June 29, 2013
Number 10
HISTORY - Dreamer
Last but certainly not least is LOEN Entertainment's newest creation, HISTORY, who debuted with their song Dreamer. The song is definitely different than other song releases this year... the classy beat and the LOEN-fairytale-style video perfecting the song.
Number 9
SHINee - Dream Girl
Placing in 9th place is SHINee's Dream Girl. After their what seemed like a ten year Korean hiatus, SHINee released yet another chart-topping song depicting their image of a dream girl. Not only was the music video fun to watch, but the song was also fun to listen to and of course, it broke away from the typical SM Entertainment style video, making me like it even more.
Number 8
15& - Somebody
I want somebody, somebody, somebody, somebody, somebody to love, yeah!~ still plays constantly in my head. The song that was most definitely a change from their ballad debut song, I Dream, Somebody proved Park Jimin (winner of K-Pop Star season 1) and Baek Yerin worthy competition in the Korean idol industry.
Number 7
SHINHWA - This Love
The legendary idol group, SHINHWA, celebrated their 15th anniversary this year and released their 11th album with title song This Love. To my surprise, SHINHWA still had what they had 15 years ago... if not, even more. Though most modern-day K-Pop fans don't give a rat's-ass about SHINHWA because they view them as old and shriveled, SHINHWA undoubtedly paved the way and shaped K-Pop to what it is today and deserve more recognition.
Number 6
2PM - A.D.T.O.Y.
Though ranking low on charts, 2PM's A.D.T.O.Y. was actually a pretty damn good track. Although the dancing was sometimes cringe-worthy, the track actually wasn't half-bad. And despite the Nickhun scandal which definitely threw 2PM off of their high-standing position,
I put this song as one of the best Korean Pop Song of 2013 because the song really does deserve it.
Number 5
Dasoni - Goodbye
The EXID sub-unit, Dasoni, released their song 'Goodbye' in February of this year and which undeniably one of the most underrated songs of the year. I cannot even fathom as to why people haven't heard of this song or given it a chance... the song is extremely good.
Number 4
B.A.P. - Coffee Shop
Originally I was going to put One Shot in this place, however, after I heard B.A.P's newest song, Coffee Shop, I thought otherwise. Though it was just released a few days ago, B.A.P's Coffee Shop definitely exceeded all of my expectations. The music video was perfect, the song was perfect... Bang Yong Guk was perfect. Everything.
Number 3
T-ara N4 - Countryside Life
After the T-ara bullying scandal, it was basically like everyone labelled all their following releases as bad songs when that actually isn't the case. With the release of the sub-unit's, T-ara N4, song Countryside Life, which was not only a fun music video to watch, but also a great song to jam to, it proved that the group deserved a second chance... or at least a listen to the song.
Number 2
GLAM - In Front of the Mirror
This song is more-or-less one of the most underrated songs of the year. What I like about this song most is the meaning of it, talking about what girls usually think when standing 'In Front of the Mirror' and showing off GLAM's more natural side. Honestly, even their other song 'I Like That' which was released this year as well was notably tasteful, however, just because of their lack of popularity, was pushed to the side while other shitty songs released around the same time as theirs *cough* I Got a Boy *cough* topped charts almost automatically. So, GLAM, though you aren't first place, you definitely do deserve to be this high up in the ranking, placing second with your amazing, meaningful and awesome song In Front of the Mirror.
Number 1
Jay Park - JOAH
With the other mediocre songs of the year, I'm not only surprised that Jay Park released a song that's more than tolerable but I'm also surprised he didn't win anything for this song while shit songs like EXO's Wolf won easily. Well, Jay, you deserve this one win. JOAH places first as best K-Pop song of mid-2013. Good job.
Tracks that didn't get in:
Girls' Generation - Beep Beep
Though this song was released as one of Girls' Generation's Japanese comebacks, we all can't deny that Girls' Generation's Beep Beep is a catchy song despite the cuteness, fluff and pink (Tiffany obviously had fun).
Ladies' Code - Bad Girl
Ladies' Code debut song, Bad Girl, was undoubtedly one of the best debut songs of the year... in fact, the whole Bad Girl album is astoundingly pleasing. If you have time, I suggest you check out their album song Super Girl.
DMTN - Safety Zone
Released in January of this year, DMTN came back with their song, Safety Zone. Despite DMTN Daniel's recent marijuana scandal, the music video and song was more than expected.
Bangtan Boys - No More Dream
With all bias aside, their debut song, No More Dream, was more than words can describe. Not only is the song, lyrics meanings and music video great, but like Ladies' Code debut, their album was also pleasing, too. I recommend the song We Are Bulletproof from their album.
Do you have any favorite songs of the year that weren't added to the list? Comment below!
The majority of releases so far this year have been sorta disappointing. Plenty of songs I liked, but not many instant classics.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the T-ara N4, Dasoni, and GLAM (plus 'I Like That') selections for the half-year top 10. I'd add both Girl's Day songs, Rania's "Just Go", Nine Muses "Wild", and Crayon Pop's "Bar Bar Bar".
I only follow female groups so there were probably some better songs by male groups that I'm unaware of.
I guess you could say the big companies (the source of most of the disappointments) are getting lazy, but really - how hard is it to make a decent-sounding song?
ReplyDeleteThe fact that rookie groups from small companies with no budget can produce catchy songs tells me that it's probably more a matter of bad taste than anything else.
Interesting point. That seems true
ReplyDeleteMost of the songs on the list are oka but Bar Bar Bar should've been here... and maybe Wild.
ReplyDelete