The 20 best K-pop songs of 2021: inspirational sounds from BTS’ Butter to The Feels from Twice, and Aespa’s Next Level
- 2021 saw a lot of K-pop groups putting out less material than usual, with some getting into English language releases
- Here are our top 20 favourite K-pop earworms from established supergroups and up and comers
In 2021, K-pop was all over the place musically, much like every other element of the world in the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic. Reliable acts put out music that didn’t necessarily match their typical standards of excellent musicality or put out less music than usual, and many shifted their focus to English-language music. Meanwhile, newer acts strode onto the stage with surprisingly addictive releases that became among the most memorable of the year.
Despite, or because of, the changing of the K-pop guard, 2021’s K-pop soundtrack was undeniably eclectic and full of anticipation for what’s to come in the years to come.
Here are the 20 must-know singles of the year that one writer thinks we’ll all be listening to for years to come.
20. IVE Eleven
Maybe it’s just recency bias, but IVE’s December 1 debut Eleven has pinned this rookie girl group in the spotlight with an intensely addictive dance track fuelled by rhythmic percussion, dynamic vocals and catchy hooks. On a scale from one to 10, you can’t help but admit this song is an Eleven.
19. Rosé On the Ground