#30: Square Two by BLACKPINK

Square Two is a bit unlike the others albums on this list, not in the least because it’s an EP with only five songs (four if you don’t count the different version of Whistle). But it’s always held a special place in my heart, ever since Blackpink introduced me to k-pop, and there’s no denying how strong it is. There’s the roller skating worthy Boombayah and the minimalistic, confident Whistle, the EDM led Playing With Fire, and, my own personal favorite, the vulnerable, acoustic Stay, which was actually the first song I learned to play on piano. Such different songs, and yet…it works, mixing K-pop and Western music hallmarks, with BP’s charisma in such a captivating way.

#29: Red Light by F(x)

Though Pink Tape is (perhaps rightfully) regarded as a triumph, in my opinion Red Light is underrated. With what may be their hardest hitting title track, this album takes a darker turn in F(x)’s discography but still manages to explore half a dozen genres on the way, from EDM (Butterfly) to hyper pop (Red Light) solid Thriller-esque drama (Dracula), and not without a few sweeter tracks too.

#28: In Life by Stray Kids

Stray Kids is probably best known for their trap-heavy title tracks, but in my opinion, their albums are where they really shine. In Life is nearly twenty songs long, yet it’s a great, consistent release that really gets at Stray Kids’ best. From the clever lyrics of The Tortoise and The Hare to the carnivalesque mile-a-minute speed of Ta to the crying-on-the-dancefloor worthy Phobia to the anthemic Haven, it’s an eclectic mix of eclectic songs that you can’t help but love.

#27: Sector 17 by SEVENTEEN

There are few albums that manage to give SEVENTEEN’s Haeng:Geurae a run for its money, but Sector 17 manages. With influences ranging from spaghetti western (March) to solid ballad (If You Leave Me) to bubbly pop (_World), it’s so earnest and warm that you find yourself won over immediately. And that’s without even mentioning the masterpiece that is Circles, a beautiful tribute to their friendship with soothing lyrics about how the light will return once again.

#26: The Dreaming by Monsta X

It might seem strange to rank an All-English album so high, but that’s only because you haven’t heard The Dreaming yet. Tailor-made not just for the dance floor but for the kind of bittersweet reflection that only happens on a late night drive, it manages to feel expansive and yet still intimate, from the more vulnerable synth-based songs like Whispers In The Dark to the more witty, flirtatious ones like About Last Night. Rather than pulling from sounds that they’re known for, it’s something all its own, and yet it still works, showcasing a softer side to a group you might not expect it from.

#25: Move by Taemin

Despite the popularity he’d seen before as a member of SHINee, it was really with MOVE that Taemin established himself as a soloist, and it’s easy to see why. Of course there’s its now-classic single, a vehicle to show Taemin’s adrogynous dancing with the kind of control that would make a samurai flinch. But the whole album takes a subversive view of love, sexuality, and creation, from the elegant, dancy R & B of Heart Stop to the soaring piano of Rise to the heart wrenching power ballad simply titled, “Love”. Simply put, it positions Taemin as the kind of artist that is destined to make change.

#24: Fighting by Rolling Quartz

Rock band Rolling Quartz may not *technically* be kpop but you know what, I really don’t care; this EP is too good not to include. From the gothic, seductive title track Holler to the stadium rock anthem Higher to the passionate Azalea, adapted from an old poem protesting against Japanese Occupation. I was lucky enough to both see Rolling Quartz in concert and get to meet them, which only elevated my love of it (and them!) even more.

#23: Rosie by Rosé

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: the ex” BLACKPINK’s Rosé says on her album Rosie. Aside from the record-breaking ear worm of pop-punk single APT (based on a Korean drinking game), and the classic ballad Number One Girl, there’s the trembling piano-led wonderings of of Call It The End, the rambling confessional-style of 3AM, and the nostalgic, quasi-anthemic Too Bad For Us. Despite being all in English, I hope it make sense when I say that this album is kpop, quintessentially, in the best possible way, and I mean that as a great compliment.

#22: Beautiful Mind by Xdinary Heroes

In any other circumstance, it might sound ridiculous to say that one of the greatest kpop songs of 2025 so far is called George The Lobster. But this is Xdinary Heroes that we’re talking about, and this is fairly par for the course for their album Beautiful Mind, which also includes the classic boy band feeling More Than I Like, the stomping chorus-led Bitter But Better, and the excellent, punchy Fight Me. And that’s not even discussing single Beautiful Life, which blends 80s stadium rock and operatic vocals to create an anthemic, passionate track that dares to make a political statement in an industry that’s famously restrictive.

#21: Killer by KEY

There’s perhaps no better introduction to Key of SHINee than his album Killer, which cranks any hesitance down to the negatives and his showmanship up to 11. Its first title track announces itself in true Key-fashion with a marching-band-esque parade of brass while its second goes full on 80’s action movie with its glittering sound and disco-inspired beat. And of course there’s the other tracks, which range from grittier rock (Heartless) to drowsy city pop (I Can’t Sleep) to tense pop / R&B (Bound), all-in-all creating a unique album that’s a lot of fun.