#10: Goblin by Sulli

Goblin has been one of my favorite k-pop tracks for a very long time. Conceived of by Sulli as a song about a woman with dissociative identity disorder, the main character’s three personalities all get a moment to speak. And all are representative of a different view of Sulli: an overly-made-up, childish one being dragged in a kid’s wagon, a sexualized one all in black who’s burning down a building, and lastly, a “normally” dressed one who’s attempting to hide away from the people constantly searching for her. It’s easy to see it as a representation of life as an idol.

Incorporating several unusual elements—background whispering, chimes, xylophone, etc, it’s at once soothing and incredibly unsettling, and the lyrics too, with their somewhat childish metaphors and odd phrasing, lean into that. It’s weird as hell, and it’s a piece that really paints a portrait of Sulli that’s unlike anything I’ve seen in k-pop, and also extends sympathy to the people suffering from a very real disorder. In short (as if), it’s, in my humble opinion, a masterpiece. She was truly one of a kind.

#9: Azalea by Rolling Quartz

Though all of Rolling Quartz songs are fantastic, Azalea may be their best. Adapted from an old poem by Kim Sewol protesting the Japanese occupation of Korea, it’s the true definition of an anthemic, passionate, head-banger, and I hope one day (Hera willing) I’ll get to experience its incredibleness in concert. It doesn’t pull its punches, and manages to be both heartsick and still stubbornly hopeful, no matter the impossible odds.

#8: Spring Day by BTS

I admit it; I find it almost impossible to be objective about Spring Day when I go “aww” the second I hear the opening notes. It’s melancholy and contemplative, wistful and pained, hopeful and tragic. The lyrics are honestly beautiful and such a raw expression of grief that it’s the kind of song you need to sit with for a minute before moving on. I, like most people, have someone I love deeply that this song reminds me of, and it always makes me appreciate life just a little more every time I give it a listen. It’s perfect, but you don’t need me to tell you that. Go take a deep breath and watch the music video for yourself.

#7: LION by (G)I-DLE

Lion is one of the best songs in (G)I-DLE’s entire discography: it’s fierce, unapologetic, and loud, and also damn catchy. It’s rare that K-pop girl groups get to be justifiably angry and this song pulls it off so well! Hats off. It incorporates a heartbeat-like drumline that, while slight, is enough to get your own pounding. And while I often complain about raps feeling superfluous, the rap here is nothing short of perfection. I always feel so inspired and empowered whenever I hear it. God, I love this song!

#6: Heroine by Sunmi

Heroine is the first song of Sunmi’s that I ever loved. From the second it starts, it doesn’t let a single moment go to waste, and even when it seems to slow down, it’s only to set up the juggernaut of a chorus about to smack you in the face. In the hands of a lesser performer, it could easily become one dimensional, but the song surges forward with such a raw, almost desperate energy, and consistently makes you feel breathless with its sharp near-anguish. But the part that makes it so great isn’t any of its loudness. Instead, it’s a deep sigh, and the quiet, simple, “The show must go on. You must go on.” Phew. Gets me everytime.

#5: Deja Vu by Dreamcatcher

Deja Vu is a special single made for a game collaboration, so perhaps one would assume it to be a usual ballad or easily-overlooked piece of a great discography. One would assume very, very wrong. I assumed this, when I heard the first, very slow verse and the backing piano. Deja Vu definitely leans more into melancholy than most of their singles, but it’s really at the end of the pre-chorus where the band comes in and DC goes full-on rock ballad that it begins to sound like them.The song is a slow burn, definitely, but the incredible catharsis at the end is totally worth it. Just go watch the music video itself, which is full of delightful drama and betrayal, and can best be described as “Macbeth, if it was gay, Korean, and magical.” You’re welcome.

#4: When This Rain Stops by Wendy

There’s never a competition where When This Rain Stops is involved. It’s one of my favorite k-pop songs of all time, and is damn near-perfect. Heartwarming yet heartbreaking, comforting yet moving, and gentle yet powerful. There’s really nothing I could say about it that hasn’t been said already, but I will say: if you only hear one song from Wendy’s albums, let it be this one.

#3: MAGO by Gfriend

And at last, at last, we reach MAGO! MAGO is, I’ll be honest, one of my all-time favorite k-pop songs (we’re talking Top 10), and I’ve loved it since I first heard it. To say everything I want to say would take forever, but this is my blog, so here we go. No matter how many times I watch it, it never loses its magic. Marrying together the many sides of Gfriend—witchy and sleek, retro and joyful, and classical and bittersweet, MAGO is the pinnacle of what a pop song can be. From the start, it knows exactly what it is, and it proclaims that through a megaphone; it explodes with confidence and self-expression, and it’s a song that stands out because that empowerment doesn’t fall flat. MAGO calls out to its viewer, telling them to live their lives only for themselves, uncaring of judgment and against prejudice. It’s a queer anthem for a reason, and not just because it’s set in a dance club. In short (well, as if), it’s a slice of disco-pop excellence, and will always remain the crown jewel of Gfriend’s discography.

#2: Our Page by SHINee

Our Page has been, and likely always will be, one of my favorite k-pop songs of all time. It’s about grief and pain, but also friendship and music. The line “the beautiful words you left behind become a poem, become a song flying to me” breaks me every time, and I can’t think of a more stunning display of love than that. It may be the rawest music video I’ve seen in the industry, and besides that, it’s just a great song, written by the members themselves. Painful but tender, heavy but light, and defeated but hopeful, it’s a reminder that, at least for SHINee, Jonghyun’s memory will be carried on. If you have a spare few moments, please give it a listen—or even better, a watch. When it gets to the end, and you’re left with just the poignant show of his empty microphone, it’s hard to breathe. But it’s a little like healing, and I hope it was for them too.

#1: Into The New World by Girls Generation

I honestly do not know what to say about Into The New World. It’s upbeat and ultra-poppy, cheesy as hell, wonderfully hopeful, and has an instantly recognizable, soaring chorus that I can sing from memory (although not as well). I’ve probably seen this MV dozens of times, but I still chuckle at the dance break and can’t stop smiling at the take-off in the last bridge and how young they are, just barely older than I was when I became a k-pop fan. In the years after Into The New World was released, it’s become an important protest song in Korea, and to many now—myself included—it’s more than just what it was meant to be. It is, in my opinion, the greatest kpop song of all time.

Thank you for reading! I hope (yet doubt) that you agreed with my ranking, so please let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Tschüss!