By: Cameron Tyo
December, 27th, 2023
K-pop, also known as Korean Pop, has been a music staple for many years in Korea, but throughout the years, it has surfaced in popularity in the U.S. With funky and intriguing melodies and beats, many people have been engrossed with different pop groups and their music. I, as a music lover, ended up becoming engrossed myself. Throughout listening to K-pop music for two years, almost three, I have grown fond of certain groups and their music. I would like to cover them today and have been thinking of doing so for a while. While listing my favorite groups, I’ll also put what labels they are under, the names of all members of the groups, and my bias because you know why not. I’m not going to cover much about the members of the groups themselves, but more so why I like the songs, as that is the main reason why I like these groups. I don’t follow group members outside of their songs much, but I am making an effort to do so. There are so many K-pop groups out there, so my top ten might be different from you, but with that out of the way, let me introduce my top ten favorite K-pop groups.
10. Twice
Members: Momo (Rapper), Sana (Vocals), Tzuyu (Dancer), Nayeon (Dancer), Chaeyoung (Rapper), Jihyo (Vocals), Mina (Dancer), Jeongyeon (Vocals) and Dahyun (Rapper)
Bias: Dahyun
Label: JYP Entertainment
Twice is a K-pop group that has been recognized as a veteran of K-pop for a long time now. People who aren’t involved in listening to K-pop have probably heard the name before and possibly have even listened to some of their songs. That said, Twice has so many good songs, but I’m only going to highlight three of my favorite songs from the ten groups on this list. In this case, those three spots go to “Doughnut,” “Moonlight Sunrise,” and “Alcohol-Free.” “Doughnut” is one of Twice’s Japanese songs; for a ballad, it feels pretty unique. I love the mellow and sentimental vibe throughout the song, which is given off by a retro piano and synth sound to represent the MV being set around wintertime. The bridge. My god, is it good! Also, Nayeon’s harmony at the very end, hitting the high notes while the chorus goes until the end of the song, is by far the best part of the song. When I first heard this song, it was on repeat constantly. Moonlight Sunrise is an English release that starts with groovy instrumentation and evocative vocal performance.
Throughout, a skittering drum and the repetitive line of “Moonlight Sunrise” can be heard, creating a hum-drum effect. There isn’t anything special about this song, but to me, it’s a comfort song, so comforting that I feel like I’ve heard the same song before without ever having so. The final song, Alcohol-Free, is one of many Korean tracks released by Twice, which gives out major summer vibes. I feel this is the most summery feeling of any summertime song released by any pop group. I love the bossa nova-type music that plays throughout the song. The song is literally about feeling drunk as one is so in love with someone but not being drunk. The MV has some comedic moments showing the close relationship between the group members. I think they harmonize super well with each other and sound the most pop of any other pop group. I think anyone should listen to this group. From here onward, I’ll post links to good beginner songs for each group on the list, so you can take a look at them and get a feel of the group’s vibe.
9. Big Bang
Members: Currently, G-Dragon (Main Rapper), Taeyang (Main Vocals) and Deasung (Lead Vocalist)
Bias: G-Dragon
Label: YG Entertainment
You are going to admittedly see a lot of fourth-generation groups, except two on this list. The first of these two goes to the second-gen boy group Big Bang. Big Bang has been on hiatus for a while as the members were doing their time in military service. However, all members are out, and the time for a comeback is approaching for the remaining three members of the group, as two have left. My two favorite songs from this group are “We Belong Together” and “Last Dance.” “We Belong Together” is a debut single, and from a standpoint, it is pretty unique as Park Bom’s vocals, who would later join 2NE1, contribute most to the song, with Big Bang contributing harmonies or their voice for rapping purposes. However, I really love how the group harmonization makes Bom’s vocals fit well in the song. Without those harmonies, I feel the song wouldn’t sound quite right. Last Dance’s MV has a very post-apocalyptic feel to it, and there are a few moments, like T.O.P’s rap sequence, which sound very haunting. The song is a ballad, but it has an even more melecanoloy feel than it probably should, as it was the last song until T.O.P’s military enlistment, which was earlier than the other four members. Unlike other pop groups where I don’t prefer ballads, my two favorite songs of Big Bang just so happen to be such. Coincidentally, one is a debut, and the other is one of their final songs sung together.
8. Enhyphen
Members: Ni-Ki, Sunghoon, Jungwon, Heeseung, Sunoo, Jake and Jay
Bias: Sunoo
Label: Hybe
Enhypen is considered a veteran of the fourth-gen K-pop groups, alongside the likes of groups such as BTS, Blackpink, and Twice. Throughout the years of activity, Ehyphen has consistently released songs of upbeat natures whose themes and concepts constantly change from sweet to mature. My top three favorite songs from them are probably some of the most common among fans: “Bite Me,” “Polaroid Love,” and “Fever.” “Polaroid Love” is a song from the album Dimension: Answer. It is a straightforward song. The lyrics describe someone comparing love to a Polaroid picture. In this case, it’s hard, but change is inevitable and loses value over time. This is reflected in the key of the song, which is primarily major, with some minor moments making their way through the song. The song is just lovely to hear. “Fever” from the album Border: Carnival, on the other hand, uses lots of vocal effects compared to “Polaroid Love.” The song sounds sinister, with hazy synths that thump slowly. It is basically a more depressing version of “Polaroid Love,” but I honestly love it for that reason. “Bite Me” from their album Dark Blood is such a pulsating song with the chanting of a pre-chorus followed by a hook with experimental dynamics and vocal layering. The concept of vampires getting prey to represent something slightly more mature shows how Enhyphen portrays different aspects of loving someone. Enhypehn is still winning many awards today and is constantly releasing new music that seems to improve with each album they release.
7. Itzy
Member: Yeji (Rapper), Yuna (Lead Dancer), Ryujin (Lead Dancer), Lia (Rapper) and Chaeryeong (Main Dancer)
Bias: Ryujin
Label: JYP Entertainment
Putting Itzy this high instead of Twice might make people a little mad, but I just feel that I like a few more of their songs than Twice. Itzy, unlike Twice, seems to make a lot of music where head bumping just seems to happen even when I try to prevent it. My favorite songs include “Wannabe,” “B[OO]M=BOXX,” and “Kill Shot.” Wannabbee is a very EDM-inspired track that feels lively. I think, though, that I love this song so much because of the sassy dance breaking in the middle of the MV. I love how fast the song goes; the synth notes being played are fun to listen to. I honestly like the rhythm of the song, and I can’t place my finger on why. The second song, sorry, I don’t want to spell it again, dazzles with synth. I really love synth, which is why Itzy ranks where it does. It has a similar vibe to Wannabbe, which is why it’s my second favorite song from them. For “Kill Shot,” I really love Ryuijin and Yuna’s rap, and I think the song was a perfect way to end the Kill My Doubt album. This song doesn’t have extremely high notes, and with that said, it seems everyone is comfortable singing their parts without having to strain even a little bit.
6. New Jeans
Members: Hanni, Minji, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein
Bias: Haerin
Label: ADOR
New Jeans is perhaps one of the most recognizable K-pop girl groups to exist today. They were the first group to perform at Lalapalooza in the U.S. and have proven to be highly great singers, rappers, and dancers at such young ages. I admit that New Jeans is the only K-pop group I’ve followed since their debut with “Attention.” At first, I didn’t know how I’d feel about the group as I never really got into “Attention.” Things completely took a 180, though, when I heard “Hype Boy.” As it stands right now, “Hype Boy,” “ETA,” and “Cool With You” are my three favorite songs. “Get Up” is my fourth, but it could easily be one of my top three if it just weren’t for being so short. The melodies of Hype Boy were what made me enjoy the song in the first place. The song has a pull-push effect. Now, I consider myself a music nerd, and with that, what I’m about to describe might be highly accurate or not at all, but it feels that most of the chorus is 100 BPM, but the rest of the song is 200 BPM. In the middle of a song, this gives an energetic, bouncing feeling that one might feel after reaching the top of a coaster’s large hill before declining.
This, paired with the nostalgia I get when listening to the song, gives major summer vibes and makes for a very addicting song to listen to. “Cool with You” has heavily inspired garage punk-styled music. The MV shows a recreation of the story of Psyche and Eros. The intimate, breathy vocals paired with a bass drum production create an atmospheric mood for a tragic love story, which I enjoy. Finally, we have an “ETA.” Jersey beats. Enough said. I love Jersey Club rhythm and, because of that, the beats that go along with Jersey Club. The song is quick-paced, and the repetitiveness of the lyrics pairs well with the quick Jersey beats in the song. When mentioning why a song is one of my favorites, I will probably mention Jersey Club beats gain, so be prepared. When it comes to outside of singing, I feel that all members of the group can communicate exceptionally well with each other despite the group being filled with a mix of introverts and extroverts. Every member encourages each other, which is nice to see.
5. Odd Eye Circle (Sub Unit of ARTMS, formerly LOONA)
Members: JinSoul, Kim Lip, and Choerry
Bias: Choerry
Label: MODHAUS
Odd Eye Circle is a unique group to the list, being a K-pop group, which is a subunit of ARTMS, a group made up of former LOONA members. In fact, this year was the group’s comeback after 2017, when Loona, the group affiliated with this sub-unit, severed ties by terminating their contract with Blackberry Creative. This K-pop group on the list currently has the least amount of songs, but my god, would I be lying if I said they weren’t some of the most addicting songs to be sung ever! My two favorite songs from the group are “Je Ne Sais Quoi” and “Air Force One.” I enjoy the synth of “Je Ne Sais Quoi”; that, mixed with the nu-disco and sultry chorus, makes my head bop as I’ve never bopped before. The dancing seems super easy, but believe me, I tried it, and well sucked. Despite the dancing seeming easy, it looks super gorgeous, and the subtle dance moves go along with the song’s lyrics well. Air Force One sounds super similar to the vibes Loona gave off. This is in the form of the bridge, giving major synth vibes. I love the punchiness of the “DDARA DA DA DA” lyric, too. These two songs are both from the album Version Up, and the other songs in the album also have a uniqueness, from ballads, headbangers, etc.
Note: While not about ODD Eye circle itself, I’m super excited for ARTMS to release a whole album. They currently only have one song, but with the group consisting of the members of Odd Eye Circle plus Heejin and HaSeul, who have proved themselves in Loona and with their own singles and albums they’ve released, I believe that combined, they will be excellent.
4. Stray Kids
Members: Hyunjin (Rapper), Felix (Rapper), Lee Know (Main Dancer), Bang Chan (Record Producer), I.N (Vocals), Han (Rapper), Seungmin (Main Vocals) and Changbin (Record Producer)
Bias: Seungmin
Label: JYP Entertainment
Stray Kids is the K-pop group I’ve probably been the most conflicted over. There are some moments where I’m just never feeling their music, and other times, I shake my head vigorously to the raps in all their songs and have to stop before getting a headache. With that, they are either in my top ten or not. This week, I’ve been super into their music; hence their placing right now. My favorite songs from Stray Kids include “S-Class,” interchangeably “Case 143″/”Maniac,” and Cover Me. Their songs are all very experimental sounding. S-Class starts out going kind of slow but then gets fast for the chorus. Throughout, it keeps changing speed and subverting expectations of how the song will progress. There is an aggressiveness to the song, like most of Stray Kids’s music, which is all self-produced, I should mention.
The rapid singing of the songs is why I end up rocking my head back and forth so vigorously, and when it gets slower, I get sudden whiplash. Case 143 and Mania sometimes sound identical but have a similar vibe to S-Class. Cover Me, on the other hand, is more of a ballad, which is pretty rare for Stray Kids as a whole. Their songs have a sense of self-ignorance but not in a way that makes you hate the members. How I detailed Stray Kids is probably less in-depth than other groups, and that’s because it is. As I mentioned, there are long gaps in time where I can’t click with the experimental product of their songs, and other times I can. I, however, do always sense the bond that all the members have. The choreography of their songs always seems outrageously difficult, but all the members are fluid with the movement and correctly execute each move.
3. LE SSERAFIM
Members: Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Sakura, Kazuha and Hong Eun-chae
Bias: Huh Yun-jin
Label: Source Music
LE SSERAFIM is a fourth-gen girl group that first didn’t catch my attention. I constantly thought New Jeans was better than LE SSERAFIM for a while, but after closely listening to their music and the ways the members interact with each other in their TikTok and YouTube videos, I have grown to appreciate the group so much. LE SSERAFIM is an anagram of I’m Fearless, and many of their songs often include themes of women empowerment in a time when people are scared to show any sort of empowerment towards themselves. My two favorite songs from the group are “Perfect Night” and “Eve, Psyche and the Bluebeard’s Wife,” and my third favorite is interchangeable between “Antifragile” and “Unforgiven.” “Perfect Night” is the newest song to be released by the group in October, acting as their first-ever released English single. It is such a simple song with super chill melodies. There is a sight guitar riff creating a layered arrangement with the other instruments paired with the simple melody of the girl’s voice. The MV is set in a hazy atmosphere late at night. The dance moves are also super simple for the most part and addicting. I often catch myself trying to move my arms in awkward ways to try and do the dance, which often leads to significant failure, but it’s fun anyway.
Next, we have “Eve, Psyche, and the Bluebeard’s Wife.” The song represents women’s empowerment as the lyrics, which in turn represent the concepts present in the three stories that the song titles are based on, are all about women breaking the norms of society and breaking taboos to achieve a particular desire. The beat is pretty repetitive, but Jersey-style beats are one of my favorite beats in music. Its being paired with the choreography makes it such a fun song to listen to. “Antifragile” gives an Afro-Latin pop feel, and “Unforgiven,” given the style of rhyme and set used, provides a very Western vibe to the song. These songs are about breaking societal norms and overcoming obstacles in life as a woman. This group is the one where all the members fit perfectly together despite the age gap between the oldest and youngest. From what I’ve seen of countless interactions between them, they all seem mature on the outside, but literally, everyone in the group has a goofy side to them.
2. TXT
Members: Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Huening Kai
Bias: Huening Kai
Label: BIG Hit
TXT, also known as Tomorrow x Together, is my second favorite K-pop group, and most of that comes with the youthful energy they have and the number of times I can relate to the group members, mainly Huening Kai and his love for everything Nintendo. My three favorite songs from this group probably aren’t super surprising to anyone who stans this group, but they include “Chasing That Feeling” and “Do it Like That” featured in their album The Name Chapter: Freefall and “Sugar Rush Ride” from The Name Chapter: Temptation. “Chasing That Feeling” honestly is a pretty generic-sounding song, and there isn’t even a climax to the song, but it makes up for it. The hook of “chasing that feeling” honestly feels uplifting compared to what others think, with a more subdued punch to it as they are chasing orbs in the MV, which brings the members back together. “Do It Like That” is a collaboration song between TXT and the Jonas Brothers, and it is such a dance song. It feels like a groovy summer track, which it was probably intended to be.
Finally, we have “Sugar Rush Ride,” whose lyrics and ethereal vocals of the group are amidst a background of a bouncy guitar rhythm. The song’s theme of the members realizing that childhood must end fits well with the instrumentation, and the fact that it’s a comeback song is lovely. A song that is super close to breaking into my top three and can easily beat out “Chasing That Feeling” after more repeated listening is “Happily Ever After.” It has a jersey rhythm beat, and the song’s soaring melodies are so good, creating an optimistic mood for the fairytale concept trying to be achieved in the MV. This song is my most replayed TXT song right now. Every member of the group can be technically considered an all-rounder. I’ve listened to their music for a while now, and from what I see, everyone can sing, dance, and rap and fairly well at that.
1. Red Velvet
Members: Irene (Vocals), Joy (Vocals), Yeri (Rapping), Wendy (Main Vocals), and Seulgi (Lead Vocalist)
Bias: Irene
Label: SM Entertainment
Undoubtedly, my favorite K-pop group of all time, and seemingly the only third-gen group on this list, has to be Red Velvet. As their name suggests, the “red” highlights the enthusiastic and fantastical pop sound and bubbly personalities that they have in some songs, while the velvet signals the more velvety and mature sounds and mannerisms of their other tracks. Depending on the album’s themes, which are often super unique, the styles of songs in said tracks are drastically different. When I was first introduced to the group, I listened to their first full album, The Red. Right then, I became hooked on their energetic vibe, especially in songs like “Day 1.” Every time I picture it, I often think of it being perceived as an anime opening to some school drama or something like that. The instrumentals have a pretty bouncy rhythm, and this is one of the few songs where everyone’s voice feels comfortable singing their voice part.
This being said, this is one of their B-Sides. In fact, what might be an unpopular feeling is that all of my favorite songs are B-Sides, with only one title track being one of them. My favorite song by the group by far is “Wildside,” a Japanese single featured in their album Bloom. The whole song has a frantic vibe to it, and the music video showing the members stealing from a bank shows the mature and charismatic personality that Red Velvet often shows in other music videos. The harmonies are on point, and every vocalist gets their chance to shine. My third favorite song is “Bamboleo,” featured in the album ReVe Festival 2022. The chorus sounds so silky and heavenly. It gives such dream-like 80s vibes that I can just quickly get into it.
There are so many other great tracks from Red Velvet, like “Bad Boy” and “Psycho,” among many others, whose lyrics and MVs show how easily Red Velvet comes up with unique concepts, some of which can often get very violent, like in the case of “Russian Roulette.” Mini albums such as Rookie and The Red show the bubbly personalities the MVs suggest, but their second and third albums, The Perfect Red Velvet and Chill Kill, are often filled with suspense and music. Mature themes are often not seen in a girl group. Every single member of the group shines. You have Wendy, whose voice often shines in every song; Irene, who puts her all into everything she does, including rap, dancing, and singing; and Seulgi, Yeri, and Joy, who also contribute to creating a group of unique personalities that fit perfectly together to make a cohesive group who make such intriguing songs. I’ve ranted a lot more than other groups on this list, and I’ve barely said all I’d like to about this group. I’d highly advise you to listen quickly to some of their music. It is highly likely they will catch your attention like me. Like always, here are some songs to help you get started listening to this wonderful group.
And with that, I’m finished. I hope you liked my list. If some songs sound fun to listen to, give them a chance. If your favorite pop group wasn’t mentioned, or I didn’t mention your favorite song, that doesn’t mean I didn’t like them. My choices of favorite pop groups can easily change by next year. With that, I can’t wait to see what these groups and others have planned when releasing music, etc.; thank you so much!