The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday.
To be eligible for this top 50 list, songs must have had a Korean release as a title track, follow-up or promotional video between Dec. 1st, 2022 and Nov. 30th, 2023.
Curious about past countdowns? Check out the masterpost here!
Honorable Mentions
SONGS 50-41
SONGS 40-31
30. The Boyz – Watch It
Many of my favorite 2023 songs utilized a sense of build to craft a sonic story. Watch It is addictive from the start, but truly blossoms into a showstopper during its theatrical, powerhouse bridge. (full review)
29. ZEROBASEONE – In Bloom
Unlike so many competition show spawned groups, ZEROBASEONE debuted with a specific sound and tone. In Bloom took awhile to grow on me, but its atmospheric synth lines ended up winning the day. (full review)
28. aespa – Spicy
Spicy may not be the most “aespa” sounding track in their catalog, but the group’s stab at a summer song proved to be their finest 2023 moment. (full review)
27. Lim Young Woong – Do Or Die
While many of his peers continued to mine the 80’s for inspiration, Lim Young Woong delved into the early-2010’s for this EDM banger. It’s exciting to hear him tackle a song so outside his usual repertoire. (full review)
26. AMPERS&ONE – On And On
Overflowing with youthful energy, On And On showcased AMPERS&ONE’s skills over a taut, unrelenting arrangement. Post-chorus rap breakdowns have become very formulaic in K-pop, but this is one time that segment became a song’s highlight. (full review)
25. Teen Top – HWEEK
Where too many of their second-gen peers attempted a comeback with overly trendy material, Teen Top stuck to classic summertime tropes for a pinwheeling pop track that would sound good in any era. (full review)
24. Treasure (T5) – Move
Treasure’s strongest 2023 track ended up coming from a sub-unit. Move offered a new taste of their sonic spectrum, borrowing from 2000’s-era hip hop production to create an incredibly addicting highlight. (full review)
23. from20 – Bad Revenge
from20 stuck to his synth guns with Bad Revenge — a propulsive banger with a killer chorus and compelling performance. He pulls off this sound so well. (full review)
22. Limelight – Madeleine
I’m not sure how many heard Madeleine, but Limelight delivered incredible counterprogramming to many of the year’s trends. If you’re looking for a soaring melody and consistently upbeat production, you’ve found the right song! (full review)
21. xikers – Do Or Die
Many groups opted for rock influences this year, but xikers’ Do Or Die proved to be the most boisterous explosion of rookie energy. It’s a massive sound, stuffed with personality and charm. (full review)