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!
50. H1-KEY – Seoul (Such A Beautiful City)
H1-KEY had a breakout year, but it was this underrated, synth-infused highlight that stood out most to me. (full review)
49. Taeyang – Vibe (ft. Jimin)
A meeting of K-pop titans, Vibe takes influence from New Jack Swing to craft a rhythmically addictive, early-2023 highlight. (full review)
48. OnlyOneOf – Seoul Drift
Prickly and confrontational, Seoul Drift didn’t immediately reveal its charms. But over time, I grew to love its commitment to abrasive sounds and distorted textures. (full review)
47. J.Y. Park – Changed Man
As far as I’m concerned, J.Y. Park could churn out these 80’s pastiches for the rest of his career. He knows how to sell a cheesy concept with panache and a tongue-in-cheek humor that’s infectious. (full review)
46. 8TURN – Excel
Excel was one of the summer’s early growers, charging ahead on boisterous rookie energy and brute force. The chorus has endured surprisingly well. In many ways, it reminds me of debut-era Stray Kids. (full review)
45. NMIXX – Roller Coaster
Many fans love NMIXX for their audacious “mixxpop” sound, but by going more subdued the ladies found their catchiest and vibiest hook yet. (full review)
44. TXT – Chasing That Feeling
Chasing That Feeling may have HYBE’s corporate sheen all over it, but you can’t beat its classic synthpop influences and chugging pre-chorus. (full review)
43. GreatGuys – Deep In Love
An underrated rookie group for the win! GreatGuys took a page from Seventeen’s rollicking sound and did them one better. It’s a lean, mean funk machine. (full review)
42. STAYC – Teddy Bear
Depending on the day, I can’t decide whether Teddy Bear is too saccharine for its own good or a sparkling representation of early-10’s, Katy Perry cartoon pop. Most of the time, I lean toward the latter. (full review)
41. Jungkook – 3D
Jungkook revisited sounds of the past for his foray into solo work, and 3D‘s Neptunes-esque groove brought great nostalgia. Notice the absence of guest feature Jack Harlow in my title. The solo version is the definitive one on my playlist! (full review)