). And warning: As always, there will be overlap.
Fany Pack: Laboum. This category was a battle between Laboum and Sonamoo, but in the end, I couldn't give it to anyone else but Laboum. They are the only nugu group of which I like all of their music. They haven't had a bad single. They do throwbacks really well, too. "Aalow Aalow" is the best kpop '80s throwback outside Wonder Girls'"I Feel You." And their early '60s-style jam "Sugar Sugar" is the rare cutesy kpop song that actually works. I listened the shit out of that song this year. It's a damn shame Laboum, who debuted in 2014, isn't getting more love.
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Fany Pack: Wonder Girls, "I Feel You." I'm still shocked the Wonder Girls came back and did so maybe better than ever.
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Soyeon Friend: AOA,"Heart Attack."
Fany Pack: I had a few big disappointment this year, such as "Heart Attack," Sistar's "Summer Fuckery," and A Pink's "Remember," which I've since come around on. But nothing let me down more than 4Minute's "Crazy." I hate that song almost as much as "Dumb Dumb."
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Soyeon Friend:Super Junior, "Devil."
I tried to pick only one of these, but every time I decided on one, I'd hear the other song and change my mind. I wasn't a fan of GFriend's debut song, "Glass Bead," until this week, but "Me Gustas Tu" is one of those songs that blows you away. I hate to make the obvious comparison, but the song reminds me of SNSD's "Into the New World." The live stages of this song have so much power, the dance is fierce af, and the group is so in sync.
I didn't watch "Sixteen," the survival show that determined the members of TWICE. But I couldn't ignore the group's debut, "Like OOH AHH." Again with the comparisons I don't want to make but will anyway: TWICE's debut reminded me of miss A's. Both groups came onto the scene with really strong songs and memorable styles and saw success quickly. I only hope TWICE has a more consistent record than miss A.
I was stuck in the Arctic for a week when this came out, so my liking of it might be tainted by that. I basically had no entertainment other than a little Internet. In that situation, "Ah Yeah" was perfect. It quenched my kpop thirst and has been in rotation all year.
This song always strikes me as melancholy for some reason. I'm not sure why. But anyway, for this comeback, Crayon Pop came back with their best concept yet. The whole thing is low-key badass, culminating in the sweet C6H12O6 part.
Never has a group had such a successful resurrection as the Wonder Girls had in 2015. Even as someone who's been listening to "Wonder World" regularly for the past four years, I admit I was worried whether they'd ever come back with anything good, especially after Sunye and Sohee left. But man, I've never been so happy to be wrong. This song seriously gets me a little weepy. Sunmi coming back after her amazing solo songs and a re-envisioning as Wonder Band hit all the right notes. Plus, the MV answered the question of "Where has the Wonder Girls comeback been all this time?" Sunmi was keeping it in her puss.
Last year, Super Junior shocked me by still being relevant and putting out good music. I really thought they were done after that dismal few years' stretch of "Sorry Sorry" wannabes. Instead, they came out with "Mamacita" in 2014 and the superior "Devil," which might be the group's best song. Ever. Ten years into the game, Super Junior finally got to a comfortable place, musically. And that Siwon gets hotter each year. Even vampire Donghae has grown on me with this comeback. One word of warning: Just watch the dance version. It's not a creeper fest and showcases the many great moves this song has to offer.
Among the year's better surprises was Taeyeon's solo debut. Like many people, I expected a snoozer ballad from SNSD's lead vocalist and literal Satan's minion. Instead, we were treated to a chill Western-style pop song that's both relaxing and inspiring.
The only negative is the video, which while beautiful enrages me. Taeyeon as an oppressed waitress? Oh please. And stealing your boss' car isn't that liberating when your ass lands in jail. (But props for Verbal Jint looking his most bag lady like.)
This year's best MV and best non-traditional song go to Primary's "Don't Be Shy," featuring AOA's Choa and rapper Iron. I've already talked about why "Don't Be Shy" is awesome, but long story short, if you love chill reggae and/or Choa, this is an instant favorite.
I tried to watch both seasons of "Unpretty Rapstar" and only succeeded in finishing the first one. What can I say? I didn't care for almost anyone in the second season except for Yezi and maybe Yubin for impure reasons. Oh, but I was committed to Season 1. I watched with fascination to see what happened to everyone. And one of my favorites, of course, was AOA's Jimin, the "underdog idol." She kept surprising contestants and viewers alike, and no more than during her semi-final solo stage in which she violated probably every damn rule in the contest (but whatevs, I'm not bitter). Above is "Puss" in all its uncensored glory, but the on-air stage of the song is worth many viewings for Jimin's amazing performance and for when Kisum can't control her thirst for Jimin at the 1:19 mark:
And what a year for Iron. He's 2015's true standout star.
I went back and forth with the top three for months. "Puss" is certainly the jam of the year, and "Don't Be Shy" is the out-of-the-norm sleeper of the year. But no song made me feel in its first few seconds the way SHINee's "View" did. Every time I hear those first few notes, I instantly relax and feel lighter. Everything about this song is perfect — the throwback vibe, the dance, the video. In a great year for kpop, it still managed to set itself apart.
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| As delicious as a Seulrene fanfic involving ice cream |
Really, 2015 was easily the best year for kpop since 2009. The hardest part wasn't finding great, iconic songs, but rather choosing which ones were the best. So here are Soyeon Friend's and my favorite kpop songs of the year (as well as a couple wankers). And warning: As always, there will be overlap.
Most Listened to Song
Soyeon Friend: Red Velvet, "Ice Cream Cake."
Fany Pack: Jimin and Iron, "Puss." More on this later.
Most Hated Song
Fany Pack: Red Velvet, "Dumb Dumb." I appear to be one of the only people who thinks this song is rubbish. The chorus is obnoxious, the rap rips off Crayon Pop, and the styling annoys me. The fact that it tops many people's best of 2015 lists really pisses me off. I just hate it so much.
Best Nugu Group
Soyeon Friend: Twice.Fany Pack: Laboum. This category was a battle between Laboum and Sonamoo, but in the end, I couldn't give it to anyone else but Laboum. They are the only nugu group of which I like all of their music. They haven't had a bad single. They do throwbacks really well, too. "Aalow Aalow" is the best kpop '80s throwback outside Wonder Girls'"I Feel You." And their early '60s-style jam "Sugar Sugar" is the rare cutesy kpop song that actually works. I listened the shit out of that song this year. It's a damn shame Laboum, who debuted in 2014, isn't getting more love.
Best Surprise
Soyeon Friend: Primary, featuring Choa and Iron, "Don't Be Shy."Fany Pack: Wonder Girls, "I Feel You." I'm still shocked the Wonder Girls came back and did so maybe better than ever.
Biggest Disappointment
Soyeon Friend: AOA,"Heart Attack."
Fany Pack: I had a few big disappointment this year, such as "Heart Attack," Sistar's "Summer Fuckery," and A Pink's "Remember," which I've since come around on. But nothing let me down more than 4Minute's "Crazy." I hate that song almost as much as "Dumb Dumb."
Song I Started Out Not Liking But Then Did Like
Fany Pack: Beast, "YeY." This is the biggest example of my hypocrisy since my former hatred of Girl's Day. I really didn't care for this song when I first heard it. As often happens, though, watching some live stages of "YeY" made me reconsider. Beast is just that good live. Plus the lyrics are nihilistic af, and I find that hilarious.
SNSD's "Lion Heart" very nearly made this spot. I gave it to "YeY," though, because I never hated "Lion Heart" and because this post really doesn't need anymore SM. (You'll see why once you get to my top 10 later.) I wanted to mention "Lion Heart," though, because if I had done a top 20 list, it'd probably come in at No. 11. Also, Sooyoung werks it like never before in the MV.
SNSD's "Lion Heart" very nearly made this spot. I gave it to "YeY," though, because I never hated "Lion Heart" and because this post really doesn't need anymore SM. (You'll see why once you get to my top 10 later.) I wanted to mention "Lion Heart," though, because if I had done a top 20 list, it'd probably come in at No. 11. Also, Sooyoung werks it like never before in the MV.
Best Dance
Soyeon Friend: Sonamoo, "Round N Round."
Fany Pack: BESTie, "Excuse Me." It's one good move after another.
Best Dance Practice Video
Soyeon Friend:BESTie, "Excuse Me," Idolic version.
Fany Pack: Sonamoo, "Round N Round." Dat clomping.
Biggest Guilty Pleasure
Soyeon Friend:Super Junior, "Devil."
Fany Pack: Bastarz, "Zero for Conduct."When I first tried to listen to this Block B sub-unit's song, I couldn't even last 30 seconds. The video is over-the-top, boy group trying too hard garbage. Fast forward, like, five months to me watching their Idolic dance practice video. Stripped down to just the song and the members in (mostly) normal outfits, "Zero for Conduct" is actually pretty enjoyable. Plus, one of their backup dancers wears an Ohio State shirt in the practice vid. Go Bucks!
Group/Artist of the Year
Soyeon Friend: Red Velvet.
Fany Pack: Red Velvet. If you look at album sales and YouTube plays, Red Velvet is leading the latest generation of girl groups. On top of that, these girls were everywhere this year. It definitely felt like the group solidified itself in 2015.
The Top 10
Now that the we've gone over the various less important categories, let's get down to the meat of this post — the top 10 list. Soyeon Friend and I made ours separately, so enjoy.Soyeon Friend's 2015 Kpop Top 10
10. Hello Venus, "Wiggle Wiggle"
9. Sonamoo, "Round N Round"
8. Twice, "Like OOH AHH"
7. GFriend, "Me Gustas Tu"
6. Hyosung, "Into You"
5. EXID, "Ah Yeah"
4. SNSD, "Lion Heart"
3. T-ara, "So Crazy"
2. Red Velvet, "Ice Cream Cake"
1. Taeyeon, "I"
Fany Pack's 2015 Kpop Top 10
10. (tie) GFriend, "Me Gustas Tu," and TWICE, "Like Ooh Ahh"
I tried to pick only one of these, but every time I decided on one, I'd hear the other song and change my mind. I wasn't a fan of GFriend's debut song, "Glass Bead," until this week, but "Me Gustas Tu" is one of those songs that blows you away. I hate to make the obvious comparison, but the song reminds me of SNSD's "Into the New World." The live stages of this song have so much power, the dance is fierce af, and the group is so in sync.
I didn't watch "Sixteen," the survival show that determined the members of TWICE. But I couldn't ignore the group's debut, "Like OOH AHH." Again with the comparisons I don't want to make but will anyway: TWICE's debut reminded me of miss A's. Both groups came onto the scene with really strong songs and memorable styles and saw success quickly. I only hope TWICE has a more consistent record than miss A.
9. Hello Venus, "I'm Ill"
Going back to me being a hypocrite: I have a history of considering Hello Venus the epitome of kpop mediocrity. In my defense, they sort of were in their early days. The group's 2015 releases have changed my opinion, though. I love the hot mess that is "Wiggle Wiggle," and "I'm Ill" is the jam of the summer. Sure the MV and dance aren't particularly inspiring. But this song has enough energy to overcome its weaknesses.
8. EXID, "Ah Yeah"
I was stuck in the Arctic for a week when this came out, so my liking of it might be tainted by that. I basically had no entertainment other than a little Internet. In that situation, "Ah Yeah" was perfect. It quenched my kpop thirst and has been in rotation all year.
7. Crayon Pop, "FM"
This song always strikes me as melancholy for some reason. I'm not sure why. But anyway, for this comeback, Crayon Pop came back with their best concept yet. The whole thing is low-key badass, culminating in the sweet C6H12O6 part.
6. Wonder Girls, "I Feel You"
Never has a group had such a successful resurrection as the Wonder Girls had in 2015. Even as someone who's been listening to "Wonder World" regularly for the past four years, I admit I was worried whether they'd ever come back with anything good, especially after Sunye and Sohee left. But man, I've never been so happy to be wrong. This song seriously gets me a little weepy. Sunmi coming back after her amazing solo songs and a re-envisioning as Wonder Band hit all the right notes. Plus, the MV answered the question of "Where has the Wonder Girls comeback been all this time?" Sunmi was keeping it in her puss.
5. Super Junior, "Devil"
Last year, Super Junior shocked me by still being relevant and putting out good music. I really thought they were done after that dismal few years' stretch of "Sorry Sorry" wannabes. Instead, they came out with "Mamacita" in 2014 and the superior "Devil," which might be the group's best song. Ever. Ten years into the game, Super Junior finally got to a comfortable place, musically. And that Siwon gets hotter each year. Even vampire Donghae has grown on me with this comeback. One word of warning: Just watch the dance version. It's not a creeper fest and showcases the many great moves this song has to offer.
4. Taeyeon, "I"
Among the year's better surprises was Taeyeon's solo debut. Like many people, I expected a snoozer ballad from SNSD's lead vocalist and literal Satan's minion. Instead, we were treated to a chill Western-style pop song that's both relaxing and inspiring.
The only negative is the video, which while beautiful enrages me. Taeyeon as an oppressed waitress? Oh please. And stealing your boss' car isn't that liberating when your ass lands in jail. (But props for Verbal Jint looking his most bag lady like.)
3. Primary, featuring Choa and Iron, "Don't Be Shy"
This year's best MV and best non-traditional song go to Primary's "Don't Be Shy," featuring AOA's Choa and rapper Iron. I've already talked about why "Don't Be Shy" is awesome, but long story short, if you love chill reggae and/or Choa, this is an instant favorite.
2. Jimin, "Puss"
I tried to watch both seasons of "Unpretty Rapstar" and only succeeded in finishing the first one. What can I say? I didn't care for almost anyone in the second season except for Yezi and maybe Yubin for impure reasons. Oh, but I was committed to Season 1. I watched with fascination to see what happened to everyone. And one of my favorites, of course, was AOA's Jimin, the "underdog idol." She kept surprising contestants and viewers alike, and no more than during her semi-final solo stage in which she violated probably every damn rule in the contest (but whatevs, I'm not bitter). Above is "Puss" in all its uncensored glory, but the on-air stage of the song is worth many viewings for Jimin's amazing performance and for when Kisum can't control her thirst for Jimin at the 1:19 mark:
And what a year for Iron. He's 2015's true standout star.
1. SHINee, "View"
I went back and forth with the top three for months. "Puss" is certainly the jam of the year, and "Don't Be Shy" is the out-of-the-norm sleeper of the year. But no song made me feel in its first few seconds the way SHINee's "View" did. Every time I hear those first few notes, I instantly relax and feel lighter. Everything about this song is perfect — the throwback vibe, the dance, the video. In a great year for kpop, it still managed to set itself apart.