#10: Lilac by IU

Over ten years since her chart-topping single Good Day, Lilac proves IU hasn’t lost her spark, and perhaps has even improved on it. At times gently encouraging and vulnerable in songs like My Sea, sardonic and over-confident in songs like Coin, or introspective and gorgeously bittersweet in songs like Lilac, this album feels like a small glimpse into her brain, with all the love and complications that come along with that.

#9: Like Water by Wendy

Coming right on the heels of her recovery after a 2019 stage accident, Wendy’s Like Water is a testament to love, hope, and resilience. From the jazzy sound of Why Can’t You Love Me to the feature from bandmate Seulgi in the sweet Best Friend to the powerful belting in When This Rain Stops, Like Water isn’t only a solo debut, but also a gentle reflection on hope and healing that makes the most of Wendy’s incredible voice.

#8: Underground Idol by OnlyOneOf

(I admit that counting OnlyOneOf’s Underground Idol as an album is a little disingenuous, considering that it’s actually six separate, connected singles, but frankly, I love it too much not to include it.)

There are many groups that push boundaries in kpop–and many of them are in this blog post—but none quite like OnlyOneOf. Over twelve tracks, their magnum opus Underground Idol tells three different gay love stories that explore the journey of coming out (the funk-influenced Be Free), the up-and-down of a first relationship (the nostalgic, poppy Because), and the outside prejudice keeping the characters apart (the sparse quasi-ballad Beyond). Through it all, the compassion and warmth is clear, bursting through the seams, and the experience ends with a quote from member Nine: “How did our music reach you, who are far away? To all those lovers who do not feel like they’ve been given the blessing, we hope our music will comfort you and cheer you up. We hope you’ll dream the same dream as us.” 

#7: You Never Walk Alone by BTS

Even without the now-iconic Spring Day as its title track, You Never Walk Alone is a fantastic album. Featuring unique solos from each member that range from classic ballad (V’s Stigma) to string-led pop-meets-Spaghetti-Western (Jimin’s Lie) as well as three very different singles that really get at the heart of BTS’ work. Introspective and at points painfully honest, it covers topics from mental health to heartbreak to grief, and has found its way into the hearts of people all around the world. It’s definitely found its way into mine.

#6: I Burn by (G)I-DLE

Though their later work is what’s really skyrocketed their career, (G)I-DLE’s I Burn is both their best work and some of their most underrated. A tight six tracks, all written by the members, it marries traditional Korean and Chinese flutes and strings with modern electro to tell the story of moving on from an abusive relationship, from the beautiful, tense opener Hann (Alone In Winter) to the vulnerable, warm closer Dahlia. It’s an honest exploration of heartbreak from a group that usually projects such confidence, and that only makes it more special, and is one of only two EPs in this final part that manage to hold their own against eight incredible albums.

#5: Poet | Artist by Jonghyun

One of only five albums by the late, great Jonghyun of SHINee, Poet | Artist is a moody yet ultimately hopeful release, that was inspired by both his own life and the stories he was sent while working on his Blue Night radio program. It tackles love in all its many complicated, beautiful forms, from the peaceful piano ballad Before Our Spring to the poppy, tongue-in-cheek #Hashtag to the disco-led Only One You Need and feels like both a goodbye and a thank you.

#4: Childhood by LUCY

The band Lucy always creates such lovely classical k-pop, and the album Childhood is a perfect showcase of their strengths, managing to go from heartbreaking to heartwarming in just ten tracks. Unique for their violin, Lucy is at some of their best here, vulnerable, nostalgic, and comforting, in tracks like the wistful, free-wheeling Play, the percussive, warm 10sec and the slow-burning, vocals-led We Will Fly Away.

#3: Apocalypse Save Us by Dreamcatcher

Only Dreamcatcher’s second full album, Apocalypse: Save Us turns its eyes from the fictional dystopian world of their last series to the very real one of climate change and corruption for its single Maison, a bombastic plea for people to act before it’s too late. But it has its softer moments too, like the fan songs Starlight and Together, and gives every member their time to shine in the seven unique solos of the second half, exploring genres from Korean traditional ballad to pop punk to outright pop.

#2: Walpurgis Night by Gfriend

Though it wasn’t supposed to be their last album, one couldn’t ask for a better farewell for Gfriend than Walpurgis Night. A love letter to friendship (the bittersweet, sweepingly orchestral Crossroads), witches (the enchanting, minimalistic Apple), and the magic of music (the joyous, empowering Mago), it feels like a perfect night out with your closest friends, and dips its toes into rock, disco, and jazz for a no-skip ten-track run.

#1: The Story Of Light by SHINee

Both a celebration of their 10th debut anniversary and a memorial for their 5th member, Jonghyun, SHINee’s The Story Of Light goes back to basics for its color scheme, while its message is anything but. You can feel the palpable emotion everywhere as the album glides from synth to pop and on, from Good Evening’s loose, free-falling choreography to the sadness underpinning I Want You’s beat to, of course, Our Page’s stunning lyricism that promises to keep the love alive. It’s a gorgeous tribute to someone who loved music so much, taking inspiration from across Jonghyun’s solo work and writing for the band members he cared for like family. It is, and will always be, my favorite kpop album of all time.