The Top 24 KPOP Songs & Albums of 2018

The year of 2018 had so many great releases that this list was actually really hard to make. Now, this list is very opinion heavy since I went through my playlists from this year and picked 5-7 songs/albums from each, and after looking at it I realised that some aren't releases from this year but since they're new to me I'm still going to add them here. I'm so happy that KPOP received so much attention and exposure this year and hope that more people explore this exciting genre of music. Here's to more fun and great releases in 2019! Oh, one more thing this is going to go in a rough chronological order, and I do apologise for the lack of girl group songs because I don't listen to many girl groups in general.

Disclaimer: This could also be called 'My Favorite KPOP songs of 2018'

* = not a 2018 release but I discovered it in 2018

1. Love Scenario - iKON

There are about three songs on this list that fall under the 'really addicting you have to listen to them all the time' and this is one of them. This was the first song that really introduced me to iKON. Although the song is very simple there's a very catchy element to it and makes it very easy to sing along to, especially the chorus.

2. It's You - Henry

This song is from the When You Were Sleeping OST and it's flawless. Henry has one of the best vocals out there, in my opinion. His voice is very rich and conveys emotion so well that it's perfect for OSTs and this one is no exception. Listen to the whole version here.

3. Don't Forget (잊어버리지마) - Crush ft. Taeyeon*

Don't Forget is one of the songs that wasn't released in 2018 but was new to me in 2018 so I'm going to put it on this list. Like Henry, Crush has one of my favorite vocals in all of KPOP. This song makes me really happy when I listen to it and has such a heartwarming feel. I pin it all down to the vocals really.

4. Baby Don't Stop - NCT U

If I had to narrow this list to like 5 songs this song would still be one because it's just that good. Bring back this duo in 2019, please. The contrast between Taeyong's rapping and Ten's softer voice is so amazing and pairing that with them doing the same choreo in their own styles makes this one of the best releases from this year.

5. Destroyer - Monsta X

When this video first came out I listened to it on repeat because of how much I loved it. It's such a powerful song while also being mellow, is how I'd describe it. The powerful element comes through with the vocals and rapping, especially in the chorus, while the instrumentals keep it down to Earth. This I think is one of Monsta X's best songs from their releases this year.

6. The Best Hit OST (Album)*

If you haven't watched The Best Hit I strongly recommend it, it's my second favorite drama and the OST is part of why it is. The video above is one of my favorites from it but the entire thing is so amazing and when accompanied with the drama, it's really so perfect. You can listen to the whole OST, in order, here.

7. Shine (빛나리) - Pentagon

Is there anyone who doesn't like this song? If I had to pick a song to represent the entire year it'd probably be this song because of how much it blew up. While I knew some Pentagon songs before this one this was the one that really made me fall in love with them, and I think many people could probably relate to that. This year started off amazing for them but as we all know ended on a sad note with E'Dawn leaving the group.

8. 'The Story of Light' Epilogue - Shinee (Album)

While this album didn't come out until September I'm including it this early on the list because it's a combination of all three The Story of Light episodes. Every single they released with each episode is so amazing and every song on the album is amazing. I remember when I first watched the Our Page music video it wasn't even 30 seconds in when I had said to myself, "Is this going to make me cry?" and sure enough it did. It's such a beautiful song and beautiful video that even if you can't understand Korean, or understand very little, you are still going to feel the emotions of that song, and any song for that matter.

9. Beginning - UKISS*

Technically this song was re-released this year because it is on their Link album that was released this year. It's a Japanese release and is one of my favorite songs ever. I found it on Spotify when one of my playlists ended and it played the recommenced songs. I think I like it so much because it reminds me of a song that would be in an anime. Also the flute dance.

10. New Heroes - Ten

I can't wait to see more of Ten when NCT China debuts. He really deserves so much screen time. His voice and his aesthetic and everything just reminds me so much of Troye Sivan in some ways. This song is one that just makes me really happy.

11. Can't Breathe - Kihyun & Jooheon

Kihyun and Jooheon's musically compatibility is amazing. Every time they do a song with just the two of them it has such an amazing vibe that I can't help but love it. This song really showcases both of their talents so much that I can never stop listening to it, by far one of my favorite songs of the entire year.

12. Bad Boy - Red Velvet

I don't know why it took me so long to realise that I love this song. Again, this is another one of those songs that has some sort of addicting quality to it. It's so catchy and really just makes you want to jam along and dance. It's amazing.

13. This Is Not A Love Song - Eric Nam

Eric Nam is another one of my favorite solo male vocalists and this is my favorite song of his. When I first heard this song I honestly played it non-stop in my care. It's very catchy and his voice makes it so fun to sing along to.

14. 어쩌나 (Oh My!) - Seventeen

There isn't a Seventeen song that I don't love. There songs are always so fun and their choreography always makes every song and comeback they have memorable. I can't wait to see what they do in 2019. Also, Seokmin's vocals in this are my favorite.

15. My Flower (꽃이야) - JBJ

This song is another one I found like Beginning and it instantly became a song that I really love and would listen to all the time. I wish I had found JBJ sooner before their disbandment but their songs are still just as good. The video for this song is also super fun. This song reminds me of having a lot of fun with friends.

16. Candy (so good) - The Rose

If you like The 1975 there is a 99% chance you are going to like not only this song but The Rose. Not all of their songs are like The 1975's but this one is so similar to one of their songs. Anyways, this summer had so many good releases I feel like I keep saying the same thing over and over again, but I really did have this song on repeat in my car every time I went to work.

17. I am WHO - Stray Kids (Album)

I think most people fell in love with Stray Kids this year. I remember seeing them all over Twitter when they first debuted but didn't really pay attention to them until after I saw them perform at KCON NY because of how amazing they were. The song above is one of my favorite songs by them, and has that charming quality that all of their songs have.

18. BDZ - Twice

This is another Japanese release but it's so upbeat and really makes you feel powerful. I love Twice songs because of how catchy they are no matter what. This one also has a really fun video to go along with it.

19. Naughty Boy - Pentagon

Personally, I think this year Pentagon had two of the catchiest song releases. When this song first came out I listened to it multiple times a day because of how much I loved it. I would play it every time I was in my car and just really jam out. Hopefully 2019 brings good things for Pentagon.

20. Are You There - Monsta X (Album)

This is Monsta X's second full album and it's amazing. Every song is fantastic and has the element that makes it Monsta X. Their title song Shoot Out is that classic Monsta X edgy and powerful feel. My favorite songs on this album are, 널하다 and 어디서 뭐해 (MOHAE).

21. Get Cool - Stray Kids

Another fun release by Stray Kids. They really had such a good year and deserve every rookie of the year award because of how amazing and charming their appeal is. Considering they debuted this year their popularity is high (from what I see on the international front) and can only grow.

22. Waste It On Me - Steve Aoki ft. BTS

When I first heard this song on the radio I was like, "Wait, is this BTS?" because I didn't realise that they were releasing another collab with Steve Aoki. This song is so catchy and so amazing, the whole vibe is my favorite for songs to have. Jungkook is also so amazing with singing in English you'd never be able to tell that it wasn't a language he's not fluent in.

23. 24/7 - EXO

The best way to describe this song is smooth. It's one of my favorite songs off of their new album. I don't know what makes me like it so much but it just sounds to pleasing to the hears.

24. FACE - KEY (Album)

This whole album is flawless. I can't even pick a favorite song because of how much I love them all. The collabs, the songs with just Key, the song in English, they're all amazing. I was so excited and happy when they announced he was getting a solo album and can't wait to see what he does in the futures. I'm also going to give honorary mentions to the other members solo albums that were released this year because I love those as well but Key's was the one that really got to me.

I can't wait to see what 2019 brings for these artists and for new artists. What was your favorite releases or discoveries from this year?