Top 50 Kpop Songs of 2022 (Chelsea Edition)
As I mentioned in my favorite choreographies article, this has been a strange year for me musically. In an average kpop year, I’m usually struggling to decide which 50 out of 90 or more will make my top 50. This year, I barely latched on to 58 songs and almost none of them are from the same artists. They came from a wide variety of genres too. So, I hope you’ll take a look and perhaps try listening to a few new songs.
50. Mamamoo - Illella
Mamamoo, as always, has top tier vocals, so they are always worth a try at least. Illella is a dance song, but slower than that description may lead you to believe. The vocals are on point and the dance is much harder than it looks. If you don’t get the attitude and details right, it looks a mess. I don’t seek this song out, but when it’s on I always enjoy its strange build and drop.
49. VIVIZ - Bop Bop!
Fun, fun, fun! That’s what this song is. Upbeat and unusually laid out, this was a stellar way for VIVIZ to announce themselves to the scene after GFriend left their company. And to reiterate- Sinb’s hips are incredible: perfect circles!
48. Oh My Girl - Real Love
This is a sweet pop-ballad. It has a definite intended climax that doesn’t actually peak for me, which is why it’s not higher on this list. However, it is easy listening and pleasant.
47. AZER - Trouble
I know it’s gone a bit out of trend but I still love kpop-Latin music blends and this one has a subtle one. It’s not super catchy or super powerful, but it’s a really nice sound and not like most of the other things that came out this year.
46. ASTRO - Candy Sugar Pop
For all that I have been wild about Astro and Astro M&S going dark and sexy routes, I really really loved having ASTRO return to their cute and bubbly roots. They do it so well!
45. EXID - Fire
I didn’t like this song at first. Honestly, I thought it was a little annoying and overworked the first time I listened to it. It wasn’t until I listened to their whole ‘X’ album that I changed my mind. It’s a cohesive album with no songs that I outright hated and Fire was definitely a vital and interesting part of it.
44. Stray Kids - Case 143
Miroh is still my absolute favorite song from Stray Kids…to the point that I pull out the dance at inopportune times and embarrass everyone around me with it. But for me, this was a step back in that right-for-me direction (cuz I know most people have super loved what they’ve put out since miroh). There’s a playfulness here that’s been missing for me in their recent stuff and they’re all fun guys, so it feels right to have that be a part of their music.
43. Youha - Last Dance
I discussed this a bit in my choreography article already, so I’ll be brief. This song is as strong emotionally in the music as it is in its choreography. The song will tell you exactly how ill-fated the lovers in the song are…there’s so much desperate longing that it aches. Beautifully crafted and sung, but not easy to listen to just for fun, ya know?
42. KARD - Ring the Alarm
Genre-moombahton…yup, I do like that word. Electric, reggaeton, dance…it’s a mix of all those things. No matter the genre, this song is groovy and you want to groove with it. Honestly it wasn’t on my playlist for months after it came out because I wasn’t sure if groovy was going to be enough to keep my interest, but here it is at the end of the year, still in my head.
41. Super Junior - Mango
I don’t have a lot to say about this one. It’s a fun song and I never feel the need to skip it. It would be higher if I didn’t constantly forget it was out there. I guess it’s missing the kind of hook that I needed this year to make me seek out certain songs, but it made my playlist because it is always fun. I love the boom-tiss, boom-tiss, boom-boom-tiss of the drum in the back.
40. Highlight - Daydream
A good ballad is always a hit, isn’t it? It is for me. Also, Son Dongwoon, yet again, gave me strong anime character vibes in this mv…I’ve haven’t been able to let go of that feeling for 10 full years since the Midnight (Japanese) comeback of Beast. Check it out…he does the best anime character impression. Pro-cosplayers would be jealous.
P.S. I somehow missed Yang Yoseob’s solo song “Brain” last year and it’s excellent, so give that a chance while you’re looking up all the beast/highlight songs I’m mentioning.
39. Kim Sungkyu - Savior
This man keeps putting out 80’s coming of age movie soundtrack songs…okay, not really. This is a pop-rock offering, but I SOOOO could see it as the background to some old movie. He always kills it with emotion and I’m a sucker for the lyrics of this song, so no surprise that he made the list again this year.
38. Leo - Losing Game
My VIXX love was satisfied by Leo this year. His voice is so pretty! I would have absolutely ADORED this if it had been a VIXX LR comeback, but it’s still a great song even without Ravi. R&B sounds work for Leo and the understated backtrack highlights his vocal skill.
37. N.Flying - I Like You
This was the song of the year for one of my sons. It has a nice bouncy beat and a playful melody. Hweseung sings…and that’s really enough…for any song ever written. This might be the last we see these guys as 5 members for a while. Both their lead guitarist and drummer are up for the military starting this year. *Sad face* I’ll take whatever they want to give me in the interim and happily look forward to their next group comeback too.
P.S. For those that are interested, V.A.V. is finally going to come back as a full group. All their military service is done. SO EXCITED!
36. Ravi ft. Wheein - Bye
This ditty makes me much happier than it probably should given that it's a breakup song. The chorus is really fun to belt out at the top of your lungs and both of the people singing have really nice voices. It’s an earworm for me.
35. MonstaX - If With You
MonstaX tends to do better with the public when they have powerful songs and dances…I mean, their name does tend to create that expectation. This song is not that in any way. It’s high notes, soft voices, slow build and sweet words. They have the skills to pull it off and I, for one, loved this sound for them. More please!
34. Kino - Pose
Kino is my favorite member of pentagon and he gave me something I did not expect from him. So much sexier… That said, he has soft, floaty vocals and some fun growls with a dance I quite liked and styling I wish I could pull off. That belt with those pants…are you serious man? As if I needed any more reminders that I’m short.
33. Ateez - Cyberpunk
There’s a very good reason this song has become so popular with the Ateez fandom. It’s got a message that I think a lot of us can relate to and it’s got a great beat with interesting vocal melodies. You could work out to it or put it on for a drive. It’s a really cool song, guys. The end.
32. Chanmina ft. Ash Island - Don’t Go
This song is…angry, but it’s angry in a way that makes me, as a listener, let go of my anger. It’s like a musical primal scream therapy for me. Yes, I know, I’m super weird. In any case, it’s a very well put-together song with elements of electric, trap, and (strangely) disco-pop.
31. CSR - ❤️ticon
Not a fan of cute? Then this is not the song for you. Haha. This is perky and cute to the max. It has some cheerleader in the choreography and little swimming hearts everywhere. For a woman who once embarrassed the daylights out of herself by answering the interview question “describe yourself in three words” with “motivated, organized, and …PERKY!” this song spoke to the very core of my being. Hahahaha.
30. Tempest- Taste the Feeling
This song is peppy in the best way possible. It has autotune which just reminds me of some of the great 2nd gen songs, so I don’t mind it. I’m always more productive if I start the day on this song.
29. STAYC - Beautiful Monster
I realize this wasn’t a success among many fans, but I loved it. I’m sure it’ll only be me…because it’s only ever me…but this felt like a modern take on the Supremes. (I’m not that old. I just like old music as much as new music.) The claps as part of the backing on the song, the little high knee steps, the “whoa-oh-oh-oh” and “ohh-ooooh-oooh”. Anyway, I liked it.
28. Kihyun - Voyager
Jazz-Rock…yes, please. Kihyun is an amazing vocalist and I think that he could probably tackle just about any genre, but I was really glad he went this route as a soloist. It’s just not being done by anyone else…probably because of the vocal control it requires to do all those runs and growls.
27. Oneus - Same Scent
I expected this song to be higher on this list when I started arranging my favs for the year because I was obsessed with it for at least a month. It plays into the sensuous concept more than the sexy concept, which I’ve mentioned before is under-represented. It highlights Seoho’s earthy soft, almost breathy, vocals to perfection, but doesn’t lack for power at any point. Even better, the power is a powerful wistfulness…talk about under-represented concepts.
26. Purple Kiss - Pretty Psycho
Took a long time trying to figure out what to say about this song. It’s weird but fun. I mean, they start the song by saying “I’m a freaky Purki. Purki Purki Freaky” and then go on to rhyme maestro with psycho...I think that gives a pretty good idea of what you can expect.
25. B.I. - BTBT
B.I. has a defined sound and style, centered on groove both in dance and music. Usually I find his stuff pleasant enough, but not something I’m going to look for over and over. As a result, I tend to take a long time to try out his music. This one is also groove centered, but it has a bit of drive and interest that kept me coming back for more.
24. E’LAST - Creature
This group has snuck onto my list two years in a row with a song that I think would work as a background song in some epic. They do well in the soaring vocals and in this case, the carefully crafted pauses. This song is dramatic to the extreme.
23. GOT7 - NANANA
This song is so wonderfully laid back. It was exactly what I didn’t know I wanted from a GOT7 reunion after leaving JYPE. The guys all feel relaxed and 100% their own style, complete with Bambam’s “Skkkrt skkkrt”. So happy to see them all together again. I’ll always hope for more.
22. DKZ - Cupid
I talked about this a bit in my choreography article. Now I’ll admit that I passed on this song hearing only a clip of it at first. Weekly Idol played the whole song when DKZ was a guest and I thought, “hey, that’s better than I thought from the clip.” A week later, I was doing the whistle while doing chores and learning the choreography. I recommend trying this one all the way through before you decide. It has a slow build without a true pinnacle, so it takes a little getting used to, but it’ll pump you up if you let it. “Encore!! WHOOAAAA!!”
21. Purple Kiss - Nerdy
Purple Kiss took the preppy creepy vibe they created last year with Zombie-bie-bie-bie and ran with it this year. As a Vixx fan, you can bet that the concept works for me. I also love the message of this song.
*Sidenote: While I didn’t like memeM, Swan popped off in that song. Vocal skill= super wow!
20. TAN - DU DU DU
The title may lead you to expect something Blackpink-ish, but for me, this song felt more like an Infinite song from the years when I enjoyed their music the most. A good beat, good clean power vocals, harmony in moderation, and a low voice randomly interjecting “BASS LINE”...it toes the line between basic pop and funky.
19. BE’O - Love Me
This young artist has a definite style which is fun and catchy. There are plenty of repeated words set to an uptempo backtrack. If he sticks with this style, I think I’ll be sticking with him for a long while, since catchy and uptempo is a sure recipe for good housework background music at the very least.
18. M.C.N.D. - W.A.T.1
It took me months to realize W.A.T.1 stands for “We Are The One”. It also took me months to decide I liked it as more than “This is a great workout choreography with a song I don’t hate”. The choreography drew me and the song grew on me to the point that I have sought it out a couple times just to listen to it.
17. WOODZ - I Hate You
I thought he had found his sound in the kinda weird stuff he was giving me last year, but this pop rock song was perfection (even if I’m starting to suspect he’s had a fight with his stylist).
16. OmegaX - Play Dumb
I couldn’t tell you why this song works so well for me, but it’s unskippable in my playlist. I have a great time listening to it and bouncing with it.
15. Kihyun - Youth
I like the frenzy of this song. It has a musical drive that pushes, pushes, pushes. The lyrics are about remembering the worry and frenzy of youth while trying to make it in the big, wide world and how he wishes he could comfort his younger self. It's a fun listen, but I also like the message and how that’s presented.
14. RPG (Haha & Skull) - Maniac
A first for Manelykpop…Reggae. This is the second time pure reggae in any language has caught my attention and held it. I like the vibe of this song…it’s like going to a themed party. Everyone has a good time even if it isn’t their favorite holiday.
13. IVE “After Like”
This song and dance are pure fun. Add to that the irony of a song about falling deeper than ‘like’ with someone while sampling Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” which is possibly one of the most iconic breakup songs in history…I’m sold.
12. Highlight “Alone”
I loved this update of 2nd gen kpop music. (Remember that the members of Highlight used to be in 2nd gen group Beast who won awards left and right.) This song replaces some of the electronic staples of 2nd gen with a pop rock sound. But it doesn’t lose the catchiness or the clean dance choreography. It made me happy and made me go back to listen to some of my kpop favs from back in the day.
11. Astro M&S “Ghost Town”
This subunit makes interesting and different music. They were not ‘on trend’ for kpop this year and I was ALL for the funky music they put out. In this case, the song is slow and repetitive in the best way possible. Honestly, in spite of drums being the main instrumental, I sometimes listen to this as a way to cool off at the end of the day…a grown-up lullabye if you will.
10. Lee Changsub “Surrender”
Synth pop…not usually a genre I’d go for, but I adore this song. It’s a sing-along favorite of mine, much to my kids’ annoyance. To be fair to them, I tend to sing while listening to music in my headphones, so they’re not getting the benefit of the background music…or Changsub’s unique and gorgeous husky voice. I’m waiting for his next solo with great expectation!
9. Ravi “Virus”
He wants to be a love virus...awwww. Nothing super incredible or new in this song, but it's nice to listen to even over time.
8. Apink “Dilemma”
I think I’m the only one in the staff that really liked this one, but I love the feel of it. I can feel the pacing of the woman facing the dilemma, her heart racing (in the chorus) as she faces the love that’s not good for her but she can’t give up, her letdown after not being able to let go again. It’s a strange sound, but I think it expresses the lyrics perfectly.
7. Taeyeon “INVU”
Her vocals are stunning, but I seem to prefer her on this type of song. She shines for me on relationship doubt or end of relationship songs (like I always like a Pink breakup song). This one has a bouncy rhythm that’s a pleasant accompaniment to her ballad singing.
6. Ateez “Don’t Stop”
Ateez’s version of a slow song is a lot harder-hitting than the typical ballad. The background and the rap are a fast hard contrast to a slower melody. This song almost didn’t make my playlist at all, but it stuck with me over a couple days, so I gave it another shot. Let this one work on you; try it a few times over a week to get the full effect. This one is like rereading your favorite mystery book and discovering a clue you missed the first time. There’s always something to find.
5. Gaho “Beautiful Night”
This song is gorgeous for the ears, but the thing that brings me the greatest joy is the MASTERY Gaho displays in his vocals. This song could be a lesson on musical articulation. Musical articulation is how notes are played or sung. So, a vocal slide or run would be legato, while notes that are separated out are staccato. There are several different kinds of articulation beyond those two and Gaho executes them all with ease.
4. Cravity “Party Rock”
This group does fun well. It’s been 2 years since I really got behind one of their songs with “Cloud 9” which was another nothing-but-fun song. If you want to tap your toes or bounce around the house bopping your head, this is your song this year.
3. Oneus “Mr. Wolf”
I loved this song from the first listen and it was at the top of my list all year (except for Jamie’s Pity Party which I continue to get unholy amounts of giggles from…love that song!). It was only in compiling this list that I decided it wasn’t quite number one for the year. “Mr. Wolf” is playful and clever. The background music feels like a wolf on the hunt while the melody feels like a person nervously traversing the woods, sometimes running, sometimes looking nervously all around, occasionally feeling alright. Musically telling both sides of a story in one song…genius!
2. Astro M&S “Who”
This subunit makes another entry on my list. In this case it's a hard-hitting, electronic background accompanying clean vocals. I wouldn’t call this one an ear-worm, but it makes my ears perk up and pay attention in a good way.
1. Forestella “Save Our Lives”
K-popera ruled my year. I love the build and dramatic swells of this song. Thanks to their varied ranges, there is harmony throughout to make the ears happy and there is always some part that you can sing along with. I never skipped this song all year long and I find myself singing it at odd moments. Wonderful!
