2025 has been another exciting year for K-pop fans, full of diverse albums, debuts, and singles. Artists like CORTIS brought authentic vibes, while songs like “SPAGHETTI” delivered quirky beats—together creating a year full of memorable releases.
Best Songs
ILLIT released their third EP Bomb in June, featuring “jellyous,” a catchy track that gained traction for its complex choreography in its official music video. The song is filled with lyrics that highlight sweet emotions for a crush, while also describing the hardships that come with a strong infatuation for someone. The music video incorporates a retro game theme while maintaining the group’s signature feel.
The five-member group MEOVV dropped their song, “HANDS UP,” in April, capturing recognition for its distinctive rhythm and Brazilian funk influences. The song embraces the hardships and challenges that come with confidence and determination. “Break the sky open, put your hands up,” they sing.
Best Debuts
The K-pop boy group CORTIS released their debut song, “What You Want,” and their pre-debut track, “GO!” Both songs blend elements of hip-hop, pop, and psychedelic rock, showcasing the groups’ experimental sound and genre-bending identity.
The Black Label—a subsidiary of YG Entertainment—debuted their first co-ed group, ALLDAY PROJECT earlier this year. They debuted with the track “FAMOUS,” and their music leans into a hip-hop sound that matches the group’s chic aura, defined by sharp, dynamic rap flows. Their debut album sold over 50,000 physical copies on the Hanteo Chart—South Korea’s leading real-time music chart—and topped the digital chart for Circle Chart—another one of South Korea’s leading music chart systems—with an impressive score of 18,995,228.
Best Collaborations
Featuring j-hope, “SPAGHETTI” was released by five-member girl group LE SSERAFIM in late October, surprising fans with their quirky album packaging that leans into the group’s chaotic spaghetti-themed concept. The group released 20 different versions of the single album—each containing a variation of the original track—including six U.S.-exclusive CDs created for the Billboard Top 100 eligibility. The song itself is chaotic yet irresistibly catchy, driven by a bold funk-pop sound. Lyrically, the track reads like a diss towards the group’s haters. “Yeah, this is a hot spot / Don’t give a f*ck ’bout what you want / The minute that I hit your taste buds / I’m getting all three stars,” they sing.
Featuring GloRilla, j-hope’s song, “Killin’ It Girl,” stunned fans with bold choreography and powerful lyrics. The song hits listeners with an addictive hook and continues to emphasize themes of female empowerment and the thrill of love at first sight. The electric guitar and synth perfectly capture the magnetic and emotional rush of new love. j-hope’s powerful rap flows together with GloRilla’s confident bars, making the song a catchy hit.
Best Singles
Globally renowned BLACKPINK member Jennie released her song, “like JENNIE,” which quickly became an internet sensation thanks to its bold, self-assured lyrics and simple yet striking choreography in its music video. The song appears on her March album Ruby and features a beat influenced by Brazilian funk, all showcasing Jennie’s signature rap style.
“REBEL HEART” was released by the six-member group IVE on Jan. 13. The song explores the members’ determination to defy societal expectations while remaining true to themselves, emphasizing unity. “그런 맘이 어떤 건지 잘 알기에 (So rather than expecting eternity) / 영원을 바라는 사이보단, 지금을 이해해주고 싶어 (I want to understand your moment now) / We will always be the rebels,” they sing. The track went on to earn IVE a Daesang—the Grand Prize and highest honor at South Korean award shows—winning Song of the Year at the 10th Asia Artist Awards.
Honorable Mentions
International sensation KATSEYE released their second album, BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, on June 27. The project, a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records, was preceded by singles “Gnarly,” “Gabriela,” and “Gameboy.” Across the album, the six-member group explores a wide range of styles, pairing the gritty, rave-inspired synths of “Gnarly” with contemporary R&B and Latin pop influences woven into “Gabriela.”
The release of KPop Demon Hunters caused a global stir upon its premiere date and in the days that followed. The movie had four songs simultaneously in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Its hit “Golden” shattered multiple chart records and earned four Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year.
