The Telegraph lookback at top 20 K-Pop hits of the year

2022 was undoubtedly an eventful year for K-pop. It was a year of girl groups. We also saw PSY’s return with That That as well as Girls’ Generation return with Forever 1. With appreciation of the members of BTS going solo and also the emergence of budding solo artists like B.I and international collaborations, 2022 was a grand and groundbreaking year for K-Pop. Let’s look at the songs that we played on loop:

1. That That by PSY and Suga

With That That dropping, PSY aimed at making a comeback with the energy and vibe that he had with his cult hit Gangnam Style back in 2012. That That also features Suga and is definitely a befitting return of PSY as the king of the genre!

2. Pink Venom by BLACKPINK

With a staggering 90.4 million views in the first 24 hours of its release, Pink Venom soon emerged as the biggest music video debut. With Pink Venom, Blackpink kicked off their Born Pink album. A chartbuster since its release, Pink Venom is a powerful song to say the least!

3. Yet to Come by BTS

Yet to Come, the lead single from the BTS album Proof emerged on top soon after its release. The music video is set in a desert, and has multiple references to past videos from different eras of their career as a group.

4. World by SEVENTEEN

Seventeen invite you into their world with lyrics like ‘Come, come into my world’. This 13-member boy band delivers romanticised lyrics in a groovy beat, making World absolutely unstoppable on loop!

5. Maniac by Stray Kids

The album Oddinary emerged as the Stray Kids’ first on the Billboard 200. With its impactful lyrics, the single Maniac in particular encourages listeners to come out and about as their true selves. Else, one might end up feeling like a ‘Maniac’ if they are trying to hide who they truly are.

 

6. Illusion by Aespa

This Aespa single recorded for their second EP, Girls, is high-energy, electronic, with elements of hyperpop. With its bass-heavy chorus and innovative and futuristic lyric video, Illusion is definitely the song that’ll get you off your seats to groove this season.

 

7. TomBoy by (G)I-DLE

(G)I-DLE returned in 2022 with the chartbusting number TomBoy. The lyrics connected with audiences worldwide and paved the way for the group to emerge from its downfall in 2021. TomBoy’s success and the punk vibe of the song pushed the group to even greater heights of recognition.

 

8. Hype Boy by NewJeans

This new girl group gained instant attention upon the release of their debut EP. First Attention, and then Hype Boy is definitely K-pop at its best! The vibe of this song is nostalgic and bears an almost dream-like atmosphere. The catchy choreography and chorus definitely made Hype Boy a new favourite!

 

9. The Astronaut by Jin

As the BTS members also dropped their solo ventures, it gave the Army an opportunity to look at their individuality as musical artists. Co-written with British rock band Coldplay, this chartbuster was famously described as ‘a gift to fans’. The unique music video finds an alien astronaut who finds a family on Earth, but is left to eventually choose whether to go back or stay.

 

10. Bop Bop by Viviz

This re-debut single has a crazy late 70s vibe to it. Its vibe and fresh lyrics definitely make Bop Bop a bop for this season. The group even famously performed it for the Grammy’s Global Spin this year.

11. Talk That Talk by TWICE

With Talk that Talk, TWICE almost comes around with the statement that nobody does bubblegum pop as eloquently as this girl group. With a bang-on chorus and Y2K-themed video, this song is a definite hit for the season!

 

12. INVU by Taeyeon

Recorded for the chartbusting album of the same name, INVU, short for ‘I envy you’, definitely ranks high on this list. The impressive funky beat makes sure that it keeps playing on loop in your mind. Although it might have a dancing mood, the lyrics speak for itself without getting overpowered by the punky beats.

 

13. Heart Burn by Sunmi

There is no doubt that over the years with countless hits, Sunmi has mastered the art of portraying emotions of heartbreak and despair intertwined in a spirit of optimism. In the music video, she plays a woman who goes across centuries looking for love but in a split second loses all her lovers. The captivating melody and poetic music video definitely makes Sunmi’s Heart Burn a chartbuster.

 

14. BTBT ft DeVita by B.I, Soulja Boy

BTBT is B.I’s collaboration with American rapper Soulja Boy. You feel the bursts of emotions as the song grooves, and the energy of hesitation comes through. The upbeat synchronisation of sensuous R&B mixed with groovy bass and melodic vocals, make BTBT a chartbuster.

 

15. Rush Hour by Crush ft. J-Hope

Rush Hour is Crush’s return song after his completion of time in the Korean military. It is co-written and performed alongside J-Hope of BTS. Crush marks his comeback with lyrics like “It’s been two whole years of this/ Held my tongue for way too long/ Set my destination to the studio; and cause I can/ This is Crush hour get out the way.”

16. Antifragile by LE SSERAFIM

Antifragile beams with confidence. With this release, it was clear that LE SSERAFIM are here to stay. With Antifragile, LE SSERAFIM comes around as powerful and strong, which is pretty much the vibe for the album of the same name! They are truly anything but fragile!

 

17. Forever 1 by Girls’ Generation

Girls’ Generation is the girl group’s first release in five years! It is a statement song from the Girls’ Generation that they still come together defeating all odds while the members have moved on to separate labels. They are truly ‘Forever 1’.

 

18. Pop by Nayeon

Having gained fame from being one of the nine members of the famous

K-pop group, TWICE, Nayeon’s Pop from her debut EP Im Nayeon is filled with bubbly energy. Its addictive beats and cute lyrics set the vibe for Pop to be this season’s bop!

 

19. After Like by IVE

In recent years, IVE has come out as one of the most promising groups in K-pop. The pop sensation with upbeat lyrics like ‘You & I/It’s more than ‘like’/What’s after, like?’ and the interpolation with Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I will survive’ make After Like a pop anthem.

 

20. Guerrilla by ATEEZ

The crazy amalgamation of hip-hop and rock is Guerilla. ATEEZ use their powerful voices as inspiration and weapons to turn the world on its head. The music video delivers cinematic brilliance at its best.